Page 72 of Griffin
“I was invited to give the baby a blessing.”
“The blessing has been done,” I say quickly, as Tommy starts to fuss.
“There’s the door.” Griffin isn’t in the mood to make friends, and I see Pastor Greg's lips purse like he sucked on a sour lemon. But he takes the hint and turns, walking to the door. He pauses as his hand grabs the door handle and looks back at me.
“You may cradle him now, but the Lord scorns those who suppress the truth with their wickedness.”
I suck in a quick breath at his threat. Griffin takes a step forward, his fists clenched, but Pastor Greg is already out the door. Moving swiftly.
“Someone you know?” Griffin looks at me, scowling.
“The nurse saw my necklace and offered to get the hospital chaplain for a blessing. I thought it would be nice. I didn’t know the hospital chaplain was Pastor Greg from my old church. Best friends with my dad and the leader of the church community who betrayed me. How could they claim to love me if all they did was admonish me and prayed for me to abandon my baby?” I swallow, bitterness coating me, feeling bad that I put Tommy in this situation already. What kind of mother am I? Remorse eats at me as I look down at my son, who’s rooting for my breast, hungry.
“My security guys shouldn’t have let him in.”
“The nurse got him. I suspect they thought it was all okay, as it was someone from the hospital. I thought it was. I didn’t think…” As Tommy nurses, I feel a tear drop down my cheek. I need to be more careful. I have a child to protect now. I can’t be letting anyone in. I’ll pray for him in my own way. Or not. The religion I grew up in is starting to feel more like a vise around my neck than hope in my heart.
“Does this mean your family will now know?” I sigh and nod slowly as his hand comes to my cheek and he wipes my tears.
“Yes,” I whisper before I swallow. Wanting to leave. Wanting to get out of here and far, far away.
“You never answered my question the other day.”
I look up at him with glassy eyes. “Which one?”
“I want you and Tommy to live with me. Given you need someone around at least for the first few weeks, I think it’s the best solution.”
“Don’t you have work? Sundown Valley and Colorado. Two big projects.” I shake my head, still feeling like a burden.
“I do. But I can work around it all. At least for a while. There might be a few quick trips I need to make, but I’ve spoken to Melissa, and she's ready to help with the baby or the bakery, whatever you need.”
“It’s a lot. It's a lot for you to take on. Two people in your home, in your space…” I want to. I want to be with Griffin all the time.
“Maybe. But I want you with me. Both of you. And your family won’t be able to get into my house. They don’t even know where I live.”
It’s true. Tommy and I will be safe there. I swallow and look at my son. I need to keep him safe and given that my family knows the bakery and knows I live there, it may not be the best option.
“But your sleep will be interrupted. Your work may be impacted. I’ll probably be all hormonal and teary…” I’m giving him every opportunity to renege his offer.
“You and I both know I don’t sleep well. Besides, Tommy might become my midnight companion…” Griffin’s eyes haven’t moved from mine. He looks at me so intently, so firmly, like nothing else in the world matters.
“Your place? Is it ready? For a postpartum woman and a newborn? The number of dirty diapers alone is probably enough to have you running.” I try to make light. In truth, staying with Griffin would be amazing. My feelings for him are growing by the second. I thought for sure that as soon as the baby came, he would run. It all being too much. Too real. The responsibility overwhelming. But he’s hardly left my side. He hasn’t wavered. I feel his protectiveness. I feel his desire and care for me. There’s nowhere else I want to be than with him.
“It’s ready.” Griffin nods. So self-assured.
“What about Tommy…”
“I got a crib.” He nods, and my eyebrows rise in surprise.
“You do?” I’m going to cry all over again.
“And a change mat, baby bath, bottles, blankets. I got it all. The house is ready for you both. Plus, I organized a chef to prepare healthy meals for your recovery. Hudson is literally down the road if we need him…”
My heart lurches. I have no words. He doesn’t have to do any of this.
“That was quick…” I smile a little, and his face softens.
“Been making a lot of calls while you've been sleeping,” he admits, and his cheeks seem to flush a bit.
