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SATURDAY, LACEY LEFT the house early to get to the motel. She actually had no idea what to do when she got there, but her family had come to see her. And she was going to come back to the house early to help Marianne get dinner ready.
When she got to the motel, Tanya and Joyce were frustrated with the active kids.
“Oh my God, Lacey, how can you bear it? There’s nothing to do here,” Tanya said.
“Let’s go down the street to the park. There’s a playground there.” She hadn’t eaten breakfast. “There’s a taco place down the street. Let’s go get breakfast and watch the kids play.”
“A park? A real park?”
“Didn't you see it when you came into town? Dad was instrumental in having that built for the kids in town. He’d be so happy y’all are playing on it.”
“When are we going to see him? Do we have to wait until tonight?” Tanya asked.
“No, he’s going to come down a little later. He had some work to do. I don't know if you heard the wind last night, but it did some damage to some of the lines off the highway, so he’s supervising the repairs.”
“What’s he doing these days?” her mother asked casually as she looped her designer purse over her shoulder.
“He’s supervising lineman for the power company. He was really sorry this came up. But he can’t wait to see you guys,” she addressed her niece and nephew. She wasn't looking forward to the clash between her parents. A lot of bitterness remained between them, and to be honest, on her part, too. The resentment always made family gatherings a challenge, for her anyway. She didn't think her siblings saw the same thing. But they weren’t as close to their dad as she was.
At least he had Marianne now.
Lacey led the way out the door, down the uneven sidewalk with the grass growing up through the cracks—they couldn't get grass to grow in actual yards in West Texas, but give it some cement and tell it not to grow there, yeah, grass for days.
She hated looking at her town through her mother’s eyes. She knew her mother hated this place, judged this place, judged who chose to live here.
“So what are you going to do when you go into labor?” her mother asked. “You’ve been going to San Angelo for your check-ups, right?”
“Yes, and my classes, but I’m actually thinking about having Austin deliver the babies.”
“What if something goes wrong? Twins so often come early. They could be preemies.”
“I’ve discussed it with Dr. Fredrick, and she said a medical helicopter could be here quickly enough to take them to San Angelo, if that’s the case.” Lacey had worried herself to high blood pressure over that fear.
Her mother shook her head. “You should come stay with me when you get closer to your due date.”
For just a moment she was tempted. Her mother lived in a beautiful house, luxurious, with a pool. She’d have her own bedroom and bathroom. Her mother had a maid and a cook.
But she needed to work as long as she could, and she couldn't imagine making that drive now, much less in another month, when she had to stop every fifteen minutes to pee. And she certainly couldn't fly. Then she’d have to drive back with two newborns? No. She couldn't do that.
But she didn't answer, instead opened the door to the tiny taco house in the middle of the strip center near the hardware store.
She didn't ask what anyone wanted, just ordered a dozen assorted breakfast tacos and six bottled waters. The lone man behind the counter punched the sale into an old cash register before walking through the door into the kitchen and making the order.
“Oh, Mexican candy,” Tanya exclaimed, inspecting the clay platter full of candy made from pumpkin, coconut, and dulce de leche. “I can’t get this stuff back home.” She placed a selection on the counter and pulled out some cash.
A few minutes later, they were walking across the street to the park with its four picnic tables—Joyce wanted to know if there was one for every family living here—and Tanya set up the table with napkins and foil-wrapped tacos.
The kids split a potato and egg taco, eyeing the new playscape in the center of the park, complete with a canopy to keep the slides and swings and mini rock wall as cool as could be in West Texas. Finally they got their mother’s permission to go play and the four adults remained at the table with their tacos, though after one, Tanya reached into the candy bag for her treats.
Her mother looked around the tiny center of town. “I see nothing’s changed. What are they going to do about that building?” She motioned to the garage that had collapsed and really was a hazard.
“It’s in probate. No one can get anything done, and it doesn’t seem to be moving very quickly.”
“Oh for heavens sake,” her mother said.
“Dad said the city is looking into buying it so they can do the clean-up themselves, but then they’d have to sell it again, and I’m not sure they’ll be able to.”
Her mother scanned the row with the grocery store and its windows papered with ads, both old and new. She looked at the hardware store, which needed someone with some handyman skills to fix up its lopsided screen door, its sagging porch, its no-doubt leaky roof. Then the empty store fronts before the taco house, and then at the end, Austin’s new office.
