by Lisa Prysock
“I don’t see her working tonight,” Holly looked around again, but the brown-haired new girl was not to be seen.
Reece shook her head and sighed again. “You know, I probably shouldn’t say anything, but I’m a little sad. She doesn’t get many hours as the newbie yet. I can’t help but worry about her.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Holly replied, setting her menu aside. “We’ll keep her in our prayers, won’t we, Calvin?”
He nodded. “Sure we will.”
“It’s nice to know some folks still pray for each other. So what can I get for you two this evening?”
Reece wrote down their orders for two chocolate milk shakes, two cheeseburgers with the works, and a double order of fries and onion rings to share. Then she disappeared to get their food. So far, it’d been a wonderful day of riding, shopping, and seeing a great movie. In Holly’s mind, it’d been the perfect, easygoing, fun first date. When the waitress returned with their orders, Cal remembered to bless the food and pray for LuAnne.
A little while later, he asked if she’d like to go with him to attend the church service at the country church at The Sweetwater on Sunday to hear Logan Haven preach.
“I’d love to,” Holly replied. “It’s about time I find a good church around here. I always went to services with my brother Chad back home. That would be really nice.”
“Great,” he nodded, taking a bite of his cheeseburger. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Judging by the amount of snow falling outside right now, it looks like we might be snowed in on Saturday. I’m going to do my laundry, read a book, and call my brother to see how Dad is doing. I’m also going to call my friend, Lexie, just to check on her.”
He nodded. “Yeah, you might be right about being snowed in. Would you like to have dinner at my cabin tomorrow night? If we’re snowed in, it’s only a short walk.”
She smiled, and then gave her reply in a coy, teasing manner. “That depends, cowboy. What are you cooking?”
Cal laughed, his face turning a little red. “I haven’t decided yet. I’m leaning on spaghetti, because it’s one of the few things I know how to make, but I can also grill a nice steak on the broiler.”
Holly grinned. “Surprise me. Whichever you decide is fine with me. I love both. Is dinner at seven?”
He nodded. “Seven it is. Wanna take a walk in the snow after if it’s not too brutal outside, and then watch a movie?”
“Okay, a walk in the snow sounds refreshing, and a movie after is always good. Besides, next week I’ll be back to work and working on a new story.”
“What are you going to write about next?” he asked, tasting one of the onion rings.
“Belden Farm,” she replied, adding a little mustard to her burger.
“Belden Farm?” he repeated.
“Jill’s mom, Betty Anne Fontaine’s farm, next to the ranch. She lives in an old Victorian that’s been restored over the years, but it’s been in the family for generations.”
“That’s going to be a great story, too,” he acknowledged, picking up his burger to take a bite.
She smiled widely, her light blue-gray eyes sparkling. “Ah, now you’re on to my plan to submit a great story every single time. That’s the plan, Stan.”
Thirteen
***
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, NIV
The snow had stopped falling by Saturday night, leaving a thick crystalized blanket of sparkling white flakes on everything. It was so cold outside, Holly and Calvin could see their breath hang in the air. The spaghetti dinner had been fun, and they’d enjoyed their walk with the sound of the snow crunching under their winter boots beneath a starry moonlit sky. Being snowed in had given them a chance to do personal chores during the day and get caught up on things around the ranch.
Calvin found himself enjoying spending time with Holly so much, he’d decided not to ask Brenda on another date. He’d made a promise to court Holly properly, and he was determined to stick to his word. She was the kind of girl he didn’t want to lose, so unlike those who attempted to get to know him because of his wealth and status.
On Sunday, they attended the church service together at the ranch and he thought few things were as pleasant in life as sitting in church together, hearing the Word of God, his arm extending across the back of the pew, wrapped around her shoulders. Logan was a great preacher whose words stirred him to continue to seek first the Kingdom of God. There was a roast beef luncheon at the ranch dining room after the service, and they spent the rest of the day together at his cabin hanging out, other than a thirty minute workout at the gym Sunday evening.
