Hometown Valentine

As Lily tried to put Peyton back in the carrier, the baby arched her back and screamed, making it difficult for Lily to get the straps over her head.

More worry scraped across Blake’s nerves.

“I know, sweetie,” Lily soothed as she got the Y strap over Peyton’s head and snapped it in. “Daddy needs to get you home.”

“I’m so sorry you have to leave,” Molly said, handing Lily Peyton’s blanket. “You’ll have to come to next month’s get-together.”

He just nodded. Though he’d given the gathering tonight a try, at this point, with so many things pulling on him, socializing had fallen to last on his list. Maybe he’d feel like going out...in a million years or so. Or maybe when Peyton turned eighteen. Provided she was still with him then. Permanent custody still hadn’t been determined yet.

Lily tucked the blanket around Peyton and stepped back. “There you go. Nice and cozy.”

Blake picked up the carrier. “Thanks for all your help,” he said to Lily before looking at Molly. “And thank you for having me. Say goodbye to Grant for me, would you?” Blake started moving toward the door.

“Of course,” Molly said. She hurried ahead of him and opened the door. “Bye. Take care of that little girl.”

“I will.” Feeling the weight of responsibility bearing down on him, he went outside, down the cement stairs and headed to his car. He swung the carrier and Peyton’s crying went down a notch. Maybe she’d follow tradition and fall asleep in the car. But then she might not sleep tonight, and that meant he wouldn’t sleep, and tomorrow would be a bigger challenge than usual. The cycle went on and on.

Now he knew why God intended for kids to have two parents—to split the duties. What he would give for someone to help him out. But he was alone as a parent, with no one else to depend on. Though many people managed in his plight, he wasn’t sure he could do this by himself.

All of a sudden his stomach hollowed out and a feeling of hopelessness washed over him. He put the baby carrier down and leaned a hand on the window of the car and bowed his head for a moment.

Lord, how in the world am I going to cope with everything? Please, give me the strength to do so.

“Blake!”

He straightened and turned. Lily was heading out the door toward his car. Just the sight of her eased something inside of him, made him feel somehow less alone. Odd, since he barely knew her. He frowned slightly. He must be punchy from lack of sleep.

He unlocked the car and waited for her.

“You forgot your coat.” She held it out.

“Oh, thanks.” He took the coat from her. “Well, tonight was a bust.” He lifted the baby seat into the car.

“Not entirely.” Lily leaned in and stroked Peyton’s cheek. “I got to see this little lady.”

“And me,” he joked. Oh, man, where had that come from?

Lily pulled her chin in, blinking. “Um...yeah, that, too.”

“Ignore me,” he said, shaking his head in bemusement. “I was just teasing.”

“I know,” she said, shoving her hands in her pants pockets. “And...it was good to see you.”

“It was?”

“Well, sure. You need to get out.”

Oh, that was what she meant. “Yeah, but I don’t see that happening much for a while. I’ve got my hands pretty full.”

“I know. Let me know if I can help.”

He nodded. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that. He was probably worrying for nothing.

“Okay, then.” Lily turned to the house.

Peyton let out a squawk and then started wailing again.

Lily spun back around. “Try not to worry too much,” she said. “Kids get sick and they get better.”

“I’ll try,” he said, closing the car door.

“And in case you didn’t know, The Market Pantry on the far south end of Main Street is open late.”

“Thank you,” he said.

She waved and then went up the stairs and disappeared inside.

Blake got in the car, and then started it. As soon as the engine turned over, Peyton’s crying ramped up. He gripped the steering wheel, feeling overwhelmed, drained and more alone than ever.

A break. He needed a break. And maybe a fill-in babysitter. Again, Lily came to mind. Was she the answer to his prayers?

With that question hovering in his mind and exhaustion hovering at the edges of his brain, he pulled out into the street and headed in the direction of The Market Pantry to get Peyton’s medicine.

It was going to be another sleepless night in a long line of many.

* * *

Lily hurried back into the house, and as soon as the door closed behind her, Molly stepped into the living room.

“You get him all situated?” she asked, her eyebrows lifted slightly.

“He forgot his coat,” Lily said breezily.

“You seemed awfully anxious to say another goodbye to him.” Molly smirked. “Grant said you almost ripped the coat out of his hands to take it out yourself.”

Maybe Lily had been a little grabby, though she’d tried not to be. But she wasn’t admitting it to Molly. Molly would latch on to that tidbit and take it to a place Lily wasn’t going. “There was no ripping involved.”

“He’s very handsome,” Molly said, coming at Lily from another angle. She was clearly fishing.

“You think?” Lily asked, looking as if she hadn’t considered Blake’s gorgeousness at all.

“What? You don’t find him attractive?”

Lily paused. “I didn’t say that,” Lily said, stopping short of lying.

“So you do find him attractive!” Molly said triumphantly.

“No harm in that,” Lily said, rationalizing both to herself and Molly. “Don’t get your hopes up.” Molly had met and married Grant over a year ago, and since she’d found true love, she wanted the same for Lily. Desperately. And while Lily was happy for Molly, happy-ever-after wasn’t on Lily’s radar right now. Winning Project Fashion was.