The Doctor's Second Chance

“I’ll pay you directly, like a babysitting subcontractor.”

“I’ll give you an hour.”

The tension in his shoulders relaxed as he laid Abigail on the exam table. “Thank you.”

Violet made quick work of the diaper, so smoothly the little gal barely stirred from her sleep. “I’ll teach you to do this on her next diaper change.”

Once she was done, she handed the baby back to him. He gently buckled her into her car seat, even managing not to wake her. Maybe he’d get the hang of this temporary fatherhood job after all.

As he lifted the carrier, Abigail suddenly cried out as if in some sort of pain.

“Did your cousin happen to mention the baby being colicky?” the doc asked over the screeching cries.

He swung the car seat back and forth, trying to soothe her. “No.”

“This might be a long few nights for you, Jake.”

Few nights? If only...

“That diaper bag is all I have,” he said. “I guess I need to stop and buy some supplies on the way home.”

“I don’t mind picking up the basics for you before I come over.”

“But—”

“You can pay me back later.”

Before he could refuse, she said, “I heard you moved into your aunt and uncle’s house. I’ll be there shortly.” She was no-nonsense, used to being obeyed. She breezed out of the room, presumably to show him out.

When they reached the front door, she unlocked it and held it open.

“I appreciate it.” With a nod, he headed out, his tiny second cousin or cousin-once-removed or whatever she was to him blasting his ears.

“Come on now, Abigail,” he cooed in his best soothing voice, a tone he didn’t even know he could make.

He lifted her carrier to the truck’s backseat. Once again, he struggled to buckle the car seat in place.

“How about I show you how to do that?” Violet said from behind him.

When he agreed, she made her way between him and the truck, spun the car seat around backward and scooted it to the middle seat belt. “Infants this age must be rear-facing. And there’s supposed to be a base that stays in your vehicle that the seat latches into. Until you buy a new one, which I recommend, the strap goes through here.” She pointed to a slot on the back. With the seat facing the correct direction, the seat belt easily slipped through and locked Abigail in place.

“Now that makes perfect sense,” he said with a laugh. “Should have thought of it myself.”

Violet turned and faced him, looking satisfied. She was so close the evening sun reflected off flecks of gold in her eyes.

He stepped back, allowing her to slip past him. She did so quickly and darted toward the office building, as if anxious to get away.

He felt almost guilty for the things he’d thought and said about her. Almost. “Thank you, Dr. Crenshaw. I know you didn’t have to do all this, to go the extra mile.”

She stiffened as if surprised and glanced at him over her shoulder. “My purpose in life is to help children, Mr. West.”

Of course she wasn’t acting out of kindness toward him. But he could live with that.

With a nod, she stepped inside and shut the door.

Hoping the sound of the engine might help lull Abigail to sleep, Jake hopped in and started the truck. By the time he’d driven halfway home, she had quieted.

Thank You, Lord.

Now, if You’d just help me find a way not to alienate the doc before Remy gets back, I’d be doubly grateful.

Chapter Two

Violet walked up to the front door of the cute, brick Craftsman-style bungalow with its perfectly landscaped and manicured lawn. The West home backed up to her tiny rental house. Literally. Nothing but a low row of hedges separated their backyards.

The huge front porch with a swing and window boxes cascading with petunias invited her to come sit a while. Exactly the feeling she’d dreamed about having in a small town. If only she could find time to make some friends.

Holding three bags of newborn necessities in her left hand, she rapped on the door with the other. Time to show this clueless man how to take care of his baby cousin.

Jake opened the door, his broad shoulders and husky physique filling the space, making her stomach flutter.

No, no fluttering allowed.

“Hey, come on in,” he said as he reached for the bags with strong arms. “Let me take those.”

He appeared to be six-one or six-two, maybe two hundred twenty-five pounds. A large man, built of solid muscle without a pinch of fat.

“Thanks, but, uh...” Focus. “There’s more in the car. I left it open for you.”

“Got it. You can head on back to the kitchen.”

She stepped inside and passed through a well-used living room fitted with older, broken-in furniture. Abigail slept soundly in her carrier on the worn tweed couch. Violet kept going until she found the kitchen and then began to unload the bags.

