Page 96 of Miss Fortune

“Sure, I’d be happy to go.” It was the right thing to do. This baby belonged with his mother, and I would be supportive in any way I could.

His expression showed sympathy. “I know you’re attached, and it’ll be hard to let him go.”

I inhaled a shaky breath. “He belongs with his mom. And I’ll be okay.”

The next day we drove the baby up to Malibu and the mental health treatment center. I made sure he was fed and sleepy before Caleb walked him inside for the counseling session.

The wait was excruciating, but forty minutes later Caleb brought the baby out to the car.

He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t ask until he’d put him in his car seat and pulled out onto the road home.

“What happened?” I finally asked.

He glanced over before taking my hand. “Tabitha is being released tomorrow, and I’m to bring the baby over to her place. She’s ready to take him back.”

I fought the tears. “Good news. Did she seem ready?”

“The counselors believe she is. Her brother will be staying with her for a while, which is a relief to have someone there full-time to monitor things.”

“It is a relief. What time?”

“I let them know I could bring him tomorrow morning. They’ll text once they’re settled and ready.”

“I’ll make sure I write down his schedule and pack everything up tonight.”

He squeezed my hand. “I know this isn’t easy for you.”

No, it wasn’t. “It’s what needs to happen. And I’m grateful I was able to help.”

“You might never get any gratitude from Tabitha, but you definitely have mine. What you did over the last week is nothing short of incredible.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.”

I tried not to be sad. Reuniting this baby with his mother was the right thing to do. She would love him, and he’d love her, the way it was supposed to be. And I’d go on to do—what? Knowing Seattle wasn’t in the cards for my future, what was?

“You want me to put him down?” Caleb asked, coming into the living room.

“Yeah, I’m just holding him as much as possible while I can.” He’d fallen asleep twenty minutes ago.

He took the baby gently, now more than comfortable holding him, and walked away to put him in the bassinet in the bedroom. The bedroom I would no longer share with Caleb after tonight. We hadn’t discussed anything about our relationship since I’d returned from Seattle, and suddenly my eyes pricked with tears. Shit, it was like I’d been playing house, and tomorrow would be back to reality.

I was the first to get into bed, snuggling down into his sheets and inhaling Caleb’s scent. When he crawled in, he didn’t hesitate to pull me close. Typically, once my head hit his chest, I was out, but not tonight. Tonight I lay there, my body tense, my mind running.

My fingers splayed on his flat stomach and felt the skin jump beneath them.

“Daisy.” His voice sounded strained.

“Yeah?”

“I’m trying to be a gentleman, but you’re killing me here.”

I popped up. “Why on earth are you trying to be a gentleman?”

He caressed my neck. “Because you’ve been exhausted, and I feel like a greedy bastard even thinking about sex when you should be getting all the rest you can.”

“There’s nothing greedy about it. I need you.” For all I knew, this could be the last time. Tomorrow he could very well tell me he wasn’t ready for a future together.

Chapter Forty-Three