Two Hearts And A Baby

CHAPTER SEVEN

He followed her down the hall to the bedroom she entered and was amazed to see it was set up for the two women.  Two daybeds occupied the room one against the east wall the other on the west wall.  A six-drawer dresser with a mirror above it sat against the south wall and in the corner between the two beds was a small vanity.  Faith looked up from her packing to see the stunned look on Kincade’s face.

            “Is something wrong,” she asked while packing her clothes.

            “No, yes I don’t know I’m just shocked I knew this was a two bedroom I just assumed you each had a room.”

            “We did,” she chuckled, “But I moved in here with Julie, so we could use the other room for Gabe.  If you want, you can go in there and start getting his stuff.”

            “Yeah sure,” he turned going to the other room.

            When he entered the room, again he was stunned for it was set up perfectly.  There was a crib, rocking chair with footstool, a small dresser, and a changing table.  They painted the walls blue then small stars were scattered all over while a large sleeping moon covered one wall.  It matched the bedding currently set up in the crib.  He’d have to make the room at his house look like this for Faith suddenly stunned by his thought he wanted to do something that would make her feel happy.  No, he needed to put it in his mind this would help to make her feel more at home the subject was now closed getting back to the task at hand. 

            With this in his mind, he went about taking down things he started with taking out the rocking chair and footstool.  When he came back, he grabbed a small dresser then the changing table all that was left the crib and he realized he’d need a screwdriver for this.  Tracing his steps, he went into the first room and found Faith just sitting on her bed looking forlorn.

            She looked up, “Sorry I should help.”

            “It’s all right, do you have a screwdriver,” he softly asked.

            “Top drawer in the kitchen by the fridge,” she went to stand up.

            “You just stay there if anything I can bring Gabe in here,” he said.

            “Sure,” she scooted back on the bed.

            He left the room and, in a few seconds, came back with Gabe.  He was slightly fussy, so she took him out of the car seat and began humming to him.  Kincade quickly left because he couldn’t stand there and watch the sweet scene it made him ache for something he shouldn’t want.  In moments, the crib was torn down and loaded in the truck after which he began putting all of Gabe’s clothes and blankets into some boxes he found in the closet.  Once those were in the truck, he went to get Faith’s stuff and tell her it was time to go but the scene stunned him she was curled on the bed with Gabe.  She fell asleep along with Gabe the domestic scene made his pulse increase and heat pool into his groin.  He turned away and saw two boxes marked baby stuff and two suitcases loading all into the truck he went back in where he packed all her shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other feminine items.  Next, her toothbrush, toothpaste, and make up and under the counter he found a hairdryer, curling iron, straight iron, and a box of hair stuff.  He packed these up and took it to the truck now time to wake Faith.

            Going into the bedroom, he found them just as he left them first taking Gabe putting him back in his car seat next, he turned to Faith she was so beautiful in her sleep.  Walking to the bed reaching out to stroke her cheek with the back of his hand. 

            She mumbled in her sleep, “Kincade,” he felt his maleness harden at the sound of his name spoken so sweetly by her.

            She mumbled again, “Oh Julie.”

            He softly spoke, “Faith wake up we have to go.”

            She mumbled his name again then she said Gabe’s he leaned down and scooped her into his arms her eyes fluttered slowly open, “Kincade.”

            He smiled, “It’s all right I’m taking you to the truck time to go home.”

            She smiled softly shook her head in understanding then drifted back to sleep depositing her in the truck he went back for Gabe.  Once he had, him buckled up Kincade made sure all the lights were out and the door locked.  Starting the truck backing out he drove back to his house once there he unloaded, Gabe took him upstairs to his guestroom.  He got Faith next taking her upstairs where he laid her on the bed in the same room the next hour and a half was spent unloading the truck then setting up Gabe’s room.

            “I’m sorry I fell asleep,” her voice came softly from the doorway.

            She’d woken up not knowing where she was but realized they must be back at his house.  Getting up she saw Gabe was still sleeping in his car seat then she heard noises coming from the hallway.  Following it, she found Kincade in the room across the hall setting up the crib then she saw he had everything from Gabe’s room from her condominium here.

            He looked up at her when she spoke, “It’s all right you were pretty tired from your day.”

            “What time is it,” she rubbed her eyes.

            “It’s almost ten.”

            She smiled at him, “Do you need help.”

            “Nope I’m almost done if you want to find his bedding it’s in one of those boxes,” he pointed toward the closet.

