Well, she didn’t run, yet. I wanted to get to know her better, maybe take her out, before springing Cam on her. I probably don’t have an ice cube’s chance in hell now. Then again, if she can’t accept Cam, then she isn’t for me anyway.
And, I can’t believe I just told her almost everything. She didn’t need to know that Cam’s mother is a heartless bitch. I could have just left it at me wanting my son and Sheri didn’t.
“What a darling.” Deirdre smiles and leans forward, rubbing the knuckle of her finger against Cam’s cheek.
Cam leans toward her, arms out, completely shocking me. “He must like you.”
Deirdre laughs and picks him up. She has him standing on her thighs facing her. “Well, I think I like him too. What a handsome guy.”
“Really! Cam doesn’t go to strangers. Ever.” Usually he cries when someone other than me, my parents, Larry, or his afternoon sitter picks him up. Maybe he’s finally growing out of that stage.
“I should take him.” Larry’s lifting Cam before I can form an objection. “He needs to be fed.”
It’s his lunchtime and it’ll be easier to talk to Deidre without Cam between us. At least physically. He’s certainly there now. I’m just afraid to find out if she’s going to bolt the minute she has a chance. Instead, she sits back and sips her coffee.
“Single dad, gallery owner and a teacher. You’ve got to be busy.”
“Yep, and it explains my lack of social life.”
She chuckles. “School is my excuse. I just don’t have time. I’ve needed this break.”
“No plans while you’re in town?”
She shrugs. “Nothing set. Just seeing what the day brings.”
“Maybe we can have dinner or something?” I try not to hold my breath, but I really expect an evasive answer, like we’ll see what happens.
“That would be great.” She grins and my stomach unclenches.
“Jesse,” Larry calls as she comes down stairs carrying Cam. “He doesn’t want to eat right now and I’ve got to get lunch if I’m going to be back in time for you to go to Baxter.”
I glance at my phone. It’s about eleven. She can’t feed Cam, eat and be back before 12:30?
“Not a problem,” I take Cam from her and check his head and cheeks. The only time Cam doesn’t eat is when he’s getting ill, or teeth, and both bring on a slight fever. But his face is cool. “Can you bring his food down so I can keep an eye on the front of the shop?”
“Sure thing,” she agrees and practically runs up the stairs.
The bell above the door tinkles and I glance through the opening from the back to see two customers enter.
“Do you mind?” I ask Deirdre. If I were alone, I’d take Cam with me, but lately he’s been reaching for everything. Last week he got his hands on a pot, which was too heavy for him to hold, but he moved it just far enough to the edge of the shelf that it fell and crashed on the floor. I’m going to need to keep him from the front of the gallery as much as possible.
“Not at all,” Deirdre says as she takes Cam from me.
Cam grins and goes to her and I’m so glad that he’s gotten over crying when someone unfamiliar wants to hold him.
Three
Larry slows as she comes down the stairs. She’s carrying a small bowl and a bottle. “Where’s Jesse?”
“Customers came in.” I nod to the front of the gallery. There’s an opening and I can see him talking to two women about some pots that are on display.
Larry glances toward Jesse and then me, before coming forward and placing the bottle and bowl on the table. “Here, let me take him.” She holds out her hands for Cam, but he doesn’t lean toward her as I expected.
“That’s okay. I’ll feed him so you can go to lunch.” I am not exactly ready to relinquish Cam. He’s such a cutie and it’s been so long since I held a child this young. Not that I want one of my own, at least not for five years or so, but I still like holding him.
“He’s not familiar with you,” she points out.
“Believe me, I’ve done my share of babysitting.” I laugh. “Besides, Jesse won’t be gone long and you need to eat yourself.”
“I’ll be fine.” Larry sits on the stool and scoops up something that looks like oatmeal and waves the spoon in front of Cam’s face.
He turns his head away, not at all interested in what Larry has to offer. I can’t really blame it. The stuff looks gross.
“It’s probably best you go. Cam won’t eat if he’s distracted by you and Jesse gets worried if Cam doesn’t eat, and on a schedule.” She puts the spoon back in the bowl and reaches for Cam again. This time she takes him from me, almost jerking that little boy from my arms.
The bell above the door rings again and more customers come in. “Maybe you should help out Jesse instead.”
“He’d rather I see to Cam,” she assures me and tilts Cam back enough for him to take the bottle. “That’s why I’m here.” She looks up and meets my eyes. “He couldn’t get by without me.”
With that, even more customers come in. It’s like Grand Central Station and I suddenly feel unwanted, by Larry at least, and in the way. “Well, tell Jesse I’ll catch up with him later sometime.” I stand.
“You can use that door.” She points to one leading out back.
I haven’t had a rush of customers like that in a long time. I sold two painting and three pots. An excellent start to Spring Break, but it sucks that I left Deirdre hanging in the back with