The outdated furnishings, which must have belonged to Edith and Paul West, lent a homey feel, something her parents’ home had lacked because her mother hired a decorator to redo the house every few years.

A small, drop-leaf breakfast table by the window, however, looked new. On it sat an opened newspaper beside a laptop computer. Discarded after breakfast or when his cousin showed up needing a babysitter?

Other than the newspaper, everything was in its place, neat as a pin, and wasn’t at all what she would picture for a busy bachelor. Surprisingly, the rooms felt welcoming.

For some reason, the tidy, cozy home didn’t fit with Jake’s overgrown, wavy brown hair, closely trimmed beard and rugged, mountain-man looks.

Shaking her head, she laughed. What had she expected? A tent and camping stove?

“Disposable diapers,” he declared as he entered the room and plopped the bags on the counter. “Lots of diapers. Enough to single-handedly overload the county landfill.”

“Abigail will use all of those in about a week.”

“No kidding?” He tucked all but one of the packs in the pantry. “Guess I need to practice changing her, but I hate to wake her.”

“We can work on the feeding first.”

She pointed to a case of already-prepared formula. “I figured you’d rather splurge on ready-to-feed formula instead of having to mix the powder.”

“Good call.”

She held up a carton and gave instructions on how to heat it.

He pulled bottles out of the diaper bag. “These are the ones Remy sent.”

Examining their condition, Violet wrinkled her nose. One was coated with the curdling remnants of formula. The nipples looked worn. Too worn, as if Remy had gotten them as hand-me-downs. “You know, I think since you don’t know where these have been, we’ll boil them first. And we can throw some of them away. I bought a few new ones.”

His expression hardened. “My cousin may not have the best of everything, but I don’t think she would expose her baby to unsanitary conditions.”

Spoken as if he thought Violet was used to having the best of everything. The fact he must think her haughty nipped at her conscience. How many times had she been mortified by her mother’s snobbish actions? She’d vowed never to have that same attitude.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend. But nipples do wear out and tear, which could choke the baby. We have to be careful.”

With tense shoulders easing, he let out a breath. “Okay.”

“We also need to boil the new bottles and nipples before the first use. Do you have a large soup pot we can use?”

He opened cabinet after cabinet, searching. The man was obviously a bachelor because the shelves were mostly empty.

“Found this.” He pulled out a pan that was big enough to heat a can of soup.

“You don’t cook, huh?”

“I know how, but I’m not here much. I make sandwiches for lunch and give Edna a lot of business at the diner.”

“I’m glad I brought you a case of sample bottles to get you through until you can buy a larger pan.” She couldn’t help but wonder at how much sense his cousin, Remy, had to leave a baby here.

Pulling out an informational brochure she’d brought with her, she showed him how to clean bottles with the brush she’d purchased and how to use the dishwasher for future washings. He seemed to be taking in all the information and even jotted notes.

Satisfied, she pulled out the baby monitor she’d picked up at the hardware store. “Now, you’ll need this so you’ll hear Abigail when she cries during the night.”

The wary look on his face was comical. He had no idea how his life was about to change.

“I guess she needs a room. And a crib.”

Violet’s stomach sank. “You mean you don’t have a place for her to sleep?”

“Well, there are two extra bedrooms,” he sputtered, looking offended. “I had no notice about Remy dropping off the baby.”

She wouldn’t ask more questions and risk him getting his back up. “Don’t put her in your bed. Just remove the comforter, pillows and blankets and put her on the guest bed for tonight. Tomorrow, you can buy a crib. Since it’s short-term, a portable one will be fine.”

At his look of further confusion, she let out a sigh. “Can I use your computer? I’ll show you the items you’ll probably need to buy.”

He pointed her toward the table. “Good idea. Will you listen for Abigail while I go change out of my work clothes?”

“Sure.”

While he banged around in a nearby bedroom, Violet carried the laptop to the living room, where the baby was sleeping. She pulled up the website for a local discount store and put a fairly long list of items in the shopping cart.

Down the hallway, water ran for a few minutes. Before long, Jake showed up with wet hair and wearing jeans and a cottony soft T-shirt, smelling clean and way too appealing.