            Faith saw two boxes from her room at the condominium and then three others.  She went over while leaning on one crutch she opened the boxes until she found one with bedding.  When she turned around the crib was up, and he was standing behind her handing him the stuff then grabbed her other crutch.

            “Why don’t you sit down,” he said.

            “Okay,” she moved over to the rocking chair.

            He put the bed sheet on then looked at these long pads with strings attached to them.  She could see the puzzled look on his face and chuckled, “There bumper pads they go around the inside of the crib to prevent the baby from getting their head stuck.  It’s protection from death.”

            “Oh, well you tell me how to put them on,” he asked.

            “Sure,” she went to stand up.

            “No, you just stay sitting and explain it to me,” he smiled.

            “Take one end with a set of strings then move the pads around the crib until the other end with strings meet.  Then you tie the strings around the post and do the same with all the other corners.”

            “Got it,” he finished, “What next.”

            “Then we need to put the thing with two blocks in the middle.”

            “What does this do,” he asked as he set it in the middle.

            “Babies have to sleep on their sides so this makes sure they don’t roll on their stomach or back.”

            “They have some pretty cool things for babies,” he chuckled.

            “Yeah, nothing like when we were babies,” she chuckled with him.

            He looked over at her, “I like when you laugh it makes your eyes sparkle.”

            She felt herself being drawn to him, “Thank you,” she turned away from his enchanting eyes.

            Suddenly Gabe began to cry, “Oh no someone is hungry.”

            Kincade watched as she hobbled to her feet, “You get Gabe and I’ll make his bottle.”

            They both left the room Faith went into the room across the hall while Kincade went downstairs to make his son’s bottle.  When he returned, she was already sitting in the rocking chair with her bad knee up on the footstool.  Gabe was in her arms waiting patiently for his food handing her the bottle she put it in his mouth, Gabe latched on and eagerly began to suck.

            “I brought your things up and set them in the other room you can use that room for the duration of your stay.  The bathroom is in between these two rooms and it’s all yours I have a private one.”

            “Thank you so much Kincade, I thought for sure we’d end up being enemies when it came to this situation.”

            He shook his head in understanding, “I’m glad we’re not.”

            Gabe was ready to burp Faith put the bottle down and put him to her shoulder.  Lightly patting his back, it was only a few seconds before he burped and was drifting off to sleep.

            Kincade stepped forward, “Here let me take him.”

            He lifted him out of Faith’s arms then set him in between the two blocks and covered him up with a cute blanket with the same design on it as the sheet.  It was blue with stars and moons around it and in the middle, was a large sleeping moon like the design in his room at Faith’s condominium.  Thinking about this again he knew what to do on Wednesday with his day off turning to find Faith getting up out of the rocking chair.

            “Time for bed,” she stated.

            “Yes, busy day tomorrow,” he walked behind her out of his son’s room.

            “Goodnight, Faith,” he said.

            “Goodnight Kincade,” they both went into their rooms with troubled thoughts in their minds.

            Kincade awoke startled by something rolling over he glared at the clock on his nightstand.  The green lights flashed three o’clock he sighed and laid there trying to figure out what disturbed him.  He heard it again, a baby cry suddenly remembering his son Gabe jumping out of bed, he ran out of his room down the hall to the room.  The sight that greeted him caused all the air in his lungs to disappear and his heart flip-flop.  Faith was sitting in the rocking chair wearing a silky white nightgown, small straps held the gown up, but you could see an ample amount of cleavage from the low-cut front.  She was nursing Gabe and humming softly when she felt someone watching her looking up her eyes collided with violet ones.  She was also stunned at the sight of him for he wore no shirt and only a pair of shorts.  He had the build of a swimmer, flat stomach with a hint of a six-pack broad chest with well-defined pecks and nice shoulders with perfectly formed biceps.  His legs were sleek with large thigh muscles and defined calves she knew he worked out to have a body like that.

            When she gained her voice, she spoke, “I’m sorry he woke you I thought I got to him in time.”

            “It is alright, I’d be up in an hour anyway,” he smiled.

            She was puzzled because he doesn’t go to work until eight, “Why so early.”

            He chuckled and moved into the room, “To work out.”

            That confirmed her earlier thought, “I usual run before work.”

            He looked down and saw her leg with the knee brace propped up on the footstool of the rocking chair she was sitting in, “But you can’t now because of your knee.”

