“I’m glad I could come and help them out. A couple of years ago that wouldn’t have been the case. I was in a…bad place in my life.”
Douglas nodded at Stan’s words. “We’ve all been there at one point or another. That’s why God gives us second chances.”
“Third and fourth chances sometimes. But I eventually got my head on straight, cleaned up my act, and asked my folks for forgiveness. We’re slowly rebuilding our relationship, one step at a time. It’s mostly been long distance, but when Dad went into the hospital, my mom needed me here.”
Rafe had been quietly listening to the conversation, getting a feel for Stan Ferguson. His gut told him Stan was an upright guy, but these were his parents the man was ingratiating himself with. He’d be running a background check on the guy, just to play it safe. More than one con artist had made his way through Shiloh Springs, and doing his due diligence helped protect its citizens. He would do no less for his own parents.
The phone rang once, and he swiped to answer, putting it on speak.
“Hey, babe. How’s Beth?”
“We’re still in a holding pattern. Her labor pains have moved farther apart, so Doctor Stevens isn’t sure exactly how long it’ll be. When she had Jamie, she wasn’t in a long, protracted labor. I thought second babies were supposed to come faster. Oh, and Brody got here a few minutes ago.”
Rafe heard his mother’s sigh. Well, at least that was one worry out of the way.
“Good. Is he a nervous wreck?”
Tessa chuckled. “Nah. He’s being all stoic and patient. Probably all his EMT training. Of course, he’ll probably be the type to pass out as soon as the baby starts coming.”
“My son will not pass out.” Douglas huffed out a laugh. “He’ll probably tell Doctor Stevens to get out of the way and let him deliver the baby himself.”
“You know him so well, Douglas. Doctor Stevens already told him if he keeps telling him what to do, he’s going to make him leave the room.”
Rafe laughed aloud because he could picture Brody doing exactly that. Glancing down, he saw that he was doing close to ninety miles an hour and eased back on the accelerator. They’d be getting close to town soon, and he wanted to get everybody there in one piece. A tingle of excitement raced through him at the thought of another little Boudreau joining their clan. Brody’s excitement at becoming a father had become infectious, and he and Tessa had started several discussions about starting a family. Though they were newly married, neither of them wanted to wait long before trying to have kids. He wanted at least three. Tessa said she wanted as many as they could fill the house with, maybe have both biological as well as foster kids.
He could get behind that plan.
“Tell them both we’ll be there soon. Has everybody else shown up?”
“Pretty much,” Tessa stopped talking for a second. “Gotta go, Beth’s labor pains are getting closer together. Get her as quick as you can, Rafe. You don’t want to miss your nephew’s birth, do you?”
“We’re on the way. Tell Beth she’s gotta wait until Momma and Dad get there.”
“I’ll tell her. Just hurry.”
Beth looked down at the tiny bundle lying on her chest, blond hair escaping from the cap on his head, and he yawned, his cupid’s bow mouth opening wide, like a little bird. She’d already counted all his fingers and toes, making sure he had a matching set of ten each. Brody couldn’t seem to stop smiling and touching his son.
“He’s perfect, honey. I can’t believe he’s really here.”
“Patrick Elijah Boudreau. You’re still okay with the name, right?” They’d spend days and days trying to find the perfect name, and finally decided to name the baby after Ms. Patti’s brother and Beth’s father.
“I love his name. Just like I love him. You know he’s going to be spoiled rotten, with all these aunts and uncles around.”
“Speaking of which, I think we’d better let your momma and dad in first, before the rest of the hoard descends. Oh, and Nica brought Jamie with her. They can come in after your folks.”
Brody leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I love you. I know things have been crazy lately, with planning the wedding, the reception, and the baby. I couldn’t be prouder of you than I am. You are amazing.”
“I love you too.”
Brody opened the door to the exam room and stepped out to get his parents. Beth leaned against the pillow, still kind of shocked that she’d had the baby in the emergency clinic and not in a hospital. Of course, the hospital would have been her second choice anyway. She’d planned to have her baby at home, unless there were complications. Everything had been planned, right down to her obstetrician coming to the house when it was time. Guess Patrick Elijah had a different timetable than hers.
“Beth, honey, are you doing okay?” Ms. Patti limped into the room and leaned over, glancing down at the baby. Douglas pulled the chair closer to the edge of the bed, and eased Ms. Patti down onto it.
“I should be asking you that. What happened?”
“Piffle. I sprained my ankle, that’s all.”
Douglas cleared his throat and stared at his wife, who sighed. “Fine. I went to look at a house, a new client. I climbed into this big outdoor shed and managed to slip and fall…” She glared at her husband, who had started chuckling, and Ms. Patti punched his arm. “It’s not that funny.”
