Chapter Nineteen
Etta stepped out of the shower, tucked the towel around her body, then took a hand towel and wiped off the clouded mirror.
Are you just fooling yourself? She wished her reflection had the ability to answer, but there’d be no reply to the question she’d been asking herself for weeks. JJ had left Sanctuary promising to return, and she’d believed him.
Had she allowed the three days they’d shared to blind her to the truth? They’d made love, talked, laughed, fallen asleep, awakened in each other’s arms, and the time had passed far too quickly. He’d taken all of her heart and she’d allowed it.
Now, a month had gone by without word from him. Etta reminded herself that it wasn’t uncommon. It was reasonable to assume that he was in a place where he couldn’t call. That wasn’t a comforting thought. In fact, it only prompted a new set of fears.
Was he okay? Was he hurt or wounded? Was there something preventing him from getting in touch with her, or had he already started to forget her?
It was that kind of thinking that kept her awake at night, and had her working twelve-hour days. The first of the week she released the three patients they had in treatment, and spent the rest of it working at the animal rehab, on the ranch with Deacon, and even volunteered to wait tables at the Honky Tonk the last three evenings since Cody and Hannah were short-handed.
Now it was Friday and she needed a diversion in the worst way. She got her wish when Savannah called to ask if she wanted company. Mason and Grady were going to be in town with their architect, putting the final touches on the plans for the new training center. Savannah had Tommy for the evening and Charli didn’t have any plans, so they thought they might pick up dinner and bring it over to Etta’s.
She immediately agreed. It would be nice to have company and she’d come to love Savannah and Charli. Not to mention Tommy. He was the most adorable little boy. At almost a year old, he was already starting to walk and had the smile of an angel.
Charli and Grady’s daughter Josie had won Etta’s heart with one look. She was about the same age as Tommy, but very petite. Her delicate appearance belied boundless energy and curiosity and Etta hoped she never lost that inquisitive nature.
With a quick check at the time, Etta wasted no time getting dressed, preparing a pitcher of blueberry lemonade for Savannah and a pitcher of spiked lemonade for her and Charli. Savannah was just weeks away from delivery and her craving for the last few months was fresh lemonade. Etta made her a batch every two days and sent it home with Mason. Unlike most people, she didn’t use sugar. She sweetened it with honey, but only blueberry honey. Its slight tang and fruity flavors combined with juice from fresh lemons and blueberries made for a really tasty and healthy fruit drink.
“Anybody home?”
Etta heard Charli’s voice and hurried from the kitchen to see Charli and Savannah entering the house.
Charlie had Tommy in one arm and Josie in the other, and the straps of diaper bags on both shoulders. Savannah carried two large takeout bags with Greene’s Steakhouse stamped on them.
“Here, let me help.” Etta took the bags from Savannah, who then relieved Charli of Tommy, grunted and hurried to put him down on the rug in the great room so she could make tracks down the hall to the bathroom.
“I swear to God this child has tap danced on my bladder nonstop for the last two months,” she said over her shoulder.
Charli and Etta laughed. “I’ll get the table ready.” Etta said to Charlie. “Why don’t you grab the play pen? Mason brought it over earlier and it’s behind the couch.”
“Bless you, Mason.” Charli replied and headed for the great room. “So, did you hear? Grady said the Governor and his family had upped their donation to Sanctuary by twelve million dollars.”
“Are you serious?” Etta paused in the act of unloading takeout bags.
“I am. This is going to be huge, Etta. With their support, and with the support of the military, Sanctuary is going to be one of the premier training and rehab centers in the country.”
“Grady and Mason must be thrilled.”
“That’s an understatement. I don’t think they ever dreamed it would be this big.”
“What, my belly?” Savannah asked as she entered the room.
Etta and Charli laughed before Etta clarified. “Charli was telling me the news about Sanctuary.”
“I’m so excited for them.” Savannah put her hand to her back and then went to the table and pulled out a chair. “Do you mind? My back has been acting up for the last couple of hours. Spasms or something.”
Etta cut a quick look at her and for the first time noticed how low the baby was. Was Savannah aware that the baby had dropped?
The sudden wail of a siren had all three women freezing. Savannah and Charli looked at Etta. “Weather siren,” Etta announced and hurried into the great room for her phone.