            She sighed, “Yes but hopefully soon.”

            Gabe finished eating so Faith burped him then she was going to get up but again he stepped forward, “Here let me take him.”

            As he reached out to take Gabe from her, his arm brushed across the front of her breast, specifically her n****e causing a warm tingle to course through her body.  She contained her gasp, but Kincade felt everything especially her intake of breath.  All he could think was, my God she’s beautiful.  He set Gabe in his crib then turned to see Faith getting to her feet she was wobbly so one of her crutches fell.  She would have if it wasn’t for his quick reflexes, he caught her pulling her to his chest.  It was a mistake because he could feel her warm breasts pushed against his bare chest.  Faith was stunned for the heat of his chest burned into her already sensitive n*****s.  He looked down into dark indigo eyes and felt himself begin to drown in their deep pools. 

            Breathlessly she whispered, “Thank you.”

            He knew she felt it too but then Gabe whimpered, and she pulled away using the crib for balance.  He reached down grabbing her crutch handing it to her she took it after putting Gabe’s pacifier in his mouth.

            “I’m going to go lay down for a little while more.”

            “Of course,” he watched her go back to her room.

            His groin tightened even more as he watched the sway of her bottom in the silk nightgown.  He knew he needed a hard workout for sure so going downstairs starting some coffee then went down to the exercise room.  Spending a good hour and forty-five minutes on a hard workout but still couldn’t get the sight of her out of his head.  Finishing he went upstairs grabbing a cup of coffee then going up to his bathroom for a cold shower.  Feeling better he came out dressed for work while drinking his coffee.

            Faith lay awake for such a long time just thinking, my God he was gorgeous, her n*****s still tingled from their contact with his firm chest.  After an hour, she knew sleep wasn’t coming getting up she went to shower.  Grabbing the stuff, she needed for her knee then went into the bathroom but remembered she hadn’t packed her bathroom stuff because she’d fallen asleep.

            “Damn,” she cursed.

            She started to leave when she noticed her shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower.  Looking around in everything and was amazed to find everything from her bathroom at the condominium here.  Tears formed in her eyes he was so sweet because not only did he get her stuff but also set it all up in this bathroom.  Getting in the shower she washed her hair and body then drying off and putting the stuff on her knee then the brace went on.  Wrapping the towel around her, she went back to the room to get dressed then went back into the bathroom did her hair put some makeup on and felt better than she had in days.  Leaving the bathroom, she came face to face with Kincade, though he was across the hall he’d just come out of his room.  He was shocked at her appearance she was wearing a black skirt going to her knees it was free flowing and a black, white, and gray stripped tank top.  She pinned her hair up but allowed some curls to cascade down around her face.

            She smiled at him, “Hey.”

            He walked toward her, “Hey.”

            “Can you give me a hand before you leave.”

            He smiled, “Sure.”

            “I need a bouncer we bought brought out of a box then set up downstairs then we need to bring Gabe down because I can’t carry him up and down the stairs.”

            “Of course, I should have known,” he turned and went into Gabe’s room to grab the bouncer thing she was asking for.

              Searching through all the boxes he finally found the bouncer it was still in its original box, which meant he needed to put it together, “Why don’t we go downstairs have some coffee I’ll put this together then bring Gabe down before I leave.”

            She smiled, “That sounds great,” she followed him down the stairs to the kitchen.

He poured each of them a cup of coffee while she sat down at the kitchen table, “How do you take it,” he asked.

            “Creamer no sugar,” she replied.

            He brought both cups to the table sat down and pulled the bouncer out of its box.  Faith sipped her coffee while watching him, he was such a good-looking man. 

            “Where would you like me to set it,” he asked once finished.

            “On the table so it’ll be easy for me to get at.”

            He smiled then set it down in the middle of the table then finished his coffee in a couple of gulps, “I better go get Gabe and head to work.”

            “Of course,” she sat there drinking her coffee.

            She was struggling with the sudden feelings for him.  Her mind screamed it’s not right to be thinking about him in a s****l manner.  After all, he was the one who slept with her sister producing Gabe, Julie at one time loved him it isn’t right to want him.  Tell that to her body which tingles whenever he touched her or quivered whenever he spoke and her n*****s that hardened when he brushed against them.  He reentered the room carrying Gabe again her breath caught at his handsomeness while talking to Gabe her heart stuttered at the sight of them.

