Endless Love (Santa’s Secret Helpers #5) - Leeanna Morgan Page 0,56
everyone’s all right.” She gave Caleb a big hug. “Congratulations, Daddy.”
Caleb’s arm tightened around her. “Thanks.”
Shelley knew that being a dad was a big deal to him. After all he’d been through with his own father, he was determined to give his baby a loving and stable home. She let go of Caleb and frowned. “Did you say the baby’s name is Ashley?”
“Ashley Elena Andrews.”
“It’s a lovely name. Does Mom know what Ashley’s middle name is?”
Caleb’s smile widened. “As soon as our daughter was born, we told her. She was so excited that I was worried about her heart.”
“I don’t blame you. I’ve been worried about her all day.”
Caleb’s eyes were bright with happiness. “Come and see Sam and the baby.”
“I should tell John and Dad first.”
“I’ll go to the family room now. Sam’s on the next floor in room 204.”
Shelley bit her bottom lip. Her dad wouldn’t mind if she saw Ashley before he did, and neither would John. “Tell them to come into the room as soon as they arrive. If there’s a limit to the number of visitors Sam can have, I’ll wait outside.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. Because it’s so late, the nurses put Sam and Ashley in their own room.”
“That’s great.” She gave Caleb another quick hug. “I’ll see you soon.” And before anyone else could visit Sam, Shelley pressed the elevator button and planned what she’d say to her clever sister.
There had only been two times in Shelley’s life when she didn’t know what to say. The first was when she’d met John. The second was now.
Ashley was asleep in her arms and gently nibbling on her bottom lip.
For the last few minutes, all Shelley could do was stare at the gorgeous baby. “She’s adorable,” she finally whispered.
Sam gave a contented sigh. “I can’t believe she was growing inside of me. When I saw her, it was like Caleb and I had been given a little miracle.”
Shelley’s mom rubbed her finger along Ashley’s arm. “She is the sweetest little girl in the whole of Montana. Look at her button nose and dark eyebrows. Ashley will break many Italian men’s hearts.”
With a smile, Shelley turned to her mom. “What if she falls in love with someone from Ireland or Spain?”
Elena sighed. “As long as he does not break my little granddaughter’s heart, he is welcome in our family.”
“I might have to remind you of those words one day.”
“I hope I am here long enough to be reminded,” Elena said softly.
Shelley swallowed the lump in her throat. “I hope you are, too.”
The door to Sam’s room opened and Caleb, Ted, and John walked into the room.
Ted’s eyes filled with tears when Shelley brought the baby closer to him. “Dad, this is Ashley Elena Andrews, your new granddaughter.”
“She’s beautiful.”
The tender expression on her Dad’s face made Shelley sigh. “Would you like to hold her?”
“I’ll give Sam a hug first.” He moved across the room and wrapped his arms around his daughter. “Congratulations. How are you feeling?”
“Much better than I was an hour ago. Thank you for waiting in the hospital.”
“There wasn’t anywhere else I’d sooner be.”
Shelley stood beside John and smiled. “I’ve already booked us in for as many babysitting duties as Sam and Caleb need. Isn’t she adorable?”
John brushed his hand over Ashley’s fingers. “She is.”
Caleb patted John on the back. “You’d better be careful. Shelley looks comfortable holding a baby.”
“Don’t worry,” he replied with a gleam in his eyes. “We’ve already made plans.”
“And they include breakfast in bed every Sunday morning,” Shelley said with a smile. She looked around the room and frowned. “Where’s Dad?”
“I’m here.”
She turned toward the door. What on earth was her dad doing in the corridor?
Ted’s head appeared around the edge of the doorframe. “Can you give me a hand, John?”
Within a few seconds, they were carrying a large present into the room.
As soon as she saw it, Shelley smiled.
“What have you got there?” Sam asked.
“I made something for Ashley.” Ted placed the blanket-wrapped present beside Sam’s bed.
“It’s huge.” Sam swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
“It had to be large enough for Ashley to grow into,” their dad replied.
Sam still looked as though she had no idea what their dad was talking about.
Caleb stood on the other side of the present. “I’ll help you unwrap it.”
Carefully, Sam lifted one edge of the blanket. Her eyes widened when she saw what her father had been working on. “Oh, Dad. It’s beautiful.” The rest of the blanket came