by Wendy Smith
The man from the corridor steps in and scoops Julia into his arms as if she weighs nothing. She grimaces, and the pain of another contraction is clear on her face. She moans as he carries her out the door.
Following my new patient back out, I watch as a mattress is carried out of the building and placed in the van, and she’s gently laid on it. Without any hesitation, I hop in the back with her and sit on the floor. Ash gets in the front.
“How are we doing, Julia?”
She nods, fear in her face, tears in her eyes.
“It’ll take a while for the helicopter to get here, but I don’t want you to worry. You’re with me, and I’ll take care of you.”
I’m shaking, but I can’t let her know how scared I am. My career’s been on the line once before, but this time I’m in charge and I have full confidence in getting her to help in time.
It’s a fifteen-minute ride to the helicopter pad, and it’s at that point I think about my car. It’s still parked outside their main building, and I’ll have to face these people again to get it back.
We have to wait until help arrives, and I hold Julia’s hand tightly through her contractions. I’m timing them, but I don’t need a watch to know they’re speeding up. The sooner we’re out of here, the better.
When the helicopter arrives, the paramedics move her to a stretcher and into the helicopter.
“Hayley.”
I turn back to see Ash walking toward me.
“I’ll give you my number. Text me any updates on Julia, and let me know when you want to pick up your car. I’d follow but I think she’s in safe hands and I have others to look after.”
Bile’s in my throat because this man makes me uneasy, and yet if he’s the leader of these people I don’t have a choice but to be in contact with him.
I nod, and open my contacts. His much larger hand is on mine to grab it and enter the numbers.
He hands it back to me, and I turn toward the helicopter, the paramedic motioning me to get to it. There’s no time for anything else, and I run without looking back, stepping up and smiling at Julia. She’s pale, and I sit, buckling in before closing my eyes and giving a silent prayer that I’ve identified the issue in time.
If I haven’t, I don’t know if I can live with the consequences.
7
Hayley
“We can’t get into Tauranga. The hospital wants overflow going to Hamilton.” The helicopter pilot’s tone is calm, and we all need to be for Julia’s sake.
“Do we have a choice?” Julia squeezes my hand as I ask.
My stomach churns. I already know the answer.
“I’ve already laid a flight plan. It’ll take a little longer, but we’ll get right in.”
I raise my eyes to the roof. Delays could be dangerous, but if we land at a hospital that’s at capacity, there’ll most likely be delays anyway.
“Hayley?” Julia says quietly.
“We’ll get you there as fast as we can,” the pilot says.
Julia grimaces in pain and grips my hand tighter. How did things ever get this far?
“Can you take her hand for a second?” I ask the paramedic. He nods and I transfer Julia’s hand to his. Smiling at Julia, I cock my head. “He can handle the hard squeeze better. I just need to check in with someone in Hamilton to see if they’re working.”
She nods and takes a deep breath. I’ve managed to keep her calm, which is half the battle, but the pain seems to be intensifying.
I pull my phone out of my bag and text Drew.
Are you working? I’m incoming on a rescue helicopter with a transverse.
Taking a deep breath, I look back at my patient. She’s in conversation with the paramedic. He’s keeping her talking, and the distraction hopefully helps.
I’m here, princess. See you soon.
Drew’s waiting as the helicopter lands, and a feeling of relief washes over me that it’s him working tonight. Not that I think he’s necessarily a better doctor than the others here, but I know how he works, and I know my patient’s in good hands.
“Hayley,” he says as I draw close. “How is she going?”
“The baby’s transverse, as I said. I’ve got my notes, and—”
“I’ll take those.” A hospital midwife steps forward, and I hand her what I’ve got. “This doesn’t seem like a lot.”
“I don’t think she’s had any pre-natal care. She lives in a very sheltered community.”
The midwife grimaces.
“Let’s get her inside and I’ll assess her,” Drew says as Julia’s carried past. “I’ll decide where to go from there.”
I nod, and we all follow my patient as she’s taken inside. Drew reaches for my hand as we walk, and he squeezes. It doesn’t help my shaking. He runs his thumb across my knuckles, and as we step into the elevator, he pulls me into him. It’s subtle enough that not everyone notices, but the midwife who took my notes does and raises an eyebrow.
“Hayley?” Julia speaks, and I shuffle toward her. She reaches for my other hand. “Is my baby going to be okay?”
I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “I’ve got the best of the best on the case. Doctor Campbell will do whatever it takes.”
She nods. “I’m scared.”
“Of course you are. But we’re in the right place now.”
“Do you think Ash is mad I left? He doesn’t like us leaving.”
All of the eyes in the elevator are on me, and Drew lets go of my hand and places his on my back.
“I think if you’re pregnant, you need proper maternity care, so Ash has to take some responsibility for that. I’m not saying that the ladies in your community aren’t competent, but they’re not medical professionals.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“So am I.”
“I’m glad you told him what could happen. Even if it was scary.”
That’s what’s still leaving me trembling. I doubt it’s often that anyone stands up to Ash Harris. At least in his community.
