Hunter and Nash are at work right now, and North and Lio are off to Calais in Hunter’s truck, gathering wood and supplies to revamp the garden shed into a haven for my herbs. North mentioned they’ve wanted to bring that shed back to life for a long time, but I suspect he also wants to move those herbs out of the house.
They asked me to come along, but I needed to do some more digging for Saylor. I want to be able to look him in the eyes and tell him I did my best when he’s back. My phone chimes, jolting me out of my thoughts. It’s Tally, and she sounds hysterical. She doesn’t even let me finish my greeting.
“Sloan, I need you. The baby is coming, but Tim’s out on the boat and not picking up his damn phone!”
Holy shit.
I rush to the door and put on my sneakers, clumsily wedging the phone between my shoulder and ear. My heart races as I try to calm her while fighting off my panic. “Okay, Tally, stay calm. Everything will be all right. I’m on my way. Just hang in there and keep trying to call him.”
I end the call and grab my jacket, heading out. My eyes land on the keys to North’s BMW next to my van’s keys. “Sorry, North,” I mumble to myself, deciding that the BMW will bring us to the hospital faster and much smoother than the old lady.
Jumping into the car, I can’t even appreciate how nice it is because I need to focus to stop my hands from trembling on the steering wheel. Two minutes later, I arrive at Tally’s house, anxiety pulsing through my veins as I jump out of the car.
Tally is already at the door, bag over her shoulder, holding her belly and wincing in pain. I take the bag from her and support her elbow, guiding her to the passenger seat, but she stops me. “I can’t sit up straight. Please help me into the back.”
“Sure.” I nod, opening the back door for her and carefully placing the bag next to her. Once she’s settled, I gently close the door and rush back to the driver’s seat.
A chill runs down my spine, and I sense Shannon’s presence in the passenger seat beside me. “It’s time. You need to hurry. That baby is comingnow.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Tally is panting in the back as I step on the gas, speeding out of Lubec with urgency. “Try calling Tim again?” I suggest, attempting to maintain a calm façade, though inside, panic is bubbling, and I have to take deep breaths.
I have no idea what I’m doing.
Shannon chuckles. “Talking to ghosts doesn’t faze you, but a baby does?”
I shoot a glare her way, causing her to chuckle again. My hands are clenched tight on the steering wheel as I drive fasterthan I should, speeding through traffic and making other cars honk at us.
Tally, now leaving a trail of angry voicemails for Tim, threatens, “If you’re not at the hospital before this baby comes, I swear I won’t let you put your name on the birth certificate!”
Despite the tension, I let out a nervous chuckle. “He’ll be there, Tally. He won’t miss this.”
“It’ll be a miracle if we getherto the hospital before the baby comes,” Shannon remarks, her tone laced with concern.
The thought of Tally having her baby in North’s car with just me and her mother’s ghost sends another jolt of panic through me. “Not in the BMW, please, not in the BMW,” I murmur, and it’s a good thing we’re already headed to a hospital because North is going to break my ass for this.
I’m a whirlwind of worry. The roads seem endless, and every red light feels like an eternity. I sneak glances at Tally through the rearview mirror. Her pain is etched in every grimace as she tries to breathe through it.
I dial Nash’s number, hastily putting it on speaker as the light turns green. It rings a few times before he picks up. “Hey, pretty girl, how?—”
“Grab Tim and get to the hospital. I’m driving Tally. The baby’s coming.”
“Holy shit,” he exclaims, then yells, “Tim! You’re about to be a dad, man. Move it!”
There’s a cacophony of rustling, panting, and car doors slamming. Meanwhile, I’m weaving through traffic.
Good thing this car is fucking fast.
Finally, Tim’s voice comes through. “Tally? You okay, baby?”
Wrong thing to ask, little Timmy.
“I’m having my baby in the back of a car while my husband is who knows where and not able to pick up his phone when heknows his baby could come any minute!” she yells, her voice a mix of fear and anger.
She’s right, idiot.
“I’m so sorry, I forgot it in the car. I’ve no idea how—” he starts to explain, but Tally cuts him off.
