Absentminded Angel(Divine Creek Ranch 20)(14)

“Thank you. Your shop is really something,” she said as she cast a gaze around the high-ceilinged interior. A nearby clock chimed and Presley Ann checked her watch. “I’d better get back. It’s time for Whit to eat again.”

“Let me know how it works out with the wrap,” Violet said as she walked her to the front door and held it open for her and they stepped out into the bright, cool afternoon.

Violet sighed dreamily and Presley Ann followed her line of sight and giggled. “Well, I’ll get out of your hair.” She gave Josh and Lucas Abbott, who were headed Violet’s way, a brief greeting before hurrying to her car. Just the thought of feeding Whit was inspiring a letdown, and she held her arm across her breasts to stave off soaking herself with breast milk.

In the car, she placed a call to Kendry’s cell phone. As soon as his voice came on the line, she blurted, “Is he okay? Has he been crying? I’m sorry I’m taking so long. I made a couple of stops before—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, kitten. Slow down. No need to apologize. Where are you at?”

“I’m out in front of Violet’s Emporium. I needed to stop at the pharmacy and then come here.” She hoped he didn’t think she was being frivolous by stopping there for a little shopping. That hadn’t been her intention at all. All she’d wanted was the wrap. There was just so much in Violet’s store that caught her eye. I’m like a friggin’ squirrel with a shiny object!

Kendry just chuckled and said, “It sounds like you enjoyed your break. I took the tater tot for a little fresh air. We’re at the firehouse.”

“Everything okay? He’s not screaming?” She’d fed him right after Kendry had suggested that she could go on her own to see her doctor and she’d been worried that the bottles might not have gone over very well with Whit.

“He’s great. I warmed up a bottle for him an hour ago, and he sucked it down like it was ambrosia.”

Heat filled her cheeks and she smiled. “Good. So it was all…okay?” When he’d made the offer to keep Whit while she was at her doctor’s appointment, Kendry reminded her of his and Jared’s experience with babies and kids, and of course he had EMT training as well.

When she arrived at the firehouse, it was easy to find Whit, Kendry, and Jared. They were in the midst of all the firefighters, and Whit seemed to enjoy being passed from one firefighter to another while the station mascot, a basset hound, trotted around their feet, trying to get a good look at him.

“Hi,” she said, feeling heat spread through her when Kendry and Jared looked up and both smiled at her. The heat spread to her throat and cheeks as several of the firefighters turned their gazes her way and then elbowed Kendry and Jared, demanding introductions. She recognized two other guys she’d gone out with before.

Kendry made his way through the crowd after taking Whit back and kissed the top of her head when he reached her. Jared was right behind him, ready with a hug. Jared said, “How are you feeling? Kendry told me about your headache. Did you get to do everything you needed to do?”

“Yeah, I did.” She breathed in a slightly less shaky breath and felt a little more able to resume the mommy role. “My headache is even a little better now. He was good?”

“He was just fine,” Jared said before he was nudged from behind. A tall, blond firefighter grinned at her from over his shoulder.

“I’ve seen you around, across the street before,” the blond said, flirtation clear in his eyes. “You sure do make beautiful babies…beautiful.”

Kendry scoffed and looked back at him. “I haven’t even made any introductions yet. Stop flirting with her.” The blond just grinned and winked at her, puffing out his broad chest. Evidently some men were turned on by new mothers in frumpy sweatpants, sneakers, and messy ponytails.

Kendry and Jared introduced Presley Ann to the other men, and she patted Dougie when he put his paw on her leg.

Once the men had all gone back to work, Kendry and Jared turned warm gazes on her, reassuring her that it was no problem when she thanked them yet again before taking the baby home.

For men who professed to understand that she was a single mom with her hands totally full already, they sure looked like men on a mission.





Chapter Four




With her car warming up downstairs, Presley Ann put the final touches on her makeup while Whit finished nursing from his position inside her stretchy sling. Life had made some remarkable improvements after that stress-filled day in November, right before Thanksgiving. Much as she wanted to say she could do everything on her own, it had taken two caring, gorgeous men to break her out of her funk.