Page 53 of A Mommy for His Daughter

“Is Juneau included?”

Tim nodded.

Derek’s heart skipped a beat and he picked up the phone to call his in-laws. He owed Vivian that much.

“Hi, George, it’s Derek. Yeah, Mo is okay… But have you and Melanie heard about the hurricane? Okay, good. Stay safe. I know. Thanks.”

Derek ended the call. His in-laws had already heard about the hurricane barreling its way toward them and had taken precautions, boarding up their windows and stocking their house with supplies. And they’d reminded him to take care of Mo more than once. He knew they blamed him for Vivian’s death, because they’d told him so—many times.

Mo would be okay with Edna at the house until he was able to get out there and collect her. It would be best if they all just hung out at the clinic until it blew over. And he was positive that Evelyn would let them crash at her place.

“Do you know when it’s supposed to hit?” Derek asked Tim.

“Tonight.”

“I think we’re going to stay here tonight, then. We have Martha still resting until Dr. Saunders discharges her. I’ll have to go get Mo and bring her in here.”

“I’ll get her,” Janet offered. “I have to check on my place and it’s on the way.”

“Are you sure, Janet? Edna is with her—do you think you can bring Edna back into town too?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ve watched Mo before, and I know she likes riding in my truck, and picking up Edna is no problem.” Janet grabbed her coat. “I’ll get your house locked up too, and get some supplies.”

“Thanks, Janet. And if you see Dr. Saunders tell her I need her.”

Janet nodded and left just as Evelyn walked in. There were dark circles under her eyes. She looked exhausted.

“What happened to you?” Derek asked.

“I got the results in from Jennifer’s amnio. I spent all last night analyzing them.” She scrubbed a hand over her face. “How’s Martha?”

“Stable,” Tim answered. “I just went to check on her. They’re wondering when they can leave. Mrs. Washington wants to get their home stocked up before the hurricane hits.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Hurricane?”

“Yeah—they’re grounding all planes,” Derek said.

“Right. Well, I just went to check on Jennifer Yazzie. Baby is strong and no signs of labor. Let’s hope it stays that way until the planes have clearance to fly, and then I’m getting her to Sitka as soon as possible.”

“Why? Is it bad?” Derek asked.

“No chromosomal abnormalities, but Jennifer has symptoms of the beginning stages of kidney failure and the baby has polycythemia.”

“What’s that?” Tim asked.

“A concentration of red blood cells,” Derek answered. “Not fatal, but it can cause complications.”

“I need to get that baby out of her.” Evelyn hung up her jacket. “I’ll go check on Martha and get her discharged.”

Derek nodded. “Okay, and then we need to get this clinic ready for the hurricane.”

She nodded and disappeared into the back room.

In all his fifteen years in Alaska he’d never encountered a hurricane. They were rare in Alaska, but not unheard of. Hopefully this hurricane would lose steam, or the jet stream would make it change direction so they didn’t get slammed with one.

Alaska got storms, even tropical ones, and really bad winter storms, but this was the first time a hurricane was coming to batter his clinic.

“Nancy?” Derek called out to his receptionist, who was in the filing cabinet. “Do we have any protocols for hurricanes?”

“Yes, Dr. Taylor.” Nancy went over to a drawer and pulled out a binder. “Every possible natural disaster is listed in there.”

“Great—and now you’re going home.”

“Dr. Taylor, I can stay and help.”

“No, Nancy. You go home. You’ve got kids, and you need to make sure your house is ready for this storm. Go—and that’s an order. I would send Janet too, but we’re going to need her once she gets back.”

“Thank you, Dr. Taylor.” Nancy collected up her things and left.

Derek sat down behind her desk with the binder and flipped to the page about hurricanes. They could hole up in here. After Evelyn had taken care of Martha and sent her on her way they’d raid Evelyn’s apartment for food and supplies and then board up her windows before securing the clinic.

At least they had enough supplies. At least people could get to them for help. Unlike the night that big snow storm had hit and he’d lost his Vivian because she hadn’t been able to get the emergency care she’d needed.

---