Page 45 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
“You want to sit or lie down?” Lisa asked, one arm wrapped around her sister, phone clutched in her free hand.
Tamara laid her head on Lisa’s shoulder. “Oh my God, I feel horrible. I just want to stand here.”
Which is how Lisa ended up propping her sister in place and dialing emergency services with one hand.
“We’ll get a team out there as quick as we can,” the woman told her. “Stay on the line. Can you tell me if she’s feeling any contractions?”
Lisa shoved the phone at Tamara. “Sorry, sis. She’s got a bunch of questions and I don’t know how to answer them.”
As Tamara took over that phone, Lisa stole Tamara’s out of her pocket. She shuffled through contacts until she found the number she needed.
The very efficient front desk staff that Lisa had been introduced to answered. “Heart Falls veterinary clinic. How can I help you?”
“Sharon, this is Lisa Coleman. Can you connect me directly to Josiah’s cell phone?”
“Sure. One second.”
When he answered, it was with a touch of hesitation. “Tamara? What’s going on?”
“It’s Lisa—there’s an emergency. Tamara’s on my phone, so I took hers. We have a slight change in date activity. Again.”
“No problem. What’s up?”
“Tamara’s water just broke. Caleb is out on the road, and I just realized that the emergency crew might not be able to get here for a while because—well, never mind that. More importantly, can you come over to the house?”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
“Thanks, Josiah.”
She switched her attention to her sister.
Tamara had just hung up as well, grimacing as she handed Lisa her phone back. “I convinced her it’s not that kind of emergency. I don’t even feel as if I’m in labour. Maybe we should get in the truck and head to Black Diamond.”
Nope. Lisa shook her head vehemently. “I’ve seen too many shows. The instant we get in that vehicle and out on the highway, you’re going to go into full-blown labour, and I amnotcatching my niece or nephew at the side of the highway in a snowstorm.”
“Good. It’s not snowing.” Tamara pressed one hand to the island top, knuckles going white. “I’m scared,” she admitted softly.
“I know. But we’ll get through this,” Lisa promised, sliding in to offer a hug.
“We will.” Tamara sounded ruthlessly determined to make it true.
They stood for a moment, clasping each other tightly, staying quiet as the stillness in the house grew thicker. Not in a scary way, but peaceful. When they finally took a perfectly synchronized deep breath, gentle laughter followed.
Tamara rubbed a hand over her belly. “Kid, you’ve been an awful lot of work, but I’m okay with that. Just hang in there a little longer.”
Lisa squeezed her shoulders. “Tell me when you want to switch positions. Oh, and we need to decide when to call Caleb.”
Tamara tilted her head toward the kitchen table. “I think I can sit down, and I’d really like to get out of these wet pants. Sorry.”
Of all the things to be worried about. “Honey, depending on how things go, we might be dealing with a whole lot more than a bit of amniotic fluid. For a nurse, you’re far too squeamish.”
“I’m not squeamish about dealing with it myself. I just don’t want to makeyoudeal with it.” Tamara picked up her phone. “I’ll call Caleb. He won’t get the message until he stops, but that way he can decide if he can turn around and come right back or not.”
Lisa threw a towel over the chair before helping Tamara strip off her pants and sit.
She hurried away to grab a washcloth and a warm blanket to cover her sister with instead of messing with pants. It took under three minutes, but obviously something had changed. Tamara had her eyes closed, hands clutching the edges of the chair as she pursed her lips and blew.
“Tamara?”
