Page 110 of Denim & Diamonds

“One day at a time. You’ll figure it out,” I assured him.

I closed my eyes for a moment. Sadness washed over me as I once again reminded myself that during all those days he’d be experiencing “one day at a time,” I wouldn’t be there. And when I opened my eyes, I saw the same sadness reflected back at me.

“Talk to me, Brock.”

He let out a long breath. “I should be more excited. It’s like I don’t know how to feel. One moment I’m okay, and the next, I feel completely panicked.”

“That’s called shock.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He frowned.

“Just because you feel a certain way now doesn’t mean you’ll still feel that way when he’s here. I bet things will fall into place in a way you can’t imagine.”

Brock sighed. “I just feel like he deserves a better reception than a big, scared goon who doesn’t know what he’s doing—on top of having no mom.”

My chest felt raw. “Think of the alternative, Brock. If you’d told her you didn’t want to raise him, then what? I’m sure he would’ve found a loving home eventually, but he wouldn’t have had either of his parents. He’s gonna be so lucky to have you for a dad. And while I know nothing will make up for the fact that his mother isn’t around, being with you is the next best thing to having both parents. When he’s old enough, he’s going to appreciate that his dad dropped everything to be the best father he could be.”

His eyes seared into mine. “Ididhave to drop everything, didn’t I?” He swallowed. “I lost you.”

“You didn’t lose me. You just…” I hesitated as silence filled the air and I felt myself shutting down. I had no idea how to finish that thought. “I’d better go. It’s late.”

“Okay.” He smiled sadly. “Thanks again for today.”

“Anytime, Brock.”

After we hung up, I walked over to shut down my laptop, but before I logged out of my email, I noticed a notification. I’d received a response to my question in that forum from the woman who’d left her career to move across the country with her single-dad boyfriend.

But I was too damn afraid to click on it. So I shut my laptop and crawled into bed.

As I drifted off to sleep, an image of those little plaid footie pajamas floated into my brain. I smiled, equally lovestruck and pained by the reality of what never could be.

Baby Lumberjack.

CHAPTER 27

Brock

“That can’t be right.” I lifted a piece of fabric dangling almost to the ground. “The kid will fall right through.”

Nick, one of my laborers, scratched his head. “Let me tie it around myself. A baby sling is like a tie; it’s hard to do when it’s on someone else.”

I yanked the hippie-looking fabric from my body, but the knot around my neck didn’t budge. Fiddling with it didn’t help, so I sighed and turned, pointing to my back. “Can you please give me a hand getting this thing off?”

Unfortunately, my brother Elvin pulled up at that moment. He looked at the baby-carrying contraption tied around my body and an amused smile spread across his face.Great. Just what I need—ball busting.

He hopped out of his truck, grabbed his crutches, and slammed the cab door closed. “What do we have going on here? Playing dress up, big brother? I didn’t realize they made those things in three-XL.”

“Goaway,” I grumbled.

Elvin chuckled. “You know, they makeformedbaby carriers that just snap around your back. Much easier than those sling things.”

I turned to my worker, who had finally untied the knot. “Is he screwing with me?”

Nick shrugged. “No. They make ones that look like hiking backpacks, except you wear them on the front. You clip it in the back and the baby just slips in on your chest.”

My eyes narrowed. “Sowhy the hellwould you use this thing then? It’s like tying a blanket with holes around your body and expecting it to hold a kid.”

“This is made of hemp and is good for the environment.”