Page 11 of SEAL's Patience
Quinn nodded. He hoped she’d listen to him. It was for her own safety. “Good girl. Be right back.”
He opened the door and stepped into the blustery cold. As he closed the door of the truck, she called him an asshat. Turning away, he grinned. He enjoyed this feisty side of Patience.
CHAPTER 6
PATIENCE
"What an asshat," Patience mumbled to herself as Quinn practically disappeared because of the whiteout conditions. Sure, it was dangerous to be on the side of the road, but she had been taking care of herself for a long time. Who was he to tell her she needed to stay in the truck? What if she could help? He didn’t know the condition of the driver any more than she did. Maybe the driver was lying in the snow bleeding out after being tossed out of the car on impact. The cold would help slow the flow. But did Quinn even know what to do?
Common sense said, yup, of course he did. He was the boss of the SEAL team. They probably all had at least basic first aid. Still, it didn’t make her worry less. How could he make her just sit here like she was useless? She was the one who was a doctor—mostly.
As more thoughts swirled in her brain, she twisted her hands and nibbled on her lower lip. Patience’s worry increased with each passing moment. What was taking so long? Had Quinn gotten hurt trying to get to the driver? He didn’t have snow boots on, or snow gear, just a regular coat and jeans.
“Screw it. I’m not sitting here all night,” she said when Quinn didn’t appear after ten minutes. Zipping up her coat, she wished she’d had her gloves. This would teach her not to leave home without them again.
Her decision made, she leaned over to turn off the ignition when she thought she saw Quinn crest the embankment.Finally.But wait, where was the driver? Shouldn’t he have brought them back to the truck?
Patience watched as she trudged through the snow toward her. She lowered the window enough to talk to him as he approached her.
“Where’s the driver?” she asked.
“Still in the car in labor. I hated to leave her alone, but she’s too scared to get out of the car. Without your number, I couldn’t call you to come down to us. It was stupid not to grab it before I left you.”
She hadn’t thought of exchanging numbers, either. The whole thing happened so fast. They’d reacted on pure instinct.
“I called 911 and they’re on the way, but with this weather, I’m not sure how long it’ll take them to get here. She’ll be more comfortable with you than me.”
Patience nodded. Reaching over to shut off the truck, she pulled the keys and stepped out. As she handed Quinn his keys, he dropped them into his pocket and grabbed her hand.
“Be careful. It’s really slick under the snow and piling up quickly. I think the weatherman underestimated the amount we’re going to get. It’s practically a blizzard already. Did you learn how to deliver a baby? I’m not sure they’ll get here in time.”
“Dammit. Yes, I know how, but we need to get her somewhere warm. Can’t we try to get her up here and into the truck?”
“She’s terrified and refuses to get out of her car. I don’t think she’s thinking straight between the shock of the accident and the labor pain.”
“You’re probably right. No one was with her, and she’s in labor.”
“Yes. Her husband is on deployment. That’s all I could get out of her. I didn’t want to upset her more by asking why she didn’t call 911 to take her to the ER.”
Patience nodded. An ambulance would have been a much better option. Panic probably kept her from thinking clearly. Besides, the snow started as just flurries. It wasn’t supposed to be heavy. Poor thing. She wasn’t really worried about delivering the baby. As long as it wasn’t a complicated birth, she’d be fine. It was concern about keeping mom and baby warm until help arrived that was the bigger problem.
“She probably panicked when she went into labor, especially if she’s alone. I pray they get her before she delivers the baby. We’ll have to keep them warm or they’ll both die of hypothermia. Was she hurt anywhere that you could tell?”
“The airbag deployed. She’s going to have bruises and be sore. I didn’t see blood, but that doesn’t mean she’s not bleeding internally. She’s terrified she hurt the baby in the accident, and she’d going to lose her. I doubt she’s thinking about much else right now.”
Patience nodded again and tightened her grip on Quinn’s hand as her foot slipped out from under her.
He grabbed her around the waist, holding her until she was steady. “Okay?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“We’re almost there.”
She looked up from where she’d been walking to see the car about five feet away. Crumpled, and wedged between two pine trees, it wasn’t going anywhere without a tow truck. The frontlooked crushed, but at least it hadn’t caught fire. The sound of crying carried in the snow's stillness.
“Agreed. But hopefully, the paramedics will arrive before the baby.”
Patience nodded. It would be better for both mom and child to be delivered in the hospital and not in the middle of a blizzard. Her foot slid in the snow, but Quinn’s tight hold on her hand helped keep her upright.
