"Thirty-two weeks." She said the words as if she was reading off of a calendar.
Harmony nodded and felt feeling return to her hand as the woman lessened her painful grip.
"Any complications or cautions from your doctor recently?"
"N-nooo."
"Where you in labor before the accident?"
Allie nodded. "That's... that's why Keith... Keith was driving me... to the hospital."
"Okay. I'd like to move you to the back of the ambulance. We can do a little more to see how far along you are in labor when we have more room."
She'd already seen the condition of the car on the driver's side. The steering wheel was pressed up against the man's chest. He'd likely died on impact or right after.
Another quick look told Harmony that the driver had likely turned the car to put most of the damage on his side.
He obviously cared for her and the baby.
Allie started to turn toward her, using their joined hands to help her get up.
As she did. She felt Allie freeze on the seat, her muscles tensing up.
"She's not going to be able to walk."
Harmony didn't have to turn to see who it was beside her. Crois St. Cyr had the most distinctive voice of anyone she knew. Warm, deep, and when he was concentrating on something, bits of his cajun upbringing appeared in his tone.
She nodded and tried not to grimace at the pain she felt in her hand.
"Harmony?"
Wow, she hadn't been ready for the warmth in his voice when he said her name. "Hmm?"
Breathe, Harmony, breathe...
"Will I hurt her or the baby if I carry her to the ambo?"
Harmony shook her head as she pushed the words free of her clenched jaw. "She's progressing quickly. Speed right now is the best thing."
"I've got you."
Got you?
Harmony's instinct was to turn her head and look at Crois to see if what she'd heard was actually what he'd said, but she didn't have the chance.
The death grip on her hand eased just a little.
"Okay," she nodded. "Let's move her."
She wasn't going to make Allie let go of her hand, but Harmony stepped back as far as she could against the inside of the door to give Crois as much room as possible.
He stepped in and even with his, what had to be an over six-foot frame, and swept Allie up in his arms.
Harmony walked quickly beside him, and she let out a soft exhale when she saw the gurney down and on the ground.
Crois put her on the clean surface and Harmony heard Allie whimper.
That wasn't a good sign.
