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Chapter Twelve
~ Judd ~
I looked around the coffee shop while Mimi stood beside me, her arms around my waist as she gazed around, too. The walls had been painted and the tables were arranged into place. Earlier today, the front line equipment had been delivered and installed, as well.
“You’ve been busy,” I said. It had been a few days since our midnight dance, and I’d brought lunch over today, intending to stay and hang the lights in the outdoor seating area as she’d requested. I’d also brought the large, framed print she’d asked for and I’d just finished mounting it to the wall. Maybe, I was biased by the subject matter, but I thought it looked great against the fresh paint.
“I’m just trying to get us rolling. I have some interviews set up for next week. A couple of the girls in town actually have experience working at the Starbucks in Hoover City. They’re anxious for the opportunity to work here in Sweetville over their summer break, then maybe stay on for weekends once school starts. After they go back in the fall, though, weekdays will be out of the question since we’ll close around the time they finish classes.”
“You decided your hours?” I was a bit ashamed that I didn’t already know this. But to tell the truth when we both got home from our separate jobs, we’d been consumed by other activities. Our work conversations hadn’t extended far beyond that things were good…and no, neither of us needed help—me with mazes or her with the coffee shop. She’d dived in with both feet and started swimming like a champ.
“Yep.” Her eyes shone, sparkling with excitement. Her hands gestured while she spoke. “Hours, menus, ordering. Thankfully, you got all the legal stuff done. I have all the easy parts to do.”
“I don’t know about easy. You’re just amazing, is all.”
“Right…” She chuckled, then she sucked in a sharp breath. Her hand reflexively covered her stomach while she winced.
“What is it?” I demanded, that thread of panic returning. Mimi’s face had gone white, and from the way she held herself, stiff and slightly bent forward, it was obvious something was wrong.
“A cramp in my belly.” Her breathing sped up as she grasped the back of a chair and stared at me with wide eyes.
“Is it the first?”
She shook her head. “But they were little. They weren’t like this one. You don’t think…”
Mimi didn’t have to tell me her fear.
“Are you bleeding?” I whispered around the rock in my throat. Please, God. This couldn’t be happening.
“I don’t think so.”
“Let’s take you to the hospital, yeah? Just to check.” I forced a calm tone. I was already guiding her toward the door. “It’ll be alright. Whatever happens, it’ll bealright.”
To tell the truth, that statement was as much for me as it was for her. Maybe more so. It terrified me that we might lose the baby then I’d lose her. I couldn’t. I’d never stop fighting for her.
But everything would be okay. It had to be!
Mimi nodded and allowed me to take her to my truck. I sped down the three blocks and around the corner to the county hospital. My tires screeched on the asphalt as I skidded into the emergency drive, no doubt grabbing the attention of any bystanders. After hastily parking, I sprinted around to Mimi’s side and scooped her up into my arms.
“I can walk,” she complained, even as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Like heck, I’d let her walk!
“I’m carrying you.”
The emergent care wasn’t busy, and we were triaged through in minutes. We were shown to a room and told a nurse would be with us shortly.
My fingers locked with hers while she sat on the table, and I stood beside her. Anxiety buzzed through me. There was no way I could sit. My toe tapped out a hectic rhythm, trying to expel some of my agitation. It wasn’t working.
Mimi’s hand settled over my forearm, and my gaze dragged from the doorway and over to her pale face.
“Everything will be fine,” I assured her, lifting my free hand and brushing a few strands of hair away from her face. I tucked it behind her ear while I took in her pallid face. Her large, worried eyes studied me. They seemed to implore me to do something, to fix a situation I was helpless to control.
“Meems…” I whispered.
Her bottom lip wobbled until she bit into it, sucking it between her teeth. Gently, I pulled it free, dragging my thumb along the plump flesh.
“Do you really think so? That everything is okay?” she whispered, her words trembling and begging for my strength. My fingers squeezed hers.
“Mimi, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”
