by Ciana Stone
Molly turned and backtracked. "Thank you." She handed Reese the flashlight. "Under the kitchen sink on the right, there's cleaner and paper towels and trash bags."
"Okay, sit," Reese ordered and looked at Kaylee. "You make sure she minds."
"I will." Kaylee stopped from trying to re-situate the board game to take Molly's hand. "Come on, mama, you sit down and be still."
"Yes, ma'am."
Reese found what she needed and hurried back to the family room. She'd just finished cleaning up and was tying up the trash bag when Naomie entered the room. "Can you get a couple of those bags to put on the sofa, Reese? And a blanket?"
"Blankets?" Reese looked at Molly.
"Hall closet."
"Thanks." Reese hurried to dispose of the trash bag in her hand, put away the cleaning supplies and get what Naomie requested.
Mercy was waiting at the sofa when Reese returned and helped Reese cover the cushions with the trash bags and then top it with a blanket.
"Elisi?" Molly asked quietly. "How's she doing?"
Mercy cut a look at Kaylee before answering. "How are your feet? Is the swelling better today? Let me check."
Reese got what was happening. Mercy went over and whispered to Molly, then gestured to Reese. "You look like you have strong hands."
"What can I do?"
"Do you know how to give a foot massage?"
"I sure do." Reese sat down on the ottoman and put Molly's feet in her lap. Mercy leaned down and spoke softly. "I think the baby may be in breach."
Even someone unschooled like Reese knew that was bad news. "What do we do?"
"We need to get her to the hospital."
It took Reese all of two seconds to decide. "Get her ready. I'll take her. Molly, can I take Wiley's SUV? It's big and heavy and higher off the road which might come in handy if there's flooding."
"Of course. The key fob is in the bowl on the counter in the kitchen closest to the door." She grabbed Reese's hand as Reese started to move. "Are you sure about this? The storm—"
"We have to get her there, and I'm the logical choice."
"Why?"
"I just am." She stood and went to the kitchen to fetch the keys. By the time she returned, Naomie and Mercy were supporting Trina into the room.
"Reese is going to take you to the hospital," Mercy announced.
"No." Trina immediately argued.
"Stop it," Naomie said sharply and when Trina looked at her, continued. "I mean it. Stop assigning evil to her. She's not evil. If you can't believe what I say, then use those skills people say you have and look inside me. I know Reese better than almost anyone so take a look. Mercy let go of her. I have her."
When Mercy released her, Naomie grabbed Trina's hand and slammed it against her own chest. "Go ahead. Do it but do it now. Your child needs help."
Trina looked into Naomie's eyes, and Naomie felt a curious sensation in her head. She saw Trina's eyes widen and then tears flow. Trina nodded and looked at Reese. "Thank you."
"You can thank me when we get there. Naomie, help me get her to the car?"
"You want me to go with?"
Reese looked at Molly and Kaylee and shook her head. "No. We'll be fine. Just help me get her to the car. There's a breezeway to the garage, but we'll still get drenched the way the wind is blowing."
It took them a bit of time to accomplish the task, but once Trina was safely in the back seat, Reese sent Naomie to the house, used the manual release and raised the garage door. Hoping that she wasn't making a huge mistake, she got into the car and backed down the driveway.
Thanks to the growth spurt the town experienced several years ago, there was now a small but well-equipped hospital north of town. All Reese had to do was make it about five miles. That was all. Just five miles.
With rain driving straight into the windshield, debris flying and banging into the car, water already flooding some streets and the constant crack of thunder and blinding flashes of lighting, it took nearly twenty minutes to travel three miles. Twice she had to turn around and drive around the block to get back on the right street because of fallen trees.
She was a block from Linc's house when a clap of thunder happened almost simultaneously to lightning that flashed no more than feet over the SUV. Trina screamed at the explosion, and Reese slammed on brakes as a huge tree crashed across the road, pinning them in the branches and foliage.
