Page 76 of Something Like Shelter

“My schedule is much lighter next week. We should have plenty of time for both. This bed is too nice not to be sleeping in, and the hall bath is too far. Plus, the soaking tub. And a shower big enough for two.”

“I like the way you think. Do you mind?” she asked, holding a heavy-eyed Adelaide out to me so her hands were free to put her clothes back to rights.

I grabbed the cloth, put it over my shoulder, set Adelaide there, and attempted to emulate her father’s burping technique. Within a few rubs, I got a big burp and Adelaide’s squirming legs stilled.

“Look at you. You’re a natural.”

“Stole it from your father.”

“How’re we doing—oh, that’s a picture,” Elsie said, pausing in the doorway, her smile warm.

“She got a decent amount in,” Willa said. “And a good burp. She should be ready for a nap. But she’s super congested.”

“I have a steamy bathroom and a booger sucker ready. Then Grandpa is going to rock her to sleep. How are you doing?”

Willa made a grumbling sound.

“Try to sleep,” Elsie said. “I’m sure Owen is taking good care of you.”

“He is,” Willa said, even though I hadn’t really done anything. She waited until her mom was gone before speaking again. “What do you say about a nice little nap while my family takes care of everything else?”

Her, in bed, cuddled up next to me?

It sounded like the best way to spend the evening.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Willa

It took a solid four days before I felt human again. There was still some lingering congestion, but I felt rested, ache-free, and swallowing my spit no longer felt like razorblades.

Adelaide had been better a day before me—back to nursing her usual amount, breathing freely, and enjoying how much attention she was still getting from my family.

My parents had finally gone home the day before, replaced with Gracie and one of my aunts.

As much as I loved having everyone around to help when I was feeling so crummy, I was excited to get back to my usual routine. Plus, Owen.

Owen, who had been by my side every hour he wasn’t working, who brought me endless tea, medicine, and soup.

He pulled me close to sleep. Woke up to burp Adelaide each time I fed her. Then curled up with me again.

I knew it was early, but I felt the way I was falling, how he was on my mind every spare moment, how my heart swelled each time I saw him holding my daughter.

I once woke up to find him with Adelaide propped up on his legs as he made silly faces at her, getting big, gummy smiles out of her.

I swear my heart nearly burst out of my chest it got so big.

“I can stay,” Gracie insisted as I plucked a sleeping Adelaide out of her arms. “I don’t mind.”

“I’m ninety percent better. You should be back to your life. And back to your man.”

“So you can be back to your man?” she asked. Her smile was a little smug, and I guess she earned it. She’d been clocking me and Owen as a good potential couple for a while.

“He stayed while I was sick.”

“He made you minestrone soup. And broke down all your cardboard boxes in the garage. And ran the dishwasher and washing machine. He’s a good man, Wills. I have a good feeling about him. Not like, well, you know.”

I did know.