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Mae stares at her, stunned, and doesn’t say a word. It’s then she takes me in, sweeping her watery green irises from my head to my toes, taking in my dress slacks and white button-up—clothes I rarely wear.
“You were on a date.” Her tone is flat, but I hear a hint of something. Accusation, maybe? In a second, Queeny goes from exposed to locked tight. She squares her hunched shoulders. “She was crying for you and wouldn’t stop.” A crack in the façade appears in her quivering chin. “I’m a terrible mother who can’t even handle her own child.”
Mae’s emotion is catching up with the baby in my arms, who starts whimpering again.
“You are an amazing mother. And you’re human.” I rest a hand on Mae’s shoulder, wanting to hold her to me. She’s putting on that tough front because of Mandy, but I know she’s hurting just as much as her daughter is.
Mae exhales a bitter laugh and shakes her head. Her gaze catches on my date and hardens before turning to me. “I just gave her a dose of Infants’ Tylenol. She’ll calm down in a bit.” Her voice is robotic. “I’m sorry. You can go.”
“How about, instead, you and Mandy get some tea in the kitchen while I get Isabel settled?”
Mae opens her mouth before tightening it into a thin line. “I can do it. It’s fine.” She sounds anything but.
While I understand Queeny doesn’t like to be overruled, I’m not going to give her a choice tonight. A faithful valet doesn’t desert his Majesty when she needs him most.
“I know you can.” I keep my tone soothing, reassuring. “I want to do it. Please, let me help.”
Her head hangs low when she nods.
As if it has a mind of its own, my free hand lifts her chin before reaching up and drying her tears. “There. It’s going to be okay,” I whisper.
With a sniff, she starts toward the kitchen. Mandy sends me a worried look and goes after her. Sure, our date was cut short, but she understands how important they are to me.
Settling into the rocking chair in Isa-bea’s room, I set a relaxing rhythm. “What doesn’t feel good, sweetheart. Hmm?”
“Mouff.”
Running my hand across her forehead, I can tell she has a slight fever. “New teeth, huh? Yeah, kiddo. It sucks, but guess what?”
She looks up at me with the most trusting stare. “What?”
“Chicken butt.” I don’t normally do these kinds of jokes, but I’m trying to distract her from the pain.
With tears still stuck on her lashes, Isa lets out the shriekiest giggle. “You says ‘chicken butt’.”
I chuckle. “Yes, I did. I wanted to make you laugh.” I brush her sweaty hair off her red face. My sweet girl is hurting. It slays my heart. If I can ease her pain even a little, I’m going to try. “You want me to sing your song?”
Nodding, she snuggles back into me and sticks her thumb in her mouth. We rock, casually, until she’s out like a light. After settling her in the crib, I lay a hand on her back, just to feel her breathing.
I keep my voice low when I say, “I know you’re not mine … but I will always be here for you and Mommy. I promise.”
Entering the kitchen, I find Mae and Mandy awkwardly staring at the contents in their mugs. Shit, I completely forgot Mandy was here.
“You were right, Mae. Giving her Tylenol was a good call.”
Mae startles, and Mandy gives me a shy smile. Two completely different women, and yet I ran toward one without a thought of slighting the other. With this revelation, I inhale a sharp breath that stings my lungs.
“She’s settled now, but I want to check on her in a little bit to make sure her fever doesn’t rise.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. She’s settled, and I’ve ruined enough of your night.”
I have no plans of leaving this house tonight. Now that Isabel has calmed, I need to make sure Queeny does too. “Mandy, can I call you a taxi and we can talk later?”
Mae’s neck turns red—a sure sign she’s about to lay into me. “Remi, I said no. Take your date and leave.” She rakes her fingers through her hair. She’s a mess—a stubborn, beautiful mess.
I know she doesn’t mean to be dismissive. Tired adults act just like tired children—cranky.
“With all due respect, Queeny. I’m staying.” I lift my chin to my date. “Mandy, I’ll wait with you outside.”
