by Judy Duarte
Nate didn’t know what to say. He’d already agreed to let her help him, but he wasn’t convinced that finding a nanny would be a slam dunk. It wasn’t going to be easy letting a complete stranger move into his house and watch the baby while he was at work. What if the woman he hired didn’t work out? What if he had to start the selection process all over again?
Worse, what if Anna’s three-week vacation wasn’t long enough for any complications that could rise up?
“I would only stay during the transition,” Anna repeated. “As soon as the new nanny moves in, I’ll find another place to live. And once she settles into a routine with the baby, I’ll let you get on with your life.”
Having Anna around made the whole game plan more feasible, which should make him feel better. But in actuality, that’s exactly what worried him. Anna had no idea how afraid he was of failing Jessie, even after she was no longer an infant.
“This is probably going to work out better than you think,” Anna said. “It’ll help strengthen your father-daughter bond.”
Nate had never been worried about that. How could he not love and want to protect that precious little girl? He’d do anything for her—and he’d guard her with his life.
No, that wasn’t what scared him.
One night, when Nate had been a teenager, Grandpa Clint had told him, “I probably shouldn’t say this, son, but your old man was a real horse’s ass. He didn’t deserve to have a son like you or a wife like your mom.”
As sad as that fact was, Nate had puffed up a bit, taking those words as a compliment. Clint had thought Nate had deserved better.
But then Audrey had added her thoughts. “You make it sound as if Nate’s father was a bad seed. But, Clint, the man had a rough life himself and never had a family of his own. How could anyone expect him to be a good husband or father?”
Clint had merely shrugged off her comment, but Audrey had made a good point, and Nate had taken it to heart. And the truth of it still dogged him today.
What if he wasn’t able to be a proper parent? Lord knew he’d never had a good role model, other than Clint. But their bond had been slow in coming and was more based upon horsemanship, saddles and lariats. They might have developed a good relationship over time, but it wasn’t especially affectionate. In fact, it was more like the bond a rancher had with his favorite cowhand.
If Jessie had been a boy, it might be easier for Nate to do right by her. But what did he know about raising a little girl?
“You seem to be uneasy about something,” Anna said. “Are you reconsidering your decision?”
Yes, but he wasn’t going to admit why.
“Are you?” he asked.
“No, I’m already thinking about what we’ll need to do to get that nursery ready. I know you already have a portable crib, which you can use here until you buy a bigger one. But you should get a baby monitor, as well as a few other things. So I might drive to Wexler and pick them up for you.”
The thought that he needed anything at all, when he probably needed a ton of things, only reminded him of how much he lacked. And not just in “things.”
Still, he thanked her and said, “Get whatever you think Jessie needs, and I’ll reimburse you. This house certainly isn’t ready for a baby.”
“Actually,” Anna said, “I think this house is amazing, even as it is. Any child would be happy to grow up here.”
That was a huge relief. But would Jessie be happy to have a cowboy for a daddy, a man who didn’t know squat about fatherhood or families?
Still, Nate had accepted the responsibility of being Jessie’s dad, even if he wasn’t entirely sure that he’d fathered her. Hell, he couldn’t even think about what might happen to her if she had to live with one of Kenny’s shady relatives.
That meant Nate was the best parent she was likely to get. He just hoped he’d never be required to take a DNA test because he was afraid of what the results might reveal.
Grandpa Clint used to say, “The truth will set you free.” And that had always made sense to Nate. But when it came to Jessie’s paternity, he might be locked into a truth he wasn’t ready to face.
* * *
As soon as Nate agreed to bring Jessie to live with him at his house, Anna began making a mental list of all the things they’d need to buy and to do before the baby arrived. And as far as she was concerned, they couldn’t get started checking off each project or purchase soon enough.
So when Nate reached for the keys to his pickup so he could drive back to the Rocking Chair Ranch for the night, she asked, “Would it be all right if I helped you move things out of the art studio? I can box things up and store them in the garage—or wherever you suggest.”
The question seemed to take him aback. Had she pressed him too hard or too soon? Had she stepped over a line?
“Then again,” she added, “I just remembered that the room she’ll be using once belonged to your grandmother. You probably have keepsakes or family heirlooms in there, so I’m sorry I didn’t consider that.”
Nate blew out a ragged sigh. “Her name was Audrey. And while she was nice enough to me, we really weren’t that close. I doubt there’s anything in there that I’d want to keep.”
Anna had gathered that he’d suffered a lot of sadness in his life. He’d lost his mother, been abandoned by his father...and now he implied that he hadn’t been very close to his grandfather’s wife.
Hopefully, creating a new family with Jessie would provide him with some of what he’d missed while growing up.
On the other hand, it was also possible that his past would make it more difficult to bond with his daughter.
“Go ahead and box things up,” Nate said. “That is, if you want to. I’ll come back tomorrow night and take them out to the shed in the backyard. I can store them in there until I have a chance to go through them. Audrey’s sister lives in Pennsylvania. She might be interested in having something as a keepsake.”
