17

This was not the way Chloe had planned to tell Aidan about Richard’s marital status.

“He’s married?”

“Yes.”

Aidan slammed a fist on the dashboard. “That low-life.” He shot her a hard look, his brows forming an ominous line. “What did you do when you found out?”

She hesitated, totally unprepared for this conversation. Aidan would hate her if she told him the truth. Needing air, Chloe pushed out the door. She gulped in several deep breaths, trying to ease the pounding in her temples.

Aidan’s tall frame blocked the sunlight. “Tell me you broke up with the jerk.”

“I broke up with him.” She just didn’t mention when.

“You must have been furious when you found out.”

Horrid memories of that day swamped her. The anger, the crying, the shouting. She never wanted to experience that type of emotional turmoil again. “I was devastated.”

“How did you handle it?”

“Not well.” Panic inched across her nerve endings. Her cellphone rang, and she dug it out, not even caring if it was Richard again. Anything to avoid Aidan’s probing.

“Chloe. It’s Nick.” His voice sounded grim. “We’re on the way to the hospital. Lily’s in labor.”

****

Aidan frowned. Something had upset Chloe again. Her face had drained of color.

“All right. I’ll meet you there.” She charged back toward the car, phone to her ear. “Tell Lily I love her.”

“Chloe, what is it?”

She yanked open the passenger door. “Can you take me to my car, please? Lily’s in labor. I need to get to the hospital.”

He headed to the driver’s side. “I’ll take you.”

“That’s not necessary.” She slammed the door shut.

No way was he letting her drive in this emotional state. She’d be a car accident waiting to happen. “We’re closer to Kingsville here. If we go back for your car, you’ll add an extra half hour to the trip.”

She seemed to wrestle with his logic, her hands shaking. “But it could be hours until the baby’s born.”

He pulled out of the lot. “I can wait with you. I’ve got nothing on for tonight.”

“What about Matt? Someone needs to make sure he’s not in trouble.”

“I’ll have Mike look for him.”

Chloe laid her head back. ”Fine. Let’s go.”

The forty-mile drive to the Kingsville Hospital went by in a blur. Aidan called Mike, filled him in on Matt’s last whereabouts and the problem of his disappearance. Mike promised to look for the teen.

Aidan’s mind reeled from the implications of Chloe’s confession. No wonder Chloe was leery of men. No wonder she’d turned tail and run at the sight of him kissing a strange woman in his office. A thousand questions swirled, but for now he put them on hold. When things settled down, Aidan planned to have a serious talk with her.

They reached the hospital in record time and found the maternity ward on the second floor.

Chloe inquired about Lily at the nursing station.

“If you’ll wait here, I’ll check on the patient’s progress.” A stout, older woman, whose nametag said Matilda, pointed them to a waiting area across the way.

Chloe remained in the hallway, arms folded, staring after the retreating woman.

Aidan laid a hand on her shoulder. “Come on. Let’s sit down. She’ll be back soon.” He guided her into the room. “Are you hungry? I could get you something from the cafeteria.”

“No, thanks. I couldn’t eat right now.”

“A drink, then?”

She shook her head.

His own stomach rumbled, but he would wait. He led her to a bank of seats. “Lily’s in good hands. I’m sure the baby will be fine.”

“I’m scared for her, Aidan. What if her blood pressure goes up during labor? It’s been better lately, but—”

He took one of her hands. Her fingers were cold, rigid with tension. With slow strokes, he massaged them until he felt the blood returning, hoping his warmth would infuse her with calmness.

She leaned her head against his shoulder and gave a light sigh. “Did you know Maxi and Jason delivered Annabelle at home?”

He chuckled. “I’d forgotten about that. Maxi was pretty freaked out when she called me the next day.”

“I’m just glad Lily’s in a hospital now.”

Matilda poked her head in the room. “Miss North, you can see your sister now. I’ll show you to her room.”

Chloe bolted up. “Thank you.” She turned back to Aidan. “Will you wait for me?”

