Read Online Lone Star Baby (McCabe Multiples Book 5) by CATHY GILLEN THACKER - Free Book Online

nutrient-rich formula. The infant paused, as if thinking about it, then suckled again, just as cautiously.
    Violet and Gavin grinned. “Congratulations,” Bridgette said with a wink of approval. “You win a Mommy Gold Star.”
    Mommy, Violet thought a little wistfully.
    Aware that for the first time since Sterling had died—and all her romantic dreams along with him—she could envision herself one day becoming a mother. When the time and the man, if there ever was another man able to take Sterling’s place in her heart, was right, that was.
    “It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it?” Gavin murmured, watching Ava continue to feed. “And such a responsibility.”
    Realizing the future well-being of the child in her arms rested on her and Gavin, Violet nodded. “I just hope we’re able to do right by her,” she whispered.
    “We will,” Gavin said firmly, confident as ever.
    Looking into his eyes, Violet could believe it.
    She and Gavin might not know a lot about taking care of a newborn infant, but they were both dependable adults and quick studies.
    Together, she imagined that they could handle whatever came up, until the time came when they bundled Ava off to her permanent home.
    In the meantime, they had a mission to accomplish.
    A wave of affection pouring through her, Violet watched the baby’s little bow-shaped lips work. Then she looked back at Gavin’s sister. “How much should she take before I stop to burp her?”
    “An ounce would be good,” Bridgette said with the authority of a pediatric nurse before moving off to tend to another patient.
    “I’m guessing you’ve done this before?” Gavin murmured, pulling up a chair. He watched, entranced, and Violet shared his fascination. She imagined this was how most new parents felt—completely besotted, even as they were also a bit overwhelmed with the sheer responsibility of it all.
    She smiled back at him, amazed at how close she felt to him, too, in this moment. “Give a baby a bottle? Sure I’ve done that. But never to a child this young. And I’ve never given any infant their
very first
bottle-feeding.”
    Gavin leaned closer, his jaw brushing Violet’s shoulder. He took Ava’s free hand in his, her palm looking impossibly small and delicate resting against his. Grinning, he let Ava wrap her fist around his little finger and hold on tight. “She seems to like it,” he observed as Ava’s other hand came up to explore the bottle.
    “She does at that,” she said softly.
    For several more minutes they watched as Violet worked to get Ava her nutrition in this new and important way. Eventually, though, the progress ceased.
    Noting the infant had slowed her feeding, Violet set the bottle aside and gently shifted Ava to an upright position over her shoulder. She rubbed Ava’s back until a ladylike burp escaped her parted lips. The baby sighed. Gavin and Violet both chuckled.
    Noting Ava had taken only half an ounce, Violet settled her back in her arms and offered the bottle again. Ava sighed sleepily, shook her head. Violet tried again. With a yawn, Ava accepted the nipple but refused to wake enough to suckle.
    Several more minutes passed.
    Nothing changed.
    Gavin signaled they needed assistance.
    “I couldn’t get her to take any more formula,” Violet told Meg when she came over to help.
    The nursing supervisor made a note on Ava’s chart of the food consumed, then transferred the baby back to her warming bed. “This was good for the first time,” she told them.
    “What’s the goal?” Gavin asked.
    Being careful not to disturb the monitor wires taped to Ava’s chest, Meg changed Ava’s diaper. “We want to get her to the point she’s taking in two ounces of formula by bottle every two hours, and gaining an ounce a day.”
    Not sure whether she was in physician or mom mode, Violet typed the info into her phone. “What’s she doing now?”
    “She’s been gaining half an ounce a day since she arrived at LCH. When she was first born,