Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
I tried not to let my disappointment show as I said, “That’s okay. Maybe some other time.”
“You working tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’m on from eleven to seven.”
“I’ll just miss ya. I’ve gotta be there at eight, but I could come early and maybe we could grab a bite to eat?”
“That would be great.”
“Good deal.” He held my gaze for a moment, then said, “I guess I'd better get going.”
He stood, and I followed him over to the door. “Thanks again for today. It meant a lot to Baylor, and it meant even more to me.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine, kissing me softly. “Lock up behind me.”
I nodded, then closed the door behind him. He hadn’t even made it to his truck, and I already missed him. The man had done a real number on me, and he’d done it without even trying. It all came so naturally to him, and it was one of the many things I adored about him.
I glanced over at the tree, and it was amazing how bright and cheery it made my apartment. It had me feeling all warm and fuzzy as I made my way into the kitchen and started dinner. We ate, watched a little TV, and went to bed early.
Baylor nestled up next to me, and after half an hour of restless fidgeting, she finally dozed off. The apartment fell quiet, but it was the good kind of quiet. The kind you get when your mind and heart finally accept the good in your life and somehow manage to keep the doubts at bay.
It wasn’t a feeling I got often, so I savored it a moment before drifting off to sleep. I was deep in slumber when I woke to the sound of something crashing. It was loud and sharp and terrifying. I sat up, and my heart was pounding as I quickly scanned the room. It wasn’t until then that I noticed that Baylor wasn’t in the bed next to me.
“Baylor!” I called out, jumping out of bed.
Nothing.
Panic washed over me as I jolted out of bed and darted into the living room. I called her name again, and my voice crackled as I stumbled into the hallway. The apartment was dim with the only light coming from the Christmas tree, which was now on the floor.
Ornaments were shattered, the garland was tangled around one of the kitchen chairs that had tipped over, and next to it all was Baylor. And she wasn’t moving.
“Baylor!”
I dropped to my knees, and my hands were shaking as I reached for her. She was on her side, and her little pajama top was twisted around her waist. Her eyes were closed, and she wasn’t moving. I scooped her into my arms as I cried, “Oh, baby… Can you hear me? I need you to wake up.”
Her eyes fluttered, and then she blinked up at me, dazed and confused. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. As soon as she came out of the haze, she started crying. And not just any cry. This was loud and breathless. She was hurt.
Tears streamed down her face as she cried, “My arm…”
I looked down, and my stomach dropped when I saw the dip near her wrist. There was no doubt that it was broken. I just didn’t know how bad. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”
I leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. That’s when I saw it.
The star.
It was cut from notebook paper and colored yellow with a little glitter around the edges. She’d been working on it all afternoon. It was lying near the tree stand and was now bent and a little torn. She must’ve tried to put it on by herself.
I should have seen this coming. She had been staring at that tree all night, and she couldn’t stop talking about that star. I should’ve known she would try to put it up herself. I should’ve paid more attention. My poor, precious baby. Her tiny face was all scrunched up and scared, and I did that. I’m her mama. I was supposed to keep her safe, and I failed her.
I bit back a sob and kissed her again before grabbing my phone from the coffee table. I called Thatcher’s number, and tears blurred my vision the second he answered, “Hey, babe. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Baylor,” I stammered. “She’s hurt.”
“I’m on the way.” I heard a rustling sound, followed by footsteps and the door opening and closing. “What happened?”
“It looks like she was trying to put her star up on the tree and fell.” My voice quivered. “I think she might’ve broken her arm.”
“It hurts, Momma.”
“I know, sweetie. I’m so sorry.”
“You think she needs to go to the ER?”
“Yes, I think so. Could you take us?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be there in ten.”