the back seat, and I find myself glancing at the rearview mirror more times than I can count.
I’m not thrilled to see the crowd awaiting us, but Amelia seems pleased at the welcoming committee. Or perhaps she’s just happy to be away from me.
She peers out of the windshield to where Sunny, Joe, Sam, and Mrs. Mayfield are gathered on the porch. I’m surprised I can even recognize them with the amount of balloons, gift bags, and wrapped presents surrounding them.
Tears are already streaming as she gets out of the car and waves to her friends. She’s moving to the back passenger’s door to get the baby when I grasp her wrist.
“Hey.”
She stops, peering up at me.
“I’ve got him. Go be with your friends. I’m sure they’re eager to see you.”
Her laughter echoes. God. It’s been so long since I’ve heard that sound. I want to close my eyes and savor it.
“Pretty sure they’re eager to see the baby,” she says.
“Either way, you don’t need to be carrying all that weight. Go settle and I’ll be right in.”
She hesitates, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, unsure if she should trust me with him. The idea that I could hurt to our son is unfathomable, and I thought Amelia knew me better than it.
I get it. She’s a new mom.
But he’s my son. I’d die before allowing any harm to come to him. I’d do the same for her.
“Amelia. I’ve got him. I always will. Now, go.”
I lean into the back seat, coming face-to-face with Branson. I study his features, searching for any sign of me. Any sign of Amelia. His eyes already have a deep-brown color, but the rest? Well, he’s two days old, so I guess we’re going to just have to wait a bit to know who he takes after.
“If you’re lucky, buddy, it’ll be your momma.”
He blinks, continuing to stare at me. Probably like I’d do if someone walked up to me and started speaking Russian.
“You and me? We’re in this together. We’re gonna make your momma so happy she won’t know what hit her.”
Another blink.
Who knew blinking babies could be so damn endearing?
“Well, you’ve got a few people in there who are eager to meet you, buddy. Mrs. Mayfield doesn’t like me much. That’s okay though. I think you just may help out with that. Joe’s solid, a stand-up guy who doesn’t talk too much and plays a mean game of pool. I’d keep you from Sunny and Sam as long as I could…if I could. They’re wacky but good people.”
I’m barely onto the porch with the car seat when four bodies crowd in close, all wanting to get a look at him.
Huddling Branson behind me, I whisper in exasperation, “Back the hell off or the baby’s going back in the car.”
As quickly as they came in like vultures, they back away. Joe’s grinning at me, his knowing smile a welcome presence. Mrs. Mayfield also smiles at me, which is a bit odd.
“Knox is right,” she says. “We musn’t startle the baby.”
“Let’s settle in the living room,” Amelia suggests, and they all follow into the house after her.
To Branson, whose eyelids are already drooping, I mutter, “Don’t worry, buddy. I won’t let them hog you for long.”
I swear he smiles at me, but do two-day-olds smile? I’m probably just imagining it. Not surprising seeing as I’ve gotten about three hours of sleep since I left Nashville.
I’m reluctant to hand the baby over when I enter the living room, but since Mrs. Mayfield did me a solid, I place him in her arms.
Figuring this is the best time to make my move, I head towards the door. But then Amelia calls out to me.
“Where are you going? Didn’t you already bring everything inside?”
“Not quite.”
Her brow furrows. I don’t explain. She’ll understand soon enough.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s not rid of me. Not by a longshot. And I make that clear when I head out to my car, grab my luggage, and bring it inside.
The welcoming party continues as I pass by Amelia, whose eyes narrow in my direction. I can practically feel her fury radiating at my back, and I’m not surprised she’s following me into her room.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she hisses, her tone rigid.
My eyes dart past her. “You sure you wanna do this with an audience?”
She pushes into the room and silently closes the door. We’re nearly chest-to-chest, with just enough space between us for her to poke me.
“I