Page 59 of Homecoming

He’d die if it took that long to get to her. “I’m coming. Tell her… Tell her I’m on the way.”

“Try not to freak out. The doctors aren’t.”

“Take care of her until I get there.”

“I will.”

Dan pressed the red button and then called Walter. “I need a ride to the hospital right away. My wife is there. I’m sending you my location.”

“I’m coming, boss.”

“Hurry, Walter. Please hurry.”

Chapter

Thirteen

Kara was trying notto panic. That’s why she’d asked Renata to call Dan. He’d hear it in her voice, and whatever meltdown he was having would be made worse. At first, she’d thought it was gas after lunch, but when the pain got sharper and more regular, she’d had no choice but to tell Renata, who’d insisted on driving her to Mount Desert Island Hospital.

They’d taken her straight back to a cubicle and put a monitor on the baby, whose strong heartbeat was the best sound Kara had ever heard.

If the baby was okay, where was the pain coming from? She wished she’d read more about the things that could go wrong so she would know the potential complications. But she hadn’t wanted to think about anything other than a smooth pregnancy followed by the arrival of a perfectly healthy baby.

Any other outcome was unimaginable.

With Kara stable and in good hands, Renata had reluctantly returned to work to get out a huge order that’d come in that morning. She’d promised to check on Kara later.

“Your blood pressure is up a bit,” the nurse, Debbie, said. “Has it been high during your pregnancy?”

“No, not at all. My midwife has said it was right where it should be.”

“Who should I contact to request your records?”

“Victoria Stevens, nurse practitioner-midwife at the Gansett Island clinic.” Kara retrieved Vic’s number from her phone and gave it to the nurse, thankful that Vic and Shannon hadn’t left yet on their honeymoon trip.

“I love Gansett. I spent summers there with my grandparents when I was a kid.”

If the nurse was making conversation, there was no need for panic, right?

“We love it there, too. It’s home for us.”

“What brings you to Maine?”

“My… um… my family’s here.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Am I losing my baby?” Kara asked softly.

“Oh, I don’t think so, sweetie, but let’s wait to see what the doctor says when she arrives. We called in the OB. She’ll be here soon.” Debbie patted Kara’s arm. “Try not to worry. That won’t help anything.”

“I’m trying.” And failing. If something happened to the baby…No, don’t go there. Think positively.Tears slid down her cheeks as every emotion she’d ever felt seemed to overwhelm her all at once—especially fear, grief, heartbreak and love. So much love for this little being she hadn’t even met yet.

Thankfully, the baby was moving as much as it ever did, which brought a measure of comfort.

Half an hour later, Dan rushed into the room, wild-eyed, hair standing on end the way it did after he went for a run. He came right over to her and gathered her into his sweaty embrace. Whereas she normally might’ve balked at being held against his damp T-shirt, he was all she wanted at this moment.

“What’re they saying?”

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