10
Plum
Pedaltothemetal.Ryder wasn’t going to be late for this one, or Zoe might as well boot him out of their baby’s life right now.
It’s not like he was going to be in the room anyway, at least not this time. According to his app, skin-to-skin and breastfeeding were important in those first few minutes, and guests probably weren’t invited. Haley wouldn’t want a crowd during that special moment.
Traffic was on his side for once, despite it being a Friday, and he soared into the regional hospital’s parking lot at three in the afternoon. Fucking made it. Gene hadn’t exactly been thrilled, when Ryder took off at the tail end of the management team’s regular Friday morning meeting. Had he attempted to bail even five minutes sooner, like while Gene was rattling on about teamwork, he’d have been forced to stay longer.
A family man, Gene had at least understood that Ryder wanted to be there for his sister, and see his nephew right away. But, as a stereotypical out-of-date patriarch, Gene insisted brothers weren’t as important as sisters when it came to support. Ryder hadn’t bothered explaining the many, many things that were wrong with that assessment.
Ryder’s phone buzzed again, and he shut off the engine and caught up on everything he’d missed. The barrage of messages kept pouring in, a big group text with his siblings and with all the Halseths.
Another update from Finn.Eight centimeters. She’s getting tired but is a total champ.
Ryder grinned as he scrolled through, updates and cheering, jokes and words of love. It looked like Zoe and Evan had brought everyone lunch. Two hours ago. His stomach rumbled with hunger, realizing he hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
Too late. If there were any leftovers, they would have been sitting out too long by now.
Maybe the hospital cafeteria would have something that wasn’t made of cardboard.
He grabbed the little gift bag that was miraculously unsquished from his backpack, and stuffed his keys in his pocket. He locked the rental car and dashed across the parking lot. A gentle breeze rustled the towering cedar trees that filled the spaces between rows, the sun casting golden rays between each. The air tasted of mulch and dust, landscapers sprucing up a flower bed by the entrance. Flowers. Dammit, he should have brought something for Haley, too.
Generally, he avoided hospitals, but the smell was the same in all of them. Sterile, and a hint of something he couldn’t put his finger on, but it wasn’t a happy scent. The signs pointed him to the back and to the right, skipped the elevators and dashed down the single flight of stairs toward labor and delivery.
Historically, the Mallorys had not been considered a wild bunch. Alone, they still probably were considered sedate. Yet there was something magical about the Halseths that brought out the fun side of everyone.
Laughter flooded the waiting room, happy yelps and jabs. Above the others, a delighted, borderline witchy laugh chimed out. Zoe was like no one else. Certainly not like anyone he’d ever dated.
Not that they were dating.
Fuck, he wasn’t sure how he got himself into these messes. Having a surprise baby, let alone with someone so connected with his family, his hometown? Of all the messes he’d found himself in, of the partners he could have ended up in this situation with… Zoe was a little life lottery victory.
The hallway widened to the waiting area. On the right, six people sat scattered, a few together and talking peacefully. On the left side of the waiting area, the Halseth-Mallory clan had taken over. Standard vinyl waiting room chairs and loveseats were clustered together. Bags and jackets told of just how long the crew had been here.
Evan caught sight of him first, and tipped a nod in greeting. “Hey. You made it, with time to spare. Not bad.”
Slowly, she turned to see. In a faded black Halseth’s hoodie with the sleeves cut off, leggings, and sneakers, her hair in a lazy ponytail today, Zoe’s smile lifted brightly, brightening her entire expression.
A flood of butterflies filled his stomach, a frog lodging in his throat.
“Hey, you,” she said, and moved as if to stand, then looked behind him and stopped.
Ice chilled him from behind, and he knew why she didn’t come all the way over.
Ryder steadied his breath and turned. “Patricia. Hi,” he said.
Her silver hair had been sliced her jaw with a razor-sharp bob, a flick of mascara accented her sky-blue eyes, and she tilted a thin-lipped smile at him. Skinny arms lifted, slowly unfolding and reaching as she approached.
Oh. She was coming in for a hug. Huh.
Ryder leaned and wrapped one arm behind her and patted her upper back before pulling away.
“I just finished a board meeting, so the timing was perfect.”
“Board meeting?” Freshly retired, but he should have known she wouldn’t sit home and quilt. Or travel, oddly enough. He’d never understood her distaste for travel.
“Why yes. I may as well put my expertise to good use.”