            “He was wide awake when I got there so I changed his diaper and dressed him for you.”

            Faith smiled, “That makes my morning a little easier.”

            Kincade sat his son in the bouncer, so he was snug then left the room going toward the back door but returned with a bunch of papers, tubes, and other things, “It’s time for work.”

            Faith hobbled up and followed him to the door as he opened it, she spoke his name turning toward her, “Yes.”

            “I want to thank you for everything you’re doing.  I don’t think anyone else would do this for me.”

            He smiled down at her, “No need to thank me we’re family now.”

            Tears sprang to her eyes at his statement, “Oh don’t cry,” he said.

            This time he couldn’t help himself dropping his things he pulled her into his arms.  Faith was startled at first by his embrace but once the warmth and comfort of his strong body seeped into her, she leaned into him.  She could smell the soft masculine scent of him fill her senses while he could smell the floral scent of her hair his mind began to spin, “I’m sorry I’m crying it’s just nice to hear I still have someone.”

            “Of course, you still have someone just because Julie is gone doesn’t mean that we’re not family, Gabe connects us no matter what.  I will help you through all of this, I promise.”

            She pulled back and regarded his wonderful violet eyes and he saw her indigo eyes darken.  The pull was strong they moved toward each other Faith held her breath then slowly closed her eyes waiting for the touch of his lips.  Inches from each other’s lips a voice shouted breaking the spell.

            “What the hell is going on here,” her voice was shrill.

            Kincade turned, “Christina.”

            Then a baby cry shattered the air, “Oh Gabe,” Faith turned and hobbled away toward the kitchen.

            Christina looked furious, “We need to talk Kincade.”

            “Later, I must get to work,” he started gathering the stuff he’d dropped on the floor to comfort Faith.

            She breezed past him toward the back office, “Now Kincade Jordan.”

            He sighed turning and following her she went through the kitchen glaring at Faith.  Faith just continued to feed Gabe a second later Kincade came in she frowned.  He looked at her and tried to smile, “I’m sorry,” she whispered to him.

            “It’s alright,” he winked at her.

            She couldn’t help but smile then he disappeared into his office.  Christina was sitting on the very sofa where Julie sat calling their relationship off setting his stuff down, he looked at his current girlfriend.

            “We need to make this quick I have to get to work,” he looked at her.

            “What is going on here,” she tried not to shout.

            “I told you Julie was killed after having my son now I have custody of him.”

            “What is going on with the woman you were so casually holding in your arms,” this time she did shout.

            “She’s the nanny,” he replied.

            “You were going to kiss the nanny.”

            He chuckled, “No I was giving her comfort.”

            “Why,” she was furious.

            “Because she just lost her sister you see she’s Julie’s sister,” he took some satisfaction in the shocked look on her face.

            Christina was shocked and let it briefly show on her face before covering it, but she wasn’t completely convinced.  However, she would need to play this situation cool because ever since New Year’s he seemed to be distancing himself from her, “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions,” she tried to look contrite, “I feel so awful.”

            “It’s alright I’m sure Faith isn’t upset.”

            She smiled at him, “Maybe we should have dinner sometime, so I can get to know Faith and your son.”

            “I think that’s a great idea,” he stood grabbing his stuff and together they walked out but Faith and Gabe were gone.

            Kincade walked with Christina toward the front and outside to work Faith watched the couple walk through the kitchen from the pantry.  She’d heard the conversation between the two in his office and felt it would be better if they didn’t see her, so she snuck into the pantry when they were leaving.  Avoiding the couple seemed like the best thing to do because she really didn’t want to talk to the woman.  In addition, needing to get a grip on her emotions especially since she’d almost kissed him.  She couldn’t help it she was drawn to him even though her mind screamed not to have thoughts of him in that way.  He’d belonged to Julie and is her nephew’s Father, which made him off limits.  Coming out of the pantry, she put Gabe back in his bouncer and the rest of the day would go by fast for her but not for Kincade.

            First thing Kincade did when he got into the office was go talk to Megan, his boss.  As he walked into her office, she was talking to someone it seemed there was some problem on one of the buildings, which was in the process of being erected.

            “Listen Cooper, I know Chuck wants it done by Friday but he’s just going to have to wait.  The building inspector explained a couple of issues have popped up and will need some fixing.  I suggest you get over there and make him understand since your customer relations,” Megan’s voice never rose above a polite level, but you could hear the authority underneath the politeness.

