“He needs to feel like he’s doing something,” Jake said. “I don’t want him passing out, and he hates blood, so this will give him a focus.”
“I’m just going to check things again now, Annabelle,” Dr. McBride said.
A tap had Jake going to the door; he came back with his doctor bag.
“Now you need to make sure she stays hydrated, Tex. Sips of water, or a mouthful of ice,” he said when the pale-faced Texan returned.
“Right.”
Lani slipped back out of the room, determined to leave this time. No way did she want to be in the room when the baby arrived. She was a stranger, for pity’s sake. What was the matter with these people, accepting her so easily.
“Hey, how’s it going in there?” Noah was leaning on a wall, looking as pale as the Texan.
“She’s doing great, Noah, really.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. What’s wrong?”
“What? Me? Nothing’s wrong. I was just worried about her… Annabelle.” He looked jittery. Something was off.
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
“Right. Excuse me, I need to leave.”
“Shouldn’t you stay in case you’re needed?”
“For what? I’m not a doctor, or a nurse, or a friend even. I shouldn’t be here.” Her voice rose on the last word.
“But what if something happens?”
“I don’t see why it would, but if it does, there are two doctors in there. What’s going on, Noah? You’re acting weird.”
“Nothing’s going on. I’m just worried, as any friend would be.”
“Noah.” Faith arrived. “Annabelle is going to be just fine. Women have babies daily, in fact every few seconds, so let’s go back outside now.”
He was tense. She could see the muscles in his jaw bunching.
“All right.” And suddenly he was gone, walking down the hall and out of her sight. Faith stayed.
“Is everything all right?” She was a feminine version of her brother. Softer features, less harsh lines.
“It is. Annabelle’s doing great. Is Noah all right?” She had no right to ask, but wanted to.
“Sure. He just gets scared when the women in his life are going into labor. Bad memories.”
She wanted to ask what memories, but that wasn’t her business and she never wanted it to be. Instead, she left, grabbing Buddy as he sprinted past with Noodle. She put him in the car and was soon driving away.
What bad memory did Noah have around childbirth, and why did seeing him worried and, yes, vulnerable make her chest ache?
Chapter Twelve
Noah picked up the ball because he needed something to do, so he fired it at Buster. Out the corner of his eye, he watched Lani slink away to her Bronco with her dog that wasn’t her dog. She was gone before he could stop her. Not that he wanted to; after all, she wasn’t comfortable here. To be honest, neither was he now he knew Annabelle was in labor.
She would be just fine, like Branna had been, and a trillion other women around the world. Why, then, did he feel sick?
