to the person who brought him, he was born yesterday. We’re not equipped to receive an infant. This is Baker’s Creek.”
I don’t know what that means, but I get closer and say, “May I?”
He nods. “We followed procedure,” he continues. “The person who surrendered the baby filled out the form. There’s no sign of abuse. We called Oregon Child Welfare, but they won’t be able to be here until next Monday. Miss Olga here mentioned one of you has a foster care license.”
“From the state of Colorado,” I correct him and take the baby into my arms. He’s perfect, and God if I don’t want to keep him.
“If you don’t mind, Mrs. Aldridge, could you be our emergency foster parent?” he asks.
“We don’t have a crib,” Hayes is the one who interjects.
“She does,” Pierce interrupts. “She has everything for a baby boy in the garage. We just need to get the boxes out. We can run to the general store for whatever is needed.”
“Is this okay?” Olga asks me.
Pierce looks at the sheriff. “The license is for the state of Colorado. We’re happy to help you, but we want to make sure you are following protocol and won’t get yourself or us in trouble.”
He smiles. “I cleared it with Child Welfare. As long as she has a current license, we are covered. They are finding a more permanent foster home for him, and as I said, they’ll be here on Monday to pick him up.”
The sheriff looks at Hayes and Blaire and says, “If you could just examine him and make sure he’s healthy. There are a few forms we need to fill out and send to welfare tomorrow morning.”
Blaire takes the baby, and I don’t lose track of him while they check him. He’s so quiet and seems a little lost. When they are done, I notice Pierce is on the phone barking instructions.
“Yes, those boxes. 0-6BB. I need you to take them to the nursery. The bedding, the crib, and if you can find blankets, send Vance to the shelter with them. Since we don’t have a car seat, we’re walking with him.” He nods, shakes his head, and rolls his eyes. “Yes Henry, I’ll explain more when I get home. Just start building the crib.”
I stare at the sleeping baby and wonder if this is a little miracle or just a bittersweet taste of what we will have some day. Stay positive. The invitro is just next week.
Chapter Forty-Two
Pierce
The sheriff promises he’ll come to pick up the baby on Monday. I want to beg him to leave him with us for eighteen years. Leyla is going to get attached. Once Hayes and Blaire confirm he’s healthy and Vance arrives with a thicker blanket, Leyla and I walk to the house. She’s quiet, and I’m afraid to say the wrong word.
“We need to buy formula. I don’t have any,” she mumbles. “I’m sure the grocery store in Happy Springs has that and baby bottles. We could drive to Portland for more supplies and a car seat.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“No, you think this is a bad idea,” she mutters.
“I do?”
“Yes, you’re the logical one. This is the part where you need to remind me that I have a veterinary clinic that just opened and needs my attention. They’re taking him away on Monday. We’re going to the clinic to get inseminated too,” she sighs. “I shouldn’t be buying a car seat.”
“You want it straight?”
She nods.
“We could apply to adopt him,” I explain. “It’s going to be a challenge, and we can’t stop them from taking him away next week. The waiting period is going to be long, and there are many ahead of us. It’s not impossible, and if the foster parents who get him this upcoming week are on a waiting list to adopt, they might get to keep him.”
Leyla looks at the baby and smiles at him. “I can do this. Love him for a week and let him go.”
“You want to apply?”
She shakes her head. “No. There are other people already waiting for him. A couple that’s been anxious and ready for him.”
“We’re not?” I ask.
Her eyes turn to look at me, and she smiles. “I hope we’re getting closer, big guy.”
“All I want is for you to be happy and for us to be together,” I tell her.
“Being with you makes me happy,” she assures me. “I can wait a lifetime for a baby as long as you don’t leave me again.”
“Never again,” I promise