She popped up off the couch. Handed over the laptop. “Here, I put some things in your shopping cart. Figured you could print and take it with you to the store tomorrow. Travel bed, sheets, portable changing station, more bottles, diaper disposal system, baby bath tub and bathing essentials.”

His face scrunched in disgust. “Diaper disposal system?”

“Yes. To help with odors.”

“Oh, man.” He raked a hand through his hair, leaving brown strands standing up. “How am I going to bathe her? I’ve never even seen someone do that.”

She fought the urge to smooth his disheveled hair back into place. “You’ll figure it out. Watch a YouTube video or something.” She glanced at her watch. “Well, my hour will be up soon, and I haven’t had a chance to show you how to change a diaper.”

“Deserting me already?” He laughed, but she could see worry in the squint of his eyes and crease in his forehead.

“That was our agreement.” She picked up the diaper bag and looked inside. “Is this everything Remy left with you?”

“It is.”

Violet pulled out a receiving blanket. “I’ll show you how to swaddle her so she feels more secure. Once you purchase a crib, always lay her on her back to sleep. And never put anything else in the crib with her.”

His cell phone rang as he nodded. “I’ve got to take this call. It’s work.” Striding toward to the kitchen, his deep voice carried to the living room. He was not happy. Something about a load of floor tile not being delivered as promised.

“No, that’s unacceptable,” Jake said. “I want it there tomorrow morning by nine.”

Abigail woke and began to fuss. Violet took her out of her seat. “Hey, sweet girl. Jake’s busy right now, so it’s just you and me.” The baby was warm and had that wonderful baby shampoo smell. However, her diaper weighed a ton.

The phone conversation ended and footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor.

“Okay, girlfriend,” Violet said to Abigail. “I have to warn you. It’s time for Jake’s first ever diaper change. Cut him some slack, okay?”

When she looked up, Jake stood in the doorway, a half smile on his face. “No need to warn her of my ineptitude. She’ll know soon enough.”

Though he was kidding, there was an edge of truth in what he said. He truly was in over his head.

Unfortunately, he might not fare well, and she worried about Abigail. Maybe she should check in on her tomorrow.

No, that wasn’t her place. It wasn’t as if Remy or Jake was a personal friend.

Once Violet set up a makeshift diaper-changing area on the dresser, she showed Jake how to clean Abigail, slip a disposable diaper under her bottom and fasten it. Then she had him give it a try.

The first attempt left him chuckling. Despite Violet covering her mouth, a laugh slipped out.

He truly was pathetic at diapering.

“How’s that?” he asked after his second attempt. The diaper was mostly straight but was extremely loose.

Looking into his hopeful eyes, she felt a thread of connection that gave the tiniest of tugs on her heart. She could not afford a thread of anything with this man who claimed she was a shady person and felt free to share that opinion around town.

“I’m afraid that will leak,” she said, refocusing on the task at hand. “Try to fasten it tighter. It won’t hurt her or cut off her circulation. It’s stretchy.”

Biting his lip while concentrating, he jumped in once again like a good student, determined to succeed. But this time Abigail started to fuss. “Uh-oh. I’ll never manage this with her wiggling.”

“She’ll always wiggle, so you may as well learn to deal with it.”

“Man, the doc is harsh,” he mumbled into the baby’s ear.

Violet caught herself smiling. “Hey, I can show you harsh by walking out right now.”

“I take it back. Now...I’m trying again.” Once, twice, he made the diaper too loose. The third time, he sighed. “This one’s too tight.”

“Wait.” Violet ran a finger along the waist and leg holes, checking. “That’s perfect. You did it!” She applauded him before she thought better of it, but then reined in her excitement, her face heating.

“Now who’s inept?” Jake grinned, eyes gleaming with victory. “I’ll be teaching a parenting class before you know it.”

At his proud look and touch of humor, her breath gave a little hitch. She should not let his funny side affect her.

“Nice job,” she said as she checked her watch. “Oh, look. My hour is up. I jotted a suggested feeding schedule and left it on your kitchen counter. Call my assistant tomorrow if you have questions.”

In other words, don’t call me.

“Time’s up already?” He carefully tucked Abigail in the crook of his arm, becoming a regular pro at carrying her.

