Page 74
“You’re in labor?”
That explained Amber’s tight face and worry earlier. And the way she’d squeezed Rissa’s hand. Rissa had thought she’d been worried about Gray and Boomer, but she’d been experiencing contractions. She’d been in labor and hadn’t mentioned it in order not to worry anyone else.
Gray framed Amber’s face and kissed her deeply. Then he ruffled Boomer’s fur. “Good boy, Boomer. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll grab your bag, and we’ll head into town.”
Amber took his hand. “I don’t think there’s time.”
Gray’s eyes widened as everyone else in the room gasped. They’d all frozen in tableau watching the scene. Now the questions and comments exploded from everyone around them.
Rissa spoke up. “Marcus said Lia is on the way. Did you already tell her?”
Amber nodded.
Gray frowned. “How long have you been dealing with this alone? How far apart are the contractions?”
Her face tightened, and she grabbed Gray’s hand. Her siblings surrounded her, with Burke squeezing her shoulder.
Gray and Amber breathed through it together, and then she smiled. “It came on fast. None of the twenty-minute apart nonsense for Sprout. They’re only a few minutes apart now.”
Gray stood and helped Amber to her feet. “Let’s get you upstairs. We’ve got everything we need, and Lia will be here soon.”
When he tried to lift her in his arms, Amber laughed and shook her head. “Lia says walking is good for labor. I can do this.”
“You can do anything. Lead the way, Boomer.”
Rissa had to blink back tears at the scene. So much love, so many emotions. Excitement and worry were palpable in the room. The nearest hospital was a few hours away if anything went wrong.
Rissa knew nothing about birth and labor. She didn’t have a clue how to help.
She turned to Burke. “Go with them. I’m sure Amber doesn’t want a crowd, but she’ll want her family. Help them get her settled. Find out what they need.”
Burke blew out a slow breath. “Okay. But you need to sit. You might have a concussion. The doctor needs to check you out, too.”
She laughed. “Sprout and Amber come first. I’m okay. Go, help your sister.”
He studied her carefully and then hugged her. “I’m going to be an uncle.”
The joy and wonder in his words had them both laughing. “Go, Uncle Burke. Find out what they need.”
Amber would be prepared. She’d probably have lists of what needed to be done. Being in a rural area, she knew her friend would have prepared for a home birth. Rissa reminded herself that women had been birthing outside of hospitals for hundreds of years.
But there were always risks, and those raced through Rissa’s brain one after the other.
The doorbell rang, and Lawson ran over and threw open the door to Lia and Joe.
Lawson grinned. “You’re here. She’s in labor. The Sprout’s coming. Shouldn’t she be in a hospital? The contractions are really close. What should we do?”
Lia’s laugh had them all relaxing. “Nice to see you, too, Lawson. Amber texted me when her water broke. I’ve got everything we need, and Mitch is on the way.”
Wyatt frowned. “Who’s Mitch? Another doctor?”
Lia shook her head. “He’s a paramedic and firefighter from Phail. He’s coming out to assist. We don’t deliver a lot of babies, so this is a big event. Now, let me go see my patient.”
As she passed Rissa, Lia looked her over quickly. “Any serious symptoms from the explosion?”
Rissa shook her head. “No.”
Lia tilted her head and studied her for a moment. “Your eyes are clear, so that’s good. Come on up with me. After I check on Amber, I’ll make sure you’re good.”