“What was that?” Drew murmurs.
“Later.”
I turn back to Julia. “That’s what a midwife’s for, Julia. Not just caring for you and your child, but to be your advocate when you need one. Maybe you weren’t my patient, but I’ll fight for you to get the help you need.”
The elevator arrives, and she’s wheeled out to the exam room. Drew checks her and the baby over quickly and gently. It’s hard not to watch as he does it; he’s the consummate professional and it makes my heart flutter more than ever. It would be so easy to fall in love with him.
“We need to get this baby out, so let’s get you in for an emergency C-section.”
Julia’s eyes widen. “Is that really necessary? I thought maybe when we got here …”
“This baby’s not going to turn now, and you’re both at risk if we wait any longer.”
She nods and looks at me. “What do you think?”
“I think you should do what Doctor Campbell says. Told you, best of the best.”
She shifts her gaze to him. “Whatever it takes.”
At this point, I’m here to hold Julia’s hand.
Drew and his team work quickly. As much as you want to avoid a client having a caesarean, the doctors have it down to a fine art.
It’s clear the nurses like working with Drew. He never skips a beat, being cheerful and making all of us smile.
He’s so good at what he does.
Julia cries as Drew shows her the baby, and I squeeze her hand as he’s laid on her chest. Tears run down her cheeks, and I realise that I’m her support. I’ve been so pre-occupied in getting her here, I never stopped to think. Is Ash the father? Who in that community will be her support?
“He’s beautiful. What are you going to call him?”
She looks at the curtain between us and Drew. “What’s that doctor’s name?”
“Doctor Campbell?”
“His first name.”
I smile. “Drew.”
“I’ll name him Andrew.”
I bite down on my lower lip and nod.
“Do you think Ash will like the name?”
With anyone else I’d think that would be an indicator that he’s the father, but then again, he seems to have that weird hold on his group. I shrug. “It’s a beautiful name.”
Drew’s stitching her up, and the baby distracts her. It’s a beautiful sight to see a new mother and her baby, and relief floods through me that I got her here, and that they’re both safe and sound.
That’s all that matters.
Julia’s taken to a ward, and I take a big breath for the first time in what feels like forever. My nerves have been raw for hours, and finally it’s over.
After we get cleaned up, Drew wraps his arms around me from behind, and I close my eyes, bathing in that feeling of security.
“You did good tonight,” he whispers. “That mother and baby are still alive because you acted so quickly.”
I’m still shaking, and I know it. I’ve been on a knife’s edge ever since I drove in the gates of that compound.
“Are they both going to be okay?”
“Better than okay. Do you want to see them tucked up in the ward?”
I nod.
“Are you coming home to stay with me for the night? It’s a bit late to think about heading back.”
“I’d like that,” I murmur.
“Good. There’s nothing more I want than to hold you. At least until the shaking stops.”
“You noticed.”
“There’s very little I don’t notice about you.”
I open my eyes and spot one of the hospital midwives over his shoulder, her eyebrows arched as she watches us. If I wasn’t so exhausted, I might act a bit more possessively, but I’m the one Drew has his arms around. I have faith that I’m the only woman in his life.
He kisses my ear and loosens his grip. “How about we go and get this visit over with so I can take you home to bed?”
I turn and look into his eyes. This man just got my patient through a situation that could have killed her, and I’m so glad he’s mine. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything. For being the one who was here for me and my patient. For knowing exactly what I need.”
His blue eyes sparkle, a small smile on his face. “It’s what I’m here for. All of it. I’m glad I was here for you and your patient, and I’m also glad I get to be a little selfish and get you to myself, for tonight at least.”
I lick my lips. “I’m looking forward to seeing your place.”
His smile spreads. “I can’t wait to show you. Especially my nice, new, big bed.”
“How big?”
Drew plants a gentle kiss on my lips. “Huge. The bathtub is also massive.”
“I think I might need a soak.”
His eyebrows twitch. “Sounds like a great idea to me. Let’s go see your lady and get out of here. The sooner you’re in the bath, the better.”
I waggle my eyebrows. “That’s what I think too.”
“Come on.”
Julia gives me a tired smile as I enter the room.
“I won’t stay long. I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.”
She shoots a glance at the plastic crib next to the bed. “We’ll both be fine. I think I need a good sleep.”
“Good luck with that.” I grin. I lean over the crib to see the chubby-cheeked, dark-haired boy with his eyes closed, at least for the moment.
“He’ll be good. I know it.”
“So, you’re stuck in here for a few days at least before you’ll be allowed home. Do you want me to bring you up anything in the morning? Magazines? Food?”
Her smile widens. “Something to read would be good. Have you let Ash know we’re okay?”
“Not yet, but I’ll text him when I leave here.”
She winces as she pushes herself into a seated position “He needs to know.”
“It’s okay. I’ll let him know. Catch a breath. You need to take care of yourself and this one now.”
Her shoulders slump, and she nods.
