Chapter Twenty

KATE’S GAZE shot to his. “Should we call an ambulance?”

“They’re probably getting hammered right now,” Susan said between breaths.

“Still, it’s probably a good idea.” Jake opened his case, accepting the inevitable.

You can do this, dude. Just stay calm.

Kate made the call, but, as expected, was told it might be a while.

Susan gripped her sister’s hand. “Oh God, Rob! He doesn’t know anything about this.”

“Shit.” Kate grabbed her cell phone. “Why on earth didn’t you tell him?”

“I didn’t want to interrupt his day with Dad until I knew it was absolutely necessary.”

“I’d not only say we reached that point but are on our way to downright imperative.” She held the phone to her ear. “Rob, it’s Kate. Everything’s fine, but I need you at my house right away. Susan’s having the baby. No, I’m not kidding. Yes, now. Okay, bye.” She hung up with a reassuring smile. “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

Scrunching her face, Susan let out a growl. “I have to push.”

Already? Jake examined her again. He’d hoped she could hang on until the ambulance arrived, but that wasn’t going to happen. “No pushing. You’re only at nine centimeters.”

Her sister threw herself flat on her back, panting.

“Susan, how far along are you?” Jake asked.

“Thirty-six weeks.”

Damn, why couldn’t she be overdue? Four weeks early was rarely a concern, but nothing was for sure.

Susan arched her back, teeth clenched. “Jake, please!”

Within seconds, he had on a new pair of gloves and assessed her dilation. “Okay, you’re at ten. You can push.”

“Come on, hon. It’s show time.” Kate sat her up, leaning her forward. Susan pulled in a deep breath, then her face scrunched up as she bore down.

Jake pulled the desk chair to the foot of the bed. The top of the baby’s scalp was visible while Susan pushed, then receded as she took a break. “You’re doing great.”

The front door slammed. “Hello?”

“We’re in here!” Kate called out.

Rob ran into the room, huffing, and stopped. “Susan, what the hell are you doing?”

“Baking a cake. What does it look like?”

Her husband let out a whoop and ran around to the other side of the bed. “Hey, buddy, good to see you again.”

Jake sent him something between a smile and a snarl. “Yeah, you, too. Kate, let Rob take over. You clean up and pull on some gloves. I might need you.”

“Whatever you say, doc.”

Rob walked over to his sister-in-law and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “You’re in my spot, toots.”

She rose from the bed and walked around Jake.

Fantastic. Everyone treated this like just another day at the office, while he freaked out. No wonder Kate treated him like a kid.

But I swear if she pats me on the head, I’ll punch a hole in the fucking wall!

Jake pulled his thoughts from his nurse and focused on the delivery. “Susan, stop pushing, the baby’s coming too fast.”

She laid back and panted. “I need to!”

“No, you’ll tear. Just hang on.”

Kate returned, washed up with gloves in place. She stood beside him, making him all the more nervous. “I’ll need the bulb syringe and stethoscope,” he instructed, praying his voice didn’t sound as stressed as he felt.

The baby eased from the birth canal. As soon as its head was out, Jake suctioned the nose and mouth, but got no further when he noticed the shiny gray cord wrapped around the child’s neck. “Shit!”

“What’s wrong?” Susan asked between pants.

“Nuchal cord.” He attempted to slip his finger between the cord and the child’s neck. There was no room. It was too tight. “Kate, two clamps and scissors.”

“No need to panic, Jake. It happens all the time. Just slip it off.”

“Kate, shut up and get me the fucking clamps now!”

Something in his voice must’ve clicked her into nurse-mode. Digging through his case, she produced the surgical tools he requested.

Rob sat forward, his face devoid of color. “What’s happening?”

With trembling hands, Jake eased the first clamp into place. “The cord is tight around the baby’s neck. It could be cutting off blood flow. I need to do this fast or we could have some problems.”

The room went silent as he placed the second clamp. Once secured, he cut the cord. “Susan, push!”

As a midwife, Jake knew she was aware that until the baby was delivered, the cord was its only source of oxygen. Now that it was severed, the clock ticked. So when he instructed her to push, she bore down with everything in her.

The shoulders emerged, and the rest of the child slid out.

Jake held the still infant in his arms and suctioned her nose and mouth again.

Nothing.

No motion. No cry.

“Please breathe for Dr. Jake, sweetie. Please,” he whispered.

She remained still. Limp.

Fighting panic, he angled her head down and turned her over, rubbing her back. “Come on. Come on.”

The room erupted in chaos, but Jake shut out the cries and pleads to God as he focused on bringing the infant to life.