The topic of the day had been girlfriends, so he’d had to admit he’d had a few over the years. There’d been Monica, Sally, Janie, and Francesca, a long stint with no dating, and lately a few dates with Brenda. She’d had a few boyfriends; someone named Eddie, Michael, and then someone by the name of Jake. He was glad to have all the questions out of the way about their previous love lives. It wasn’t a comfortable topic for many relationships, and they were no different.
Everything was going well with his quiet vacation until Monday morning, at some early dawn-awful hour, when he awoke to the sound of a baby crying one of those seriously unhappy kinds of cries. More like wailing. Where was it coming from? He shook his head, trying to open his eyes in case he’d been dreaming.
However, he realized he wasn’t dreaming when the crying did not stop. He threw the covers off and climbed out of bed. The baby had to be close. It sounded as if it was right outside his kitchen or the front door. He reached for his terry cloth robe, tied the belt on, and stepped into his slippers. Then he gingerly made his way downstairs from the loft as the crying grew louder with every step. What on earth? Who let a baby cry like that? Why was it so close?
He crossed the foyer beside the kitchen and opened the front door to have a peek outside. Calvin didn’t see anything. He was about to close the door when the wailing started up again, and looking down at his feet where the sound was coming from, he nearly jumped. Someone had abandoned a baby in a basket on his front porch. He could hardly believe it, especially since it was barely twenty-eight degrees outside. Who would do such a thing?
IT WAS GOING TO BE a good week. Holly could feel it. She slipped into her gray sweater, a pair of jeans, and a pair of brown leather boots after her shower. She began humming a tune while finishing her make-up. Then Holly sat down at her desk where she could look out the window from time to time while reading her Bible and spending time with the Lord. It was still really early, but she wanted to go over her prayer list and pray for Lexie, Chad, her dad, Aunt Myra, and LuAnne before breakfast and going into work.
The desk area had become one of her favorite things about her suite at The Sweetwater. She knew she should be looking around for an apartment, but so far, she’d enjoyed being exactly where she was on the ranch. She was close to Lander, but able to enjoy the countryside. Plus, she and Cal were able to spend time together in the evenings without it being a hassle. She looked up after reading a Psalm to gaze out at the property, smiling when she caught a glimpse of Calvin opening his door. He was certainly up early. Wait! Was he picking up a baby? Had someone left a baby on his front porch? Have mercy!
Her mouth dropped open as she watched Calvin struggle with the basket and the baby. However, something else caught her eye off to the left of his cabin, near some evergreen shrubs. When Cal closed the door, she saw a shadowy figure tiptoe quickly away from the rear corner of a neighboring cabin. The figure was definitely female, judging by the pink winter hat, navy blue jacket, and tight jeans. Whoever she was, she was heading toward the next cabin.
That was odd. She was still pondering who the figure might be when her cell buzzed with a text. She glanced down at it to see Calvin had sent her a message.
Sorry to bother you so early. I know this is going to sound crazy, but someone abandoned a
baby in a basket on my front porch this morning. I can’t get him to stop crying. At least I think it’s a boy.
She texted a reply, chuckling at the idea of a hunky guy like Cal trying to take care of a little baby. At the same time, she’d rather expected his text. It confirmed what her eyes could hardly fathom.
Is there a binky in the basket or a bottle? He might be hungry, but he’s probably cold. Hold him tight until I get there. Any supplies like formula or diapers in the basket?
The baby he’d held up hadn’t looked much older than a few months at most, but then again, her view was from quite a distance. Then she smothered the chuckle. It was kind of sad that someone would leave a baby with a perfect stranger. Only desperation would drive someone to do such a thing. She had a sinking feeling that the girl she’d seen walking away from the scene had something to do with it.
Cal texted a reply. I’ll check.
She replied. Okay.
