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“Hey there, sweet girl.” I grabbed a clean towel and wrapped the bundle of joy up, gently but firmly wiping her before placing her on Jerri’s chest. “Congratulations, Momma. Keep her close to you. It’s important we keep her warm. I suggest unbuttoning your shirt so baby can rest on you, skin-to-skin.”
Jerri nodded crying. “Thank you, Shelby. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” I grabbed the shoestrings and tied off the umbilical cord in two places. “Dad, do you want to cut the umbilical cord?” I asked Patrick, who was helping his wife with her shirt.
Patrick shook his head. “No thanks,” he stuttered. He focused back on his wife and baby in awe, kissing them both.
I reached back for the scissors but connected with a hand. My hand, I meant Ryder’s, but I’d held it so many times if felt like my own. I had missed the feel of his strong hand. I turned to look at him, soaked from standing in the rain. He was the sexiest creature in the world.
He looked down at my hand resting on his then back up at me. “Shelby,” there was an ache in his tone. I wanted to say something, but I still had work to do. I squeezed his hand before removing mine. He smiled while handing me the scissors as if we were in this together. I had a hard time maintaining my composure while I focused on cutting the umbilical cord between the ties.
Ambulance sirens filled the air and as soon as the paramedics arrived, I let them do their job including delivering the placenta. I ripped off the gloves and exited the vehicle in clothes that would need to be thrown away. Ryder was right there waiting for me with a look of adoration. The scent of the rain mixed with his sandalwood scent made me want to throw myself into his arms. Caught up in the moment he raised his hand ready to run his fingers through my drenched hair while he leaned down as if he were going to kiss me, but he stopped himself inches from my lips. His sweet breath was heavy and lingered between us. My heart pounded and ached for him to finish what he had started.
“Ryder.” His name came out more like a sigh.
He shook his head and backed off. “I need to go.” He ran away, making my heart feel like it needed the paramedics. It was then I noticed I had an audience. Several people, including Mr. Carrington, Emma, Sawyer, Bobby Jay, Macey, Marlowe, and Jaime were standing back looking at me as if I just returned from an arduous trip.
“You’re amazing!” Emma squealed.
I looked up and let the rain wash over my face. In that moment, I felt anything but amazing. I silently asked God if Ryder would ever forgive me. I swore, hidden in the sound of the pitter-patter on my face, I heard the answer, “That is a good question.”Chapter Seventeen“I forgot to ask. Who was the enormous, beautiful bouquet from that came through the Ranch’s front office for you today? They wouldn’t be from a certain ex, would they?” Emma asked while we shopped for a backpack at the wilderness store in Pine Falls.
“No,” I sighed. I hadn’t seen Ryder since our moment after the delivery four days ago. Bobby Jay said he was head down at work. More like trying to avoid me at all costs. I had gone to their cabin every night after I got home from work, but he was never there. Bobby Jay and I had dinner a couple of nights together and watched reruns of Chuck, waiting for Ryder to come home. But Bobby Jay said I could only stay so long. Apparently, his mystery woman was suspicious of our platonic relationship. He was still refusing to tell me who she was. “It was from Jerri and Patrick, thanking me for delivering their baby girl, Cami,” I clarified for Emma.
“Wow. What a night. Now I’m not the only baby who was born at the Ranch.”
I looked up from the backpack I was buckling around me. “You were born at the Ranch?”
“Yep, during a blizzard by both my fathers. Weird, huh?”
“I think it’s precious.”
“Only you would call it that,” she teased.
“What do you think about this backpack?” I turned in a circle so she could get a full view.
“I think you’re sullen Shelby, not perky Shelby today. Talk to me.”
I tightened the strap around my waist to see if it was comfortable. “Bobby Jay told me that Ryder thought it was best for him not to go on the backpacking trip. I think trying to win him back is a lost cause. I’m pretty sure he’s dating Marlowe. She was quick to volunteer to work instead of Macey this weekend. Ryder must have told her he wasn’t going.”
