Page 46 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
Her sister’s eyes popped open and she shook her head. “Trust the woman with medical training to have the weirdest pregnancy and delivery in the history of humanity. I swear I amnothaving contractions, but oh my God, I want to push. I took a feel and I think the kid is crowning.”
A harsh bang struck the back door an instant before it swung open and Josiah stepped in. “House call.”
Tamara glanced at him in confusion before rolling her eyes at Lisa. “Sure. Call in the veterinarian as a baby catcher.”
“I’m just here for moral support,” Josiah insisted, kicking off his boots then marching over. “Hey, Tamara. How’re you doing?”
“Peachy. I want a puke bucket, and I really,reallywant to push.”
She had Lisa’s hand squeezed in a death grip.
Josiah laid a hand on Lisa’s arm. “You do plan more exciting dates than me,” he muttered. “Catch me up.”
They updated him quickly, including who they’d called, but Tamara was breaking off into clenched teeth and painful noises as she squirmed on the spot. “All modesty is out the window.Pleasetell me I can push.”
Josiah worked gently as he arranged her at the front edge of her chair, a serious expression on his face as he moved aside the blanket Lisa had draped over her sister’s knees.
His eyes widened. “Well, I guess you’ve managed to not have labour and still get to the baby-arrival part. You’re definitely presenting. Lisa, I dropped a pile of blankets outside the door. Grab them.”
Heart pounding, she was back in under a minute. Josiah pushed aside the chairs and covered the ground before manoeuvering Tamara to a position on the floor.
“This. Is. Not. Going. As planned,” Tamara complained. She tucked her chin down, digging her fingers into Lisa’s forearm.
“Breathe.Breathe,” Lisa ordered.
“You’ve got to slow down,” Josiah warned. He was kneeling in front of her, her free hand resting on his shoulder. “You know this. You can do it.”
Tamara ground her teeth together before panting hard.
For the second time that day, loud banging rang from the back door seconds before it swung open. Icy cold air floated in with the arrival of two people. First came the oversized Fire Chief—the real local emergency backup—Brad Ford.
The second person—
“Karen? What’re you doing?” Lisa demanded.
Tamara jerked her head up, interrupted from her task. “Oh my God. You’re here.”
Brad rushed forward with a medical kit in his hand. “Not Karen. This is Julia. You messing with our baby pool, Tamara?”
Josiah willingly stepped back, squeezing Lisa’s shoulder for a moment as he gave up his position to Brad and…Julia?
Lisa couldn’t stop staring. The woman who had entered the house at Brad’s side—it was like looking into a mirror. She wasn’t identical to Lisa because her hair had a reddish tinge, but the face was one hundred percent Coleman.
She knelt by Tamara, talking the entire time she worked. “Sorry this is our first introduction, but your baby is top of the agenda for the day. I’m Julia Blushing. I’ve just started my practicum here in Heart Falls as an EMT. Brad and I will take good care of you.”
Competent, confident.
“My God, it’s like watching Tamara take care of Tamara,” Lisa muttered.
A low moan escaped her sister. “I’d prefer ifshewas the one pushing the watermelon out instead of me.”
“Sorry. I have no training on that side of the arena,” Julia offered dryly.
“Me neither, it seems,” Tamara gasped. She stared up at the new woman between grimaces. “Apologies if I throw up on you.”
Both the EMTs chuckled. “It’s okay. We’re wash and wear.”
“I know,” she panted. “Better than seventy percent chance, though, so I’m sorry in advance.”
