Rafe was pretty sure he was breaking all kinds of speed records heading back toward Shiloh Springs, and if he wasn’t the sheriff, he was sure he’d be pulled over. Luckily, he was in his cruiser, so he radioed ahead and let dispatch know he’d be running with lights and sirens. Of course, once he told Sally Anne why, he knew word would spread across Shiloh Springs like wildfire, because if you wanted people to find something out, all you had to do was tell Sally Anne. Not that she was a huge gossip or anything. She was just an overly friendly lady who didn’t mind sharing news if she had some. And Beth being in labor would be considered big news.
“Any word from Tessa?”
“Nothing since the last time you asked, Momma. I’ve got the phone right here,” he pointed to a cell phone holder on his dash, “so I won’t miss any calls or texts.”
He glanced over at the stranger seated in the passenger seat of the cruiser. Stan Ferguson ended up coming with them, at his mother’s insistence. He might be wrong, but he had the feeling his mother wasn’t about to let Stan walk away without showing her appreciation. It would simply have to wait until after the baby was born. Rafe was glad the man had stuck around, because he wanted to get the full story from him of how he’d managed to find his mother when nobody else could.
“Ferguson, my Patti tells me you’re William and Beverly’s son. How’s your dad doing?”
Stan swiveled in his seat, as far as the seatbelt allowed. “I talked to my mom this morning. She said he’s doing a little better. They’re waiting for the doctor to come and see him today, and a couple more tests, to determine if he’s going to need surgery or whether they’ll send him to a cardiac rehab place.”
“You let your mother know if she needs anything, we’re here for them. And for you too. I know it’s rough dealing with something like this.” Ms. Patti leaned her head against Douglas’ shoulder. “We just went through something similar with my husband and his heart. Scared a good ten years off my life, the not knowing, the waiting to find out, for decisions to be made.”
“I’m glad I could come and help them out. A couple of years ago that wouldn’t have been the case. I was in a…bad place in my life.”
Douglas nodded at Stan’s words. “We’ve all been there at one point or another. That’s why God gives us second chances.”
“Third and fourth chances sometimes. But I eventually got my head on straight, cleaned up my act, and asked my folks for forgiveness. We’re slowly rebuilding our relationship, one step at a time. It’s mostly been long distance, but when Dad went into the hospital, my mom needed me here.”
Rafe had been quietly listening to the conversation, getting a feel for Stan Ferguson. His gut told him Stan was an upright guy, but these were his parents the man was ingratiating himself with. He’d be running a background check on the guy, just to play it safe. More than one con artist had made his way through Shiloh Springs, and doing his due diligence helped protect its citizens. He would do no less for his own parents.
The phone rang once, and he swiped to answer, putting it on speak.
“Hey, babe. How’s Beth?”
“We’re still in a holding pattern. Her labor pains have moved farther apart, so Doctor Stevens isn’t sure exactly how long it’ll be. When she had Jamie, she wasn’t in a long, protracted labor. I thought second babies were supposed to come faster. Oh, and Brody got here a few minutes ago.”
Rafe heard his mother’s sigh. Well, at least that was one worry out of the way.
“Good. Is he a nervous wreck?”
Tessa chuckled. “Nah. He’s being all stoic and patient. Probably all his EMT training. Of course, he’ll probably be the type to pass out as soon as the baby starts coming.”
“My son will not pass out.” Douglas huffed out a laugh. “He’ll probably tell Doctor Stevens to get out of the way and let him deliver the baby himself.”
“You know him so well, Douglas. Doctor Stevens already told him if he keeps telling him what to do, he’s going to make him leave the room.”
Rafe laughed aloud because he could picture Brody doing exactly that. Glancing down, he saw that he was doing close to ninety miles an hour and eased back on the accelerator. They’d be getting close to town soon, and he wanted to get everybody there in one piece. A tingle of excitement raced through him at the thought of another little Boudreau joining their clan. Brody’s excitement at becoming a father had become infectious, and he and Tessa had started several discussions about starting a family. Though they were newly married, neither of them wanted to wait long before trying to have kids. He wanted at least three. Tessa said she wanted as many as they could fill the house with, maybe have both biological as well as foster kids.
He could get behind that plan.
“Tell them both we’ll be there soon. Has everybody else shown up?”