Then she jerked. Squirmed. And let out a boisterous cry. Relief swamped him.

Thank you, Jesus! “It’s a girl.”

Susan lowered her head to her husband’s shoulder, her face crumpled from crying. Rob kissed her forehead. “We have our little girl.”

“I’m so jealous.” Kate wiped her eyes.

Jake listened to her heart and lungs, before happily handing the wailing baby over to her mother. “I think I pissed her off.”

Rob slapped Jake’s shoulder. “The Child Whisperer strikes again. You rock, man.”

Susan looked into the eyes of her daughter, then to Jake. “I don’t know how to thank you. If you hadn’t been here—”

Jake placed his hand on her wrist. “But I was.”

“And I thank God for that.” Her lower lip trembled. Taking her eyes from his, she cooed to her daughter. “Hello, Julia.”

Jake allotted himself a few minutes to regroup. When the lump in his throat lessened, he faced the happy parents. “Okay, Susan. Time to hand Julia to Dad. I need to deliver the placenta.” He smiled at Kate and took the plastic bag she offered. “I hate this part.”

She bit her lip while attempting to twist the ring through her glove. “Jake, I’m sorry—”

“Now’s not the time.”

She lowered her gaze and nodded.

He only felt a tiny bit guilty for interrupting her apology, but he wasn’t in the mood for excuses.

And he was bound to get a truckload.

The ambulance arrived ten minutes later. Susan and little Julia were wheeled out on a stretcher. Jake, Kate, and Rob followed.

Jake squinted his eyes against the strong August sun. No one would have guessed only two hours ago, he’d been hunched in a corner with Kate during a raging tornado.

Or the heat that followed.

Rob offered Jake his hand. “I owe you one, buddy.”

“Nah. All in a day’s work. I better go check my house.” With a passing wave to Kate, Jake jogged to his front door, thankful that he could finally release all the emotions wrestling inside him.

He slammed the door and marched through the rooms, checking for any damage. Aside from the mess of limbs and debris in his backyard, he saw none. He headed for the treadmill. Still no power.

With a resigned sigh, he plopped into the nearby chair and let the memories come.

God, he was such a loser. What idiot freaks out when a beautiful woman kisses him? He wanted her, yearned for her, even thought about her in bed at night. What did he do when his fantasy came true? He panicked.

At least he saved himself when he got over the shock of her advance and kissed her like a man should.

And then he had to go screw it up again.

”I need a minute.”

What the hell was that? He should’ve strutted around the room, showing off his massive erection, hoping just the thought of it would make her burn red hot.

Instead, he acted like a junior high school kid hiding his hard-on behind a textbook.

Sure, Kate had seemed condescending while he delivered Susan’s baby, but he’d given her good reason. He hadn’t exactly been the picture of cool. He’d tried so damn hard to convince her he wasn’t a kid, and from the way she kissed him, he had gotten through to her.

But judging by the way she acted during the delivery, he was right back where he started.

Fuck this.

Jake headed upstairs to shower, hoping to ease the tension from his neck, his shoulders. He let the lukewarm water beat down on his stiff muscles until it went cold. Nothing helped. He needed a drink. Noise. Chaos. And he knew just the place.

Walking through the streets, Jake took in the condition of his neighborhood. Leaves and limbs everywhere and lines down, but none active, thank God. People were out, cleaning up their yards and helping each other. He waved to a few kids and their parents, but didn’t stop to chat. He had one destination in mind.

He just prayed it was open.

About a quarter mile into his journey, he left the quiet residential area and turned onto Main Street. He needn’t have worried. The tornado hadn’t even touched this part of town. So much was going on, people walking to and from the beach. Once it got dark enough, fireworks would light the sky over the duck pond. He couldn’t imagine all this ending when the vacationers went home and gave Seashore Cove back to its residents.

He strolled along the sidewalk, past beachside motels and small shops. Even now, folks lined the street, waiting to get into the trendy restaurants or Shirley’s Ocean Front Diner. He maneuvered around the sea of people until he came upon Donovan’s Pub. A thick cloud of cigarette smoke surrounded the entrance of the bar. A booming dance beat vibrated the heavy wooden door as he pushed it open.

The pub was average sized, but long and narrow. Small square tables and chairs sat in front of long benches lining the wall. The baby grand tucked into the back corner was rumored to have been played by Billy Joel a few years ago. Man, to have been there that day.

The place was low lit, homey, with an eclectic array of patrons dressed in everything from beach attire to designer suits and cocktail dresses.

