“This batch will be vanilla with a small spoon of huckleberry jam on top.”
“Sounds yummy. How’s Megan?”
“Zac came downstairs about half an hour ago. He said everything’s going well. I can’t believe Megan’s about to have a baby.”
Sam picked up a spoon and folded the flour through the batter. “I know what you mean. It’s strange, but there’s a big difference between being pregnant and having a baby in your arms. I hope everything is okay.”
“So do I. At least Zac’s here. Imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t come home for Brooke’s wedding. Megan and William would have been stranded here with no doctor, nurse, or midwife to help them.”
“We need to petition the county for more medical services. It’s crazy to travel to Polson for every emergency. Especially when the road is so unreliable.”
Willow placed the cookie sheet beside Sam. “Pastor John asked Zac if he’d thought about staying in Sapphire Bay.”
“What did Zac say?”
“That he’s leaving in two weeks.”
Sam tipped the baking powder into the batter. “Why does he have to go back to Afghanistan?”
“He said it’s because there’s a shortage of doctors working in the refugee camps. I think it’s more than that.”
Sam tilted her head to the side. “Maybe he hasn’t had any incentive to stay.”
“What kind of…Sam!”
A wicked grin lit Sam’s face. “I know, I’m terrible. But you seem to be getting along really well.”
“He’s my neighbor,” Willow squeaked. “I’m friendly to all my neighbors.”
“You don’t have any neighbors apart from Zac. He’s also tall, dark, handsome, and single. Unless he’s got a terrible secret lurking in his past, he’s perfect.”
“No one’s perfect,” Willow muttered.
“Close to perfect.”
“I’ll get the vanilla extract.”
Sam chuckled. “You like him.”
“I like a lot of things, but they aren’t flying to Afghanistan in a couple of weeks.” Willow added a few drops of vanilla to the bowl. “Once you’ve mixed everything together, we’ll roll the dough into balls and place them on the cookie sheet.”
“I hope Zac likes assertive women.”
Willow sighed. “Sometimes, Samantha Andrews, you can be the most annoying friend in the world.”
“Especially when I’m right.”
A piercing cry made the hair on the back of Willow’s neck stand on end. Her gaze shot to Sam and, without saying anything, they rushed through the kitchen door and flew upstairs.
Willow screeched to a halt outside Megan and William’s bedroom. With her ear pressed against the wooden door, she listened for any signs her friend was in trouble.
“What’s happening?” Sam whispered.
“All I can hear is the classical music Megan saved to her playlist.”
A groan ripped through the air.
Willow’s hands clenched tight. “Zac’s telling her to push.” Tears filled her eyes as another heartfelt groan came from inside the room.