When she took the job at Sanctuary, one of the first things Mason did was install an app on her phone for weather alerts. He also had the system installed so that any pending weather threat issued for the area around Sanctuary would trigger the siren to warn everyone.
“Okay, this isn’t great.” Etta read the alert. “A pretty big storm is headed for us and it’s already spawned one tornado. Charli, would you help me with the shutters?”
“You bet.” Charli finished setting up the playpen, put both babies in it, then hurried to the door. “Savannah, you okay?”
“Fine. Just a back twinge. I’ll watch the kids and get dinner on the table. Go on.”
Etta and Charli went outside, working as a team to close the storm shutters on the windows. “You should call Grady and let him and Mason know,” Etta commented. “They have time to get here, I think, but from the direction of the storm they might not want to try heading home.”
“I’ll call as soon as we finish, but until there’s a need, let’s not make a big deal about it. Savannah hasn’t seemed on her game today and I don’t want to stress her.”
“I agree. In fact, I’m worried that she might be in the first stages of labor.”
Charli froze. “You’re not serious?”
“I am.”
“But would you know? Color me ignorant, but do shrinks go to medical school like regular doctors?”
“Yes.”
“Shit,” Charli groused and resumed working on the shutters. “What do you think we should do?”
“Wait. The storm may miss us, or may cause no problems at all. I could be wrong about Savannah, or labor could be a lengthy process for her. Whatever the case, we’ll know more a few hours from now.”
By the time they finished closing the storm shutters, the wind was blowing with what Etta figured was tropical force and lightning was slashing the sky. “I hope you don’t mind, but I turned on the television to watch the weather,” Savannah said when they came in.
“That’s fine. What’s the story?” Etta asked.
“This is a pretty bad storm. I called Mason and he said we should stay put. He and Grady are going to stay where they are because the track of the storm has it passing close to us here but headed more toward home.”
“That’s smart. And we’ll be fine. Mason told me that these houses were built to withstand hurricane force winds, and with the shutters and the generator we’ll be snug as a bug in a rug.”
Savannah smiled. “My dad used to say that.”
“Your dad’s a nice man.” Etta went into the kitchen to wash her hands. “I had a beer with him at the Honky Tonk one night when I filled in to help Cody and Hannah out. I like him.”
“He’s the best.” Savannah agreed, then suddenly went pale. “Oh God.” Her hands went to her belly. “Oh, God. Oh—” She looked at Etta. “I think I may be in—oh!”
At that moment, the storm hit and the little house actually shuddered. Charli raced to the children who seemed oblivious to the tension of the adults as they played.
“Is that my—” Savannah looked at the floor.
Even someone who had not interned in obstetrics knew what it meant when a woman’s water broke and right now, Etta’s floor was awash with it. “Yes, your water broke. But it’s okay.” She took Savannah’s arm and steered her down the hallway toward the bathroom. “Charli?” She looked back down the hall. “Will you please watch the children? It’s all going to be fine. Just fine.”
She sure wished she believed that, but the truth was, she’d never delivered a baby and knew there was a wealth of things that could go wrong. With luck, Savannah’s labor would be slow, the storm would pass, and they would get her to a hospital in time.
Etta got Savannah into the bathroom. “Just take off your underwear and put them in the sink. We’ll wash and dry them. Is your dress wet?”
“No. No, it’s fine. Oh God, Etta. I can’t have my baby now.”
“You’re just starting labor. It will be hours before you’re ready to deliver.”
“It happened fast the last time.”
Etta had not thought about that. This wasn’t Savannah’s first child. Savannah had told her the story about her daughter. “How long were you in labor, then?”
“Three hours.”
“Well, in three hours this storm will be long gone, and you’ll be safely in a hospital with Mason holding your hand. But in the meantime, get cleaned up and we’ll keep track of your progress, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks, Etta.”
“You bet. Now I’ll give you some privacy.”
Etta returned to the great room where Charli had dragged the playpen closer to the couch and was watching the babies. “Is she okay?”
“She is. And hopefully the storm will pass long before she’s ready to deliver.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Don’t even think it.”
A sudden banging on the door had both of them jumping. “Etta!”
“Deacon!” Etta ran to the door to unlock it.
Wind and rain pushed in, nearly knocking her down. Deacon was soaked to the skin with rain pouring off his hat and puddling on the floor. “Is everyone here okay?”
“We are. What are you doing out in this?”
“Checking on you. Mason mentioned you were having a get-together.”
