Girl’s Day Out

"Ashley needs a girl’s day out, Bud."

"Hmm?" Bud was doing some work at home on the business and had no idea what Marie just said to him. He sort of thought he heard the little one’s name mentioned.

"This Saturday Jessica and I are taking Ashley to Coffs to go shopping and out to lunch. She hasn’t been out since she got home from the hospital. She is in serious need of adult company away from the baby."

"She’s having problems with the baby?"

Bud didn’t get it. Ashley seemed like a great mom and was doting over the kid constantly. And for a baby she seemed like a good kid.

Marie rolled her eyes. That’s when he knew he was clueless as to what his wife was trying to tell him. It wasn’t the first time and sure as shit wouldn’t be the last.

"No, Bud. Katie Marie is a wonderful baby and Ashley is a terrific mother. But, every woman needs a break from baby duty from time to time. It’s time for Ashley."

"Okay. Do you want me to drive you girls into town?"

Bud was trying to figure out what his role was here. There had to be something more Marie was getting to. She was getting around without crutches now and had a walking cast on her leg. He was still worried about her. She might fall or something. There was no doubt when you looked at her now that she was pregnant. It fucking terrified him most waking hours of his day.

Marie leaned over and kissed his cheek from where she was standing by him. He put his hand on her waist to steady her just in case. She was steady.

"That’s such a nice offer, Bud, but Jessica can drive. We want Ashley to have a no stress day. It will be hard enough to pull her away from Katie Marie for the day."

Bud was really confused. Hadn’t Marie just said that Ashley needed to be away from the baby for the day? Now she was saying she didn’t want to leave her. He sat looking up at Marie unsure of what to say next cause he wasn’t getting it. So he said nothing and sat stroking his wife’s waist.

Marie had a hard time not bursting out loud in laughter. The look on Bud’s face said it all. The detective was completely clueless to what she was saying. But why would he understand? Bud had never been around babies much and hadn’t had a chance to be a father…yet. That was going to change in six months and it was time he started getting some hands on experience.

"When a mother leaves her baby with someone for the first time it’s really difficult even when that person is her husband. Lachlan recognized that Ashley needs to be away too so he volunteered to take care of Katie Marie while we girls go out. That’s where you come in Bud. I’d like for you to go keep Lachlan company while he watches over Katie Marie for the day. Jessica is asking Egan too. Lachlan said he’ll fire up his grill and you boys can have a cold pint and eat meat." She grinned.

"It’ll be just like when the three of you went into the Glen last week and had a pint of ale and some lunch together."

Was she shitting him? Bud looked her in the eye to see if she was serious or was pulling his leg. Three guys sitting around eating and having a beer in the pub was nothing like being at Curry’s house sitting around eating and having a beer with Katie Marie there to look after.

"Uh…" Bud was thinking of a quick way out. Work was the perfect excuse.

"Oh, thank you, Bud. I knew we could count on you to help." She leaned down and kissed him on the lips. "That’s so sweet of you."

What the fuck? When did he say yes? And if he said no now he wasn’t being ‘sweet.’ He’d just been had by an expert.

He grumbled under his breath. And then he thought of a bright spot. He smiled tersely.

"Varner’s going to be there?" Surely Jessica could manipulate him. She was Marie’s and Ashley’s cousin. They were pros.

"I’m certain he’ll come by. It’ll be fun for you all."

Bud nodded, but he couldn’t think of anything that sounded less like fun than helping to take care of Katie Marie all day. He had no idea what to do. Bud may have delivered the Wade’s little girl, but he’d never changed a diaper or gave a bottle to a baby.

The only fun part of the day he could imagine was that Varner would be more inept than he was at child care. Curry was doing it all. He sure wouldn’t let Varner within 3 feet of Katie Marie. That cowboy would be liable to hog tie her like she was a cow…or a pig or what ever the hell it was you hogtied.

"Saturday?"

"Yes, if you could run me over by 10 AM. We want to get an early start on the shops."

Then he was stuck there from that time on. He nodded. "Sure, Hon."

He pulled her onto his lap when she leaned in to kiss him again. Marie wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he steadied her. He took in her fresh clean scent as she got close to him and Bud nuzzled into her hair. Maybe there was a bright spot to this.