Shit. She tried to open her door. No luck. Nor would the passenger door open. "What're we going to do?" Trina asked.
Reese climbed into the back seat. "Yes!" She felt like crying with relief when the back-passenger door opened. She could see a path out from under the tree.
"Come on." She got out, braced herself against the wind and held out her hands to Trina. "Linc's place is only a block. We can walk there, and he'll take us."
"I can't." Trina scooted away from Reese.
"You have to." Reese crawled back into the SUV. "Listen to me. Mercy said your baby is breach, so you need to get to the hospital. I know you want to protect your child and this is the only way."
"We could get killed out there."
"Yeah, but at least we tried. And I'll help you. I promise. We have to try."
Trina nodded. "Okay, okay, let's do it."
Any idea that it would be easy evaporated from Reese's mind before they'd made it thirty feet. The wind was blowing at near gale force, and Trina simply couldn’t make any headway, even with Reese's arm around her, lending support.
Reese started to panic. It was only a block, she had to figure a way. But what? To hell with it. "Hang onto me. I'm going to carry you."
"You can't."
"I can. Now turn and put your arm around my neck and when I get you in my arms, hold on for dear life."
With a groan, she lifted Trina into her arms and plowed forward, one lurching step at a time. Time lost meaning, all that existed was the roar of the wind, the crash of thunder and the pounding of her own heart as she struggled forward.
When someone appeared in front of her, she nearly screamed, then felt weak when Linc took Trina in his arms. "We have to get her to the hospital," Reese yelled.
"Follow me."
Reese followed him to his truck and opened the door for him. He put Trina inside, and Reese climbed in after her. Linc ran around and got in behind the wheel.
"I can't believe you saw us," Reese said.
"I couldn't believe what I saw when I looked out to see if the road was flooding and saw you."
Despite trees in the road, flooding and gusts that felt like they would blow the truck off the road, they made it to the emergency entrance. Linc carried Trina in as Reese ran ahead, screaming for help.
It took only seconds for the personnel to have Trina on a gurney, headed for surgery. She screamed and held out her hands. "Reese! Reese!
Reese ran over to her and grabbed her hands. "Please let me be with her," she pleaded with the medical personnel.
"Fine, let's go," the doctor acquiesced.
"Get in touch with Deacon and Wiley," Reese yelled. "And her husband."
"On it," Linc assured her.
"Thank you," Trina said and squeezed Reese's hand.
"No thanks necessary. Ready to meet your baby?"
"I am."
"Then let's do it, little mama."
Trina smiled and squeezed Reese's hand tighter, and Reese thought how odd it was that she'd end up witnessing the birth of the child of a woman who, until now, had a major case of dislike for her.
Life was just full of surprises.
*****
She'd never been a person given to crying, but the sight of Trina holding her newborn son was enough to make tears stream down her face. Reese would always remember that. She would never forget this moment.
Now, it was morning, the storm had finally passed, and a nurse had just brought the baby to Trina. After she'd nursed the baby, she called to Reese. "Reese. Come here."
Reese left her spot, leaning against th
e window sill and walked over to the bed. Trina patted it. "Sit."
When Reese did, Trina offered her the baby. "Want to hold him?"
Reese did but was uncertain. "I've never held a baby."
"There's a first time for everything. And he needs to meet you. You saved his life. And mine."
"It's Linc you should—"
"No, it's you. Here, I'll show you."
Reese had never imagined it would feel so marvelous to hold a child in her arms, but that's exactly how it felt. "Oh my," she murmured without thinking and heard Trina chuckle.
"It's amazing. You're a mother."
"I know, I keep thinking I should pinch myself."
"Your family will be so excited. I bet they're all on their way." Reese couldn't keep her eyes off the baby.
"They are, but I'm glad we have a little time before they get here. I want to thank you."
"You don't have to—"
"Yes, I do. Reese look at me."