He probably wasn't in today, though he lived just above the office. She’d check in with him next week.
The kids were having fun, though the adults were bored.
“You know what would be good out here in the middle of nowhere? A drive-in!” Tanya exclaimed. “We went to one when we went to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels last summer, and it was so much fun. I think it’s a chain, but it would be even better out here. Build it on the San Angelo side, get people from there to drive down. Oh, wouldn't that be fun? Have concessions, watch movies under the stars.”
“I don't think we have a lot of movie watchers here.” Lacey gestured to the movie theater on the other side of the square. “That place never has much business, except for school plays.”
Tanya made a face. “People here don't want to do anything. There have to be more people pushing for things to do.”
“The older people like it the way it is, and the younger people don't mind driving to get to what they want.”
“So then why live here?” Tanya asked, frustrated.
“Because it’s beautiful, and it’s not expensive. And people look out for each other. That’s a lot of reasons, don't you think?”
Tanya’s mouth twisted. “Not enough for me to be miles and miles away from a decent grocery store and good restaurants.”
Ugh, Lacey hated being judged for her decisions. “My friends are here. My job is here. I like it here.”
Once Tanya decided the kids had had enough physical activity, they cleaned up the area and walked down to the new elementary school on the grounds of the old one Tanya had attended.
“You’re going to blink, and your kids will be coming here,” Tanya said fondly, which gave Lacey a pain in her chest. She didn't want to think about her kids growing up quickly, when they hadn’t even been born.
Lacey took them past The Wheel House. Though it was closed now, they could see through the fence what to expect at the shower.
“This is where we spend our Sunday afternoons, playing washers.”
“Oh my God, you are such a hick,” Tanya exclaimed.
That stung even more. Lacey was getting to the point where she didn't want to show them anything else. “Why? It’s fun. And it takes skill. And it’s a reason to hang out with people you like.”
Tanya rolled her eyes. “I just don't understand why you’re happy here.”
“You don't have to understand why. Just know that I am, and leave it at that. I’m not asking you to live here, just come and see me and Dad and the babies every now and then.”
She walked with them back to the motel, but since the pool had been filled in, there was really no common area to sit, except in the rooms on the beds, and Lacey would have found that uncomfortable even if she wasn't pregnant.
She was relieved when her dad showed up, and she could use that as an excuse to go home and take a nap. Her mom made the same excuse after an awkward greeting.
“Thank you for inviting us to your house tonight for dinner,” Joyce said in her most polite tone. “Lacey said we didn't need to bring anything, but are you sure?”
“Lacey would know. She and Marianne are the ones putting this thing together. Is Andrew here?”
Her father knew Lacey’s step-father, a term she rarely used, wasn't here because Lacey had told him. She didn't know why he wanted to press the matter. But once her mother excused herself and her father turned his attention to Tanya and the grandchildren, Lacey made her escape. Let him entertain them for a while. She had told Marianne they’d start cooking dinner around three, so she could take a little nap first.
She was delighted, later that afternoon, to discover Marianne was more human than she had thought. They had decided on lasagna, again, and Marianne insisted on making it herself. Because Lacey didn't want ground meat, the meal would be meatless. Marianne brought over her big pot to boil the noodles, and she had another big pot for the homemade sauce, and Lacey had to wonder why she didn't just make it at her house and bring it over.
“So have you decided on a theme for your nursery?” Marianne asked as she mashed up tomatoes in the sauce pot.
“Well, having a boy and girl kind of make that challenging. I’m leaning toward Winnie the Pooh, or maybe that woodland animal look, because that can be made to look more feminine or masculine, and is just really cute.”
“You need to get to work on setting it up. You don't have a ton of time, and you know it’s going to take longer than you expect.”
“I think for now I’m just going to have them in the room with me. I don't want to ask Dad to give up his room.”
“You aren’t asking. He’s giving it. He’d rather be crowded than you and the babies.”
Lacey shook her head. “I wish there was a way I could do this on my own, that there was some place I could move in town that I could afford, and would have room for us.” She cocked her head at the woman. “You’re renting, aren’t you?”
