Never Look Back (Coming Home Book 2) (21 page)

We don’t really say much the remainder of the drive home. And, thank goodness, my phone doesn’t ring anymore either. I don’t think I can put myself through another night of my phone ringing all night long. Even though it has been awhile since Brian has pulled this stunt, actually, when I had his phone disconnected it came to a halt, but I’m not looking forward to him having a phone again.

Todd pulls in the driveway and doesn’t turn the truck off. I’m sort of thankful for this, even though I’m sad the night is coming to an end.

“Thanks again for coming tonight.”

“You’re welcome.” I yawn, not realizing how tired I really am. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?” I ask hoping he’ll pick up on this as an invitation instead of thinking I’m just making a general statement.

“I’d love that. I’ll call you.” He’s all smiles as I climb down from the truck. I turn around and wave goodbye then make my way to the porch. Todd doesn’t back out of the drive until I’m safely inside with the door locked.

The next morning, I roll over and notice the clock on the bedside table. It’s after eight in the morning. I quickly jump from bed and head over to the crib where Chloe is still asleep. I can’t believe she has slept the entire night. My mom had just put her down from her bottle when I got home last night. She said Chloe had been the perfect angel and she was so glad I decided to out of the house. I filled her in on the phone call from the lawyer’s office and she looked so relieved to know the nightmare was about to be put behind us. I didn’t tell her about the other phone call later on.

I hadn’t realized how tired I really was until I crawled into bed and I fell asleep instantly. Now, I’m feeling pretty rested and it feels good for a change. I’m sure getting a full night’s sleep has a lot to do with it. I have to wonder if this could be the start of Chloe sleeping longer hours during the night too. Wouldn’t that be nice for the both of us?

I think back to last night and the job opportunity Mr. Williams presented me with.  Is this something I could consider? I know I can’t depend on my parents for their financial support forever and this could be my chance to do something different, to get back out in the workforce again instead of staying in the house all day. But then there is Chloe to think about. I think Beth would make a great sitter and she’s already offered numerous times to watch her long enough for me to run to town or just to get out for a little while. Looking back, maybe she was encouraging me to actually do something with Todd and I just didn’t pick up on it.

I could stand over the crib and watch my baby girl forever. Babies are just so precious and I am so lucky to have had a healthy, happy angel. Almost like she senses me, Chloe begins to stir so I go to the kitchen and prepare her bottle. It’s only a matter of time until she cries out letting me know she’s hungry. I flip the switch on the coffeepot and jump immediately when I hear the sound of my phone ringing. I’m definitely not expecting a phone call so early in the morning. I cringe, afraid to see who’s calling, but I figure it’s probably my mom checking in on me and the baby.

My face lights up when I see its Todd calling.

“Good morning.” I say into the phone.

“Morning to you too. I hope I’m not calling too early.” He sounds cheerful. “How did Chloe do last night?”

“She did great. My mom said she was the perfect little darling.”

“See, I told you that you didn’t have anything to worry about.”

“I know, but it’s still hard being away from her. I guess it’s good for my mom to spend some grandmother time with her since she won’t be here much longer.”

“My mom made some homemade blueberry muffins this morning. I was wondering if you’d like me to bring you one over.”

“Did she really? I bet they are delicious. I just put on a pot of coffee. If you don’t mind the way I look first thing in the morning, then come on over. I’m getting Chloe’s bottle ready now so we could eat after I finish feeding her.”

“Great. I’ll be over in a few minutes then.”

I dash back to the bedroom and quickly run a brush through my hair. Although it still looks halfway decent from last night, I make it a point to wash it daily even though I don’t get out of the house. I grab my toothbrush not wanting to have morning breath. I grab my bra and put it back on underneath my t-shirt and take a look at myself in the mirror. This is going to have to work for now. Just as I’m switching off the bathroom light, I hear knocking on the front door. Almost at the same time, Chloe begins to cry. I scoop her up and head to the front door.

