“Yes, ma’am, that’s a fact.”
“I’ve been to the Choosy Moose. It looks like a great place to meet someone.”
“None of them compare to you.”
Even though that thrilled her, she had to pursue this discussion to its conclusion. “And there’s the problem. I’m flattered, but if that’s how you feel after you’ve spent one night with me, what will happen after six?”
“You won’t be able to wipe the smile off my face. Or yours.”
“CJ! I’m trying to be serious.”
“So am I. If we follow your plan, we’ll be in a constant state of frustration.” He flashed her a triumphant glance. “That can’t be good for the baby.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t researched it.”
“You don’t have to. Too much of anything is bad. I may not have a high-school diploma, but I read. Moderation is the healthy way to go.”
“In my experience, you don’t practice moderation in bed.”
“Because I had to cram everything into one night. Give me six and I’ll practice moderation like you wouldn’t believe.”
That coaxed a grin out of her. “Somehow I doubt that.”
“Give me a chance to prove it.”
His comments stirred her up more than she cared to admit. Munching on her fries, she attempted a nonchalant attitude as she studied him. “You’re very good at this.”
“What?”
“Getting your way.”
His expression brightened. “Then you agree that we can—”
“I didn’t say that. I’m still right. You need to get over me so you can find someone else. Having more sex this week is going in the wrong direction.”
“You never know. Maybe we’ll be sick to death of each other by Sunday morning.” He took a long pull on his cider.
“We won’t and you know it.”
‘Yeah, I do.” He sighed. “It was one argument I hadn’t tried so I threw it out there.”
“And I’m sticking to my guns. I can handle a few days of sexual frustration and I can’t believe it would impact our baby. But if I let our relationship derail your search for happiness, that will have far-reaching consequences.”
“What if I promise to start dating the day after you leave? I’ll go to the Moose more often. I’ll sign up for one of those dating apps. More than one, even. I’ll—”
“After we’ve spent every night together for the entire week? You’re not that shallow. If you were, you’d be involved with someone new by now.”
He took a deep breath. “In case you can’t tell, I’m scraping the bottom of my barrel of arguments.”
“Then let me give you one of mine. Because you’re a gentleman and a cowboy, I suspect this is the one I should have used all along.”
“I’ll bet I don’t want to hear it.”
“Probably not, but you should.” She paused. “I also need to get over you.”
His gaze locked with hers. Resignation clouded the gray depths of his eyes. “Yes, ma’am. That does the trick.”
The dejection in his expression tore her to pieces. What to say? This was the right move, so why did it make her heart hurt?
Sarah provided a welcome distraction when she nudged open the door and came out with Amy in her arms. Isabel stood and CJ followed her lead.
“You guys don’t have to get up!” Sarah laughed. “Amy’s not royalty.”
“Sure she is,” Isabel said. “If you’re Queen Esmeralda, she must be a princess.”
“My mom would agree with you. Since Amy’s in an excellent mood right now, would you like to hold her?”
“I’d love to.” Isabel gathered her courage and took the tiny girl from Sarah. She wasn’t used to babies, hadn’t held many. Most of her friends were unmarried and none had become parents. But she would be one, soon, and she wanted to be prepared.
She mimicked the way Sarah had cradled the infant—Amy’s head resting in the crook of her mother’s elbow and her tiny body supported by her mother’s arms. The little girl smelled like lilacs. “Did you give her a bath?”
“A quick one. I wanted her to be at her best when she met you guys.”
“She smells delicious.”
“It’s a local woman who makes soap. It’s very gentle. Even if it gets in her eyes, it won’t burn.”
“I should take some home with me.” Isabel gazed into wide eyes that were the color of denim. “Will her eyes stay that color?”
“They’ll probably be blue since John and I both have blue eyes, but they could turn green. It’ll be fun to watch.”
“She’s beautiful, Sarah.” Amy’s wispy hair was so pale it was almost white. Her pink rosebud of a mouth opened as she looked up at Isabel. Her lips curved.
Isabel was entranced. “Is that a smile?”
“I tell myself it is, but Mom says it’s only gas at this age.”
“I’m going to believe she’s smiling at me.”
“So do I. To heck with science.”
“I don’t know how you get any work done with this cutie-pie around.”
“I was worried about that, but she sleeps a lot. That helps. And logic kicks in. If I spend all my time ogling the baby, I won’t be an efficient employee and my paycheck will be in jeopardy. My little family needs that paycheck.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when it’s my turn to be both mommy and boss-lady.” She glanced at Sarah. “Could we meet sometime this week so I can pick your brain about how to handle a job and a newborn?”
“Absolutely. Give me your number before you leave and we’ll set something up.” Sarah looked over Isabel’s shoulder. “CJ? Want to hold Amy?”
“I sure do. Like I told Izzy, babies aren’t my strong suit. Any instruction or practice I can get, I’m going for it. “
“That’s a great attitude. John felt the same and now he’s a hands-on dad—changes diapers, rocks her to sleep and brings her in to me for the two a.m. feedings.”
“That’s great.” Isabel envied Sarah that, but no point in wishing for something she couldn’t have. She turned to CJ and stepped closer. “She’s all yours.”
His chest heaved and he frowned in concentration as he lifted Amy gently
