Because of the Baby(13)
“I didn’t want to believe my sister and her baby had been abandoned by your brother.” Her eyes hardened. “How could he be so unreachable? They need him.”
“They have us,” Keaton reminded her. “I’m going to do everything in my power to take care of my niece. And your sister.”
“I spoke with my mother today. She and my dad are busy because of the damaged tree farm and other things.” She ducked her head, her posture defeated. “I think I’m going to need help taking care of Grace.”
He was saddened, but not surprised, that the Taylors had chosen not to pitch in to care for their granddaughter. Skye had been disowned by her parents when she left with Jake. The Taylors were obstinate and inflexible. It was their intolerance that had forced their daughter to run away from Royal and further aggravate an already bitter war between their families.
He wanted to touch Lark’s hand, to reassure her that he was on her side. “You and I are going to make a great team.”
“That remains to be seen,” she remarked, some of her prickliness returning. “I’m dreading the scene when my parents find out you and I are working together to care for Grace.”
If that bothered her, she was really going to hate where his thoughts had taken him over the last twenty-four hours. “You’re doing the right thing for Grace, and that’s what counts.”
“I hate having to choose between being a good daughter and a good sister and aunt.” Lark worried her fingers along her jacket’s zipper. “I suppose you think it’s stupid that a twenty-seven-year-old woman is afraid of upsetting her parents.”
From what he’d experienced of Tyrone Taylor’s temper, Keaton understood Lark’s desire to avoid her father’s wrath.
He guided the truck into the furniture store parking lot and took a spot not far from the front door. Keaton shut off the engine and sat in silence for a long moment. He was overwhelmed by a strong desire to protect her from anyone who made her unhappy, but she wouldn’t appreciate his opinion about her parents even if all he was doing was defending her.
At last he spoke. “We can’t let this rift between our families keep us from doing what is best for Grace.”
“You’re absolutely right.” She nodded fiercely. “Let’s go buy some baby furniture.”
If Keaton had expected to spend the next two hours bored to tears while Lark shopped, he was pleasantly surprised when she went straight to a crib in the middle row and gave it a quick nod.
“I want this one,” she told the sales clerk who approached less than a minute later. “As well as that changing table.”
“I’ll get it all written up. When do you want it delivered?”
“The sooner the better.”
“Let me check the schedule. We have tomorrow afternoon available.”
Lark frowned. “I have to work.”
“That will be fine,” Keaton said.
“But I won’t be home.”
“I’ll meet them.” He could see immediately that she was uncomfortable with the idea. “You might as well get used to having me in your house. I’m going to be taking care of Grace there, after all.”
“You’re right.” Lark shook her head. “I haven’t had to share my space with anyone since buying my house two years ago.”
“You’re never lonely being on your own?”
“Sometimes.” She offered him a tiny smile. “Mostly I love it. I walk in my front door and don’t have to worry about anyone but me.”
“Bringing Grace home is going to change that.”
“I don’t mean it the way it sounds. It’s just that with Skye coming home, my parents are stressed out and things around the hospital have been really challenging since the tornado. I moved from the surgery team to ICU so I could be closer to Skye and am having a hard time with the nurses I’m working with. Everything I say gets twisted around. I feel as if I’m constantly walking on eggshells. It’s exhausting.”
“Sounds like you need a break.”
“I’m taking a week off when Grace comes home.” She gave a happy sigh. “I’ll need it to get her settled in.”
With the crib paid for and the delivery arrangements finalized, Keaton and Lark headed back to his truck. He scanned Lark’s face as she buckled herself in. She looked worn to the bone.
“Can I buy you dinner before I take you home?”
She gave him a weary smile. “I’m too tired to be much company.”
“How about takeout?”
“Are you always this persistent?”
Yes, when something was important to him, and Lark’s well-being was rapidly climbing his priority list. “I don’t feel right taking you home without feeding you.”