Читать книгу Firefighter's Doorstep Baby / The Soldier's Untamed Heart онлайн | страница 56
Not having to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, for one thing.
“I think I’ll take the baby to the lake later. Want to come with us?” she asked.
“Will it be warm enough for him?” he asked.
“In the sunshine. I guess you’ve done it a thousand times.”
“It never gets old. The lake is beautiful all times of the year. My ankle was broken a while ago. I’m still getting it back in shape. The sooner I’m fit, the sooner I can return to work. Want to go Jet Skiing?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Sitting on the beach is enough.”
Chapter Five
CRISTIANO drove them in the car back to the village. He and Mariella took the baby to the shore near the marina. The beach was a mixture of sand and pebbles sloping gently to the water’s edge. There was a couple sitting in nearby chairs, reading. She waved to them while Cristiano settled on a spot some distance away so as not to disturb their tranquility with their presence.
He brought a blanket and soon Dante was taking tummy time facing away from the water, so he was facing up hill. When he grew frustrated, Mariella sat him up, holding him lightly so he wouldn’t fall over. He could almost balance by himself. He settled in first gnawing on the plastic keys, then throwing them down. She retrieved them and handed them back.
Again
And again.
Cristiano stretched out beside them, laughing at the baby’s antics. Mariella tossed him the keys.
“You try it,” she said.
Dante turned to see the keys and grinned at Cristiano.
“Don’t want to lose your keys,” he said, dangling them in front of the baby. “Especially when you’re older and that means wheels.”
The tranquility of the setting soothed. Mariella coughed again, wishing she’d get over the smoke problem soon. Her chest felt dry and tight. Taking a deep breath, she relished the clean air scented with evergreen. The sun sparkled on the water. In the distance she could see a boat bobbing near the center of the lake. Was that a fisherman?
Dante threw the keys again.
Cristiano retrieved them and handed them to Dante. He threw them again and looked at him, a wide smile on his face. Her heart contracted. She loved this precious baby.