Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes Page A

voice. “So you can see how it would really help me out if I knew someone was spending time with my daughter while I’m with my son. It would only be about an hour or two a day. And you have experience. I heard you talking to Mrs. Howard—” Paul stopped, noticing Jane’s sudden frown.
    “Is this a paid position?” she asked, her voice strained.
    “ What?— no,” he said, perplexed at her sudden change of attitude.
    “Then quit making it sound like a job. Back at Starbucks I felt like I’d been through a horrible job interview, and now you’re doing it again. Just pretend I’m your friend—that I’ve been your friend for longer than—” She glanced at her watch. “Longer than an hour, and you’re asking me for a favor.”
    “I—I—”
    “Yes, I know.” Jane waved her hand. “You’re bad at this sort of thing. Most men are. All the more reason to practice.” She clasped her hands in front of her and smiled at him expectantly. “Go on.”
    Paul looked at her a moment more, then took a step closer. “Jane,” he began, doing his best to look sincere. “Would you, knowing there is nothing in it for you—no dating, no relationship—would you, as my friend, be willing to come to the hospital sometimes to help me care for my children?”
    He waited a heartbeat, then watched as Jane’s smile reached her eyes.
    “I’d love to.”

Chapter Ten
    Reeling with déjà vu, Jane walked through the door to the nursery.
    Paul followed right behind. “If you want to grab a rocker, I’ll tell Amy what we’re going to do.”
    “I’ll be over there, then,” Jane said, heading for her favorite rocker—the glider type with a comfy blue cushion. It was the same one she’d sat in when she’d come to feed Andrew. Jane sank into the chair and looked around. Not much had changed in a month and a half. It was nice to be here, helping someone again. Maybe, like Marion, she should consider volunteering on a permanent basis.
    A few moments later, Paul walked over, his daughter cradled in his arms.
    “Ready?” he asked.
    Jane nodded enthusiastically. “Yes.”
    Paul bent over, carefully placing Madison in her outstretched arms.
    Jane looked down at the little girl’s tiny, perfect face, and suddenly being here felt very different.
    With Andrew, Jane had always felt the intruder—certain her nephew recognized her as a mere substitute for his real mother. But Madison had never been held by her mother, and it had been nearly two months since Madison had felt the ties of the womb. Jane knew the nurses’ schedules were hectic, and if Paul only spent fifteen minutes with his daughter each time he came . . .
    This little girl was likely as starved for affection as Jane was.
    Jane placed her finger in Madison’s palm and watched as her tiny hand curved around it. Jane’s heart constricted, and she felt a rush of something that was much more than longing. But it was too soon, and she didn’t dare let herself put a name to it. Pasting a bright smile on her face and looking up at Paul with what she hoped were not too moist of eyes, she said merely, “She’s beautiful.”
    * * *
    Two hours later, Paul held the elevator door open as Jane squeezed on amid a group of clipboard-holding interns. With bloodshot eyes and constant yawns, they all looked exhausted. Jane smiled at them anyway. She couldn’t help it. She felt happier than she’d been in—in as long as she could remember.
    Paul looked happy too. “You want to get a bite to eat or something?” he asked as they stepped into the lobby.
    Jane looked warily in the direction of the cafeteria.
    “I didn’t mean there,” Paul said, chuckling. “I wouldn’t try to poison you, not after all your help today.”
    “In that case, yes,” Jane said.
    He followed her to her car in the parking garage, then she drove him to his car and followed him to get fast food—not a big date—but definitely better than the hospital cafeteria. They lingered over shakes and