“Pretty much,” Tessa stopped talking for a second. “Gotta go, Beth’s labor pains are getting closer together. Get her as quick as you can, Rafe. You don’t want to miss your nephew’s birth, do you?”
“We’re on the way. Tell Beth she’s gotta wait until Momma and Dad get there.”
“I’ll tell her. Just hurry.”
Beth looked down at the tiny bundle lying on her chest, blond hair escaping from the cap on his head, and he yawned, his cupid’s bow mouth opening wide, like a little bird. She’d already counted all his fingers and toes, making sure he had a matching set of ten each. Brody couldn’t seem to stop smiling and touching his son.
“He’s perfect, honey. I can’t believe he’s really here.”
“Patrick Elijah Boudreau. You’re still okay with the name, right?” They’d spend days and days trying to find the perfect name, and finally decided to name the baby after Ms. Patti’s brother and Beth’s father.
“I love his name. Just like I love him. You know he’s going to be spoiled rotten, with all these aunts and uncles around.”
“Speaking of which, I think we’d better let your momma and dad in first, before the rest of the hoard descends. Oh, and Nica brought Jamie with her. They can come in after your folks.”
Brody leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I love you. I know things have been crazy lately, with planning the wedding, the reception, and the baby. I couldn’t be prouder of you than I am. You are amazing.”
“I love you too.”
Brody opened the door to the exam room and stepped out to get his parents. Beth leaned against the pillow, still kind of shocked that she’d had the baby in the emergency clinic and not in a hospital. Of course, the hospital would have been her second choice anyway. She’d planned to have her baby at home, unless there were complications. Everything had been planned, right down to her obstetrician coming to the house when it was time. Guess Patrick Elijah had a different timetable than hers.
“Beth, honey, are you doing okay?” Ms. Patti limped into the room and leaned over, glancing down at the baby. Douglas pulled the chair closer to the edge of the bed, and eased Ms. Patti down onto it.
“I should be asking you that. What happened?”
“Piffle. I sprained my ankle, that’s all.”
Douglas cleared his throat and stared at his wife, who sighed. “Fine. I went to look at a house, a new client. I climbed into this big outdoor shed and managed to slip and fall…” She glared at her husband, who had started chuckling, and Ms. Patti punched his arm. “It’s not that funny.”
“Depends on who’s telling the story.” Douglas’ deep voice was filled with humor, and she wondered at the good-natured ribbing.
Ms. Patti rolled her eyes. “I did something stupid, which caused me to fall. Twisted my ankle. I tried to get to my purse and phone which I’d put on the floor, but when the plywood underneath me shifted, I ended up on one side of the shed and they were on the other, out of reach. Fortunately, a neighbor came and found me before the rattlesnake under the shed crawled up to find out what was causing all the noise.”
“Rattlesnake? You didn’t mention any snake.” All humor fled from Douglas as he stared at his wife.
“Oops, I forgot that part. Anyway, Stan took me to the hospital, got my ankle wrapped, and if I stay off it a couple of days, it’ll be fine. I’m more interested in this new little one. Give me all the details.”
Beth smiled and cuddled the baby closer. “Douglas, Ms. Patti, meet Patrick Elijah Boudreau. Eight pounds, two ounces, twenty-one inches long.” Looking at her mother-in-law, she asked, “Would you like to hold your grandson?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Easing her hands under the baby’s head and back, she handed the baby to Ms. Patti. Watched the expression of love fill her gaze as tears ran down her cheeks.
“I was so afraid I’d miss his birth. When Rafe told us you were in labor, and I was in another county and couldn’t get here, I thought I wouldn’t make it back in time.” Reaching out, she grabbed onto Douglas’ hand. “Thank you, Beth. Thank you for loving our son. Thank you for giving us a beautiful grandson.”
“No, Ms. Patti, I should be the one thanking you. You brought me into your home, accepted me and my daughter as part of your family. But most importantly, you gave me Brody. I love you and Douglas and can’t imagine my life without you being a part of it. I’m so glad to belong to the Boudreaus. I feel like I’m finally home.”
“You are home, Beth. You and Tessa and all the others, the Boudreau clan is growing, and I couldn’t be happier. We are truly blessed.”
Patrick let out a wail, and Ms. Patti gave a watery chuckle. “He wants to meet the rest of his family. Guess we should let them all meet the newest Boudreau.”