“I was, when I was teaching. Well, housing was part of my salary. I thought I told you that. But since I was saving that money, I was able to buy and fix up my place while I was teaching, and now it’s just what I want.”
“Maybe I should be a teacher,” Lacey muttered. “It would be a good schedule once the babies are in school.”
“Or a school nurse.”
Lacey pressed her lips together and nodded consideringly. “That’s something to think about. Do you know of any places where I could move?”
“Honey, I’m telling you your dad doesn’t mind giving up his space for his grandkids. He’s very excited about the whole thing. But yes, you might need to light a little fire under him to get him to move his things out so you can move all the stuff you’ll be getting tomorrow in.”
As they worked together on dinner, Lacey making the salad and the bread and the iced tea, Lacey understood why Marianne had wanted to prepare everything here. Working together was a good way for them to get to know each other, and Lacey liked the new woman in her dad’s life very much.
The lasagna was in the oven by the time her dad came home from his visit, and Lacey could see the strain in hs face. She wondered if her sister was as judgey with him as she had been with Lacey. Lacey almost wished they hadn’t planned this dinner so she could take the lot of them into San Angelo, and they could see Broken Wheel wasn't as isolated as they wanted to believe.
Having invited Beck made setting the table more of a challenge. Lacey and her dad had eight plates, but with Beck, their group was nine. Marianne saved the day by hurrying home to get her set of plates. She took Tony with her as muscle, so Lacey was alone to watch the lasagna, and to greet Beck when he arrived early.
“I thought I’d come in to see if you needed help.”
“All that needs to be done is to set the table, and Marianne went to go get plates.”
“I had paper plates, we could have used those,” he teased, crowding her against the counter, his hands braced on either side of her as he leaned in for a kiss.
He couldn't get as close as either of them would like, with her belly in the way, and she thought it might have been her son that kicked Beck hard in the solar plexus.
He stepped back with a grunt and a grin, rubbing his stomach, then hers.
“They didn't like that.”
“They’ve had a long day and they are getting hungry.”
“How’s it going with the family?”
“Well, I almost wish I hadn’t asked them to come so far in advance of the shower.”
“The shower is tomorrow.”
“Yes, but keeping them entertained for twenty four hours is becoming exhausting. There really isn’t a lot to do around here, and sitting around the motel room is dull. I can’t exactly bring them all here. Mom and Dad don't have the best relationship. You know, some people get divorced and it’s amicable, and they’re nice enough to each other, but you can see the strain.”
“Oh, well, tonight will be dinner, and tomorrow the shower, and then when are they leaving?”
“After the shower. Sofia let them have a late checkout.”
“Not like she’s in high demand, but that was still nice.”
“So what have you been up to?” She needed something to do with her hands so she pulled the silverware out of the drawer and started setting the table. She didn't even have a pretty table cloth.
Why did she care what her mother thought? Her mother was the one who had left them behind.
She listened as Beck told her about his work recycling the water used in the oilfield drilling.
“But that drive is getting old,” he added.
“So Tanya mentioned something,” she said. “She said they went to a drive-in movie in New Braunfels and she thought that might be a good thing for us to have out here, you know, maybe between here and San Angelo.”
“That would be fun, but who’s going to try it? I mean, we have maybe twenty people who’d use it.”
“Well, in town, yes, but the idea is to get people to come out from San Angelo to use it.”
“That’s a long way for something that would only be useful at night. You figure in the summer time, you can’t start a movie until nine, they run about two hours, you don't start driving home until after eleven.”
“And also we were talking about the city buying the land that the garage is on, getting it cleaned up, since he won’t do it. What kind of business do you think could go there?”
“What’s with all these ideas? Don't you have enough to think about right now?”
“I do, but I was thinking, you’re building a house, the drive is getting tiring, even though, you know, you’ve driven across the country. I’m just trying to think of what kind of business you could open in town that would be sustainable. We don't have a garage anymore, and you did work for a race car driver.”
He shook his head. “That’s not something I’d be interested in. At all.”
“Well, you wouldn’t have to do the work. You could hire someone. I don't know. Or you could build something else there. Apartments, maybe.”
“And who would live in those apartments?”
“People who are tired of living with their parents.”
He was watching her. “What is going through your mind right now?”