When Reese did, she saw tears streaming down Trina's face. Trina reached out and put her hand on Reese's leg. This time the sensation Reese felt didn't make her uncomfortable.
"When you carried me, I saw it all. I know you, Katya."
Her first reaction was to tense, but that quickly faded. It was time to stop running from her past. She'd done nothing but survive the best she could and wasn't going to be ashamed of that.
"I can't imagine how strong you have to be to survive all you have and still be able to laugh and love and care so passionately about the world around you." Trina said. "I was very wrong about you, and I'm sorry. And since I know so much about you, I think it's only fair I share. I can't say it all now, but I have a secret I've carried and will carry my whole life. I love my Dad—Deacon. He wasn't with me when I was growing up and life pretty much sucked because of it, but he loved me, and I love him. Wiley was there more than Dad and became my hero until my parents divorced and my mom drove him away. But he's more than just my Uncle. He's my biological father, so while he may never know, my son will have two grandfathers."
"Thank you for sharing that with me. I'll guard your secret like it's my own."
"I know. Just like I know that Mathias is lucky to have someone as special as you in love with him."
"I—I'm not—"
"It's okay, you don't have to say it. Maybe you're not ready for that, but if you are, then I think you're both lucky. He's an amazing person."
"Yes, he is. And I'm starting to think you are, too. Oh, huh ooh, that's not a happy face. Here you go, back to mama." She handed the baby to Trina who cooed and nuzzled him.
Just then the door opened. A man walked in and stopped, his eyes glued on Trina and the baby. When Trina smiled at him, Reese was sure she'd never seen anything so beautiful. She got up and moved away from the bed as the man rushed over.
He kissed Trina and put his hand gently on the baby's head. "Say hello to your son, Brody."
"My son?"
She nodded, and he laughed, kissed her again and then took the baby. "Our son." He looked at the door where Deacon, Wiley, Mathias and Mica were waiting. "We have a son."
Everyone came in to get a look at the baby. Reese moved back to her place at the window and watched. Wiley walked over to her. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, Grandpa."
He looked so surprised that she added. "Don't worry. It's our secret."
"Hey, did you hear that?" Deacon asked.
"What?" Wiley asked.
"They picked the baby's name."
"Wiley?" Wiley asked.
"Not even," Deacon snorted.
Brody walked over to where Wiley and Reese stood. "John, after my best friend John Mathias Gray House, and Reese after the woman who saved his life. John Reese Judge."
Reese was stunned. "Are you serious?"
"I owe you everything, Reese. You risked your life to save my wife and child, and I can never repay the debt."
"Linc deserves credit for getting us here when the tree fell on Wiley's car. And sorry about that, Wiley."
"It's just a car, kiddo. Cars can be replaced. People can't."
"Trina told me when I talked to her this morning. You carried her. In the middle of a storm, you carried her. And you saved her. We've asked Mathias to be his godfather. We'd be honored if you would be his godmother."
"Really?"
"Really."
"I would be so honored. Thank you."
"Thank you." Brody hugged her and then looked around. "Damn, we're need to have a party."
Everyone started talking and laughing and making a fuss over the baby. Mathias made his way to Reese. "You're pretty amazing, you know that?"
"No, I don't, but it was amazing watching him come into the world, seeing him take that first breath and oh my god, Mathias, seeing him with his mama the first time."
"Like I said, amazing. You want to go get some breakfast?"
"I'd love to. Just let me say goodbye?"
"Sure."
She hugged Trina, kissed the baby and wished everyone a good day, then she and Mathias left. When she walked outside, Reese took a deep breath.
"John Mathias, eh?"
"Yeah.
"Good name."
"Thanks. So, what do you want for breakfast?"
"You."
"Yeah?"
"Absolutely. Everything's different now. I'm ready."
"For?"
"To kick my career into the garbage, save the bees, eliminate hunger and enjoy being with a man who makes me feel like happiness isn't just a concept."
"Then let's go home."
"I thought you'd never ask. Lead the way."