A few minutes later he finally replied. She figured it was probably hard for him to hold the baby in one arm while searching the basket with the other. Thanks. I did find a binky, and a bag with two diapers and a bottle. The bottle is empty.
She bit her lip and tried to think. Then she responded. All right, I’ll try to borrow some supplies from Jill, and then I’ll bring them by until we can get to the store. Try to get the baby to take the binky.
He texted back. Get to the store? Shouldn’t we call the police?
She replied. Not yet. I think we should try to figure out who the mother is, or at least someone who may know something about the baby. I happened to be looking out my window and saw someone watching your cabin. I’d like a chance to find the mother and figure out what’s going on.
A moment later he replied. Oh. Hmm. Okay. Well, hurry please.
Fourteen
***
And He has given us this command: anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
I John 4:21, NIV
Holly arrived at the cabin with a stack of diapers from Jill Haven which baby Christy had outgrown, size newborn to two months. Logan’s wife had also given her a can of formula and some infant baby bottles.
After knocking on the cabin door, she could hear the poor little guy crying inside. Calvin answered the door looking as bewildered as she’d ever seen him. The usually confident billionaire had never looked as panicked as he did at that moment.
“Boy am I glad to see you!” he breathed over top of the wailing baby. He uncomfortably held the infant out in his large hands as if the child had a disease or something.
“Aw...” She chuckled at the precarious way he continued to hold the baby as she stepped inside and then placed the diaper bag Jill had filled with baby supplies onto the kitchen island. Turning back to him, she could see Cal was in for a fun day. She had to be at work in about an hour, but perhaps she could return to help after her Monday morning meeting.
The baby continued to cry, so she stepped closer. “Cal, do you mind if I hold him for a moment?”
“Please.” He held the baby even further away from his body, jutting the child toward her.
She smiled and took the baby into her arms, pulling him close, speaking softly. Instantly, the baby stopped crying. “There, there,” she whispered as she cradled the baby, being careful to support his neck. “What a darling you are.”
“How’d you do that?” he asked, his eyes growing wide with amazement.
“I’ve done my share of babysitting over the years,” she smiled softly as the little guy studied her expressions. “I also worked in the nursery at church on a rotation basis with a few other ladies. I learned a lot from that experience.” She spotted the large basket and found the binky, pushing it gently into the baby’s mouth. “See how I’m supporting the baby’s neck and head, while holding him close to my body? That’s what you need to do when he cries until you can figure out what he needs. The baby will usually only cry if he is hungry, lonely, frightened, had too much stimulation, if he’s tired, or if he is in pain, isn’t feeling well, uncomfortable, or if he needs a diaper change. Your job will be to figure out which one of those is the case each time he cries. Got it?”
Calvin nodded, appearing to be studying the way she was holding him. “So if he is hungry, lonely, scared, too much stimulation, tired, in pain, sick, uncomfortable, or the diaper needs changed.” He scratched his head. “Uh, I’ve never changed a diaper.”
“First time for everything. Follow me, please. Bring the diaper bag from Jill.” She led him to the sofa. “Can you reach in the bag and find the diaper changing pad Jill Haven sent over with the baby blanket?”
“Uh, sure,” Cal nodded, the bewildered look appearing on his face again. “Do you have to go to work today?”
Holly smiled. “I’m afraid so, but I don’t think I have to be in the office all day. I have a Monday morning meeting and then I can leave. Al, my boss, he likes his reporters to be out working on our stories. I can drop by as soon as I’m done with my meeting.”
“Do you think it will be like an hour, or maybe two or three?” he asked.
“Oh, probably three, but the baby will likely sleep the entire time once we’ve fed, diapered, and rocked him. Since I have to leave in about twenty minutes, I need you to watch what I do very closely.” She kept her voice soft and steady, hoping to keep the baby calm.
“Okay,” Cal nodded as she took her coat off with his help.
