Lou looked at Kendrick, who narrowed his eyes and just seemed to stare at the young woman.
“Kendrick, drive and call the others on the way. Have them get things ready. I’ll call Ella,” Lou told his brother.
* * * *
Vye cried out as another set of contractions came just as they lay her on a bed.
“Holy shit. She could have died out there, and the baby, too,” some tall man said. There were five very large, serious-looking men in the room, and still no Aunt Ella.
“Please. Ella,” she said, panting for breath and trying to breathe. Lou, the one guy who comforted her since getting her into the truck, came over and held her hand, then caressed her forehead with a washcloth.
“She’s trying to get here, but I don’t think she’s going to make it in time. We’re going to have to deliver this baby, honey.”
“No. Oh, God, no, please, this can’t be happening. Haven’t I gone through enough? Goddamnit, I can’t take this bad luck anymore. I can’t.” She cried and then gasped as another contraction hit.
“Okay, I know this is a bad situation all around. You don’t know us and we don’t know you, but we’re soldiers, trained men in military abilities and some medical ones. We can handle this until Ella comes along and takes over and Doc arrives. He’s making his way through this torrential downpour. Trees are down and it’s a damn obstacle course. So, let’s work together. Introductions will help. I’m Tex,” the tall man with the dark black hair and huge, muscular body said, and she breathed through the pain and nodded.
“I’m Frankie,” the man with the black beard, a scowl on his face, and tattoos on his arms told her. He was scary. She swallowed hard.
“I’m Pierce,” the man with a very short, reddish brown crew cut and a beard said, looking dead serious. Maybe he was pissed that she’d invaded their home like this.
“And you know I’m Kendrick,” the flirty one with the blond, shoulder-length hair said.
“And I’m Lou. So, what’s your name?” Lou asked as he held her ankle and caressed it.
“Evonna, but my friends call me Vye,” she said and then gasped. “It’s coming. Oh, God. I feel it.”
“Okay, sweetie. I’m going to pull down these pants and get ready.”
“Oh, for crying out loud,” she said. Lou gave a small smile.
“Sweetie, we have to do this together,” Lou said firmly and she nodded and looked at the others standing there, looking intense, to say the least.
“Got everything sterilized? The scissors, the other things?”
“We’re ready, Lou,” Tex stated.
He pulled down her pants. She saw the expressions on Tex and Pierce’s faces. Kendrick knelt down by the bed and reached over and caressed her hair, then held her hand. “You got this,” he said to her.
“Okay, looks like the baby is ready, and a good thing. I can see the head, so it’s in the right position. Now, I want you to push when you feel that contraction.”
She didn’t know how long it went on. When she felt the pressure and saw Lou lower down as she grunted and pushed, she didn’t scream out, trying to be strong. Then she heard her baby cry and she cried, as well. All four men smiled wide, looking shocked and also amazed.
“You did it, honey. You got yourself a beautiful baby boy,” Lou said as Tex used the scissors to cut the umbilical cord. He then wiped down the baby and wrapped him up before Lou brought him over to her. He smiled wide, his dark eyes held hers.
“Here you are, Mamma. You did great,” he said.
They heard voices and Tex cleared his throat. “They’re here.”
“Oh my God. Oh, God.” An older woman who looked a lot like Aunt Gay came into the room.
“Doc Carter is on his way. Ford is here, too, but outside.”
She didn’t know who either man was, but Aunt Ella came over and smiled wide.
“Thank God you and the baby are okay. You made it, Vye. I’m going to protect you and the baby, and so are my men,” she said, and Vye nodded. She caught sight of the confused expressions on the men’s faces who’d delivered her baby, then stared at the miracle in her arms. A baby boy. She did it. He was here and what a hell of an entrance indeed.
* * * *
“We’ll get Vye and the baby moved as soon as we can. We appreciate all your help,” Scout, one of Ella’s husbands, said to Tex and his brothers. Ford was there, too, along with Sarge and Ray, Ella’s other husbands. Ella was in the bedroom with Vye and the baby.