“That sounds like a good idea to me, especially if they were close.”
“They were,” Nate said. “She had a heart attack when she got the news about the accident and wasn’t able to attend the funeral.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, me, too.” He picked up his keys then turned toward the door. “Anyway, stuff happens. And life goes on.”
Nate seemed to be dealing with all that had happened to him, which was good. He’d probably learned to be adaptable.
Anna certainly had. Life hadn’t been easy for her when she was a child, but she’d been a big daydreamer, which had helped her to ignore whatever went on around her and provided her with an imaginary world in which she could escape.
Still, her heart went out to Nate, as well as to the baby girl he was making room for in his home. Hopefully, he was making room for her in his heart. As a social worker, Anna was determined to make sure Jessie grew up in a strong, loving family, even if—God forbid—her father had to live elsewhere.
* * *
The next morning Anna drove to a nearby discount store and purchased cardboard boxes in which she could pack up Audrey’s art supplies.
Next up was a trip to Babies “R” Us in Wexler so she could pick up a few items Jessie would need. She’d no more than slid behind the wheel and started the ignition when her cell phone rang.
She checked the lighted display. Someone was calling her from the Rocking Chair Ranch, and her heart plummeted to her stomach. Her first thought was that something was wrong, either with Jessie or Nate, and her stomach clenched. She nearly fumbled the phone as she slid her finger across the screen to answer. “Hello?”
“Hey,” Joy said, her voice sounding chipper and upbeat. “I hope I’m not bothering you, Anna.”
“No, not at all. What’s up?”
“Nate told me that you planned to do a littl
e shopping so you could start setting up the nursery, but I wanted to ask you to hold off for a bit.”
Anna clutched the phone tighter, and her heart began to speed up again as she realized Nate might be having second thoughts about bringing Jessie home. “Why do you want me to wait?”
“Because we’d like to have a surprise baby shower for Nate. I think we can pull it off by this evening. One of the nurses and an aide volunteered to shop for the men and wrap the gifts. I’ll bake a cake this morning and decorate it after lunch. What do you think?”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. How can I help?”
Five minutes later Anna had altered her shopping plans and went to a party store instead, where she stocked up on paper plates, napkins, special favors and a booklet of baby shower games. Next she stopped at a local mall, where she purchased prizes for the winners. She found a candy store and picked up two boxes of chocolate, which she figured anyone would like. She also bought a set of dominoes and a Monopoly game.
She was pleased with all of her purchases, as well as the speed in which she’d done it. Last on her list was a visit to Kiddies’ Clothes Corral so she could find the perfect shower gift. Unfortunately, she couldn’t seem to zip through the aisles in that store as she’d done in the others.
As she scanned the racks of baby girl clothes, she was tempted to load up on onesies, sleepers and dresses, but she hated to go overboard, no matter how darling some of those little outfits were. Still, she bought one of each.
When she neared the checkout area, she spotted the perfect gift for a little cowgirl—soft denim jeans, a white cotton T-shirt and a pair of tiny pink boots. Jessie might only be nearing six pounds right now, but she would outgrow her few preemie sleepers before Nate realized.
Anna chose the nine-month size then carried an armful of other items to the register.
“Do you have gift boxes and wrapping paper?” she asked the department store clerk.
“I’m afraid not,” the woman said. “But we do have tissue, gift bags and a small variety of cards on the rack behind you.”
Anna thanked her then chose a bright pink bag, white tissue paper and a frilly bow made of pastel-colored ribbon. Just before handing over her credit card, she spotted a stuffed animal she couldn’t resist—a little brown pony.
“Will you add this to my purchase?” she asked.
“You bet.”
Her gift totaled more than she’d planned to spend, but she didn’t mind. She was happy with all she’d chosen.
Then, with her car loaded down, she drove out to the Rocking C to help Joy create the perfect surprise baby shower for a cowboy daddy.
* * *
Nate had spent the afternoon working in the north forty, far from the house. He’d had more work he could have done in the barn, but Sam had insisted he take the Gator out and check the irrigation system.
Now, as he drove back to put away his tools, Sam met him in the yard and nodded toward the barn. “Why don’t you clean up in there before coming into the house to eat? Joy invited a few friends to join us for dinner, and I thought it would be easier if the ranch hands didn’t use the mudroom as usual.”
“Sure.” Nate had half a notion to tell him he’d rather return to his own place and eat with Anna, but he figured there’d be some ribbing or comments made about that. Besides, he’d be moving home as soon as the nursery was ready.
He parked the Gator then went into the barn, where he washed his face and hands at the sink in the bathroom. On his way to the house, he spotted a couple of cars, one of which was Anna’s.
Why had she come this evening? Was she one of the “friends” Joy had invited to dinner?
His pulse rate soared, although not in apprehension. He was actually looking forward to seeing her again.
Once he reached the front porch, he scraped his boots on the mat then opened the door. He was met with a resounding “Surprise!” followed by hoots and whistles.
