Jude and I head out to my truck, and he climbs into the passenger seat.
“This is an old truck,” he says as he takes in the interior of my 1975 Ford pickup.
“Yep. It was my grandfather’s. I fixed it up and been driving it since.”
“Oh, you can’t afford something new?”
I whip my head toward the kid, then shake it back and forth.
“It’s a classic, kid. Yes, I can afford a newer truck, but why should I spend the money when this one runs great?”
“Because you’re putting mileage on it and it devalues it.”
“Oh, okay. I thought you were going to talk down about my truck.”
“No, it’s a classic, like you said. Dad says you should baby your classics and only drive them when necessary. He has a classic Wagoneer he doesn’t drive anymore, now that he’s got the new, bigger SUV.”
“Yeah, I guess I could do that, but right now I’m trying to decide if I want to buy a place of my own or not.”
“There are a few houses in our neighborhood. One even has a barn for horses.”
“Really? I’ll have to check it out.” I haven’t thought about settling down until now, until Andi.
We arrive at the hospital and head up to the maternity floor, where the nurses show us to the waiting room. Jude texts Andi that we’re here. When she comes to meet us, I sit back and smile smugly. She didn’t expect me.
“Hey, kiddo. Your mama is doing well, and so are your baby brothers. They gave her something to boost their lungs, but with the way the delivery is progressing, they might come too quick for it to kick in. Your dad is a different story. They might call security if he doesn’t calm down.” She laughs. “The doctor just got here. They’ve decided to go ahead and let Lia and the boys come naturally. If anything changes, I’ll come out and let you know. Leticia is with them for a bit and will be out to sit with you soon.”
“Does Mom need to send Dad out here?”
“No. She told him to buckle up and pull up his big boy panties. He shut up and is only growling a little bit.” They both laugh, then she turns to me. “You can leave if you want. Like I said, Leticia will wait with him.”
“Nope. I’m staying to give you and the kiddo a ride home if necessary.”
“Oh, I can call Lennox and have her come get me.”
“No can do. She said she didn’t know where the hospital is.”
“Oh.” She pauses, and I can tell she’s trying to come up with another excuse.
“Andi, I’m your ride. I’ll take Jude wherever he needs to go too.”
She bites her lip, and I want to pull her into me. I grip the chair to keep from grabbing her and biting those lips myself.
“I’m staying with Jude until they get out of the hospital.”
“I got you.”
She nods and walks out of the room. A few moments later, Leticia steps in and starts making several phone calls, giving people updates and checking on the restaurant. She’s so focused on her phone, and Jude is playing on his, that I decide to take a walk.
I pass the nursery, where only a few babies lie in their beds behind the glass. I didn’t know they still did this for kiddos. Further back, I notice a couple of babies in a secure area, resting in special incubator beds. Striker and Amelia’s babies are early. I hope they won’t have to be in one of those.
I’m watching the babies and thinking of Andi when I hear her laugh. I turn to see her with a nurse, and they pause in front of me.
“Keighley, this is Cowboy. He’s a friend of Striker’s.”
“We might need you to hold him down while we sedate him.” Keighley laughs as she walks off, leaving me with Andi.
I look up and down the hallway, then grab her hand and pull her into an empty room.