“Nothing. I guess I just saw the town through different eyes today, and I saw what we’re lacking and what we need, and, I don't know. I feel like we need a way to hold people here.”
“Hold people? Or hold me? Because investing in a house is one thing, but investing in a business is something else. Investing in a business is like investing in the future of this town.”
“I suppose. I was just listening to them talk about how miserable we must be because we don't have this, or that, and I was thinking that I don't want you to be miserable without those things, and then I was thinking if anyone in town had the means to do something about it, you did.”
“Lacey.” He turned her to him, holding her arms. “I have a reason to stay, a reason not to be miserable. I’m trying to tell you this, but you’re not really hearing me right now. I think maybe you will, so I’ve got to keep trying.”
She blushed and turned away from him. “There has to be something more than me holding you here. I’m afraid that won’t be enough.”
“It’s more than enough. It’s the best reason I can think of. I swear that to you.”
The sound of her dad’s car pulling in the driveway gave her an excuse to pull away and think of something else.
“I brought a tablecloth, too,” Marianne said, so that Lacey had to pick up the silverware she’d just set out. “Hi, Beck, good to see you.”
The lasagna was already sitting out on the table when Joyce, Tanya, Leonard and the kids arrived.
“Sorry we’re late. Caydence crashed hard and we had trouble waking her up,” Tanya said, her attention all focused on Beck. “Hi, I’m Tanya.” She approached him with her hand outstretched. “You probably don't remember me because I’m much younger than Lacey.”
Lacey coughed. “Three years.”
“Much younger,” Tanya repeated. “You’re Beck, I know. This is my husband Leonard, our kids, Caydence and Leo, and our mother Joyce. Mom, do you remember Beck Conover?”
Well. Lacey had planned to introduce him, but that was just fine. Her family’s inspection of him was a little awkward, but that was also just fine. Beck knew what he was getting himself into when he accepted this invitation. She wondered that Marianne wasn't getting the same scrutiny.
“The house looks just the same,” Joyce said, her tone a little flat. “It’s almost like walking back in time.”
Lacey wasn't sure what she expected to see. Her dad had been busy in the service, and then at the power company. He hadn’t really invested much time in the house.
“And this is Marianne Skyler, and she’s made a wonderful dinner for us,” Lacey said, stepping forward to Marianne’s side. “All homemade.” Lacey realized as she said it, she didn't indicate the woman’s relationship to her dad, so her introduction made her sound more like a maid than a friend, but she’d already told them about Marianne.
Her father, to Lacey’s surprise, put his hand around Marianne’s shoulders. “We’ve been together a few months now.”
“That’s very nice,” Joyce said primly, and Lacey wondered if her voice was ever going to relax. “We brought some wine, from Houston. And I think it will go very well with the lasagna.”
Okay, so Lacey and her dad not only only had eight plates, they had two wine glasses, and they were different sizes, and etched with the names of different wineries. So she was forced to give the wine glasses to her mom and Tanya, while everyone else used the tumblers they usually used for juice.
She thought, when Marianne poured her own glass, that she was probably glad of the larger size.
Lacey had cut into the lasagna and started serving it up when her mother interrupted to ask for a blessing. Lacey’s dad inclined a hand toward Joyce to indicate that she should go ahead. All of them bowed their heads while Joyce prayed.
“What time is church tomorrow?” she asked almost immediately when she was done with the prayer.
Lacey and her dad looked at each other. “I honestly don't know,” Lacey said. She hadn’t been to church except for weddings and funerals in years, even though the churches were where most events were held.
Joyce looked at her ex. “You didn't take her to church after I left?”
“We went for a while.” Her dad would not be shamed. “But it was hard for both of us, with our schedules. So we stopped going most weeks.”
“I can’t believe Mrs. Lopez didn't give you a bad time about not going.”
“I let her know it was none of her business.”
“I left her with you thinking you’d raise her right.”
Her father sat back in his chair. “And I did. She’s an amazing woman.”
“I can vouch for that,” Beck added, making Lacey blush.
“But she didn't grow up in a church, with any kind of spiritual guidance.”
“You gave her that when she was younger. She was fifteen when you left. She had the background she needed, and if she’d wanted to go, I wouldn’t have stopped her.”
“Maybe if she’d been more involved in the church, she wouldn't have ended up pregnant and unmarried.”
