Free Speed Trap by Patricia Davids Page B

right,” Glenda said brightly. “Let’s get the little fellow undressed.”
    Garrett awkwardly turned the baby on his back, so he could undo the snaps of the sleeper, but Colin was no help. He kept arching his back and trying to roll onto his stomach. Finally, Garrett simply had to brace his forearm across the baby’s chest and hold him down while he undid the fasteners.
    None of the women in the room spoke or offered help. Was he being too rough?
    Garrett looked at the nurse. “I thought he had a broken collarbone.”
    â€œHe does, but babies heal much more quickly than adults. Be careful not to pull on his left arm. He’ll let you know if you’re hurting him.”
    When he had the snaps undone, Garrett slipped the garment off his son’s arms and legs, seeing for the first time the boy’s chubby, stout little body.
    Glancing at the nurse, Garrett said, “He looks like he’s going to be a football player.”
    Suddenly, a warm wetness hit the front of his shirt. He jumped back in surprise.
    Chuckling, the nurse handed Garrett a towel. “I should have warned you—he’s armed and dangerous.”
    Brushing at the wet patch, Garrett returned her smile. “I’ll remember that.”
    With the nurse’s help but knowing both Mandy and Miss Compton were watching, Garrett managed to transfer his son into the tub. Keeping the squirming, slippery baby upright in the water was tough. Bathing Wiley, with all its pitfalls, was a piece of cake compared to this.
    Colin’s head bobbed back and forth making it even harder to hold on to him. He kicked joyously in the water and tried to flap his arms, making occasional squeals. Each time he did, Garrett flinched, sure he was hurting the boy. No doubtMandy and Miss Compton were making mental notes to that effect and wouldn’t give him custody.
    The disappointments Garrett had known in his life should have kept his hopes at bay, but they didn’t. Not now that he’d met this grinning, squealing, splashing little man. This was his son.
    They belonged together.
    When he finished sponging the soap off Colin, Garrett lifted him to a dry towel and wrapped him up. Colin, bereft of his watery playground, focused on Garrett’s face once more.
    Garrett had never believed in love at first sight, but gazing into his son’s sparkling eyes, he knew this was as close as it got.
    The nurse said, “Now you need to get him dressed.”
    Over the next five minutes, Garrett struggled to get his damp, determined-to-remain-naked son into a diaper and a sleeper. Bulldogging a calf was easier. The sticky tabs on one side of the diaper ripped when he pulled it tight and he had to start over with a new one. Then, the snaps of the sleeper didn’t line up. It took Garrett three tries before he got it right. By this time, Colin had begun to cry.
    All the while, Garrett was conscious of eyes boring into his back, judging his every move.
    How badly was he doing? How much leeway would he get because he’d never dressed a kid before?
    When he finished, the nurse told him to sit in the rocker, and he gladly followed her orders. Then she handed him a bottle and plunked Colin in his lap and stood back. “Go ahead and feed him. I’ve got to see to my other patients.”
    Just like that?
    Garrett watched her walk out of the room and then looked down into the solemn eyes of the infant studying his face.
    Don’t let ’em know you’re scared.
    It was good advice when dealing with bullies, horses and strange dogs. Maybe it worked with kids.
    Miss Compton said, “Sheriff, will you be here for a few minutes?”
    Mandy nodded, and Miss Compton smiled her thanks. “I need to make a notation on Colin’s chart. It won’t take long.” She left the door open as she exited the room.
    Garrett saw Colin’s lower lip began to quiver. He gave one little fuss, then let out a holler that