“She looked so little,” she admitted to Natalie. “I can see why parents get so anxious letting their kids go off on their own for the first time.”
“You’re not her parent, you know,” Natalie reminded her, bantering set aside for a moment. “You’re just the babysitter, basically.”
“I’m certainly aware of that.”
Natalie gave a little sigh and tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, looking uncharacteristically concerned. “I’m just…well, this whole situation seems fraught with potential problems. I hope no one gets hurt before it’s over. Not the kid—or you.”
A little surprised, Mia gave her friend a reassuring smile. “No one’s going to be hurt. Connor and I have discussed all the possible repercussions and I think we’re prepared to deal with whatever comes up. This really was the best solution for everyone, considering how little time he had to get ready for fatherhood.”
Still looking skeptical, Natalie murmured, “It certainly seems to be the best solution for Connor. As for you…” She shrugged.
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Yeah, okay. So when do you get a night off? Because Donnie has another friend he wants you to meet.”
Mia groaned. “I think I’ve had enough of Donnie’s friends for now. But maybe you and I can go catch a movie or something in a few weeks. Once everything is settled down at home.”
“At home, huh?” Pushing herself away from the desk, Natalie moved toward the door. “Gotta get to work. You know where to find me when you need me.”
When. Not if.
Wondering when—and why—Natalie had suddenly turned into a pessimist, Mia turned her attention back to the papers spread on the desk in front of her, preparing herself for the students who would descend on her in about fifteen minutes. She told herself not to let Natalie’s doubts get to her. She had everything under control.
Why should she be worried?
Chapter Five
“Mia! Look what I drew. It’s Pete. Doesn’t it look just like him?”
Mia examined the crayon drawing that bore a slight resemblance to Alexis’s well-loved stuffed cat. “That’s very good, Alexis. I like the flower you drew beside him, too.”
“It’s a tree.”
“Of course it is. I must not have been paying enough attention.”
Alexis nodded, still admiring her drawing. “Cats like trees. They climb up in the branches and then the firemen have to come get them down. Miss Chen read us a story about that.”
“I’ve read stories about that, too,” Mia said with a smile. “Would you like me to hang this drawing on the refrigerator? I think it would really brighten up the kitchen.”
Looking pleased, Alexis watched as Mia attached the drawing to the door of the fridge with a thin, square magnet on which was printed the name and phone number of an insurance agent. She would have to remember to pick up some whimsical magnets for this typical home gallery, Mia thought. She doubted that Connor would mind having his daughter’s artwork displayed in his kitchen. “We’ll show this to your daddy when he gets home. I’m sure he’ll like it.”
“He’s not home much,” Alexis said with a matter-of-fact shrug.
Mia could hardly dispute that. It was Friday afternoon, and after living in the same house with Connor and Alexis for several days, she had spent more than twice as much time with Alexis as she had with Connor. He always seemed to be with his study group, or in the medical school library, or the gross anatomy lab. She hadn’t even helped him study; he seemed to be turning more to his friends for that since she’d moved in. Maybe he thought she was too busy with Alexis, even though she had several hours free in the evenings after Alexis went to bed.
“He’s working very hard in school,” she reminded the child. “It isn’t easy studying to be a doctor.”
Not looking particularly disturbed by his absence, Alexis asked, “Can I watch cartoons now?”
“May I watch cartoons,” Mia corrected absently before adding, “You may watch for half an hour. Dinner should be ready by then.”
“Okay.” Snatching Pete up from the table where she’d left him, Alexis dashed out of the kitchen. Since she’d become more comfortable in her new home, she always seemed to be zipping from one place to another. Mia teased her about being part hummingbird, a comparison that always made Alexis laugh.
Mia was already very fond of Alexis and she knew the feeling was mutual. She was the one the child turned to for her every need. When they went out, Alexis habitually slipped her hand into Mia’s, seemingly reassured to be at her side. She still had to be reminded to give Connor good-night hugs and to tell him things that had happened at school, whereas she frequently and spontaneously hugged Mia and chattered almost endlessly to her about everything under the sun.
If it bothered Connor that Alexis wasn’t more forthcoming with him, he didn’t let it show. He was kind and patient with her, occasionally teasing her a little, but there was still just the faintest reserve between them. Mia was sure time and familiarity would be the remedy for that, but she could see how it would be difficult for both of them with Connor having so little time to spare.
She had begun to wonder occasionally if maybe he could have spent a little more time with them than he’d given them so far. But maybe she just had a hard time understanding exactly how stressful his studies were, not having been there herself. She was trying to be patient, to give him plenty of space. Maybe next semester would be a little easier for him.