“Now wait a minute.” Tanya broke in as Marianne gasped. “One has nothing to do with the other. I mean, there but for the grace of God go I.”
“Maybe this isn’t the kind of conversation we want to have in front of the kids,” Leonard interjected quietly.
“You’re right, of course,” her father said, but looked in Lacey’s direction to make sure she was okay.
She wasn’t. That was what her mother thought of her? That she was an irreligious hussy? That being pregnant was her punishment for not going to church?
Beside her, Beck’s hand tightened on his fork, so that his knuckles were white. She glanced up at his face to see his expression hard, something she’d never seen before. She reached over and put her hand on his, hoping to calm him. He turned his head sharply to her and shook his head.
“Beck.” The soft word in the silence drew everyone’s attention to him, which hadn’t been her intention at all.
“You don't know her,” he said.
“What are you talking about? I’m her mother.”
“And you see her, what, twice a year? You don't know her. You don't know what kind of woman she is day-to-day. The generosity she has with her friends, with her patients. You don't know how she interacts with people. You think that she’s pregnant because she didn't go to church? You’re putting that on her and her dad? I think that’s a pretty terrible thing for a mother to say, and I’m pretty much an expert on terrible things mothers can say.”
“I’m sorry.” Joyce’s tone was sincere as she turned to Lacey. “I shouldn’t have said that. I was lashing out and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You chose to stay, and I shouldn’t resent that.”
Anger started bubbling up in Lacey, too. “You resent that I stayed, and I resent that you left, so I guess we’re even.”
“I couldn't stay here.”
“We’ve had this conversation.”
“This weekend has reminded me I was right to leave. I would have lost my mind here with nothing to do, nothing in common with any of these people.”
Lacey’s stomach twinged. This was the very thing she feared would happen with Beck. He would remember the things he loved that he’d left behind, and he’d leave, too. She was strong. She could handle it. But she didn't want to feel that pain. Not if she could avoid it.
“Mom, Leonard is right. This is probably something we shouldn’t be talking about in front of the kids,” Tanya said. “And Marianne went to all this work. Let’s not ruin her meal.”
Joyce’s lips thinned, but she nodded in agreement. “You’re right, of course. Thank you so much for your generosity, Marianne, and for helping host this shower. Lacey said you’re making the cake.”
“Yes, and it’s come out really cute, if I do say so myself. Lacey still hasn’t decided on her theme, so we’re just going with doubles.”
“Doubles?”
“You know, twins, so two of everything. It’s going to be cute. We’re going to have two cakes and two punch bowls and cute little games. I’m excited about it.”
“We could help,” her mother offered.
“Oh, I think we have everything under control at this point, thanks. We have everything we need. You can just sit back and enjoy yourselves.”
Lacey’s stomach twinged again, though she’d started to relax as conversation turned away from her mother. She pushed a hand against her side, wondering if it was just the babies moving around, but she didn't feel them, only her stomach tightening under her hand.
She knew that was one of the signs of labor, but she was still almost two months away from her due date. Probably just tension from the whole weekend.
“What’s going on?” Beck leaned close to ask when she drew in a breath a few moments later.
“Not sure. Just stress, I’m sure.”
“You keep pressing a hand to your stomach. Are the babies moving around?”
“No, my stomach is tight. I mean, on and off.”
“Like contractions?” His voice was loud with surprise.
“Not—no. It couldn't be contractions,” she said, waving the idea away when everyone riveted their attention to her. “Too soon.”
“Twins are often born early,” her mother said, pushing her chair back. “I told you. Let’s get you to San Angelo.”
“Mom, no. It’s too soon. And even if it is labor, it’s only been a couple of pains. It might just be a stomach thing.”
Her mother forced herself to relax and move her chair closer to the table. “I’m just saying, it’s a long drive.”
“If they continue, we can call Dr. Fredrick,” Beck said.
“We can call Austin,” her dad said. “He’s in town. He should be able to tell us if you’re in labor.”
“God.” She didn't want her friend examining her. “Let’s just all take it easy, okay, and finish our dinner? There’s got to be something else to talk about. Somebody start talking, and I’m sure this will go away.”
But everyone kept their eyes on her throughout the meal, and when she made the mistake of grimacing, Beck was on his feet, phone to his ear.
