“Okay, miss. Let’s check the spare room.” Talking to the baby still felt a little new, but after watching her while Shane napped, he’d determined that narrating to her was strangely settling. Not having both hands free was another thing to get used to. He’d seen those baby harness carrier things that some parents wore. Maybe he could suggest one to Shane.
In the meantime though, he settled for tossing a set of clean sheets and a comforter on the spare bed. Making the bed might be beyond him right then, but he could at least make sure Shane had what he’d need. Luckily, this had been the first room he’d painted, so the fresh paint fumes were minimal, and it was a nice clean ivory color despite its dated furnishings.
Shane arrived back in a few moments with a full laundry bag and a collapsible baby bed that resembled an upside-down pup tent but stiffer with mesh sides.
“Wow. That does not look comfortable in any way.” Brandt continued to hold the baby while Shane set the small bed on the floor of the spare room. “And I’ve slept in some truly bizarre places over the years.”
“Well, it’s what Shelby left with her. And the baby book says not to let them sleep too much in the car seat carrier.” Shane sounded freshly exhausted again, like his nap had already worn off. “Why don’t you try setting her in it? On her back. Sometimes it works.”
“And then she’ll sleep the night?” Crouching, Brandt set her in the bed, moving slowly like he was transferring an armful of eggs. Instinctively, he kept a hand on the baby, waiting until she snuffled her way back to slumber.
“Ha. You wish. And I mean that. You might want to sleep with earplugs. She’ll howl the house down about two or three. And probably a few other times before morning.” Shane started making up the bed, and Brandt went to help him, two of them making quick work of the sheets.
“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do.” He kept his voice decisive as he snapped the bottom sheet into place. He had a feeling that poor, tired Shane needed someone else to step up and take charge. “We’ll tag team baby duty tonight. You’ll put the laundry on, then try to sleep as far as she’ll let you, but that second wakeup, bring her to me. I’m typically up early anyway, and I can let you get a little more sleep that way.”
“You sure?” Shane glanced up at him with grateful eyes before smoothing the comforter over the sheets.
“Yeah. If she’s truly my kid, I’m gonna need to figure out this stuff in a hurry. And even if she’s not, you’re in a tight situation.” Brandt truly did believe that. For all that he was a little grumpy, Shane had an air of trustworthiness about him, the sort of solid guy who could be counted on. “Helping you for a couple days while I’m off in any event isn’t any skin off my back. And maybe it keeps you from needing to call the authorities a little longer. That’s important to me.”
“Me too.” Shane nodded solemnly. “I appreciate it. And I’m sure Shelby would too.”
“Your sister isn’t the reason I’m doing this.” He met Shane’s impossibly blue eyes, holding his gaze. Something passed between them, more electric than simple understanding. More potent. Almost dangerous. They were both in over their heads here, but Brandt needed to be careful he didn’t risk anything he couldn’t afford to lose.
* * *
Shane had forgotten what sleep, multiple consecutive hours with actual dreams, felt like. The sun filtering in through the slats in the blinds warmed his face, waking him gently. No baby, but this time he didn’t panic.
He’d had a bizarre early morning handoff to Brandt that he only had foggy memory of, Brandt appearing at his door even before Shane could go hunt him down. In a different T-shirt and loose track pants, he’d smelled like some sort of pine soap. Of course, Shane’s body would choose that detail to remember along with how pathetically grateful he’d been for the rescue.
The baby had taken forever to settle back down at two, only to wake again at four something. And now it was a little after eight, the luxury of four straight hours of sleep having Shane stretching and humming. He felt almost human. Fresh clothes from the laundry and a shower would complete the transformation, but first he needed to go search out Brandt and Jewel.
The laundry room door was open as he passed. They’d been a two-man comedy show the night before, standing over the machine and debating whether baby clothes could go in the same load as Shane’s shirts. Seeing as how everything had various baby fluids on it, they’d come down in favor of the efficiency of a single load, but with an unscented detergent Brandt had unearthed from under the sink. He’d mumbled something about sensitive skin, like he was any more of an expert on babies than Shane.