A little while later, she’d given him a crash course in how to change a diaper, sterilize a bottle, make formula, swaddle the baby, and hold him for a feeding. She ran out of time to show him how to transfer the baby to the basket, but the baby had latched onto the bottle immediately. He drank the formula down quickly, making little contented noises as he did so. He’d obviously been starving. Holly and Cal had chuckled and smiled to hear the little noises the baby made.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, but I need you to promise me two things.” Holly looked at him with her most serious expression as he held the baby in his arms while giving him a bottle. She’d situated them onto a corner of the sofa, placing the basket and diaper bag close by.
“Sure,” Cal nodded.
“First, don’t ever leave the baby unattended at this age unless he’s in his basket and nothing can knock it over,” she instructed. “Secondly, feed and change him every two to three hours when he cries.”
“Got it,” Cal agreed. “But you said you’d be back in about three hours.”
“I should be, but if I stop at the store for more diapers and formula, it might be a little longer. However, there’s a good chance I’ll be here in time for his next feeding. If he falls asleep, don’t wake him to feed or diaper him. Let him sleep. Infants mainly need sleep,” she explained.
“Okay.” Cal shifted in his seat carefully, causing the baby to open his eyes while he drank from his bottle.
“Thirdly, don’t call the police. If you run into trouble, call Jill. I don’t want the mother to end up in jail or something. I’d like to try to figure out who she is and then talk to her. Obviously, she needs help.” Holly sighed.
“Okay, I won’t call the police, but we might have to at some point. We can’t just keep this baby without reporting what happened.” Cal had a good point.
Holly stood up and reached for her purse. Then she stepped into the foyer and retrieved her coat from one of the hooks on the wall. “You’re right about that, but let’s talk it out some more. Like I said earlier in my text, I think I saw the mother watching your porch, and I think I’ve seen her somewhere. I just have to figure out where. She looked kind of familiar. I’d like to ask her about what is happening and what the whole story is about her and this baby.”
“Okay, for now we’ll keep this quiet,” he replied, reluctance in his voice. “I’ll call Jill if I need help. Thanks for coming so quickly. I’ll see you as soon as you can return. Drive careful. There’s still a lot of snow out there and it’s cold.”
“See you soon,” sh
e smiled, closing the door quietly behind her so the baby wouldn’t be too disturbed during his feeding. What were they going to call the little guy? What was his real name? Was there a note in the basket or anything? She’d forgotten to ask.
Fifteen
***
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4, NIV
A number of days went by, but Holly had yet to find or figure out who the mother of the baby might be. Her reporter’s nose took her everywhere. She was beginning to think the mother wasn’t in Lander, Wyoming anymore. She and Cal named the baby Joshua, but they found no note in the basket. She prayed each day that the Lord might lead her to see the mother again, but so far, her prayer remained unanswered.
Calvin was learning to take care of “Joshua” each morning until Holly arrived in the afternoons. She’d scheduled her interview with Jill’s mom about Belden Farm and its beautiful farmhouse for mid-week. That wouldn’t leave her much time to write her story, so he’d had to manage the baby as much as possible.
By Thursday, Cal sounded as though he’d grown attached to Joshua. He also sounded like he was fighting an internal struggle of feeling closed in by responsibility and the legalities of the situation. He was supposed to be on vacation, not looking after an infant every minute of his waking hours, he’d complained one evening when they couldn’t get Joshua to stop crying.
“I’ve got an idea,” Holly said as she paced the floor with the baby in her arms. “Let’s go for a drive and look at the Christmas lights. I’ve finished my story about Belden Farm, and driving makes babies with and without colic go to sleep.”
“Great idea.” Cal reached for their winter coats while Holly swaddled the baby, put a hat on him, and wrapped him in another baby blanket for warmth. She’d picked up the items at the store on Monday along with a baby carrier which also functioned as a car seat, a few clothing items, more diapers, formula, and bottles.