“I’m calling Dr. Fredrick.”
“You have her number on your phone?”
“Yeah, just in case.”
Lacey wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or impressed that he would have thought of such a thing. She nodded and pushed herself away from the table to walk into the living room, just needing to move. She heard Beck’s voice, but not his words, heard the urgency of them, and then he appeared in the doorway.
“We’re going to go downtown to meet Austin at his clinic.”
“You called Austin, or Dr. Fredrick?”
“Both. She said to make sure you’re in labor before you make the drive. Austin said he’d check you out.”
“How is he going to determine if I am?” She heard the note of panic in her own voice.
“Lace. He’s going to examine you, but he’s a doctor. Come on. I told him we’d be there in a few minutes.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s nothing,” she said, stepping back when he moved toward her, his hand outstretched.
“Better safe than sorry,” Tanya said briskly. “Come on, I’m going with you.”
“Then I am, too,” her mother said.
“No,” Beck said, taking charge. “We’ll let you know what Austin says, but right now, I’ll just take her.”
Lacey put her hand in his and looked up at him gratefully. “That sounds like a plan. Don't eat the cake without me.”
She let Beck put his arm around her waist as he guided her out of the house to the relative peace of his truck. She pulled in another gasp of surprise as she stepped up on the running board, but he was there to support her as she managed to get into the seat and buckled in.
“I don't want Austin examining me.”
“I thought you said you were okay with him delivering the babies if it came to that.”
“Well, saying it and actually being ready for it are two different things. I’ve known him since I was a little kid, since he was a little kid.”
“Imagine everyone probably feels that way about him,” Beck said. “That’s something you’re all going to have to get over.”
“Yeah, tell me again if you need a colonoscopy or a proctology exam.”
“Oh, yeah. I’ll go to the city for those.”
“Too bad the town doesn’t have a midwife,” she mused as he parked the truck in front of Austin’s office.
“I think if anyone in town is qualified, it’s you.” He parked and slid out of the truck, running around the front of it to open her door before she’d even unlatched her seatbelt.
“I can hardly deliver my own baby.”
“No, but you can become a midwife and help others deliver theirs so they don't have to drive all the way into the city. You already have your nursing degree.”
“I already have patients, too.”
“Sure, but how often do you think you’d be called on?” he asked as he helped her down from the truck. “A couple of times a year?”
“Maybe. But there’s more to being a midwife than that. Classes, both birthing and lactation, stuff like that.”
“You sound like you’re thinking about it.”
“I’m trying to distract myself from the crisis at hand,” she said, only lying a little.
“It’s not a crisis. It’s inevitable. Come on. Let’s go see what he says, then we’ll call everyone at your house, and Poppy if we need to go to the city.”
She nodded, and looked up to see Austin holding the door waiting for them.
“Didn't think I’d see you professionally so soon,” he teased, motioning her through the small waiting room into the exam room.
The place smelled old, musty, like it had been closed up a while. But there was also the odor of freshly cut lumber, so she wondered what had been added. She didn't have much time to look around, because both Beck and Austin were ushering her toward the exam table.
She shook them both off and climbed up by herself, albeit not very gracefully.
“So tell me what’s going on,” Austin said, holding his hand up to Beck when he started to speak. “I want to hear it from Lacey.”
“My stomach started cramping during dinner, but it’s not constant. It’s rhythmic. My stomach gets really hard, and then relaxes.”
Austin nodded, looking right at her. “Have you been timing them?”
“No, I didn't have a watch or phone handy. Not super fast. Not even sure how rhythmic they are, just that they seem to have a pattern.”
“Okay, I’m going to examine you, so Beck, if you’d step out of the room.” He turned to Lacey. “Unless you want him here.”
God. This was a nightmare, two men she’d known from when they were boys, seeing her at her most vulnerable.
“No, thanks. This is going to be humiliating enough.”
“We are going to do our best not to make it humiliating. If we were in the city, we’d have a monitor we could put on you to measure everything, but the old-fashioned way is the most accurate anyway. Lay back and let me have a look.”
“Okay, but tell me you’ve done this before.”
“I had an OB rotation and I saw plenty of, er, cervixes.”
“God.” She covered her eyes with her hand as she adjusted herself on the table and braced for the exam.
