LITMIR.BIZ

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Mama Celeca?”

      “I lived in her town for a few months.”

      “I’ve heard so much about her. Alex says she’s the biggest darling ever. He went with Mateo to Italy one summer a long time ago. Apparently Mama tried her best to get both of them married off.”

      She seemed so genuine, Bailey couldn’t help but like her. Couldn’t help but feel relaxed and at home, even in a dress that looked more like a rag next to Natalie’s exquisite creation.

      Bailey brushed a palm over the baby’s soft crown and carried on the thread of their conversation.

      “Lucky for you Mama’s matchmaking didn’t succeed.”

      “Lucky isn’t the word.” Natalie peeled back the diaper and let out a pleased sigh. “I love when there’s no messy surprises. Could you hand me a fresh diaper, please?” Natalie cast a glance to her right. “They’re in that lower drawer.”

      Bailey dug one out while Natalie cleaned up, shook on powder then slid the fresh diaper under the baby’s bottom.

      “Mateo mentioned that you’re in between jobs,” Natalie said, pressing down the diaper tabs.

      “I was out looking today.” All day.

      “Find anything?”

      “Not yet.”

      Natalie took both the baby’s feet and clapped the soles together, but the baby’s smile was a little slow to bloom this time. Must be past his bedtime, Bailey thought.

      “What are you interested in?” Natalie asked, scooping her baby up. “Do you have office skills?”

      “Afraid not. I’ve been waitressing, serving and general cleanup.”

      “In Italy?” Bailey nodded and Natalie beamed. “What an adventure.”

      Bailey arched a brow. “It certainly was that.”

      “I don’t know of any waitressing positions, but we’re always after good cleaners for rentals at the agency.”

      Bailey’s heart leapt. “Really?”

      With the baby’s head resting against her shoulder, Natalie headed for the door. “You’re probably not interested—”

      “No,” Bailey jumped in. “I mean, yes. I am interested. When do you think I could start?”

      “I’m going in Monday. I’ll give you the address.”

      “I’d appreciate that.” A lot. “Thank you.”

      Natalie’s pace had slowed. The baby’s eyelids were drooping now. He was about to drift off. “Would you like a cuddle before we leave?”

      Bailey gave a nervous laugh. She would. He was so adorable and full of smiles. But what if she took him and he cried? She’d feel terrible. But, as if to reassure her, little Reece stretched his arms out to her and found a drowsy smile.

      “Seems at least one of you wants a cuddle,” Natalie joked. But then she saw Bailey’s hesitation. “He’s a darling, honest. The worst he’ll do is pull your nose.”

      Bailey blew out a shaky breath. “Well, I’ve never had my nose pulled before.” She put out her arms.

      The baby weighed more than she thought. Close up, his heavy-lidded eyes looked even bluer. And he smelled divine—all fresh and new. No wonder Natalie and Alex were so happy. They had it all.

      “He likes your bracelet.” Natalie touched the dangling charms that Reece was fingering too. “So do I. Did you get it overseas?”

      “It was a gift.” And then Bailey admitted what she hadn’t in a very long while. “A gift from my mother.”

      “Then it’s doubly precious. Do your parents live in Sydney?”

      “My father does. My mother passed away.”

      Natalie’s beautiful face fell. “Oh … I’m so sorry, Bailey.”

      “It was a long time ago.”

      The sudden lump in Bailey’s throat made speaking a little difficult. Over a decade had passed since her mother’s death. Not everyone would understand why her grief hadn’t faded. But something about Natalie made Bailey feel as if she would. As if the two of them could be more than acquaintances. That, maybe, they could be friends.

      Still, she didn’t want to mire down the conversation, not when Reece was mumbling adorable things she couldn’t quite understand and hiccuping in such a cute way.

      But Natalie’s expression had grown alarmed. Slanting her head, she held out her arms.

      “I think you’d better give him back.”

      Bailey’s heart sank. “Did I do something wrong?”

      “No, no. It’s just I think he’s about to—”

      Natalie didn’t move quickly enough. Reece gave another hiccup. Heaved a little. Then a lot. Next his dinner came up.

      All over the front of Bailey’s dress.

       Five

      When Natalie barged into the room, Mateo and Alex had been discussing the state’s current public hospital concerns. Mateo immediately dropped the conversation and peered past Natalie’s shoulder. Bailey wasn’t in tow and Natalie’s hands were clasped tight before her. Seemed unlikely—Natalie was one of the sweetest people he knew. But Bailey was a relatively unknown quantity. Had the women had a disagreement?

      Natalie pulled up in front of her husband. “Can you ring and let the restaurant know we’ll be late?”

      Standing, Alex caught her arm. “Is the baby all right?” “Too much milk after dinner, I’m afraid.” Alex lowered his hand. “Another accident?” “All over poor Bailey.”

      Mateo was no stranger to babies’ assortment of surprises. He not only cared for pregnant women before and during delivery, he looked after their concerns postpartum. Many days, his practice was filled with the sights, sounds and smells of children of all ages. He’d been chucked up on more often than some people brushed their teeth. Part of the job. He wasn’t sure Bailey would be quite so cool with it, particularly given the trying day she’d had.

      Setting down his glass, Mateo rose too. “I’ll take her home.”

      “No need. Bailey’s fine,” Natalie said. “Other than needing a quick shower and a fresh change of clothes, and I have a stack of outfits in my pre-baby wardrobe she can wear.” She ran her hand down her husband’s sleeve. “Tammy’s settling the baby now. I’ll go see how Bailey’s doing.”

      As she sailed away, Alex fell back into his chair. The grin on his face said it all. “She’s an amazing woman, isn’t she?”

      “You’re a lucky man.”

      Alex leaned closer and lowered his voice. “So, now we know they’ll be occupied for a while yet, tell me about it.”

      “Tell you what?”

      “About your date.”

      “She’s not a date.”

      “She’s an attractive female accompanying you to dinner. If she’s not a date, what is she?”

      “Difficult to work out,” Mateo admitted. “Like I said on the phone, she appeared on my doorstep yesterday morning.” He went into more about the engagement and her dramatic flight from Italy, the loan and Bailey’s search for a job to pay it back. “When I phoned Mama today, she confirmed that she’d told Bailey to drop in.” Mateo dropped his gaze to the glass he rotated between his fingers. “Mama

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