MASON BROUGHT LAYLAto her feet. “All set,” he said with a grin.
Layla lunged forward and threw her arms around his neck, starling Mason. He rubbed her skinny back, feeling like a bull in a china shop. She was so small, so breakable, but dang it if her little hug didn’t fill him with a little bit of parental pride.
“Ready for some breakfast, Tiny?” he whispered.
Layla stepped back and stuck two fingers in her mouth.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He stood and offered his hand, which she obediently took. Why couldn’t things have been this easy when she first got here? Instead, it had been nothing but complete chaos. It was amazing what a little direction could do.
Speaking of...
Mason looked up to see Harper watching them.
“You’re a natural,” she said, though her smile looked a little sad.
Mason shrugged. “Or you’re just a really good teacher.”
She shook her head. “That’s not it, but thanks for the boost.” Turning, Harper led them back to the kitchen. “I’ll scramble some eggs for Layla. Were you wanting an omelet for yourself?”
“That was the plan,” Mason said. He sat Layla at her seat. Her curls were kind of a wild mess. Much different than the combed ones Harper had given her last night. He grinned. It was kind of cute.
Layla slapped her hands on the tabletop.
Harper laughed from the stove. “Are you ready for your eggs?”
Layla frowned and Mason’s eyes widened. He’d seen this look before. Layla slapped the table again.
“Uh...” Mason turned to Harper.
Harper faced them fully this time and looked at Layla firmly. “Eggs. Do you like eggs? Should we have eggs?”
Layla let out a grunt and shook her head.
Harper turned back to the stove.
“What do we do?” Mason whispered.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Nothing. She’s eating eggs. We’ll work through it.”
“What if she starts to scream?”
Harper smiled and pulled the pan from the stove. “She’s two, Mason. There’s going to be lots of screaming and lots of tantrums. It’s not called the terrible twos for nothing.”
Mason pushed a hand through his hair. His was probably just as wild as Layla’s and he knew he should be completely embarrassed that Harper was seeing him in his pajamas, but even with a long night’s sleep, he was still too tired to care. “There’s no way to stop it?”
“Oh, you can give her everything she asks for,” Harper said easily. “It’ll stop it for the moment, but then you’ll have one spoiled kid on your hands and you’ll pay for it later.”
He slumped into a chair.
Layla shouted and began to buck in her seat.
“Why did Aimee do this to me?” he grumbled. Layla was a sweet little thing...when she’d slept and when Harper was reading her a story. But dang it! He didn’t know a thing about raising a child. He didn’t know about sippy cups, or the fact that she still needed a crib. He didn’t know what to do when she screamed, cried and demanded things. What about when she started talking back? How was he going to handle that? Harper seemed to think Layla should already be talking, yet all he’d heard were cries and shouts, no actual words. Was she traumatized from her mother’s death? Was there something wrong mentally? How in the world did a parent know how to keep track of it all?
He groaned and let his forehead hit the table. This is impossible.
“Hang in there, Daddy,” Harper said, patting his shoulder. “You’ll get the hang of it. You’re already a master diaper changer. After a bit, this’ll all be old hat.”
He straightened. “My life has always been quiet and orderly. This is the exact opposite.” He looked at Layla, who was still slapping the table. “I just don’t see how this is going to work.” He shook his head. “But it’s also not like I can send her back.”
Harper stood watching, as if processing everything he was saying. “Do you want to let your parents take her?”
He jerked back. “I...” He paused. “I don’t know.” The words tasted bitter and made his stomach slightly nauseous. He didn’t want to go against his sister’s wishes, but surely his mother, an experienced parent, would do a better job than Mason could.
Harper held up a finger, then went back to the kitchen. She scooped the eggs onto a plastic plate, bringing it and a child’s fork to Layla.
Layla wrinkled her nose at the offering.
Harper smiled wide. “Mm, mm! Eggs!”
The toddler wasn’t convinced.
Harper shrugged and took the plate and fork, bringing a bite to her lips. She closed her eyes. “Mm, mm. Eggs!”
Layla narrowed her eyes, but she didn’t respond.
Harper took another small bite. “My eggs,” Harper said. “Mm. My eggs.”
Layla shook her head. She held out her hands, grabbing for the plate.
Harper stopped, another bite almost to her mouth. “Oh. You want some?”
Layla made grabby hands again.
“Eggs?” Harper prompted.
Layla’s lips turned down and she strained for the plate.
“Good enough,” Harper murmured, putting the plate in front of Layla. She leaned in with an open mouth, but Layla wasn’t about to share. The little girl stuffed a handful in her own mouth, then grinned triumphantly.
Harper pulled back, chuckling softly. She held up her hands. “Layla’s eggs.”
Layla continued eating, ignoring Harper.
With the baby busy, Harper turned back to Mason. “Is it okay if I offer my opinion?” she asked softly. “I don’t want to overstep my bounds as your friend.” She gave a self deprecating grin. “Even though I already did when I burst in here with diapers and a crib.”
Mason folded his arms over his chest. “Go ahead. I value what you have to say.” And he did. Harper had a good head on her shoulders and Mason was already relying on her knowledge with Layla. Why not hear what she had to say in this case?
Harper glanced to make sure Layla was still occupied, then looked at him with a stoic face. “I think more than anything, right now you’re overwhelmed, under rested and still grieving.” She shifted. “You’ve barely had time to process the fact that your long lost sister is gone, let alone that she had a child. You’re sleep deprived not only from the trip but from dealing with Layla. And yes...your life has been turned upside down with her becoming yours, but when Aimee said you were the best choice, I believe her.” Harper leaned forward. “As a friend, I think you’re amazing. You’re kind. You’re a hard worker. You look before you leap and while Aimee might have lived a little different than that, she recognized that a steady foundation was something that would be good for her daughter.”
Harper reached across the table, her hand resting on Mason’s forearm. “You’re good for Layla,” Harper insisted. “Things are tough right now, but I have every faith that they’ll get better. You two will get to know each other and settle into a routine. Every parent everywhere has managed it and I don’t think you’re some kind of exception. You’re just as capable as everyone else and it bothers me that you don’t feel the same.”
Mason said in stunned silence. Why couldn’t he have this woman in his life? There was a literal ache in his chest with the desire to kiss her. But Layla was there, smashing eggs into her hair and Harper had just made it very clear that her words were from a friend. He couldn’t cross that line. If he thought his life was chaotic now, trying to nurture a relationship during this transition would be a nightmare. Still...he couldn’t help but wish.
“Thank you,” he said hoarsely. “I needed that.”
Harper nodded and removed her hand...much to his disappointment. “Good. Just take it one day at a time. It’ll all turn out just fine.”
Eggs hit the side of his face, seeming to punctuate Harper’s words. “Right,” he drawled sarcastically. “It’ll all be fine.”