“Well, I’m glad you came to check on us, but right now you need to get dry. You still have some clothes in the guest room. Go get changed and I’ll dry these for you.”
He looked around. “Where’s Mrs. James?”
“In the bathroom. She went into labor.”
“Oh hell.”
“What does that mean?”
“Have you tried your cell phone?”
“No why?”
“No signal.”
His gaze locked with Etta and she nodded. “Get dry.”
Deacon started down the hall just as Savannah emerged from the bathroom. “Ma’am.” He nodded and continued to the guest room.
Etta cut a look at Charli, who was trying her phone. Charli shook her head. “What’s going on?” Savannah asked as she entered the room.
“No cell service,” Charli announced.
“Mine either. I tried to call Mason but don’t have a signal.”
“Probably just a tower down.” Etta tried to sound confident. “No need to worry.”
That was when the power went out. But not for long. Mason’s promises about the generator were true. Lights flickered and then stayed on. “Oh, thank God,” Savannah smiled and then bent over, holding her belly.
“Come on, let’s get you off your feet for a bit,” Etta said and took Savannah’s arm to guide her to the sofa. “Do you mind?” she asked of Charli.
“Oh, no, sorry.” Charli got up and Etta helped Savannah to lie down.
“I’m going to get your stuff from the sink and put it in the wash with Deacon’s clothes as soon as he’s changed. Can I get you something to drink? I wouldn’t suggest eating.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Okay. Charli, do you want to eat?”
“Actually, I’m not really hungry.”
“Well, how about the children? Have they eaten?”
“No, but we have their stuff in the bags,” Savannah said and started to get up.
“You stay where you are. We’ve got this,” Charli said and looked at Etta. “Right?”
“Absolutely.”
Etta’s experience with children was nil, but she managed to get Tommy fed, changed, and back into the playpen, along with Josie. Savannah’s contractions were a good half hour apart, which was a relief to Etta. Maybe this darn storm would pass before labor progressed too far.
She convinced Deacon to make a plate from what Charli and Savannah had brought and after he ate, they all sat in the great room, listening to the storm outside and the children inside.
Within two hours things changed. The volume of the wind increased and so did Savannah’s contractions. Etta had been putting it off, but now she had no choice.
“Savannah, I really need to check and see how far you’re dilated.”
“Here?”
“Deacon can leave for a few minutes.”
Deacon was already out of his chair. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”
“I’ll help,” Charli offered and started to follow him out, but stopped when Etta called out. “Charli, could you look in the master bathroom under the sink? I have a box of gloves there.”
“Sure.”
Etta turned her attention to Savannah. “Do you have Vaseline or anything like that in your diaper bag?”
“I think so.”
“Great. I’m going to go look and wash up. Be right back.”
She hurried to take care of the tasks and returned to the couch where Savannah waited. Charli was standing behind the couch holding the box of gloves. Etta plucked out two and put them on.
Upon checking, her heart sank. Savannah was farther along than she’d anticipated. And her contractions were coming closer. “We need to start timing the contractions.”
“I’ll do it,” Charli volunteered.
“Okay, we need to keep track of how long they last and how far apart.”
“Got it.”
“Good. Savannah, I’m going to get some sheets to put beneath you if you don’t mind.”
“You don’t think I’m going to deliver now do you?”
“No, it’s just to keep things as sterile as possible.” Etta peeled off her gloves and went into the kitchen to throw them away.
“Well?” Deacon asked.
“If this storm doesn’t let up we’re going to be delivering a baby.”
“Have you ever done that?”
“No. Have you?”
“Once.”
“Okay, you’re it.”
“I don’t think so. You’re the doctor.”
“Who’s never delivered a baby.”
“The mother does all the work.”
“True. Let’s just hope the storm passes fast and we can get her to the hospital.”
“Mason’s probably about out of his mind.”
Etta nodded. Deacon was probably right. Mason had to be worried sick, but not as sick as he would be if he knew Savannah was in labor. With a quick prayer that this night would end with Savannah and the baby both healthy and whole, she hurried to get things set up just in case the storm didn’t pass in time to go to the hospital.
Two hours later, Etta pulled Deacon off to the side. “We’re going to have to deliver this baby.”
“We?”
“Yes, we. I’m going to need help, Deac.”
“Fine. What do you want me to do?”
