outside of the home.â
âItâs a great balance. Only four hours each dayââ Natalie rubbed noses with her baby again ââand then Iâm dying to get back to him.â She met Baileyâs gaze. âWant to help me change him?â
Baileyâs knees locked. Sheâd done some babysitting but never one so young. âIâm not sure Iâd be any help.â
Natalie only smiled. âYou look like a quick study.â
They left the men, who were busy discussing football, and moved into a nearby roomâa downstairs nursery. Bouncing the baby, Natalie crossed to a white lacquered changingtable where she gently lay her bundle down then set about unbuttoning his suit.
âMateo mentioned you know Mama Celeca?â
âI lived in her town for a few months.â
âIâve heard so much about her. Alex says sheâs the biggest darling ever. He went with Mateo to Italy one summer a long time ago. Apparently Mama tried her best to get both of them married off.â
She seemed so genuine, Bailey couldnât help but like her. Couldnât help but feel relaxed and at home, even in a dress that looked more like a rag next to Natalieâs exquisite creation.
Bailey brushed a palm over the babyâs soft crown and carried on the thread of their conversation.
âLucky for you Mamaâs matchmaking didnât succeed.â
âLucky isnât the word.â Natalie peeled back the diaper and let out a pleased sigh. âI love when thereâs no messy surprises. Could you hand me a fresh diaper, please?â Natalie cast a glance to her right. âTheyâre in that lower drawer.â
Bailey dug one out while Natalie cleaned up, shook on powder then slid the fresh diaper under the babyâs bottom.
âMateo mentioned that youâre in between jobs,â Natalie said, pressing down the diaper tabs.
âI was out looking today.â All day.
âFind anything?â
âNot yet.â
Natalie took both the babyâs feet and clapped the soles together, but the babyâs smile was a little slow to bloom this time. Must be past his bedtime, Bailey thought.
âWhat are you interested in?â Natalie asked, scooping her baby up. âDo you have office skills?â
âAfraid not. Iâve been waitressing, serving and general cleanup.â
âIn Italy?â Bailey nodded and Natalie beamed. âWhat an adventure.â
Bailey arched a brow. âIt certainly was that.â
âI donât know of any waitressing positions, but weâre always after good cleaners for rentals at the agency.â
Baileyâs heart leapt. âReally?â
With the babyâs head resting against her shoulder, Natalie headed for the door. âYouâre probably not interestedââ
âNo,â Bailey jumped in. âI mean, yes. I am interested. When do you think I could start?â
âIâm going in Monday. Iâll give you the address.â
âIâd appreciate that.â A lot. âThank you.â
Natalieâs pace had slowed. The babyâs eyelids were drooping now. He was about to drift off. âWould you like a cuddle before we leave?â
Bailey gave a nervous laugh. She would. He was so adorable and full of smiles. But what if she took him and he cried? Sheâd feel terrible. But, as if to reassure her, little Reece stretched his arms out to her and found a drowsy smile.
âSeems at least one of you wants a cuddle,â Natalie joked. But then she saw Baileyâs hesitation. âHeâs a darling, honest. The worst heâll do is pull your nose.â
Bailey blew out a shaky breath. âWell, Iâve never had my nose pulled before.â She put out her arms.
The baby weighed more than she thought. Close up, his heavy-lidded eyes looked even bluer. And he smelled divineâall fresh and new. No wonder Natalie and Alex were so
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