Page 99 of Miss Fortune

“No, but I knew she’d be good for you, and you for her.”

“She’s incredible. I’m going to do my best not to screw things up.”

She tsked. “All men screw up. During out first year dating, my Frank accidentally brought me flowers on his ex-girlfriend’s birthday. I don’t have to tell you the man never made the same mistake again. And now we’ve been together over thirty years.”

I chuckled. “We’d love to have you and Frank over for dinner in the next couple of weeks.” And I’d need to talk to Daisy about an appropriate retirement gift for Doris for all her loyal years.

“We’d love to. Let me get you that appointment.”

“Yes, please.” I was more than ready to take this step.

Chapter Forty-Four

Daisy

I was happy and in love. Caleb had given notice at his job four days ago, and I don’t think I’d ever seen him in a better mood. About-to-be-jobless Caleb was my very favorite version indeed.

We were steadily moving my things, loading up the big items, to include my bed, this coming weekend. The move was definitely keeping my mind busy, so I didn’t dwell on the baby and Tabitha. Caleb had checked in with her brother, and things seemed to be smooth. Although I was glad to hear it, I couldn’t let go of the worry in the back of my mind.

While Caleb went on an early morning run before he went into the office, I unpacked my clothes, smiling at the fact he’d cleaned out a closet for my things.

The sound of the doorbell surprised me. Maybe Caleb had forgotten his keys. But when I opened the front door, I was astonished to see Tabitha, a strange man, and the baby crying in his bucket seat.

Tabitha appeared as though she hadn’t gotten any sleep in days. The man standing beside her did not appear to be faring any better. “Who are you?”

“Hi, I’m Daisy.” I didn’t get the sense she recognized me from our first meeting.

She heaved out a big sigh. “I can’t get him to stop crying. I tried for days to make it work, but it’s not.”

Her brother’s shoulders slumped. “I tried calling Caleb before coming over, but he didn’t answer.”

“He’s on a run, and should be back any moment. Come on in. Can I hold the baby? Try to get him settled?”

Tabitha didn’t hesitate. “Anything. Please. I have his bottle, but he hasn’t been great at feeding.”

I took the baby out of the carrier and settled him down in my lap with his bottle. It took a few minutes of rocking him to settle him down and get him to accept it. I glanced up to see Tabitha on the couch across from me, her head in her hands, her brother rubbing her back in a soothing gesture.

“You must think me a terrible mother,” she whispered through tears.

“I think nothing of the sort.”

We both looked toward the front door as Caleb came in, shock etched on his face. He quickly assessed the situation. “Hi, everything okay?”

Tabitha shook her head. “I can’t do it. And I’m sorry to dump on you, but I’m not cut out to be a mom. My brother has helped, but he has to go back to New York, and I can’t do it on my own.”

My heart sank at her painful confession. “What about getting a nanny? Someone who could help?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want my child raised by a nanny, so he can grow up and resent me like I do my parents. I’ve been talking with my brother, and we believe the best thing would be putting him up for adoption. I was hoping Caleb might be able to help given his connections?”

Caleb didn’t hesitate. “Of course I can help.”

“I’d prefer a private adoption.”

“What about the birth father? Will he sign over his rights?”

“In a heartbeat. I’m sure you must think me a monster.”

Her gaze was on me, and I could only say what was in my heart. “I think you must love your son very much to ensure he has the best start to life. Did you name him?”