What the...hell?
The living room had been draped with pastel-colored streamers, and two long tables had been brought in. One was laden down with food, the other with gifts.
He was still trying to wrap his brain around what was going on when Sam slapped him on the back. “You’ve got a possum in the headlights look, Nate. Apparently, you’ve never been to a baby shower before.”
He certainly hadn’t. He’d never even had a birthday party. Okay, there’d been one, but it hadn’t been a big one with friends and decorations and... Dang, this was really something.
Was the celebration for Jessie? It had to be, but everyone, including all the retired cowboys who lived here, had grins slapped across their faces. You’d think this was for him.
He glanced at Anna, hoping she would help him know what to do, what to say. As if reading his mind and realizing he was completely out of his league at an event like this, she crossed the room. “I guess you never expected to have a baby shower.”
“No, I have to admit, something like that never even crossed my mind.”
“As much as we hate seeing you and Jessica move home,” Joy said, “we realize it’s time you did. And since we knew you didn’t have the opportunity to purchase everything you’d need, we thought it’d be fun to help you. It also gave us an excuse to throw a party.”
Sam made his way toward Joy and slipped his arm around her. “I know Jessie’s been sleeping in that little bed in the ranch office, but she’s going to need something bigger before you know it. So Joy and I bought a crib, along with sheets and a comforter.”
“We kept the receipt,” Joy added as she pointed out the baby bed that someone had set up near the fireplace.
Nate shook his head, dazed by their generosity, and said, “That won’t be necessary. This one will do just fine.”
“I hope you like the bedding,” Joy said. “I didn’t want to choose anything that would lock you into a color scheme. But that butterfly print with the daisies is both bright and feminine. And don’t worry. We can take care of dismantling it so you can transport it to your house.”
“I don’t know what to say, other than thank you. This is not only mind-boggling, it’s very much appreciated.” Nate turned to Anna. “Jessie ought to love the colors. What do you think? ”
“I think it’s perfect.” Anna, who was wearing a pair of jeans and a light green T-shirt, blended nicely with the pastel colors, too. And for a moment...
No, Nate wasn’t going to go there. Anna was only going to be a temporary sitter.
“Now that our guest of honor has arrived, let’s eat.” Joy pointed toward the food spread out on the table buffet style. “Nate, why don’t you and Anna fill your plates first?”
Unable to think of an argument, especially since he’d worked up an appetite this afternoon, he placed his hand on Anna’s back, and they headed for the stack of paper plates, napkins and plasticware.
A white tablecloth covered the table, which had been adorned with two pink Western bandannas. A Mason jar filled with daisies sat on each of them. But it was the amazing array of food that stood out to Nate.
What a spread. Joy had been busy preparing fried chicken, potato salad, a fruit platter and a variety of side dishes. As Anna started down the line, serving herself, Nate followed suit.
Right behind them, Joy and a nurse’s aide began to fill plates for a couple of the retired cowboys who didn’t get around very well, followed by the others who were eager to serve themselves in what amounted to a Western feast.
The chairs that filled the room were pretty much taken, so Nate sat on the living room sofa, next to Anna.
“We obviously were able to pull this off and surprise you,” she said.
“You got that right. I never expected anything like it. How big of a part did you play in all of this?”
“It was Joy’s idea. I
just helped a little.”
“What’d you do?” he asked. “Decorate?” He doubted she’d helped out in the kitchen because Joy had such a good handle on the meals, including any food prep.
Anna brightened, a dazzling smile lighting her hazel eyes. “Yes, and I also planned the games.”
“Seriously?” He set his plate on his knees then reached for a glass of fruit punch. “You mean, we’re going to do more than just eat?”
“Yep. Just wait and see. It’ll be fun. Then you get to open the presents.”
This was unbelievable—and so unexpected. Nate wasn’t sure if he should be pleased or embarrassed. Both, he supposed. But he found himself to be especially glad to be seated next to Anna.
After everyone had eaten their fill, the games began. First up was a race to diaper a baby doll while wearing a yellow Western bandanna as a blindfold. Caroline, one of the nurse’s aides who had four children of her own, won hands down.
“I learned to change my little ones in the dark so they wouldn’t wake up,” she explained. “I’m pretty fast, too.”
Apparently, Nate thought. For her speedy efforts, she won a box of chocolates. She was also rewarded with a vanilla-scented candle for neatness.
Anna proceeded to give them the rules for the next game as she passed out paper and pens to anyone wanting to play. “You have three minutes to list every song you can think of that has the word baby in the title.”
Raul Santiago, who’d once played in a country-western band, took the prize that time, listing twenty-three songs, only two of which were disputed by a couple of the other guests. He won a bag of Jolly Rancher candies.
The last competition of the evening involved ten brown lunch sacks that had been sealed shut. Each one contained something a baby needed. The object of the game was to feel the item through the paper and guess what was inside.
This time around, Gilbert Henry, whose late wife once operated a day care in their home, was able to guess all but one of them.