“We were just glad that we were there or things could have turned out worse,” Kendrick said and looked back toward the bedroom with his hands in his pockets.
“It’s something else how you and Lou were there, and how Lou delivered the baby. Good stuff,” Ford said and smiled. The sound of the baby crying filtered from the bedroom.
“What is Doc Carter saying? Are the baby and Vye okay?” Pierce asked, sounding as concerned as Tex and the others felt. Lou was still in there with Vye and Ella. Just then, Doc Carter walked out of the room. He came over, looking a bit upset.
“She needs looking after. Ella explained a little, along with Vye. Her and the baby will be under your protection and care up at the farm, right?” Doc Carter asked Scout and his brothers.
“Yes, Doc, we got it covered. Got word days ago that Vye was heading out here. She took several busses, then rented a car in Tennessee and drove herself the rest of the way. She’s been traveling for days,” Sarge told them.
“She’s lucky she didn’t have an accident or pass out behind the wheel of that car along the way. She’s completely dehydrated, hasn’t been eating well, and darn lucky that the baby is okay.”
“What do you mean, hasn’t been eating well? She wants the baby, right?” Kendrick asked.
“Of course she does. That’s why she’s here. Well, I have an I.V. going with some fluids. Maybe we can cook up some food and make her something to eat. Anything you men have or can whip up?” Doc asked.
“Or I can head back to the farm and grab some things. Maybe Ford can give me a ride,” Scout suggested.
“We have stuff. Can go out to the barn and grab fresh eggs and things. Defrost some meat pretty quickly, too. We’ll take care of making something for her. We’re pretty hungry,” Tex said.
“She’ll only be in your hair for a day or two. She’s already worried about invading your home and doing this to you men. She’s a sweet young woman. Damn sweet,” Doc said and then turned around to talk to Sarge.
* * * *
“Just bring his mouth right over toward the nipple and he’ll go and suckle. We can re-adjust if need be,” Ella said, helping Vye feed the baby.
She covered her top so her breast wasn’t showing as Lou kept his back turned.
“She’s okay, Lou,” Ella said and smiled as Lou turned around to face them. Ella patted her top and then rechecked the I.V.
“They’ll get some food for you, Vye. It’s important that you eat. You’re safe here and don’t need to fret over the other stuff now. Trust me to take care of you.”
“Thank you. I didn’t mean to not eat well. I was just determined to put miles between me and everything and just get here. I felt the contractions days ago, so I knew time was limited.”
“What happened, that you wouldn’t stop at a hospital or even a hotel where Ella and her men could have come get you?” Lou asked.
She looked at him as the baby pulled from her breast. His eyes widened and Vye quickly pulled her top across.
“Here, I’ll burp him,” Ella said and took the little bundle into her arms and began to caress his back and burp the baby.
“I appreciate your help, Lou, and for delivering my baby. It was a hell of an introduction, but I won’t ever forget it,” Vye said to him.
“Why don’t I grab one of my men to care for this little guy while I help you get cleaned up? One of the men went back for your luggage and the car,” she said.
“I can take him, Ella.”
Ella widened her ey
es. “Lou McCann, seriously?”
He gave her a sideways expression. “Ella, you’ve known me since I was in diapers. You know my military background and medical experience. I delivered the baby. Don’t you think I know how to care for one?” he asked and stepped closer.
Ella watched as Lou took the baby into his arms, cuddled him close, and rocked him.
Ella looked at Vye. She had tears in her eyes.
“You don’t have to.”
“He’ll be fine, Vye. Lou is a Special Forces soldier, an American hero, and a man you can definitely trust your baby with,” Ella said. Lou winked and looked at Ella.
“I’ll take good care of him. Let Ella help you, and when you’re all set, I’ll bring him back in,” Lou said.
Ella couldn’t help but smile inside. What were the chances of Vye being rescued by Lou and Kendrick McCann? That Lou had to deliver her baby, and that all four men were deeply concerned? She exhaled and wondered what may or may not come of this. She supposed it was up to Vye, and just how badly her baby’s father broke her heart, and broke her down.