“Morning.” Todd greets me as I open the door but I’m barely able to hear him over Chloe’s wails.

“Hey.” I manage to say as I take Chloe and place her against my shoulder and gently rock her.

“Is she okay?” Todd asks.

“Yea, she’s fine, just hungry. Can you believe she slept all night? I thought I could warm her bottle before she got up but she’s not wanting to compromise.”

“Let me put these down on the table and I’ll help you with her.” Todd offers as he puts a plate wrapped in plastic wrap down on the table.

“Are you sure?” I ask, finding it hard to believe Todd would be willing to take her. I would think most guys would want nothing to do with a screaming baby.

“Of course I’m sure. Let me see her.” I pass Chloe over to him and wait a moment to see if she calms down. “Go. Get her bottle ready. We’ll be fine.” Todd motions towards the kitchen.

I’m not sure why I’m so nervous about him having her. It’s not like he’s going to drop her or anything. I guess it’s just part of being a new mother and being overly cautious about who handles her. I back slowly into the kitchen and watch as he sits down on the couch with her. Todd has held her a few times, but like most men, they feel awkward with a baby and think they are easy to break.

I heat the water in the microwave then sit the bottle down in the warmed water. While I wait for the milk to lose its chill from being refrigerated, I pull two mugs down from the cabinet and set them down on the counter.

“Todd, what would you like in your coffee?” I call out to him in the living room but there is no answer. I walk to the doorway and realize he and Chloe are no longer in the room. I thought it got quiet rather suddenly but didn’t know he had left the room. I start to walk back to the bedroom, but he appears in the doorway, Chloe in his arms. And, she’s quiet.

For a brief moment, all I can do is stare at him, standing there holding her. I can’t believe how natural he looks with her in his arms.

“Everything okay?” I ask, not wanting him to notice my hesitation.

“Sure. She’s all better now.” Todd says in a baby talk kind of way as he tickles Chloe underneath her chin. He turns her around to face me and sure enough she’s as happy as can be. “I changed her diaper. It was pretty soaked, but got it all taken care of.”

“You’re kidding me, right? You changed her diaper? I couldn’t even get my dad to do that. He handed her back to me and said it was my responsibility.” I laugh a little as I share this with him.

“Well, had it been anything other than just wet, then I probably would have bargained with you, but I handled it just fine.”

We walk back into the kitchen and I check on her bottle. It feels ready now so I try to take her from him but he pulls back.

“I would have poured the coffee already but I didn’t know what you wanted in yours. Help yourself to the sugar and I’ve got milk and creamer in the refrigerator. I’ll get mine as soon as I finish feeding Chloe.”

“Why don’t you go ahead and fix you a cup and eat one of the muffins while they are still warm and I can feed her for you.”

“Todd, no. That’s my responsibility.” I tell him.

“Jenn, look. It’s okay to accept help from someone else. You don’t have to do everything on your own. Go ahead and eat and you can join us in the living room.”

“Are you sure? You’re okay with feeding her?” I am taken by surprise that he would volunteer to do this.

“We’ll be fine. You’ll be sitting in the same room.” Todd laughs. “If I do something wrong, you can correct me. Otherwise, I think I can handle this.”

I can’t help but notice the sparkle in his eyes this morning. I’m not sure what’s going on with us, but I’m starting to like where this is headed. The thought of a brand new relationship scares the hell out of me and I have to ask if I’m willing to place my friendship with Todd on the line in case this is not something either one of us are ready for. But I will admit, Todd is the complete opposite of Brian in every way.

I do as I’m told and pour my coffee. I grab a muffin and join Todd and Chloe in the living room. I am amazed how well Todd is handling her. When Chloe is about halfway done with her bottle, Todd tosses a cloth over his shoulder and brings Chloe up to begin burping her.

“Are you sure you’ve never done this?” I inquire. If I didn’t know any better I’d say he has either done this before or he got instructions from someone and is following them very well.       

