Every Way (Brush of Love 4)

Now, I was blindfolded and riding down the road. It was bumpy and winding, and I was growing more and more concerned about how Little Johnny was riding. I was gripping the handle of the door tightly, but I was thankful for Bryan. He knew how nervous I was, so every couple of minutes he would give me an update.

“He’s sleeping right now. Drooling a bit too.”

“Oh! His eyes are open. He’s looking around. He probably misses Mom. I bet he does. I would miss Mom too.”

“He’s back asleep again. I think he likes the open road.”

“There goes his tongue! He sticks it out when he sleeps. You do that sometimes, you know.”

His updates made me smile. They relaxed me, and I could hear the excitement of being a father in his voice. I knew Bryan was going to make a wonderful dad, and I couldn’t wait to watch him interact with our son. I was glad Anna ended up buying me that breast pump because I was going to need it. Bryan was already striking me as the type of dad who would want to feed his child, so I would have to make sure bottles were ready for those nighttime feedings.

But then, I was pulled from my thoughts when we came to a halt.

“We’re here,” Bryan said.

“Where’s here?” I asked.

“Home,” he said.

“Why in the world did you blindfold me so we could go back to the house, Bryan?”

“Because I think you’ll like our new one.”

I furrowed my brow as Bryan opened his truck door. Did he say new one? My heart was slamming in my chest, and my palms were beginning to sweat. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. I could hear Bryan opening the back door of the truck, removing Johnny’s car seat from its base. I felt my heart fluttering at a thousand miles a second.

I didn’t want something new. I wanted something old and familiar. Something warm and comforting.

What did he mean by new one?

I heard him padding around to my side of the truck. I was taking deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves. I needed to trust him. I needed to put up a strong front. I wasn’t going to like having a new home, I could feel it. But with everything we had just been through, new was probably a good thing synonymous with a fresh start, which was what we all needed. I had to trust Bryan and his judgment. I had to trust that he had read all those books and knew how I was feeling and had my and our child’s best interests at heart.

My truck door opening pulled me from my thoughts as Bryan leaned over me and unbuckled my seat belt.

“I’ve got Johnny. Let me help you out,” he said.

I took his hand and slid from the seat. I was standing on a driveway I didn’t recognize. I was surrounded by smells I didn’t recognize. I couldn’t hear the busy street of our home. Instead, I heard the skittering of animals and the whipping of the wind through leaves.

Lots and lots of leaves.

“Before I take your blindfold off, can I say something?” Bryan asked.

“How’s Johnny?” I asked.

“He’s doing wonderfully. Asleep again,” he said.

“Wow. That kid can really saw some trees,” I said with a grin.

“Like his mom.”

“Thanks, jerk,” I said, giggling.

“Hailey, with everything that has happened to us and everything that has challenged our love, we have still managed to come out on top. Between your past with my brother and the shit with my mother—”

“Bryan, the baby,” I said.

“Sorry,” he said, snickering. “And all the stuff with my mother, we always found a way to manage. To make it work. To come out on the other end stronger and better than ever.”

“I don’t feel stronger right now,” I said.