CHAPTER 9
Harper paced the babyaisle. She was torn between worry, hurt, shock...actually, she wasn’t sure what she was feeling. How often did a person just get handed a baby and told...good luck!
She snorted. Mason needed help and she was determined to give it. She had always had a natural instinct to help people. It helped Harper feel needed and important and she loved stepping back to see her hard earned results. But right now she was fighting an inner battle.
Mason needs help.
But I’m supposed to be walking away for good.
Helping him means less time for painting.
I wasn’t having much luck anyway. One day won’t be a big deal.
She checked her cart and counted through her list in her head. “Diaper bag, snacks, baby wipes, diapers...” Harper glanced up. “Oh, right. Sippy cups.” She dumped a package in the cart. “Booster seat.” She pushed the cart out into a larger area and grabbed a booster seat for the dining table and then picked out a few outfits that looked about right for Layla. Mason had said she was two, so Harper went with the corresponding size. After a few more things Harper thought might be helpful, including a lovely little teddy bear, she was done.
Heading up to the register, she pulled her heavy cart and continued to fight with herself. “Enough,” she whispered, hoping no one caught her talking to herself. “They need help. You can’t just walk away. Tomorrow you can go right back to work.” With a firm nod, she began loading her purchases onto the conveyor belt.
“If you’ll wait just a minute, we’ll have someone come carry out the crib,” the clerk said.
Harper nodded. “I appreciate it. Thank you.” She stepped to the side and waited until a teenage boy brought out a larger cart to lift the heavy item. With a smile as her greeting, Harper guided him to her vehicle, praying everything would fit.
With a very stuffed and heavy car, Harper drove the hour back to Mason’s house. By the time she pulled into his driveway, Harper had gone from frustration and despair to acceptance and resignation. She could be an adult about this. She could help him get his feet wet in the world of parenting and then walk away, just like she had planned before. It would all turn out just fine.
She grabbed a few bags and marched up to the door before she could chicken out. She set the bags down to knock and then waited...and waited... Harper knocked again before hearing a thud, a cry and a curse. She grimaced. Oops.
“Harper,” Mason said, his jaw dropping in shock. “What are you doing here?”
Harper raised her eyebrows. “I told you I’d be coming back.” She glanced at her watch. “Have you two been sleeping the whole time I was gone?” Slowly, Harper shook her head. “She’ll never sleep tonight if you let her go this late in the day.”
Mason rubbed the back of his neck. “I told you, she doesn’t sleep at night anyway. She only sleeps when I’m holding her.”
“Unless you don’t want to sleep for the next ten years, then you need to set up a routine and schedule,” Harper stated, trying to be kind about it, but he really did need to make some changes.
Mason sighed and nodded. “I know.” He shrugged. “But how?”
She raised her eyebrows. “Can I come in? I brought a bunch of baby stuff with me. Maybe we can get it set up around the house and I’ll try to give you some pointers?”
Mason hesitated, then stepped back. “You already saw that everything’s a wreck,” he said glumly. “But I haven’t been able to keep up, not to mention I’m exhausted.”
Harper gave him an encouraging smile. Exhausted Mason was actually quite adorable, but she could never say that out loud. You’re just helping a friend, she reminded herself. Your competition painting is waiting for you. “Stick with the schedule and in a few days you’ll be feeling better.” She stepped inside. “Though I can’t guarantee complete rest until Layla is out of the house,” Harper teased. “I’ve heard parents never truly sleep again.”
Mason groaned. “I didn’t need to hear that.”
Harper glanced over her shoulder as she set bags down on the coffee table. “Sorry!”
“No, you’re not, but I can’t blame you for laughing.” Mason scrubbed his face. “I’d be doing the same if this happened to someone else.”
Harper’s shoulders drooped. “No, you wouldn’t. You’d just dig in and help.” She sucked in a deep breath and put her hands on her hips. “So I’ll be quiet and do the same.”
Mason gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
She returned to the bags. “I have bibs and sippy cups and plates and utensils in here. If you’ll grab the crib out of the car, you can work on putting it together while I get Layla fed.” While she was talking, the little girl shuffled into the room. Two fingers were in her mouth and she stared with wide eyes at Harper. She was a pretty little thing. Someday those eyes were going to have no trouble getting male attention. They were large and soulful... Just like Mason’s.
Harper shook her head. Nope. Not going there. Her attraction wasn’t welcome. “Are you hungry?” Harper asked the little girl, leaning back to see her face. A red, wet but hopeful set of eyes met Harper’s. Harper smiled, hoping the baby couldn’t tell how strained it was. “Do you like macaroni and cheese?”
“You bought a crib?” Mason asked in shock.
Harper glanced over. “Of course.”
“I...” Mason shook his head. “Right. A crib. I’ll get right on that.” Still shaking his head, he walked out the front door.
Layla watched him go, then turned to Harper again.
Harper nodded. “Macaroni and cheese? Let’s go get it.” Searching at her feet, Harper grabbed the bag she wanted and headed to the kitchen. She would get the little one settled with a plate of food, then start guiding Mason through everything he would need.
Layla followed, but Harper was surprised to find the girl was silent as a stone. Didn’t two year olds babble like crazy? Harper tried to remember her babysitting days, but it was a little difficult to completely break down who had been what age. She was pretty sure, however, that as soon as they could talk, all little children never stopped talking.
“It’s fine,” she whispered to herself. Harper picked up Layla and propped her on her hip, then began to work around the kitchen one handed, quickly settling into a rhythm. Tonight wasn’t going to be the most nutritious meal, but it was a start. If Harper could help Layla find something familiar, hopefully getting her settled into a routine with Mason would be a little easier.
After all, Harper only had tonight to do this. Tomorrow she was right back to work and lumberjacks and cute kids were no longer her responsibility.
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