Tucker Donovan stood behind the bar, pouring a beer into a frosty mug. Jake waved to him and sat in the stool farthest from the blaring jukebox.

“Hey, man. Good to see you.” Tucker held out his hand. “Did you hear a funnel cloud moved through this area? I wish I’d gotten a glimpse at that.”

“Don’t be so sure. I only got brushed by it, and it was still pretty dicey.”

“No way!” Tucker’s brow shot up. “Was anyone hurt?”

“As far as I know, we all survived relatively unscathed. What the hell are you doing here anyway? I thought you were the stockbroker and Sean owned this joint?”

He chuckled, but his eyes constantly scanned the crowd. “He does. I’m helping out. One of his employees called in sick.”

“In that case, I’ll take a scotch on the rocks.”

“Sure thing—shit!” Tucker’s eyes widened seconds before he dropped behind the counter.

What the hell? What was with this guy and diving? Jake peered over the counter at the crouching bartender.

“Is she gone?” he whispered.

Jake peered behind him, but so many people crowded the room he had no idea who Tucker was referring to. “Who?”

“The leggy blonde with the purple hairclip.”

He searched the patrons and found the woman in question. “Yeah, she’s by the exit.”

Tucker stood. “Thanks, man. I swear—oh, damn it!” He disappeared again.

“Dude, she’s still by the exit—”

“Not her. The blonde with the long hair and double-Ds.”

Once again, he scanned. This guy apparently had a weakness for blondes. “She just went into the ladies’ room.”

The skittish bartender reappeared, shaking his head as he poured the scotch. “I hate this place in the summer. All the women from out of town come back.”

Jake took his drink. “I can see where that’s a problem for you.”

Tucker chuckled as he turned to prepare another order.

A tall hefty man sat beside Jake, helping himself to a handful of pretzels from the bowl sitting in front of him. “How’s it going? You the guy who took over Dr. Stern’s old practice?”

Jake raised his glass in salute. “Yup. Jake Harris.”

“Detective Roker. I sure hope you’re old enough to be drinking that, young man.”

Jake laughed, but the guy remained straight-faced. Wait, was this dude serious? Okay, yeah, he looked young for his age, but c’mon.

Just as Jake was about to produce his license, the older man chuckled and slapped his back. “I assume you are old enough?”

Jake relaxed. This was just what he needed to get his mind off what happened earlier in the evening. Meeting new people and forgetting a few others.

Well, maybe just one.

“Yes, sir. I’ll be thirty in a few months. Can I buy you a drink?”

“Thanks, but I’m on duty.”

“A soda then.” Jake raised his hand. “Hey Tuck! Can I get a Coke down here?”

Tucker joined them, his eyes on the man next to Jake. “How’s it going, Dick.” He grinned, but it wasn’t a friendly one. “’Tective?”

The large man’s mouth twisted. “Staying out of trouble, Donovan?”

“Depends on what you mean by trouble?”

“The non-sober kind.”

Tucker glared as he shot a stream of soda into a mug then pushed it over toward him. “I’m just mixing them, Roker. I’m not drinking them.”

“I saw your car in the parking lot, so I suggest you keep it that way.” The man took the drink, nodded to Jake, and left to sit with a group of men sitting at a small table by the door.

“Douchebag,” Tucker muttered then pointed to Jake’s drink. “You ready for another, bud?”

“Sure.” He slid his empty glass over to Tucker and waited for a fresh one.

Once delivered, Jake took a sip just as Kate’s brother came into view, accompanied by a few other people. But his arm was around a tall, full-figured woman with long black hair. “Hey, that’s not Logan’s girlfriend, is it?” he asked Tucker.

“Nah, he doesn’t really have one.”

“Then who’s that woman he’s with?”

“That’s his gal-pal, Roxanne. Didn’t you meet her at the wedding?”

He searched his brain but came up empty. He was pretty sure he’d remember her. “Not that I recall.”

“I’m not surprised. She tends to sit in the corner at big events.”

“She’s shy?”

Tucker shrugged. “Not around me, but we’ve been friends for a long time. She’s a hell of a gal. We work in the same office building, and everyone loves her.”

“You’re not ducking behind the counter, so I assume you two never dated.”

Tucker’s brow shot up. “Date a town chick? Are you kidding me? I’d have to live crouched in a corner.”

Swirling the amber liquid in his glass, Jake studied the woman. She was probably around his age, but she seemed to slouch in her seat. She didn’t say much in her little group of friends, but when Logan turned to her and said something to make her laugh, Jake nearly dropped the drink in his hand. When she smiled, she went from attractive to absolutely stunning.

Maybe this was worth investigating.