Chapter 25

25

Dylan was working station six in the diner when the guy first came in. She thought he was three or four years older than she was. He looked so rough. Definitely in need of a shower. He'd walked up to the diner, probably from the parking lot on the corner of their block. It was the baby carrier in his hands that stood out the most to her. It was obviously an older car seat for an infant, but someone had cleaned it really well.

There was a tiny baby inside, with a sweet little face. She wore pink. Everything. She was most definitely a girl, this one. So tiny.

Dylan's heart just melted, seeing her. She wanted a bunch of kids. Not eight, like her parents had apparently managed, but four was a good number. Six, if their future daddy was willing. Six beautiful babies—not with the same first initials, either, sheesh—who she would love and play with every single day. She would be their mom—and they would always know she loved them and wanted to be with them. Dylan really looked forward to it.

When the time was right. And the guy had to be right, too.

And well…she had to figure out who Dylan Brown was first. Slash that—who Dylan Geraldine Talley was supposed to be, anyway. She was definitely still getting used to the Talley part of the equation. It wasn't always easy.

"Hi, welcome to Flo's Masterson Diner. Can I get you started with some coffee today? Are you two all alone today?" The baby was super-young. There had to be a mom for one that young somewhere. The guy wasn't wearing a wedding ring or anything.

He gave her an exhausted smile, but she felt for him. She really did. He just looked so…tired. "Just us, today. Katie and me—we're on our own. A coke would be great."

"What brings you to Masterson?" She was almost certain he wasn't local—but not like Dylan really knew who had originated in Masterson and who hadn't. "How old is she? She is so beautiful."

"Thank you. She's four weeks old, today. Her name is Kennedy Taylor. I call her Katie. I'm her dad." And he was proud. It was in how he smiled, even though he was obviously tired, when he looked at his baby. How sweet. Dylan's heart melted. "I'm a trucker. We've had a long drive this run."

He was fussing over his baby girl. It was so sweet.

But Dylan made sure to stay back—that shower thing? The guy really needed it. "What can I get for you today?"

He was obviously alone. He wasn't wearing a wedding ring, either. Single father? Of a baby that young? She hoped not, really hoped not. But a dad who loved her—that was more than some kids had, right?

She'd seen Martin Tyler in the diner last night, with three little boys all under the age of nine or so. And they'd had so many memories in their eyes.

It was something Dylan wouldn't ever forget.

"I'm supposed to meet someone here, in a little bit. I'm looking for a trailer to rent. You know of any good places?" He looked at his baby. "I can't afford much, really. But I want a place for her to have her own bedroom, and stuff. That's important, I think."

"A home is most definitely important. I'll ask around today. There are people I know who have rental properties. If you want to come back through in a few days, I'll see if I can find you some names." Because Dylan got it, she understood.

All she'd ever really wanted was a home for her and her sisters that they didn't have to leave in the middle of the night, too.

He ordered his meal and ate like he was starving. The baby woke just as his food arrived.

Dylan didn't know what made her do it—but she offered to hold the baby while he finished. He made the baby a bottle and handed it to Dylan. He watched her the whole time. And told her about the baby's mother and how much he had loved her. And that she had died a day after his baby was born.

Dylan's heart broke for them both. She just couldn't imagine how much that had hurt him.

Dylan fed the baby and snuggled her close during the break in the crowd. When he was ready to go, she gave him a refill on his soda and told him his baby girl was beautiful.

And watched him carry her away.

Sometimes the world wasn't fair, but she suspected that little baby was going to be okay. She had a dad who really loved her, after all.

When Quade got there to pick her up, Dylan—for just one moment, imagined having a guy who loved her like Ben loved Dusty. Who would want little babies with her someday. Then she reminded herself it wouldn't be Quade. Sweet, kind, and seriously hot though he was.

They just weren't made for each other, and she knew it.

But she was young—she was going to enjoy her life now. With her friends. And her family. Those who mattered most.

Meeting Sonny and his baby had shown her the truth again—life was too short to just wait.

She wrapped her hand around Quade's and led him on their next adventure.

The man needed to have some fun, too. It would do him some good.