Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“What in the hell is going on here?”
The three of us turned to see my father standing in the middle of the toy store, his expression confused but slightly amused.
“We were changing Winnie’s diaper,” I said, as if it was totally obvious.
“I saw…and I really wish I had my phone to record all of that,” he said with a wave of his hands toward the counter, where Winnie was still smiling away.
“Mayor Browning, you don’t feel like taking a trip out back to the dumpster, do you?” Brystol asked, holding up the trash can. It was then I noticed she still had the clip on her nose.
With a shake of his head, my father replied, “No, thank you, Brystol. Been there, done that.”
“She had a bad poop,” I explained. “And we had to change her outfit and all.”
My father nodded. “That explains the dramatics. But care to tell me why you have Liam and Hope’s child?”
“I can answer that one,” Declan said. “Liam didn’t have anyone to watch Winnie while he ran up to The Muddled Moose, so we offered to do it.”
My father’s eyes twinkled as he nodded again. “That was very kind of you.”
“What brings you to the toy store, Dad?” I asked, finished with dressing Winnie and lifting her onto my hip.
He let out a soft laugh. “Well, I was on my way to visit you when Mrs. Clemens walked out of the toy store, laughing so hard she ran into me. She informed me of the circus going on in here, so I thought I’d check it out for myself.”
“Circus?” I asked.
“Oh my God, I had a customer and didn’t know it?” Brystol cried, running to the front of the store and throwing open the door. “Mrs. Clemens? Mrs. Clemens! I have the toy you ordered!”
Declan leaned against the counter. “Should we tell her she’s still holding the trash can with the diaper and wipes inside?”
“And ruin the fun?” my father replied with a chuckle.
“Dad, we’re going to take Winnie to a little gym Brystol told us about. Would you like to join us?”
Turning back to me, my father’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to! We should call your sister and have her bring Mandy.”
“That’s a great idea,” I said as Winnie started to reach for Declan.
“Son, the child’s reaching for you. Take her.”
Declan looked terrified. “Me? Why is she reaching for me?”
I handed Winnie over, and he awkwardly took her, holding her slightly away from his body in his big hands. When she looked up at him and smiled, my heart melted.
“Because a girl knows a good-looking man when she sees one.” I giggled watching him with Winnie.
Declan
Exhausted.
It was the only word my tired brain could come up with to describe how I felt after our day with Winnie. The only break Harper and I got was when we arrived at Harper’s parents’ house, and Patty, her mother, immediately took Winnie from Harper’s hands. I swear we didn’t see the two of them for at least thirty minutes.
Harper took Winnie out of the car seat and held her while I removed it from the back of Harper’s car. “As tired as I am, I had a lot of fun today.”
I chuckled. “I did, too, but I’m exhausted. I feel bad for Liam and Hope. I’m sure the chemo is taking every bit of her energy, and Liam must be wiped out from caring for them both and trying to run The Muddled Moose.”
Harper’s smile slipped away. “Yeah, I was thinking about that as well. I wonder if we should offer to take Winnie more often?”
“We could, but you and I both have busy schedules. And my work schedule rotates.”
“I’ll talk to the girls about taking turns watching Winnie for a few hours, at least to give them small breaks. Cadie sent a text earlier that said she’d help in any way she could. And even though Brystol acted put out, I know she’d help as well.”
I smiled. “Did you see Brystol rocking Winnie and singing to her before we left her store, when she didn’t think we were watching?”
“Yes! I never knew she had such a pretty singing voice.”
The front door opened as we walked up the sidewalk, and Liam appeared. Winnie let out a little squeal of happiness as she held her hands out for her father.
“Dada!”
“Hello, my little angel heart,” Liam said, as he peppered his daughter with kisses. “Did you have fun today?”
“I think she did,” Harper said, as she tickled under Winnie’s chin. “We went to the toy store, the little gym with my sister and her daughter, Mandy, and then we had dinner at my parents’ house. My mother took control of Winnie and spoiled her rotten. And she napped for two hours after we left the little gym.”
Liam smiled at his daughter, and when he lifted his head to look at us, tears filled his eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you guys for doing this for me. It was a nice break for both Hope and me.”