Babycakes by Donna Kauffman Page A

tugged on Morgan’s hand, and when he looked down, she whispered, “Can you ask him about Paddlefoot?”
    It was another in the rapidly multiplying series of moments when Morgan questioned his options. Part of him wanted to gently encourage her to speak for herself, if for no other reason than to allow others into her world who could help make it better, more interesting, give her comfort and attention, or even just be friendly. The other part of him wanted to wrap her up in something soft and warm and keep the world at bay until she was good and ready to deal with it.
    “You can ask him,” he said gently, quietly, just between the two of them.
    She didn’t say anything to that, but let her eyes do the pleading for her.
    “Okay, we can take turns. I’ll ask this time, and you can next time. Deal?”
    She nodded, and he rubbed his thumb over the slender fingers still in his grasp.
    He glanced back at Gabe. “Any chance we can go say hello to Paddlefoot one more time today? Lilly drew him a picture.”
    She glanced up sharply at him and he wasn’t sure what he’d done wrong. Then her gaze went to the woman, then down to the floor. Ah. Apparently he was revealing too much to strangers.
    “That’s wonderful,” Gabe was saying. “I’m sure he will love it. Maybe you can show the other turtles, too—if you don’t mind sharing. They don’t have anyone drawing them pictures.”
    Lilly looked a little distraught about that, then blurted out, “Moggy drew one, too.”
    Gabe chuckled, his gentle demeanor soothing and completely nonthreatening, despite his rather tall, somewhat knobby appearance and the gray beard he sported. “Fantastic.”
    Walking a short distance from her, he crouched down so he was on eye level with her. “You know, maybe we could make a bulletin board back there and encourage people to bring their drawings or anything else they want to share with the turtles during their stay here. What do you say? Would you be willing to help me with that?”
    Lilly looked up at Morgan, squeezing the life out of his fingers again, but maybe for different reasons. “Can I, Uncle Moggy?” she whispered with such honest yearning in those sad eyes of hers. he was pretty sure any piece of his heart she hadn’t already shattered, had fissures shooting through it.
    “Of course. I think that’s about the best idea ever.”
    She looked back at Dr. Langley. “Yes, sir. Thank you. Very much.” She spoke politely, with emotion vibrating in every word.
    Gabe grinned and pushed to a stand. “Well then, consider it a plan. Go on back and say hi, maybe look around and see where you think the board should go, okay?”
    “Yes, sir. Okay,” she said directly, without needing an intermediary this time.
    Morgan smiled. Little steps—but big, too, in their own way. A part of him relaxed a bit. The interaction helped confirm Lilly was ultimately going to be okay. She was too interested, too curious, and too determined to let the hardships of life keep her down for long.
    She tugged on his hand and nodded toward the rehab room.
    Morgan chuckled. “Lead on.” He turned to follow the all but vibrating child, then looked over his shoulder and made direct eye contact with the woman still standing just behind the doctor. “I’m sorry we interrupted.”
    “Oh, don’t apologize,” she said with an easy smile. “I’m just wandering through.”
    She had the pale, creamy skin that often went along with being a natural redhead, but what caught his full and undivided attention were the green eyes that completed the package. They sparkled when she smiled. That and a flash of white teeth and he found himself somewhat rivet—
    “Uncle Moggy,” Lilly whispered almost fiercely, tugging at his hand with all she was worth. “Please?”
    Morgan chuckled again and lifted his shoulders in an apologetic shrug. “I must go.” He nodded toward Gabe. “Be careful around this one or he’ll have you volunteering your time and your