            “Of course, Miss McNickels right away,” Cooper’s voice however squeaked a little as he replied.

            “Poor Cooper, Megan you’re a harsh woman,” Kincade chuckled when Megan scoffed.

            “Kincade you shouldn’t interrupt when someone of authority is speaking,” but she gave him a dashing smile, “What can I do for you,” then she looked at the young man, “That’s all Cooper get on it.”

            Cooper jumped up, “Yes Ma’am.”

            Kincade watched him rush out of the room closing the door behind him.  Megan rose from behind her massive mahogany desk walking over to a wall in bar.  There she poured herself a mineral water and offered, “Would you like something Cade.”

            “No thanks I’m too wired all ready,” he smiled at her when she turned to stare at him.

            “Ah yes, Christina told everyone the happy news about your son.  What I don’t understand is what happened to the mother.”

            He sighed, “His mother died in a car accident and left him to me.  Christiana is just angry because initially I’ve always said I never wanted children.  Oh Megan, you have to see him to understand why I can’t give him up.”

            “I understand all too well, I’ll not go into detail about that, but I’m telling you I don’t blame you.  Sorry about his mother so what can I do for you this morning,” Megan took a sip of her water waiting for his reply.

            “I need to take tomorrow off,” he stated.

            “Why,” she went back to sit behind her desk.

            “I took on a nanny and she needs to go to her physical therapist tomorrow, so I need to stay with my son.”

            She was confused, “Why is your nanny in physical therapy.”

            “Faith was in the car with her sister when they were hit, she was hurt and needs physical therapy on her knee.”

            “She’s the sister of your son’s mother,” Megan finally understood.

            “Yes,” he sighed heavily when he thought about Faith.

            “Of course, you can take tomorrow off.”

            “Thanks Megan, oh also I’m going to leave on Friday to head to my parent’s house,” he stood to leave.

            “Cade,” she called to him.

            He stopped and turned toward her, “Yes.”

            “Does Christina know about your nanny,” she was nervous to hear the answer.

            “Yes, she found out this morning,” he frowned.

            “She wasn’t happy.”

            “Not exactly but we’ll work it all out,” he tried to smile but it didn’t reach his eyes.

            “Watch yourself,” she warned before he left.

            He was confused by this but didn’t have much time to think on it because he walked into his office and found Slade sitting there waiting.

            “Ah Cade there you are,” he stood and approached his friend.

            They shook hands then Kincade closed the door before going and sitting at his desk while Slade sat back down in the chair he’d just vacated.

            “Did we have an appointment today,” Kincade was surprised to see him here.

            “No but after yesterday I thought maybe I’d come check in on you and see how being a father is going.”

            Kincade sighed and leaned back in his chair, “It’s good so far except I went home yesterday to find the woman I left my son with wasn’t a nanny from that company.  It turns out she’s Julie’s sister and came to ask me to give her Gabe.”

            “Did you,” Slade was interested now all because of how Kincade was acting.

            “No, we came to an agreement.  She’s moved in to take care of Gabe while I’m at work just until she can go back to work, and I find a suitable nanny.”

            “Why can’t she work,” Slade was watching his friend intently because something was off about the situation.

            “She was in the car with Julie and was hurt so needs physical therapy for some time.”

            “I see, what aren’t you saying Cade,” Slade was always good at reading people.

            Kincade sighed because he knew his friend would read more out of the conversation then he really wanted him to, “She’s the woman I told you about during Christmas when I was buying Susan’s Christmas present but it’s more,” he rubbed his hands down his face before saying, “I shouldn’t be feeling the things I am for her.”

            “I see,” Slade nodded.

            “Hey, what if we get together Thursday for some drinks,” he looked at Slade.

            “Sure, then we can talk more about this nanny of yours.”

            “Good, see you then,” Kincade watched Slade leave and his thoughts turned to Faith.

            He knew one thing he wanted to do but wasn’t sure if it was for Gabe or for Faith.  Giving up on working he pulled out a piece of paper and began writing down the supplies he was going to need.  While Faith was at her physical therapy, he was going to work on his project leaving work early and going to the hardware store for the items.  Then going to a baby store to get a bassinet for Gabe finally pulling into his garage at home with big plans for tomorrow.  The door in the garage opened into his office where he dumped all his stuff from work.  He left all the other stuff in his car, so she wouldn’t see any of it.  He started to walk into the kitchen but stopped just inside the door shocked at what was going on.