"You just want to watch me walk," he teased.
Reese laughed. "Ain't that the truth?"
Chapter Twelve
"Are you ready for this?"
Reese looked up from where she sat on the sofa in Lily Matthews private office, with Mathias, to see Wiley standing in the doorway with Naomie. "Ready as I can be."
"I have to ask you again," Naomie spoke up. "Are you sure you want to—pardon, need to do it this way? We don't have to make this public. A few words to the right people would work just as—"
"No." Reese interrupted and stood. "I know you're trying to save me from myself, but this time I'm asking you not to. I want it this way."
"You'll never be asked to participate in—"
"I know. I know, Naomie and it's okay."
"Is it?"
Reese looked at Mathias, who'd risen and stood beside her. "It is." She smiled at him and then turned her attention back to Naomie and Wiley. "What we can accomplish with our breeding program can be significant. Particularly with Mr. Walker's help. He's agreed to set up programs on his farms in Florida, the Carolinas, and other places as well. And thanks to you we'll continue with our work on the drones."
"But no one will trust they will work after today."
"Which is exactly what we want."
"Fine. You're the boss, and I'm only here to do what you want to be done."
"I know, and I love you for it. So, what do you all say?"
"I say we get it done," Wiley answered.
"Okay then." Reese paused to give Mathias a kiss then looked at Lily, who stood beside her desk. "Thank you for allowing us to do this here."
"I'm happy to help."
"I'm ready." Reese joined Wiley to leave the room.
The reception area was not packed, but there were more than a handful of people. Reese cut a glance behind her to see Naomie and Mathias standing just inside the room, near the door to Lily's office.
Wiley held up his hands, and the room quieted. "Thank you all for joining. I'm not going to take up any of your time except to introduce you to the woman you've come to see and hear, Dr. Reese Quinn.
Reese took a breath and launched into the speech she'd prepared. To her relief, Naomie spoke up on cue, interrupting her. "I'm sorry, I have to interrupt."
She walked over beside Reese. "I'm Dr. Naomie Taylor, and I was r
esponsible for the robotic aspect of Dr. Quinn's ReSynthBee, and as much as I hate doing this, I must, in good conscious, reveal that the prototype failed to meet the goals of the project."
"That's not true!" Reese looked around the room. Sure enough, people were looking at her with suspicion evident in their expressions.
"But it is." Naomie pulled an iPad from her shoulder bag and after tapping on it for a second, turned it so that everyone could view the screen. "As you can clearly see by the video, the programming failed. The robotic bee can achieve flight and can land but the programming to direct it to perform specific functions is flawed and will require more time—possibly years to perfect. The point is, it doesn't work and won't for a long time, if ever."
The flurry of questions that ensued had Reese, and Naomie caught in the same web, fending off questions they didn't want to answer and flat out lying to others. When, at last it was over, and the press was gone, Reese noticed that Lily's door was almost closed and there was no sign of Lily. She dismissed that and looked at Naomie.
"Thank you."
"I just hope they believe it."
"Oh, I don't think there's much doubt about that." The voice from the direction of Lily's office had everyone looking. Russell Walker stepped into the room with Lily. "You've got gumption, Reese and I commend that. Not many people are willing to throw away their reputations for what they believe is right. Nor do they seem to be able to find someone to out them."
He looked at Naomie who shrugged. "What are friends for?"
"You know that could come back to bite you in the ass, and then your work and degree in the field are just as worthless."
Naomie smiled. "That's okay, I have spares."
"Spares?" Russell smiled. "Well, I can't say I've ever heard that, but if you're not concerned then neither am I." He looked at Reese. "I've decided to buy a facility in the next county, near one of the divisions of Heritage. I think it will be easier to—"
Lily's scream had everyone jerking to look in her direction. Two men in ski masks with guns came in from her office. One had his arm around her neck.
"We'll take the prototype." The man not holding Lily spoke up.
"It's not here," Reese said.