“Nope. Never done it before in my life.” He’s quick to respond, but I notice the little smirk that’s forming on his face.

“Ok. Please tell. There’s no way you would just automatically know to do this.”

“Well, maybe my mom did give me some pointers.” He admits.

“I knew it.” I can’t help but laugh. I take a bite of my muffin and I’m amazed at how delicious it tastes. “I knew there was more than you were letting on. I need to get the recipe for these muffins from Beth. They are so good.”

“Speaking of my mom, have you thought anything more about my dad’s offer?”

“I really haven’t yet. I crashed as soon as I laid down last night.” I’m really not sure what to say about the job. “Todd, I just don’t know how I feel about going back to work just yet. I think it’s a fabulous opportunity and I would love to work for you and your family. Your dad had it all planned out and I think it could work, but the thought of leaving Chloe just scares me. Nothing against your mother because I think she would be ideal for Chloe, but I just don’t know.”

“Please, don’t feel like you have to make a decision right now. Dad’s just trying to look out for the business. My mom is eager to be at home more and this is something they would feel good about. If you think now is not the time, it’s okay. I promise, they will understand.”

“I’m going to think about it some more.”

Todd finishes giving Chloe her bottle and bless her heart, she’s nearly gone back to sleep again. Babies are so lucky to sleep so much in the first years of their lives but it definitely changes the older they get. And when you become a parent, sleep is something you simply can’t get enough of.

I stand up and take Chloe from his arms, careful not to wake her. After putting her back in the crib, I turn to go back to the living room and notice Todd standing in the doorway leaning against the door frame. I stop in front of him and bring my eyes up to meet his.

“Come here.” He says, barely above a whisper.

He extends his arms out and I allow him to embrace me. I place my head on his shoulder and breathe in his scent. His embrace is strong, compassionate. I can’t help but feel so secure standing here with him.

I wish I knew why things happened the way they do. I wish I had all of the answers why I had to endure the pain and heartache Brian put me through. Why couldn’t I have met someone like Todd first? I would be at a different place in my life for sure.

I feel Todd’s hand move up to the back of my neck, his touch sending an electric charge throughout my body. I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything right now. We pull apart and go back to the living room where we take a seat next to each other on the couch.

“Thank you again for feeding Chloe.” I turn towards him and look at him face to face. I want him to know I’m sincere about it. “And make sure you thank your mom for sending over breakfast.”

“I told you, I’m here for you. I feel bad I couldn’t be here more when you first came here. I was so wrapped up with school trying to stay ahead of everything. But now all of that is behind me and I’ve got more time. I’ll be working at the pharmacy now, but I’ll actually be home in the evenings now instead of coming home late at night. I’ll be able to help out with Chloe if you need me to.”

“Todd, why are you being so good to me? What did I do to deserve all of this?”

“I knew the moment I saw you there was something about you. There was no way I was going to let Brian harm you. It nearly killed me knowing I was taking you back to meet Rebecca that night. I knew you were going to go back to him and give him another chance.” Todd hesitates before continuing on. “I thought about you often and wondered if I would ever hear from you again. I knew you were married to him and I completely respected your vows to him, but that ass hole was dumb putting you through this nightmare you’ve had to go through. When you first texted me to thank me, I was scared you were going to tell me something bad had happened again. I was relieved you were doing okay, but I would have dropped everything right then and there if you had needed me to come get you even if you were hours away. Then, as the days passed and everything seemed to be going better for you, I started to give up hope I’d ever see you again. The night everything happened when you finally decided to leave for good and you called, I had cancelled a double date a friend of mine had set up. I never told you about it, but I really wasn’t interested in dating. I’ve told you how I felt about school. I had only agreed on the date because my friend was so persistent and said I needed to get out, the world was passing me by. I cancelled the day before we were all supposed to go out. Ever since my undergraduate classes, I’ve just not wanted anything with anyone. Maybe it was coincidental you needed me, but I don’t regret staying home that night.”