“And now?”I probe.
“I’m good.It’s all good.As far as they’ll share with me, the boys seem to like the school—at least, I haven’t heard any complaints on the subject yet—and I’m getting in a groove at work, and we all love our new house.”
Ironically, my old house is Tessa’s new one.
When she first came to town in the spring she was renting an apartment, but that got small in a real hurry with those two boys of hers.She started looking to buy, and happened upon my house, which had just been listed.Three bedrooms, open concept, rec room in the basement, a big garage for sports gear, bikes, and stuff, and a driveway that could handle two, even three vehicles in a pinch.
I had no idea she was the buyer until I signed off on the real estate paperwork and caught her name.
“I’m glad,” I tell her truthfully.
Then I catch Clem waving me over to the barrel grill he made for me.
“Looks like I’m needed.”
“Right,” Tessa curtly responds as she tosses an angry glance in Clem’s direction.
Not sure what that’s all about, but I’m not about to wade in.Instead, I offer, “Can I send over another drink?Something stronger maybe?”
“I’m good with this.”She holds up her bottle of iced tea.“Thanks though.”
I flash her a smile and head over to the grill.
“What’s up?”I ask Clem.“Burgers done?”
“Not yet, but you may wanna check on your boss.”
I follow his line of sight to Savvy, who I can just see around the side of the house, leaning with her arm braced under her head against the brick.Her other arm looks to be holding up her substantial stomach.
Oh boy.
I look around to find Nate, only to remember he and his best man, Roy, went out on one of the trails where Carson had found some bear tracks last week to check them out.
Shit.
Ducking under the railing, I drop down from the deck and make my way over, hearing a worrisome groan when I close in on her.
“When did it start?”
She slightly turns her head to look at me.
“When my water broke five minutes ago.They’re…ahhhh…”
She sags through her knees and I quickly take up position behind her, hooking my arms under hers so she doesn’t hit the ground.
When the contraction passes, I ask, “And why are you standing here?”
“Because I look like I pissed my pants and I didn’t want to draw attention.I’m just waiting here for Nate; he’s not answering his phone—probably left it in the damn truck again—but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.Ahhhh…”
She’s immediately hit with another one, and I’m no doctor, but from the sounds she’s making it sure looks like that baby is closer than she might think.
“There you are,” Bess’s voice sounds behind me.“What are you…Savvy?What’s going on?Is she in labor?”
“She doesn’t want to make a fuss,” I quickly share, before Bess alerts a crowd.“Could you quietly alert Dana and then get my truck started?I’ll bring her around the side.”
I give Savvy a chance to field another contraction before I decidedly lift her up in my arms and start carrying her around to the front.
“I can walk, you know,” she grumbles, hanging on to my neck.