Violet had always had a weakness for a big strong man holding a baby. How different might her life have been if she’d fallen for someone strong and responsible all those years ago?

“The receipt for the baby items is also on the kitchen counter,” Violet said. “You can mail a check to my office.”

“What’s your charge for the hour of training?”

Lifting her chin, she focused on Abigail. “Don’t worry about it.”

“No, I insist.”

“Consider it a favor for a new patient.”

His brows drew downward, and he looked uncomfortable. “We had an agreement. It’s been worth every penny I owe you.”

She couldn’t bring herself to ask for money for doing a task she had enjoyed. Besides, it would only add to his image of her being mercenary. “Instead, make a donation to your favorite charity for children.”

“That’s generous of you.”

Her heart raced as hope shot through her. Hope that maybe he would believe she hadn’t ripped off his aunt and uncle and that she was a decent person.

She grabbed her purse and headed toward the front door.

Close on her heels, he followed. “I’ll mail you a check tomorrow. Thank you for buying the baby stuff and for coming over. I owe you a favor.”

She could imagine how it pained him to say that. “You don’t owe me anything. I like to think I can make a difference in the community. Like your aunt and uncle did.”

He nodded but didn’t comment. She couldn’t help but wonder if he considered her a poor substitute. Sure, they hadn’t known how to run a business well. But they’d taken good care of the local children for a long time, had been loved by the Appleton residents.

Would she ever feel as if she had a place in the town?

“I guess I’ll see you around, Dr. Crenshaw,” he said.

“Yes, and if Abigail is still in town in two weeks, be sure to schedule an appointment for her next vaccination.”

“Oh, I’m sure Remy will take care of that.”

“Well, good night. I hope you get some sleep.”

She truly did hope he had a good night. For Abigail’s sake. Yet she couldn’t help but worry about the tiny, dependent girl. How would she fare with this man who had absolutely no experience dealing with infants?

The insecurity on Jake’s face, as well as the fact Abigail looked so vulnerable in his arms, made Violet’s decision.

To ease her mind and ensure the baby was thriving, she would check on Abigail over the weekend.

* * *

Jake sat in his truck Saturday morning rubbing red, scratchy eyes and trying to read the directions for the soft baby carrier he’d bought first thing that morning as he’d learned his way around the baby section of the local discount store. Abigail had spared him and slept in the cart through the whole shopping trip.

Probably because she’d cried late into the night.

After nearly four hours of inconsolable crying, he’d looked up colic on the internet and thought that must be what she had because she didn’t seem sick otherwise. Still, if she had another night like the last, he’d take her to the doctor to be on the safe side.

With the fabric carrier assembled, adjusted to fit and strapped on him, Jake climbed in the backseat and lifted Abigail from her car seat. Then he followed the step-by-step, very complicated directions for slipping her into the fabric that would hold her against his chest, kind of like a reverse backpack.

As he was hooking one of the head supports, her little body slipped sideways, about stopping his heart. He quickly stabilized her head and snapped the buckle into place. Assured she was peacefully snoozing and wouldn’t fall out of the contraption, he climbed out of the truck, hoping he could work awhile.

His flooring subcontractor, Zeb, a trim man in his sixties wearing jeans and an old blue work shirt, stood at the front of the brick ranch home they were building with his arms crossed, waiting.

“Hey, Zeb. Sorry again about the tile delivery. Pete assured me he’d have it here by nine this morning.”

“We can’t finish as promised if he doesn’t. I’ve already lost a day.” Zeb’s eyes narrowed as he spotted a tiny head peeking out of the carrier contraption. “Uh, congratulations?”

“She belongs to Remy. I’m babysitting.”

A big breath of air whooshed out of him. “That’s good. Was afraid I’d missed something big.”

Jake pressed fingers against his burning eyes. “Had a rough night. She cried for hours.”

“Lots of prayer going on in the West household, huh?”

“You know it. More like begging for mercy.” He laughed. “You know anything about colic?”

“Can’t say that I do.” Zeb squinted into the late-morning sun. “Except I remember one of my girls had luck by changing her baby’s formula.”

Jake nodded. Zeb had kids and grandkids, so Jake could trust parenting tips from the man. “Have you been inside? Did my cabinets get delivered?”

