“That’s nice.”
“Mom wondered if they could come over and spend some time with Grace. I thought maybe a family dinner?”
The word family gave her a jolt. Did he want her there? Or would he choose a night when she was working?
“Sure.”
“You’re off Wednesday, right?”
“I am.” The strength of her relief speared through Lark, shocking her. “That should work great.”
“And I don’t want you to worry about dinner. I thought we’d fix steaks and keep things simple.”
“I don’t own a barbecue,” Lark reminded him.
“That’s okay. I’ve got it taken care of.”
Taken care of how?
“Having your parents over for dinner is a great idea,” she said. “They deserve to get to know their granddaughter.” If only her parents were so inclined. “And thank you for asking me.”
He didn’t look at all chastened by her subtle reproof.
“Of course. It’s your house.”
He had to be kidding. Irritation flared. “That hasn’t slowed you down thus far.”
“I know I should have told you my plans for fixing up Grace’s nursery,” he said, returning to the disagreement they’d been having earlier. “But see it from my perspective. When Grace sleeps in your bedroom, I’m not able to do my fair share.” He lowered his lids to half-mast and peered at her from beneath his lush lashes. “Unless, of course, you want me in your bedroom late at night.”
She couldn’t restrain the grin that tugged at her lips. “Stop trying to distract me from being annoyed with you.”
“I’m not trying to distract you, I’m simply pointing out the reality of our current situation.” Keaton rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward, his expression earnest. “I’m not going to pretend I understand what you’re going through. With Skye in a coma and Grace’s health a constant concern, you’ve got to be consumed with anxiety. All I’m trying to do is take some of the burden off your shoulders. Let me help.”
Lark drew a shaky breath. With her stomach in knots she’d lost her appetite. “It’s just so hard to let go. I keep worrying that she’ll need me and I won’t be there.”
“Remember that she was on her own in the NICU for the first twelve weeks of her life.”
“I know, but that makes me all the more determined to keep her close.”
“And I’ll be right next door with the baby monitor on my nightstand.”
She knit her fingers together in her lap and struggled to overcome her compulsion to control every aspect of Grace’s well-being. “Let’s start tomorrow. Give me the night to get used to the idea.”
Keaton nodded. “That sounds good.”
“And if she hates being all by herself, we go back to what we’ve been doing.”
“With one difference.” Keaton picked up his fork and speared a broccoli floret. “I will be visiting your bedroom every two or three hours throughout the night.”
Keaton lay on the bed in Lark’s guest room, his hands behind his head, his feet crossed at the ankle, and stared at the dark ceiling. Even though it was Lark’s night to get up with Grace, he couldn’t sleep. Over the last few days he’d grown accustomed to his niece’s schedule and woken every few hours just as she was beginning to stir. He glanced at the clock and decided to get up and get a bottle started. Maybe if he could catch Grace before she made a sound, he could give Lark a few more hours to rest.
For a man who spent his days directing the operations of an extensive ranch and getting dirty on occasion working alongside his hands, he was rather surprised how well he’d managed with Grace. Everything about her was so tiny it had taken him forever to master slipping on her doll-sized socks and days before he was completely confident in his ability to change her diaper and dress her without worrying that he might accidentally be too rough with her.
Each time she focused her gaze on his face, his heart took a severe hit for his absent brother. Jake was missing so much. And then there was Skye, still locked in a coma. There were so many firsts they both were missing.
Right on cue, Grace was beginning to wake up when he entered the nursery. He immediately turned down the baby monitor so if she did make a sound, Lark wouldn’t hear. Pleased with his timing, Keaton lifted the infant into his arms and settled into the rocking chair he’d bought. As soon as he brought the bottle to her lips, Grace latched on and began sucking with enthusiasm.
“Hungry little thing, aren’t you?”
It pleased him how the baby was thriving. Tomorrow was her first wellness check since leaving the hospital. He and Lark had agreed to go together, and if all went well, they were going to attempt an early dinner out. That should start the tongue-wagging, he thought, remembering how getting caught having dinner together had led to Jake and Skye running away from Royal. But then, they’d been in love. He and Lark were simply co-babysitting.