Page 259 of Labor of Love

Hamish strode into the bakery, tugging on his shirt. “What the hell are you doing on DeBeque territory, you old bastard?” He grabbed Reed’s father by the neck.

“He’s my son,” his father gurgled.

As relieved as he was to see Hamish, he was even more furious at his father. “Not anymore,” Reed spat. “Now I am his mate. And Alistair DeBeque’s assistant and best friend. And I never want to see you again.”

Hamish dragged his father to the door of the bakery and flung him out. “You heard him. And if I ever see you on this territory again, the peace is off, and I will kill you.”

Reed ran to Hamish as soon as they were sure his father was gone, hugging him hard. “Thank you for coming for me.”

“Always, my love. But I think you had this well in hand. And thank you, Kevin.”

“Wasn’t going to happen to me again, sir.”

“Good deal.”

“I got all your stuff ready,” the girl said.

“Thanks, Hannah,” Hamish murmured. Clearly, he got here a lot more than Reed.

“Thank you,” Reed put in. “We should go home now, huh?”

“Yes. But I won’t keep you prisoner, love. We’ll go out more.”

He leaned up to kiss Hamish’s cheek. “As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Hamish said. “Let’s go home.”

“Let’s do it.”

5

“Hamish, I am not happy.”

Hamish glanced up at Reed, frowning. They’d been watching a movie, since Reed was pretty confined by his huge belly and swollen feet these days, and he’d thought they were having a nice morning.

But Reed’s face was showing some strain.

“What is it, baby?”

“Well, I think I’m really in labor.”

“What?” He sat up straight. “Your water hasn’t broken yet!”

Reed scoffed. “Yeah, it did that when I went to the bathroom at like, five this morning. You were sound asleep, so I just took a shower.”

He popped up off the couch like a jack in the box. “Oh my God. We need the midwife.”

“See, this is why I waited. But I think you’re right.” Reed showed him the birthline, which holy crap. That was so ready.

He grabbed the house phone to Alaina. “Hey, it’s Hamish,” he said when she answered. “It’s time.”

“I’m on my way.”

Two hours later, Reed was in the bedroom, the bed stripped to just sheets and towels, his body bowing as he pushed. How could he have hidden from Hamish this long!

“You’re doing great, Reed. So good.” Alaina smiled, her expression encouraging. “Hamish, rub his back, huh?”

“Of course.” Hamish would do whatever he could to make it better. If he could take this on himself, he would. They’d floated in the tub. He’d held Reed’s hand. And now he was going to love on Reed’s lower back. “You got this, baby.”

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