She pushed with all her might and whimpered. “I’m scared.” I can’t do this!
In a soft, comforting voice from the other side of the curtain, Troy said, “You can do this, honey. You don’t worry about anything but bringing that baby into this world. We’re protecting you both.”
She let out a deep breath and lay back against the bed as the contraction eased. But another one came fast on its heels and Emma nodded at her and she started pushing.
* * * *
A sharp knock at the door startled Charity, Justine, and Grace’s attention away from Grace’s smartphone. She’d been showing them pictures of dresses from her web searches for Charity’s binding ceremony.
Before Charity could rise to answer it, Hank swung it open and came inside. The way his hand rested on his sidearm and the quick glance he took around the room raised the hairs on the back of her neck. Seeming satisfied, he relaxed his stance, spoke into his radio, and took off his cowboy hat.
With raised eyebrows, Grace said, “Uh…hi?”
Hank let out a breath and said, “Sorry to surprise you like that, ladies. We thought we might’ve had a situation earlier.”
After he explained that his office had been contacted and that it involved Jessica Bright, who had arrived in labor a few minutes before, the three of them wanted to go check on her.
“Not yet, girls. The nurse told me she just gave birth a few minutes ago.”
“Oh,” Grace said, “She needs time. Was it a boy or a girl?”
Hank grinned. “A girl. Don’t ask me for her statistics,” he said with a hands up gesture. “All I know is that she’s healthy and Jessica is doing fine.”
Charity gestured at the door and his weapon. “What was that all about?”
“Jessica thought she saw Trevor Dornan inside this wing—right outside your door. She’s unsure now, so they’re pulling the security footage to review what happened. I just wanted to make sure you ladies were okay.”
Charity and Grace exchanged a look. He wanted to make sure we weren’t being held hostage. Grace nodded and then smiled at the sheriff. “Thank you, Hank.”
His radio chirped and he replied into it and then said, “They have the surveillance footage ready. I’ll see you ladies later. Hope you’re feeling better, Grace. Veronica told me she’ll be coming by to see you soon.”
After he left, the three of them looked at each other and Grace said, “I can’t wait to get home.”
“No shit,” Charity and Justine both said at the same time. Charity gave her daughter a shocked look.
“What? You pot, me kettle.”
* * * *
Jessica sat propped against pillows in the hospital bed and marveled at the beautiful little girl swaddled in her arms.
“Bella Mia Bright. You are beautiful. And you are mine. With a promising name like that, how can we girls go wrong?” Even fatigue and stress couldn’t take the edge off of the joy she felt as she leaned down and nuzzled her baby’s warm brow. “You’re mine, sweet angel, and nobody is going to take you away from me.”
Tracey slipped in and said, “The sheriff’s here, asking to interview you. Do you want me to take Bella for you?”
Jessica shook her head, unwilling to let her little girl out of her sight. “No, she’s fine. Is he mad?” They hadn’t found a trace of Dornan in the labor and delivery department.
Tracey frowned. “Why would he be mad? You did right by speaking up. And don’t worry, he’s tall and imposing but he’s soft as a marshmallow on the inside. I’ll send him in.”
A knock came at the door and she looked up to see the sheriff, standing there.
“Miss Bright? I’m Hank Stinson. Could I ask you a few brief questions?” She nodded when he pointed at the chair beside her bed.
“Come in, sir, I’m so sorry for the false alarm. I really did think it was Trevor Dornan that I saw. I thought I would know him anywhere, but I…must’ve been mistaken.” Tears filled her eyes and worry edged in. She looked down and realized she was clutching her baby to her chest.
Hank raised a hand to stop her apology. “No apology is necessary, Miss Bright. Given your unique circumstances, I’d prefer that you spoke up. The labor and delivery department here is very vigilant, but things sometimes happen when you factor in human error. I looked at the security footage.”
“Did you?”
Hank nodded. “Shortly after you arrived with Lydia and the others, a flower delivery was admitted. The delivery person had on a baseball cap and he never looked up at the cameras, so the image isn’t conclusive. I hate to ask since you’ve just been through a trying experience, but would you mind looking?”