“You don't appear to be dilated at all,” he said from the end of the exam table. He straightened and removed his gloves. “This is probably just Braxton-Hicks contractions, but I’ll keep you here for an hour or two, so we can see if there is a pattern to them, to see if you dilate any. How many weeks are you?”
“Thirty three.”
He made a face. “Twins can be known to come early, but I’d still like to see them hold on a little longer to make sure their lungs are fully formed.”
She put her hand on her stomach and tried to sit up. Of course, one of the cramps hit right then, catching her by surprise.
Austin walked over to a chart sitting on the counter. “Okay, that one was at seven twenty three. Let’s see if we can find a pattern.” He raised his voice. “Beck, you can come back in, sorry, man. Forgot you were waiting.”
Beck was through the door before Austin finished talking. “What is it? Do we need to head to the city?”
“We’re going to hold on a bit and see what happens. She’s not dilated at all. Do you know what that means?”
“I went to a couple of the birthing classes.”
Austin sat back on his rolling stool and did a half spin. “You did? I didn't think you were that involved.”
“We are involved,” Beck countered. “So you know.”
“I get it,” Austin said, folding his arms over his chest. “I mean, Ginny told me you were together, I just didn't know how together, you know?”
“We’re timing the contractions to see if there’s a pattern,” Lacey inserted. “Can you let everyone know? Austin thinks it’s Braxton-Hicks.”
“I think, but I want to be sure before I send her home,” Austin said, doing another half-spin.
“I’ll call the house, and Dr. Fredrick, to update her.”
“So,” Austin turned to her. “You’re my traveling nurse.”
“Well, I’m not your traveling nurse. I work for Helping Hearts. But yeah, I’ve been the one seeing all your patients up until now.”
“We really need to get together and you can fill me in on some of them, things beyond what I’m seeing in their charts. Would that be okay?”
“Sure, of course. I’ve been doing this for a few years, and have had most of them the whole time.”
“That’s good. What made you want to go into nursing? I guess I was kind of surprised when I heard that’s what you’re doing.”
“Well, there aren’t a lot of jobs around, and that was a place where I saw a need, so I put that as my focus.”
“That’s awesome. So other than school, you’ve been here? You never left.”
“Nope. I know you hate this place, but I love it.” What was it with her and dealing with people who hated Broken Wheel tonight.
“Yeah, well, it’s been a little easier on you than on me.”
“I know.” She didn't want to make him go into it. “So tell me about med school. Tell me about Baylor. Tell me about Waco.”
He’d just drawn in a breath to start talking when Beck reappeared. “How are you doing? Any more contractions?”
“It’s only been a couple of minutes, so no. Austin’s going to tell us about the hopping metropolis of Waco, Texas. Was med school fun? What was your favorite rotation?”
“Honestly? I loved orthopedics best. I could totally see myself being an orthopedist when my time here is done. I liked the puzzle aspect of it. I liked the way the bones heal themselves.”
“The good thing, you’ll probably get a lot of practice setting bones out here,” Lacey said.
“Yeah, I can see that. Someone always falling off a horse, a tractor. But I’m ready to treat just about anything, I guess. One day when you’re not possibly in labor you’ll have to come by and I’ll show you around the office and the apartment.”
“I’d like to see it. This place has been empty since we were kids, so I hope they fixed it up well for you.”
“It’s okay. Definitely bigger than the apartment I had in Waco.”
Lacey tried to keep smiling as her stomach tightened again, and Austin wrote something on his chart. Beck laced his fingers through hers, and she let herself squeeze them, letting herself lean on him just a little.
“So what about a social life at Baylor? Did you have one of those? Was it like Grey’s Anatomy when you were studying?” she teased with a wink.
“Yeah, all we did was stand around and flirt.” Austin rolled his eyes. “That’s how I got my degree. I slept my way to the top. No, I barely slept at all, much less had a wild romance. I mean, there were some hook-ups, sure, to kind of relieve the stress, with someone who was going through the same stress. But no, nothing longterm or even worth talking about. Looks like that’s not going to change around here, either. I mean, jeez, it’s not like this place attracts single women. Everyone here who’s single I’ve known since kindergarten.”
Lacey winced at that.
“Another contraction?” Beck asked.
She shook her head. No, just a well-placed arrow.