As soon as Bear and Tommy left to change, Kassie knelt beside Julie and he watched as she rubbed the woman’s back and spoke softly.
Julie nodded and glanced to where Bear and Tommy disappeared.
Kassie turned to Catherine and said something. A minute later, she calmly walked toward Doc.
“Julie’s in labor. She’s scared and doesn’t want Bear to know she’s terrified,” she explained. “Victoria and Maddie will watch the twins and Tori while we take Julie to the maternity ward. Shadow and Avie will care for Tommy,” she told Doc. “You get to inform Bear once Shadow brings Tommy out. We don’t want him upset.”
Doc winked at Cole. “See, she has it all under control.”
Kassie gave him a grin before she turned back toward Julie. She supported the pregnant woman from the chair while Catherine wiped her eyes, reassuring her. They walked down the hall together as the elders watched.
Doc went into the locker room as Shadow brought Tommy to the pool. A minute later, Cole watched as Bear shot out of the room, followed by his best friend.
“Amateurs,” Patch said, shaking his head beside him.
“Why do you say that?” he asked.
“These people multiply like rabbits. Bear will panic the entire time Julie’s in labor, and I bet you fifty bucks it’s a boy,” Patch said, watching Shadow recruit Deni to keep Tommy distracted.
“How do I know you haven’t seen the ultrasound or Bear didn’t tell you the gender of the baby?” he asked.
Patch rolled his eyes. “You belong here more than ya know.”
“I’ve fallen for enough of your tricks. My eye still hurts from Sparky,” Cole said, laughing.
“How’s it going with the Hannah chick?” Patch asked.
“Other than the fact Samantha sent me to read a spicy romance to her, we’re doing good,” Cole informed him.
“We?” Patch’s eyebrow went up.
“You know what I mean. She’s a nice lady,” Cole insisted.
“Listen, I know you’re new here. It’s nice you visit with her, but don’t get your hopes up,” Patch advised as he threw one of the balls back into the pool.
Cole’s hackles went up. “What do you mean?”
“She’s one of the longest residents on Serenity Mountain. Her parents have come to visit a couple of times and they leave disappointed. Kassie refuses to give up on her because it hits close to home. You know we can’t save everyone. It’s the reality of our jobs,” Patch said softly. “I don’t want you to think you can cure her. My fiancée believed she and Kassie might be able to bring Hannah around. Here we are, eighteen months later and she hasn’t uttered a word.”
“It doesn’t mean we give up on people,” Cole ground out.
Patch held up his hands. “I, of all people, will never tell you to give up. This place saved me. Claire rescued me. For the life of me, I don’t understand what they saw in me, but they persevered until I saw the light. I see your interest in this woman and I worry what will happen when she doesn’t come around for you.”
“I’m not giving up. She may not speak, but she’s in there,” Cole insisted. “She has feelings. I don’t know what happened to her, but it’s not difficult to see she suffered something traumatic. I’m not taking the stance that not everyone can be saved. One day, she’ll prove us wrong.” Cole turned and walked down the hall, fighting the urge to slam his fist into Patch’s jaw.
His hands clenched, itching to strike something. His phone rang, and he took it out to see Cookie’s name flash across his screen.
“Hey, man,” he answered.
“Whoa, you don’t sound too good. I called to check on how you’re doing in Serenity,” Cookie said.
“I don’t know, man. I’ve made some big blunders since I arrived and I’m doubting if I truly belong here,” he confessed.
“What do you mean?” Cookie asked. “You’re one of the best.”
“It’s not important,” he sighed.
“It’s important if it has you this worked up. Tell me what’s going on,” he demanded.
