Page 30

Coco woke up out of a deep sleep with a start. Something was wrong. She waited until her eyes adjusted in the dark and listened carefully. Her head turned to look at the clock on the mantel and she frowned, worry suddenly pouring through her.

She’d slept through Samuel’s feeding time and his angry cries of hunger hadn’t woken her. She reached for the baby monitor and leapt to her feet, her heart racing as she charged to the wall switch to turn on the light.

“Colin! The b—” She swallowed the rest of her words as she noticed her husband had left the bed and went to go and feed Samuel to give her time to rest. Her shoulders loosened from the tension and she sighed, a grateful smile on her lips.

They’d had some sleepless nights since Samuel had a bad cold.

He’d needed constant comforting, and Coco had been taking care of him since Colin had been working and managing his grandfather’s estate and will with his brothers.

But his cold seemed to be clearing and this would be the first time that she’d gotten a good night’s rest.

She put down the monitor and walked to the closet to get a wrap because she was feeling a bit cold and put on her slippers, wrapping the sash around her as she walked out into the hallway.

She went to the baby’s room, thinking Colin must have fallen asleep in the rocking chair in the room, but when she glanced inside, there was no one in there.

Frowning again, she made her way downstairs and could now pick up sounds coming from the TV.

Colin must have had it low not to startle the baby with loud noises.

She rounded the corner and stepped into the archway of their family room; at the same time, she saw what he was watching as he let out a shout.

“Cheese on bread! He ain’t mekkin no sport. Run, run.” Cricket was on the TV and the batter had hit the ball hard, sending it into the outfield and the cricketers began to run between the wickets.

Samuel gave a cry and Colin’s attention went to their son, who he pulled tighter into his chest and began to lightly rock his arms from side to side, kissing their child and humming soft sounds.

“Sorry son, Daddy will be quiet, but just so you know, I am going to shout this loud and proud when you decide to follow in your Grandaddy’s footsteps and play cricket too.

Yes, you will, because Grandma Vye said she had a feeling, and she is always right.

Isn’t that right, love?” He turned to her and even in the semi-dark room, lit only by the TV, she could see the love for her in his eyes. ”

She gave a soft laugh, shaking her head and turned to walk back up the stairs.