* * * *
Lou walked out of the bedroom carrying the baby. He was sound asleep, so tiny and fragile. A protective instinct came over him immediately after the child was born. He wanted to know who the father was. What had happened to make Vye take off and travel nonstop to get here to Salvation and Ella? Was her boyfriend abusive? Did he threaten to hurt Vye and the baby, or was he some loser that wanted nothing to do with Vye because she’d gotten pregnant? So many questions went through his mind. Vye was absolutely gorgeous. Young, too, and, Jesus, she had one hell of a body. He felt a bit like a dick for even thinking that, but how could he not? From the moment he’d laid eyes on her in that car, in distress, something had happened.
“Is she okay?” Pierce asked while cooking up eggs and bacon at the stove. Tex, Doc, Ford, Frank, Kendrick, and Ella’s men all looked at him. He rocked the baby in his arms.
“She’s doing good. Ella is helping her clean up,” Lou told them, and then took a seat at the table.
Kendrick glanced at the baby.
“It’s small. You sure it’s okay, Doc?” he asked, not wanting to come too close. Lou had to chuckle. Kendrick completely stayed away from babies.
“He’s fine. Vye is petite, and even so, that baby probably weighs about seven pounds, and is three weeks early.”
“Early? He’s really okay, arriving early?” Pierce asked while cooking.
“Just fine,” Doc said and looked at Lou holding the baby.
“Scout, what do you know about Vye’s situation? About the father of the baby and why she’s here?” Lou asked.
Sarge looked at his brothers and then exhaled before peaking toward the doorway.
“Got a call days ago from Ella’s cousin Gay. Vye is Gay’s niece. She got involved with this guy while she was in college. Don’t know much about him. Just that he was abusive. Beat her up pretty good while she was pregnant.”
Lou clenched his teeth and he saw his brother’s reactions by their facial expressions. They were pissed. No woman should ever get abused by a man, and definitely not a pregnant woman. That was the guy’s baby. What a fucking dick.
“I know, it’s terrible to think a man could be so cruel, but we all know of men like this. She was beaten up pretty good. He threatened to kill the baby. Pretty much wanted her to get rid of it. He cheated on her and knocked her around, anyway. Vye took off to her aunt’s place in New York. She was there for a couple of months, working like crazy to save money. Then one night her boyfriend and some thugs show up at Aunt Gay’s apartment. They rough her up. Demand to know where Vye was. She lied. Said she was never there. Gay called Ella, and basically Vye took off for here in hopes of safety and to put this asshole behind her. We’re prepared to protect her with what we got. Ford is on board. You all know the rules in Salvation. She’ll be protected here,” Scout said to them.
“She sure will be. In a few days, maybe we can get pictures of this guy and some information so my deputies and the men of Salvation are on guard and aware,” Ford said to Scout.
“Of course,” Scout stated.
They were all quiet.
“She’s a very attractive young woman. Very sweet, too. Someone will step in as a guardian or guardians in no time. Mark my words. I’d better go check on her one more time,” Doc said, and Kendrick walked out of the kitchen with him. That’s when they all heard Ella call out.
* * * *
Kendrick got to the door first and saw Ella by the bathroom. She was trying to hold Evonna upright, but it looked like Evonna had passed out. She wasn’t fully dressed. The robe gaped open, revealing some of her olive skin and one full breast.
Kendrick got to her, lifted her up into his arms, and carried her back to the bed. The others were by the door in no time as Doc checked her pulse.
“The poor thing is exhausted. Utterly, physically, and emotionally exhausted. She needs rest,” Doc said as Kendrick brought the covers up, tucking her in and making sure she was fully covered.
“She can stay here for as long as needed. No way she should be walking around, or even going in and out of the car. Plus, this weather is supposed to keep up like this, off and on, all week,” Kendrick said. Doc looked at him, squinting. Kendrick looked away and got up.
“I think she’s been through enough stress and she doesn’t need more. We’ll keep watch. When she wakes, we’ll feed her,” Kendrick said to him, then Doc looked toward the doorway at Sage smirking and Lou, Tex, Frankie, and Pierce looking shocked.
