Just you and Cooper.
The words hung in the air and stunned him a little. Until he’d said them out loud, he hadn’t realized just how important they’d both become to him.
“Honestly,” Gypsy said, “it’s a lot of trial and error, and you’re lucky that Belle is old enough to tell you when you’re getting it wrong. With a baby, you have no idea. You just keep trying things until you find something that sticks.”
“Maybe, but that’s obviously not going to be enough with Belle.”
“My point is that you’ve got good instincts, and you’re smart, and you love her. You’re a better guy than I’ve given you credit for, and you’re going to do just fine raising Belle.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Her praise warmed him, buoyed his spirit, and gave him hope. “God. How am I going to tell her about her mom?”
“You write songs that people pay damn good money to hear,” she said with a smile in her voice. “You’ll figure it out.”
He sighed and shook his head. “And I have no idea how to start putting a life together for us.”
“Is she in school?”
Wyatt stared at Gypsy as his mind bent that direction. “She’s mentioned projects she’s done. I think she called it school. What grade are they in at five years old?”
“Depends on what month she was born. She could be in preschool or kindergarten, but she’s really smart. I’d suggest putting her in kindergarten if she isn’t already.”
“How do you pick a school?”
“You don’t, unless you want her to go to private school. Kids go to the school that’s in their school district, which is great for Belle, because you live in a great school district.”
He cut a grin her way. “How do you know where I live, sugar?”
She smirked. “Don’t flatter yourself. Everyone knows where you live. Where will she live when you’re on the road?”
“I have no idea. My manager said I should hire a nanny.”
“I’ve told you this before, but this is one time you seriously don’t want to try to solve your problems with money.”
“What’s wrong with a nanny?”
“Wyatt, she lost her dad, and pretty soon she’s going to learn she lost her mom too. How do you think she’s going to feel when you tell her you’re leaving too?”
He closed his eyes, and dread swelled through him. “I’m starting to think there’s no way she’s not going to be totally screwed up.”
“Not exactly a positive outlook, but since you put it out there, I think counseling should be the first order of business after you’ve got her in school.”
His head swung toward her. “Counseling?”
Gypsy burst out laughing. “Oh my God, you should see your face. You look like I suggested castration.”
He groaned and covered his eyes with his forearm.
“I don’t think a nanny is a bad idea,” she said. “As long as you don’t think you can leave her with a stranger and just disappear for weeks or months at a time.”
She propped herself up with one hand behind her and gave him a sassy look. “And don’t even think about asking me to watch her just because I’m not a stranger and I’m the only woman in town who won’t sleep with you.”
He barked a laugh. “Jesus, don’t sugarcoat it. Just tell me what you really think.”
That made Gypsy laugh, and she rolled to her back and covered her stomach with her hands. Wyatt couldn’t help but smile. Her laugh was sweet and sexy and made crazy things happen inside him. The same kinds of things that happened when he fantasized about kissing her.
“Oh my God,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I must have had too much wine.”
He rolled to his side and took a piece of her dark hair, twirling it around his finger. When she didn’t bat his hand away, he slid the back of one knuckle across her cheekbone. Her skin was so soft. She smelled so good. He’d wanted her for so long.