I seem to be fixated on you.”
He wasn’t certain what reaction he expected from Caitlin, but the only response he got was a subdued “Oh.”
When it became obvious she wasn’t going to say anything else, he pushed open his car door and climbed out. Then he headed to her side of the car, but before he got there, Caitlin climbed out and headed toward the porch steps. He followed, wondering what she was thinking.
When they reached the front door, she said without looking at him, “Me, too. I mean, I’m fixated. On you.”
There were countless things Brent wanted to say to her, but instead, he knocked on the door. A little boy about five opened the door, tears streaming down his face.
Brent identified himself and Caitlin, then asked, “What’s your name?”
“Peter Hirsch.”
“And where’s your mother?”
The boy hiccupped around a sob. “Mommy’s sick in bed.”
Caitlin led Peter into the living room and spoke to him softly while Brent went down the narrow hall until he found Alice Hirsch. Rather than resting, she was sitting on the side of the bed, breathing loudly.
Brent walked over to her. “Mrs. Hirsch, I’m Brent Stewart of The Honey Hive volunteer organization. I’m afraid the police are all tied up for the next hour, and I’m here to drive you to the hospital.”
Alice nodded. “Thanks. What about Peter? Is he okay?”
“Caitlin Rogers, the head of The Honey Hive, is going to make certain Peter is taken care of. We need to get you to the hospital. Is there anyone we should notify?”
She shook her head. “No. No one. My husband died almost eight months ago. It’s just me and Peter now.”
Wanting to keep her focused on the present, Brent said, “And the little one who seems to be about to join your family.”
Alice gave him a wan smile. “Yes. And the baby.”
Working together, Brent and Caitlin quickly got Alice in the car, then retrieved Peter’s car seat and got him settled as well. Once everyone was set, they headed toward the hospital. Caitlin had had the foresight to retrieve Peter’s favorite toys for the ride. And since her son was now calm, Alice could focus on her contractions, which were closer together with every passing minute.
Thankfully, the hospital wasn’t far away. Brent pulled up in front and dropped off Alice and Caitlin, then he went with Peter to find a parking space. It took a while, but finally they parked. He could tell the little boy was trying to be tough, but it had to be hard.
As they walked toward the hospital, Brent said, “Are you looking forward to being a big brother?”
Peter shook his head. “No.”
Well, that was honest enough. “Why not?”
“What if Mommy likes the baby better?”
Brent stopped and studied the kid. Peter looked so worried, it tugged at Brent’s heart. He wasn’t really the right one to tell a child about a mother’s love. His mother hadn’t loved him. She’d dumped him at his grandmother’s and had never looked back. But Peter’s mother obviously wasn’t like Brent’s mother. Not at all. Knowing he was telling the truth, he knelt in front of Peter and assured him. “That won’t happen. Your mom will love you just as much after the baby arrives as she did before.”
“You sure?”
“Positive,” Brent said, his heart breaking for the little guy. It had to be tough. His dad dead, his mom in the hospital. Brent stood and headed back toward the hospital. “Let’s go see if anyone needs our help.”
Peter face brightened, and he nodded. “Okay.”
And Brent knew in that second how desperately he wanted to be a father. He’d made the right choice coming back to Honey. He would find the right woman and settle down.
An image of Caitlin floated across his brain, but he ignored it. Caitlin wouldn’t be the woman. No, when he got married, it would be to someone else. Someone different but also special.
Just not Caitlin.
Caitlin looked up as Brent and Peter entered the waiting room. They were talking in hushed, intense voices and after giving her a brief smile, Brent led Peter over to a table where crayons and coloring books were scattered about.
Once Peter was coloring, Brent glanced at Caitlin, his gaze so direct it made her heart beat faster.
“Alice okay?”
Caitlin nodded. “The nurse said the baby should be born soon. Alice is really far along.”
Peter looked up at her words. “Is Mommy okay?”
She could clearly hear the fear in his voice. “Yes. She’s great. Everything is fine.”
Peter turned to Brent, apparently