Chapter 4
Callie
Getting on the plane wasn’t nearly as stressful as I thought it would be. That’s because I had Nate with me, guiding me through every step. He knew exactly which gate to go to and how to handle airport security. He never got flustered or frustrated with me and Danny.
He got Rudy squared away in cargo, somehow producing all the documentation they would need. I never seen anyone as capable as Nate. He leads with quiet confidence that makes me feel safe.
I take the seat by the window with Danny in my arms, relieved that we fit. I’m proud of my curves, but I’d hate for the airline to ask me to buy an extra seat in front of Nate.
I tug his big, brown work coat tighter around my shoulders. When I woke up in the truck, he’d put it over me. I tried to give it back, but he insisted that he runs hot and can’t stand to wear it longer than five minutes. I think he’s lying, but I love the way it smells like him.
From the row across the aisle, I hear faint murmurs. I look up to see two elderly women with an older man. They’re all three glaring in the direction of Danny as if bringing a baby on an airplane is somehow a heinous crime.
Nate is oblivious. He’s focused on the carrier that he’s setting up. He quickly figures out the intricate buckle system then pats the seat.
I hesitate. It’s my first flight and even though I don’t think anything will go wrong, I still want to have him close.
He keeps his voice low so it doesn’t carry, “In the event of turbulence, the G-force will make it nearly impossible for you to hold onto him. Just because lap babies are allowed by airlines doesn’t mean it’s the safest option.”
I think about how I wouldn’t allow him to ride in Nate’s truck without a car seat, so it makes sense that I wouldn’t want to do the same thing on an airplane.
I nod and place him in the new seat, being careful as I do.
With his low muscle tone, Danny can be “floppy” and often needs extra support when I’m moving him.
“Thank you for the seat. I’ll pay you back for it and our tickets.” Even as I say the words, I have no idea how I’ll actually do that. Nothing prepared me for how expensive being a single mom is.
“It’s a Christmas gift,” he answers with a quick wink before he takes his seat, putting on his belt.
Danny starts crying as soon as takeoff begins. I pull out every toy I can to distract him, but he doesn’t stop. No matter how many funny faces I make or what I do. He goes on screaming for a solid twenty minutes.
“His ears must hurt,” I finally realize when nothing is working.
The elderly trio is still complaining about us, but I’m doing my best to ignore them. Surely, they were babies once. Hopefully, in a society that was kinder and more understanding than the one I’m raising my son in.
“Adults are supposed to chew gum. Maybe a bottle will help him?” Nate suggests. “Could work the same muscles.”
I try to offer Danny a bottle twice, but he won’t take it. He just keeps screaming. I even took him out of the carrier seat and inspected it for sharp pieces and any potential sensory issues. There’s nothing about the seat that should be bothering him.
“Maybe a lullaby will help,” Nate offers.
One of the elderly trio says something, but I can’t hear what it is over the sound of Danny’s wailing. Nate stiffens, his body tensing before he turns toward the other aisle.
In a loud voice, he says, “That’s my son. He’s little, and the world around him is big. He doesn’t know what’s happening or why his ears hurt. He’s not crying to annoy you. He’s crying because he’s scared and in pain, so you can fuck off.”
I reach across the seat to put my hand on his arm. No one has ever stood up for me or my son this way. I certainly didn’t expect to be defended by this handsome stranger.
He turns his attention to Danny who I’ve already buckled back into his seat. No matter what we do, he can’t seem to get comfortable.
“You cry as loud as you need to, little guy. I’m right here.”
A stewardess hurries up to our row, but whatever was said by the trio is not repeated. Probably because Nate glares at them, as if he’s daring them to speak up again.
Eventually, Danny quiets when Nate starts singing a soft lullaby.
It’s some old song about a cowboy who loves his woman so much that he searches far and wide to bring her a bouquet of yellow Texas roses.
Every time he stops singing, Danny breaks down in tears again, so he just keeps repeating the chorus again and again until his voice sounds raw.
After the three of us disembark, Nate rents a truck from the airport while we wait for Rudy.
When the two of them reunite, Nate drops to his knees and smothers his big dog with affection and praise.
It’s crazy that I’m standing in an airport, jealous of a dog who’s getting belly rubs from the big, burly cowboy.
I’m not sure how long the drive from the airport is. I offered to drive, but Nate shook his head. “You must be exhausted from traveling all day. Let me.”
He finally points to an exit sign. “There’s a tavern. We’re about an hour from the ranch. I thought you and Danny might like to freshen up and get some food in you.”
“I’m not hungry,” I tell him even though we’ve been traveling all day.
Nate has gone out of his way to be kind to me, and I don’t want to take advantage of him.
Someone with a heart like his has probably been used and treated poorly in the past. It’s always those with the biggest, kindest hearts that carry the most scars. “But Danny could use a bottle.”
He pulls off the interstate. “Come in with me. I hate eating alone.”
After we’re seated, I take Danny to the bathroom. I get him some diaper ointment for the rash on his bottom and put on his cutest little outfit, the one with a pun about reindeer.
When I’m done, I inspect my appearance in the mirror. My hair is a mess, and my makeup is smudged. I do my best to fix what I can.
I’m feeling a little more human by the time I leave the bathroom. I’m still exhausted, but Nate took an incredibly stressful situation and made it bearable.
Maybe it’s my imagination, but I could almost think that his eyes light up when I return. He’s already ordered two hot chocolates, one of them on my side of the table.
He stands and holds out my chair for me. He just does that because he knows it’s hard to juggle a baby. Not because he’s thinking of this as a date.
We settle into our seats and before we can start a conversation, the waitress appears. She’s an elderly woman with a twinkle in her gaze and the kind of laugh lines around her eyes that tell me she’s spent her life looking for those joyful moments and cherishing them.
Nate orders the stew for himself.
She turns to me, but I wave her away. “I’m fine with just the hot chocolate.”
He frowns at me. “Do you like stew?”
“I do,” I admit, my cheeks heating. I wasn’t expecting him to put me on the spot like this.
“They make the best stew in four counties here.” He turns his attention to the waitress. “Better make it two. And can we get some of those dinner rolls?”
“You betcha.” She gives him a wink that doesn’t seem flirty before disappearing into the kitchen.
He can make friends with anyone. He’s been so considerate since the moment he met us, and a girl could get the wrong idea if she didn’t remind herself that he’s only here to help out Mary.
What Nate thinks of me doesn’t really matter. He’ll probably leave the second he drops us off tonight. The thought makes my stomach hurt. But maybe that’s why he’s here. Nate was meant to be my Christmas miracle, the person who restored my faith that there are still good people in the world.
“Callie,” my name sounds sweet on Nate’s lips. “Look at me.”
He slides his hand across the table, holding it up in an offering. I don’t even hesitate before I let him take mine. Holding his hand feels so right, just like it did the moment we met. “I like taking care of you.”
My cheeks heat. There’s no denying this attraction between us anymore. I can see on his face that we both feel it. “I’ve never been the type of girl who needs that, but I kind of like it when you take over.”
He nods, his next words making me melt into a puddle. “Good, then relax and let me provide everything you need right now.”