“More than likely she’ll have to wake up in an hour or so to feed the baby. Stay nearby. It’s important for both of them, Lou, men,” Doc said, then looked at Ella.
“Maybe come back here first thing in the morning and help her out some more. We can bring over other supplies for the baby, too. Looks like she packed some stuff. A package of newborn diapers, some baby clothes. We can get a bunch more from the neighbors near us. Their littlest one is now two,” Ella added and then caressed Vye’s cheek.
“I could stay, Kendrick. She’s my family, and this was dropped on y’all—”
“No, we’re good. Come back in the morning. We’re up by five anyway,” he said.
“I’ll pull the recliner closer to the bed and stay right here so Vye hears the baby when he awakes,” Lou told them.
Ella smiled. Kendrick had the weirdest sensation in his stomach. He almost felt jealous that Lou got to hold the baby and remain in here with Vye, yet, he never liked babies, nor was he the nurturing type. He feared getting a woman pregnant and having that burden and responsibility when he never knew where he was going to wind up or what could happen on a mission. Now, here he was having these feelings, and he didn’t even know this woman. He’d caught sight of her body, had watched his brother deliver her baby…and she had trouble attached to her. This was a bad combination of feelings and events. So why had he insisted she could stay?
He walked out of the room and the others followed. It was going to be a long night. Hell, a long few days as Evonna recovered before leaving their house.
* * * *
Pierce thought he was dreaming as the sound of an infant crying woke him. He must have just dozed off, because he was pretty damn wired. He got up off the couch and slowly walked toward the bedroom. He heard Lou talking to Evonna.
“I think if you eat something you’ll feel better, and drink, too. Both you and the baby need nourishment,” Lou told her firmly.
“I’m sorry. Where is Ella?” she asked, sounding exhausted and groggy as she tried sitting up.
“She’ll be back by five or so. It’s four o’clock now,” Pierce stated, coming into the room. She pulled the robe tighter.
“I’ll grab the food. You take care of the little one,” he said to her, then turned around and headed to the kitchen. He was heating up a plate of food when Frankie came into the room.
“Everything okay? How is she?”
“Exhausted. Hopefully she
eats something.”
“I’ll grab milk,” Frankie said and Pierce nodded his head. They walked back into the bedroom to find Evonna feeding the baby and trying to keep her breast covered. It was a beautiful sight, the many abilities a woman had.
“I know I keep apologizing, but I truly am sorry for imposing like this. I mean, I’ve invaded your home, this bed, and room. I’m sure I can get up enough strength to leave when Ella comes back,” she said to them.
“You don’t need to leave just yet. We’ll feel better knowing that you’re stronger and can walk on your own two feet and carry this baby with you. Now, food. You need it.” Pierce forked some eggs from the dish he held and brought it to her lips. Her cheeks flushed. He raised both eyebrows up at her and she squinted at him.
“Evonna, please, it’s important that you gain your strength back. It wasn’t too smart not eating and traveling without rest like you did. Now you’re here, and safe. Eat up. For the baby at least.” He softened his tone and she leaned closer, opened her mouth, and took a bite. He heard her stomach rumble.
“How long since you ate?” Frankie asked her, setting down the milk on the side table.
“What day is it?” she asked, and Pierce knew he was scowling. She looked down at the baby.
“We’ve been traveling and trying to get here quickly. I guess my determination was my only focus.” The baby suckled and made a humming noise. Her robe lowered slightly as he brought another forkful of eggs to her mouth. The woman was gorgeous, even exhausted after recently giving birth and passing out from dehydration.
Pierce brought another bite-full to her lips, then looked at the baby. “Out cold so quickly,” he whispered.
“Well, breast milk is warm, so it’s comforting and puts you to sleep. I guess that’s why parents warm milk for their kids before they go to sleep at night,” she said and eased his mouth from her breast and moved her robe back into place.
The American Soldier Collection 18: This Cradle Won't Fall (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 3