His heart turned over at the vulnerability shining in her wide eyes, and he nodded. “I’m not going anywhere.”

****

Chloe peeked into the delivery room, nerves making her legs unsteady. The antiseptic smell of hospitals gave her the creeps. Attached to Lily’s bed, a bevy of machines hummed and beeped. That couldn’t be a good sign.

“Chloe. Come on in.” Nick stood at the side of the bed where Lily lay with her eyes closed. “She’s resting for a bit. The contractions have been intense.”

Chloe stepped into Nick’s arms for a hug. Haggard lines of worry etched his face. “What did the doctor say?”

“They’re keeping a close watch on her blood pressure and if it gets too high, they may have to do an emergency Caesarean.”

“Maybe that would be best.”

“I think so too, but Lily doesn’t want a Caesarean.”

Lily gave a slight moan and opened her eyes.

Chloe stepped toward her, and Lily gripped her outstretched hand with the strength of three men.

“Thanks for coming.” Her face crumpled in a grimace. “Sorry—another contraction.” She began breathing hard, almost panting.

“That’s right, honey. You’re doing great,” Nick encouraged.

Lily slumped back against the pillow. Sweat glued her hair to her damp face.

Nick spooned some ice chips into her mouth.

Chloe continued to stroke Lily’s arm, offering comfort.

Another pain gripped Lily. She stiffened and clenched Chloe’s hand so hard that Chloe thought her fingers might crack. The breathing didn’t seem to work this time. A scream burst from Lily’s throat.

Fear pooled in Chloe’s stomach, becoming a roll of nausea. “Help her.”

Nick seemed just as fearful.

The machines began to beep at an alarming rate.

A doctor and two nurses rushed in. “Out of the way please.” They fussed around Lily’s bed, working quickly. The man in blue scrubs turned to them. “We’re taking her to the OR. You two will have to stay here. We’ll let you know when it’s over.”

Nick gripped the metal rail of Lily’s bed. “I’m going with her.”

The doctor’s voice softened somewhat. “I’m sorry, son. Not in this type of emergency situation.”

Nick nodded, but tears moistened his eyes. He bent to kiss Lily’s forehead. “I’ll be right outside, honey, and I’ll be praying.”

****

Aidan tried to read a magazine. He threw it aside, jumped up and paced back and forth until he’d memorized the pattern of the tiles. What if this was his baby? What would he be like then? The idea gave him pause. He’d never given serious thought to having children, yet now his mind conjured up Chloe as a mother. Where had that idea come from?

He looked up to see Chloe rushing down the hall, a hand clutched to her mouth.

Aidan’s stomach twisted with dread. Something must be wrong.

When she saw him, she threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Aidan.”

His heart jerked hard, but he waited until she calmed down.

“They took Lily for an emergency Caesarean. The doctor looked worried.”

“Let’s get Nick and go to the chapel,” he said gently.

But Nick didn’t want to be too far away in case he missed the doctor.

So the three sat in the waiting area and prayed for the safety of Lily and the baby. Nick and Chloe seemed considerably calmer when they’d finished. They sat in silence, hands joined, and waited.

Aidan’s heart swelled with tenderness when Chloe’s head drooped once more against his shoulder. If Nick wasn’t there, he’d have pulled her closer.

After an eternity of waiting, the doctor entered the room. “Congratulations, Mr. Logan. You have a son.”

Nick shot to his feet. “Is my wife OK?”

“She’s doing well. If you’d like to hold your son, they’re cleaning him up in the nursery.”

Nick blinked, and then stared down the hall. “I don’t want to leave in case Lily needs me…” The indecision on his face was heart-wrenching.

Chloe laid her hand on Nick’s arm, smiling through her tears. “Go on. If there’s any word, I’ll come and get you.”

Nick hesitated a moment more, then gave Chloe a kiss, and hurried down the hall.

Aidan pulled Chloe into a light hug.

“I have a nephew.” She smiled. “Can we pray some more? I want to thank God for getting Lily through this and for blessing our family.”