“Wash up and put on some gloves. I’m going to tell Savannah.”
“Fine.”
Etta went back to kneel beside Savannah. “Okay, here’s where we are. You’re ready to deliver. I’ve never done this before on my own, but I’ve assisted and understand it. Deacon has delivered a baby before, so he has practical experience and I believe that between the three of us, we can get this baby safely delivered into your arms.”
“Do whatever you need to do. I just want my baby safe and healthy.”
“That’s what we all want. Now, since we don’t have a table, I’m going to have to ask you to move into another position. But first, I think we should move the playpen and the kids into the back room where it’s quiet.”
Amazingly, both of the toddlers stayed asleep throughout the process. Once that task was accomplished, Etta turned her attention back to Savannah and with Charli’s help, got Savannah into a squat. Charli sat on the couch behind Savannah, helping to support her. It was only minutes before the baby crowned.
Deacon crouched down in front of Savannah. “I’ll catch the baby and hand it to Etta. You just push.”
Savannah nodded. A moment later, she screamed.
“On the next contraction, give a bigger push,” Etta encouraged.
Five minutes later, Deacon placed a baby girl into Etta’s waiting hands. The child was wailing before Etta’d even started to clean out her mouth and nose. Deacon handed Etta a clean bath towel from a stack she’d placed on the sofa.
Etta quickly wrapped the baby, handed her to Deacon, and changed places with him as the afterbirth was expelled. She made sure there was no abnormal bleeding and then with Charli’s help, got Savannah moved onto the sofa.
When Deacon placed the baby in Savannah’s lap, tears gathered in Etta’s eyes at the expression on Savannah’s face. It was one of the most beautiful moments she’d ever witnessed.
“Do you hear that?” Charli asked.
Etta looked at her in confusion and suddenly realized that the storm had stopped. “It’s over. The storm has passed. Where’s Deacon?”
“Right here.” Deacon walked back into the room. “Just checking on the kids. Those little tots slept through the whole thing.”
It was probably just a needed release from the stress of the night, but they all laughed. A sudden banging on the door had everyone falling silent.
“Etta? Is anyone in there?”
“Mason,” Savannah said.
Etta ran to open the door. It took Mason all of a second to spot Savannah on the couch holding a baby. It took less than that for him to be beside her, wrapping her and the baby in his arms.
“Well, looks like y’all had some excitement,” Grady, who had entered behind Mason, commented.
“A bit,” Deacon agreed.
“You okay, babe?” Grady asked as Charli walked over and hugged him.
“I am.”
“And they’re okay?” He indicated Savannah and the baby.
Charli looked to Etta, who answered. “Both appear to be fine, but they should be taken to the hospital to be checked out. Are the roads okay?”
“Yeah, we made it here without incident. We’ll call for an ambulance.”
“No cell service and the landline is down as well.”
“Yeah, there are lines down all over.” Mason said. “It’s okay. I’ll drive them.”
“I’ll take the kids home with me.” Charli volunteered. “We can watch Tommy so Mason can stay with Savannah.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Grady agreed.
Ten minutes later, everyone but Deacon and Etta were driving away. Etta looked at Deacon who stood beside her on the porch. “Thank you.”
“You could have done it alone.”
“Maybe, but having you here made me feel like it was going to be okay.”
Deacon smiled and gave her a one-armed hug. “You don’t need me to prop you up, Etta.”
Etta realized that he was right. She’d survived everything life had thrown at her, losing her parents, losing Gabe, and maybe JJ, as well. She’d hurt and suffered, but none of it had ended her.
“It’s not the propping up, Deac. I know you’ve done that a lot, and I know I can stand on my own now. But I also know I need you in my life. You’re my family, all I have and while I might survive losing you, I’d never get over it if you know what I mean. I love you.”
“You’re my family, too.”
“Yes, I am, and because of that, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?”
“It’s way past time you decided what you want to do. For you. Not for me, but for yourself.”
“Who’s to say I haven’t already?”
“What does that mean?”
He smiled and gave her another squeeze. “I need to go check things out. And get some sleep. You should, too. It’s been a long night.”
“That it has. Okay, see you later.”
“Yes, you will. Sleep well.”
“You too.”
Etta watched him walk away, then turned and went inside. It took a bit of time to get everything tidied up. She put the sheets and towels they’d used in the wash, took a quick shower and fell face down on the bed.