“You’ll be in hospital for a few days, and then we’ll need to work out how to get you home again. No more emergency helicopter rides.”
She laughs, and then grimaces. “I might have enjoyed it if I wasn’t in so much pain.”
I pat her hand. “I’ll leave you to it. See you in the morning.”
Before we leave the hospital, I shoot a text to Ash.
Julia and her baby are safe. She had a boy.
After sending another to Margaret to let her know what happened, I drop my phone in my bag.
What a night.
“What’s with this Ash guy?” Drew asks in the car.
“You know he’s the one who runs that group on the mountain?”
He nods.
“That place is creepy, but I’m glad I went. They just had her labouring away, and there would never have been a happy ending to that.”
Drew frowns. “When we were kids, the people up there seemed friendly enough when you saw them in the street. Whole thing seems really cultish.”
“Yeah, which is what’s making me nervous about going back. But this can’t happen again, Drew. Something needs to happen in that place to let women like Julia get the help they need without the dash to the hospital for an emergency C-section.”
He turns the corner and nods toward a large, cream-coloured house. “That’s where we’re going. And for what it’s worth, I agree. Maternity care is probably just one thing they’re lacking in there. Makes you wonder what else is going on. As much as they might need help, I don’t know if I want you going back.”
I shiver. “I don’t really want to. What I want to do now is to have a night with you and forget about going back just for a little while.”
Drew grins as he pulls into the driveway and stops the car. “That can be arranged.”
Drew’s house is impressive. He’s got a ton of space for someone who lives alone, and I swear his living room is the same size as my little cottage. I take a step and my feet sink into some of the softest carpet I’ve ever felt.
“This is your place? It’s even bigger than I imagined from the photos.”
He laughs. “It’s perfect.” I close my eyes as he wraps his arms around my waist. “There’s way too much space for me, but it’s comfortable, and now I get to bring you home. For the night, at least. Although, if you stay for two, I can take you home.”
“I’ll stay for a couple of nights, then. I’ve at least got my bag if I need anything. I sent her a text, but I need to call Margaret to update her.”
“Stay as long as you want. I’m famished. How about I cook something and then we’ll take a bath together?” Drew plants a kiss on my neck.
As if on cue, my stomach grumbles, and I look at him and shrug helplessly. “I guess I didn’t realise how hungry I was.”
“Bacon and eggs? That’s what I feel like.”
I nod.
“I’ll go rustle up some dinner. You go and lie on the couch. I’ll wake you to eat if you fall asleep.”
“I think after all that I’m too wired to sleep. What I need is food.”
“Then food you shall have.”
I flop on the couch and watch as he heads into the kitchen. This place is all open-plan, so I can watch him cook while I relax. I’m tired, and I close my eyes for just a moment.
“Am I that boring?”
Drew stands over me, a dinner plate and cutlery in each hand. I smile and sit up.
“I was just resting my eyes.”
“I’d let you sleep, but for the fact that I think you need food and the bed’s much more comfortable.” He sits beside me and hands me a plate. My stomach grumbles at the sight of bacon and scrambled eggs on toast.
“I think I could inhale this. It looks so good.”
He grins. “I like cooking. I’ve always done it for myself.”
I take a bite of scrambled
egg. It’s so soft, it melts in my mouth. “You can cook for me any time.”
We eat quickly, and my hungry stomach is soothed by the food. It just leaves me wanting sleep.
Drew takes my plate from me and places it with his on the coffee table.
“Come here,” he says.
I let him envelope me in his embrace. Being with him after the endless nights of texting and calling is wonderful. Maybe I found my way to Drew tonight due to someone else’s unfortunate circumstance, but being here is a benefit I intend to make the most of.
“Is this weird?” he asks.
“What do you mean?”
“We’ve been texting up a storm and getting to know each other. This is still so new, but I feel like I know you so well.”
“That’s how I feel,” I whisper. Snuggling into his chest is just so easy.
“I really want to make a go of this, Hayley.”
I sit up straight and nod. “So do I, but the long-distance thing scares me.”
“Well, I don’t much like it either, but I want to try.”
“It’s just that I’ve seen how much damage distance can do to a relationship.”
“Do you not trust me?” His eyes are pained, and my stomach churns.
“It’s not that.”
“I’m not Owen.”
I don’t have to know his brother Owen to know his reputation. “No, you’re not. I’ve seen more than enough of Owen and what a player he is. Thankfully I’ve only ever had to attend one birth of …” I stop. My tired mouth has run away on me, and I pray to God that Drew hasn’t picked up on it.
Of course he has.
“One birth of? What? What’s the rest of that sentence?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. I’m just tired and talking too much. Can we go to bed?”
“We’re having a bath first, which you get once you tell me what’s behind that. Something to do with Owen?”
Running my fingers through my hair, I shake my head again. “I already opened my mouth to probably the worst person I could have.”
“I won’t tell anyone. Oh, and the worst person you could have told was my mother. She’d probably find some way to use it to screw up Owen’s life.”
I grimace. “She’s that bad?”
