Damn it. Looked like maybe this was his problem after all. At least temporarily. No way was he sending Shane packing until he knew for sure that this wasn’t his kid. And even if the paternity test showed he was in the clear, his stomach cramped at the idea of letting the system sort out the fate of this little bundle. Shane was in over his head, that much was for sure, and now Brandt had no choice but to join him in these murky, uncertain waters with no clear answers. There were few things he hated more than serious discussion, but as soon as Shane woke up, they were going to have to talk.
* * *
Shane woke up slowly to the scent of something meaty and spicy. His stomach growled even before his eyes opened. His legs cramped as his feet connected with something solid. He wasn’t in his bed, that much was sure. Too narrow. Too—
“Baby,” he gasped as awareness slammed into him. He was at Brandt Wilder’s house, having more or less collapsed on the guy, leaving Jewel to a guy who’d been rather clear he wanted nothing to do with this whole situation. How could he be so reckless?
“Hey. Easy there.” A strong hand landed on his shoulder.
“Wilder.” Shane blinked a bunch. “Where’s the baby?”
“Think you can call me Brandt.” Brandt laughed low as he came around the couch. Empty handed. “Seeing as how we’re in this mess together.”
“We are?” Shane swept his gaze around the room. Baby. Baby. Where was Jewel?
“Baby’s right there.” Brandt pointed at a blanket rimmed with pillows on the floor, halfway between the seating area and the kitchen, and Shane scrambled to his feet, almost landing on his knees, in his rush to go and find Jewel.
“She’s awake?” Relief surged through him so fast he almost puked. But Jewel was fine. Lying on her back, kicking her little kitty feet in the air. “How long did I sleep?”
“Couple of hours. I figured we’d wake you when she fussed, but so far she hasn’t much, not even when I set her down so I could heat us up some food. I don’t know what age they start rolling, hence the pillows.”
“Smart.” Still practically shaking with relief, he scooped Jewel up, held her close. “She hasn’t rolled yet on me, but safe is good.”
“She might need changing, but I thought I’d leave that to your expertise since she wasn’t putting up a fuss. Ditto the bottle. Not many things I won’t try, but I’m scared I’d get the temperature wrong.”
“I hear that. I had to look up the temperature thing myself. She was not amused at the delay.” He went ahead and dragged the bag over to where she lay, settling himself down next to her. Brandt had put her on a thick folded thermal blanket and there was a little wooden animal near her. “What’s this?”
“Thought she might want something pretty to look at.” Brandt gave him a crooked grin. “Smoke jumper buddy of mine whittles and gave me that bear as a thank-you after I saved his ass from a tree.”
“Wow.” Shane picked it up and admired the handiwork before moving the baby to the changing pad. “Not sure whether I’m more impressed at the woodworking or that you thought ahead to baby entertainment.”
“I always think ahead to fun.” Brandt chuckled as he retrieved two plates from the cupboard.
Not wanting to ruin this surprising hospitality, Shane bit back a quick retort about how everyone knew Brandt was all about the party. Shane had been so focused on keeping Jewel alive that extras like something for her to look at had been beyond him. Hell, even sleep had been beyond him until he’d had help.
“Thanks for letting me rest,” he said as he left the baby on the blanket and washed his hands at the sink.
“You needed it.” Brandt clapped him on the shoulder again as he passed behind Shane to stir something on the stove. “And now you need food. Also, we should talk.”
“Not gonna lie, I could eat a rusty old Ford right now. I’m not even sure what day of the week it is right now or the last time I had food that required a plate.”
“I’m not a foodie by any stretch of the imagination, but I can do better than a bag of chips and some jerky.” Brandt set the two plates on the table. “This is black beans and sausage I made the other night. I wasn’t sure how much cooking time the small thing would give me, so it’s toast on the side, not biscuits.”
“Toast is fabulous.” Taking a seat at the table, Shane narrowly avoided moaning at how good the food smelled. He waited for Brandt to join him, then was about to dig in when an angry wail sounded from the floor. “Heck. She’s probably hungry too.”