“Not yet. The guys are still taping and muddin’ drywall and priming.”

Jake needed to go inside, make sure everyone was on schedule and the work met his expectations. But a work site wasn’t the place for a baby. “If Pete isn’t here in fifteen minutes, I’ll call him.”

“Thanks, Jake. We’ll do a good job for you.”

“You always do.” He only hired top-notch subcontractors, and Zeb and his crew were the best around.

Jake made a phone call, and as soon as he hung up, Abigail began to stir. She’d be hungry when she woke. She’d also need a fresh diaper...or two or twenty.

There was no way he’d be able to work while caring for a baby. He needed to find child care, and quickly.

Turning to go to the truck, he spotted Violet’s shiny, older model luxury convertible pulling in behind his vehicle. She’d either had it for several years or had bought it used. Either way, he had to admit she might have a good head on her shoulders. Well, except for the brand-new, very expensive tires.

“Oh, hello,” she said as she climbed out.

“Hey.” Had she been out for a Saturday drive and just happened to spot him? Or had she come to check up on Abigail?

The latter was the more likely scenario.

Wearing shorts and a flowery pink top, Violet looked like a breath of fresh air. Her mile-long, shapely legs caught the attention of a few of his men watching from the garage area.

Jake put himself between them and Violet, blocking their view. “I was just headed to change Abigail and get a bottle.”

“Don’t let me stop you.”

Would Violet hang around? Jake had parked in the shade and planned to change Abigail’s diaper right there in the truck. Violet better not breathe down his neck and complain about his decision. He had to do a decent job with the diaper, though, or else Abigail would be strapped to his chest, a loaded weapon ready to wreak havoc.

By the time he’d laid the baby on a changing pad placed on the vehicle seat, she was fully awake.

Violet peeked around his shoulder. “Looks like that diaper’s on pretty good.”

“Yep.”

“So I guess you don’t need any help with the clean one.”

“Nope.” He successfully changed her despite the tense woman watching. When Abigail fussed, he popped a bottle in her mouth and tucked her in the crook of his arm.

“How did she sleep last night?”

“Not well. I’ll bring her by the office if we continue to have problems.”

“Problems? What type of problems?” Violet asked, going from the diaper police back to pediatrician.

“She cried from eight until nearly midnight. I think she has colic.”

“Well, there are several things you can try, like—”

“Thanks, but I read about it on the internet. Got some ideas.” He nodded toward town. “And I bought your whole list of baby stuff, so we’re good to go.”

The Pete’s Flooring truck arrived with the tile as Abigail slurped down the formula.

“Excuse me a minute.” Jake strode across the lot.

Happy and bright-eyed, Abigail let the nipple slip out of her mouth. He tucked the bottle in his front pants pocket. Abigail watched him as he directed Pete where to drop off the tile. While Pete’s men unloaded the pallets, the truck with the kitchen cabinets arrived.

“Jake, do you want me to hold her?” Violet called as she picked her way across the muddy expanse of the future front lawn.

“Hang on just a minute.”

Needing to direct the second delivery, and hoping to prove to the doc that he could take care of his baby cousin, Jake safely tucked Abigail in the carrier against his chest, talking sweetly to her in a voice that no longer felt strange. A couple of his men snickered.

Ignoring them, he pointed the second group of deliverymen toward the garage. Once they finished unloading, they started backing out, nearing Pete’s truck.

“Whoa!” Jake rushed over, waving his arms to stop the collision.

Startled by his voice and sudden movement, Abigail shrieked, her arms and legs flailing. He quickly soothed her, patting and cooing.

Jake finally sent the cabinet truck on its way, then turned and found Violet standing at the front of the house watching him. Frowning.

She glared at the mess of scraps and tools around them. “This isn’t an appropriate place for a two-week-old baby. You’re going to have to make other arrangements or—” She huffed.

Or what? he wanted to say but didn’t dare challenge her in the situation. He’d already come to the same conclusion himself.

“This isn’t a normal day,” he said instead. “I’m still juggling, trying to figure out my new schedule with Abigail. I just dropped by to check on the tile delivery.” Mainly, he needed to get through his first full day with a baby.