Man of Honor, A

by Tina Leonard

  something good is happening. Just for a few days, please. "

  He understood her fear, but he wanted her to have the best medical care possible. As it was, they might only be able to make it to a small town. The odds of their making it to any place like San Antonio were probably remote. He shook his head. Helping her toward the truck, he said, "Breathe deeply. I won't let anything happen to you or the baby. And we'll work on the relaxation thing when we get past the birth."

  He could tell she didn't like it but wasn't going to argue with him. His heart sank. She was really afraid of what lay back in Texas for them. She had good reason to worry, he knew, but he didn't have any choice. They couldn't hide out forever.

  He helped her into the truck and wished he had a place for her to stretch out fully. She moaned softly, clutching her abdomen, and fear pressed into his heart. "Put your head in my lap and lie on your back with your knees up. Maybe that will help."

  She did, her eyes closed. He stroked one hand through her hair as he drove.

  "It's going to be okay," he murmured to calm her.

  He prayed that he was right.

  It was exactly five hours Grimes had been sitting, almost too afraid to get anything to eat or take a leak in case he should miss the red pickup and its fugitive occupants. He'd just about decided they'd given him the slip for good when it went flashing by him, travelling faster than the law preferred.

  Border excursion. High speed. Something was up. Best he cover all the bases. He started the engine and hit the accelerator.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Tessa breathed through the series of contractions, closing her eyes tightly and forcing herself to relax. The wave passed, leaving her grateful for the respite. The air conditioner blew cold air on her, for which she was thankful.

  "Are you all right?" Cord asked.

  "Yes. I just don't feel much like talking."

  "That's fine. We're about thirty minutes from a hospital."

  She sighed, focusing on her abdomen. Her fingers lay around her stomach protectively.

  "At this point, I just want my baby born healthy."

  "I want you both coming through this with flying colors and a gold star on your chart. Try to sleep." They didn't speak again until Cord found the hospital.

  "Here we are. Are you ready for this?"

  "It's too late now," she said, forcing lightness into her tone. "If I'm not ready now, I'm out of luck."

  He helped her from the truck, his hand against her back. "I'll be with you every step of the way."

  "Oh, no." Shaking her head, she said, "I couldn't bear for you to be with me, Cord. I mean, thank you for being so, so caring, but..." Not wanting to hurt his feelings, she looked into his eyes, which were wide with worry. "I'm probably going to make a lot of noise, and maybe a mess, and I'd rather my brand-new husband not witness that."

  He helped her inside.

  "Why don't we see how it goes. If you don't want me, I'll leave. Deal?"

  "At the risk of being cruel, I don't want you."

  Grinning, he went to the nurses' desk.

  "You may need me to get you a glass of water."

  "There are nurses for that," Tessa said, her tone edgy.

  "My wife is having a baby," he told the nurse at the emergency-room check-in.

  "You'll have to go through to labor and delivery. That way."

  "Can you make it?" he asked Tessa.

  "Of course!" she snapped. "I'm not helpless, Cord."

  The nurse nodded at him.

  "She sounds like she's in real labor."

  "What other kind is there?"

  Tessa groaned.

  "False labor."

  "My water broke," Tessa said between her teeth. "I'm pretty sure that precludes a dry run."

  The nurse smiled.

  "You'd better get her on down the hall. She may want something for the pain. "

  "That's the first sensible thing she's said," Tessa muttered under her breath. She was conscious of Cord guiding her down the corridor, and for once, she was glad to let herself be guided.

  "My wife's having a baby," he told another group of nurses.

  "Take her into that room so someone can check her over. You, sir, fill out this paperwork."

  "Okay," Cord said.

  Tessa could hear the reluctance in his tone. "It's all right," she said.

  "Cord Greer and Tessa Draper," a voice boomed from behind them. Tessa whirled. Sheriff Grimes grinned at her, the cat having cornered the mouse and now intending to play with it.

  "We were being followed," she said to Cord. "Why did you follow us?" Tessa demanded, holding her stomach as if to shield the baby from evil.

  "I need to talk with you folks. We've got a few things left to clear up."

  "Mrs. Greer, if you'll come on in here, we can see how far you're dilated."

  Tessa shrugged off the nurse's hand. No way did she intend to have this miserable sheriff waiting outside her door like a jailer, a magnet for all bad karma. This delivery was between her and her baby, so whatever the sheriff wanted, she was going to get it over with now.

  "What do you want?"

  He leaned against the counter. "First, you can tell me what was in Mexico."

  "Enchiladas and rice," she snapped.

  "Tessa," Cord murmured. "Let me answer the questions. You go have your baby in peace." He moved to her side. "Can't this wait?"

  "No," Tessa stated. "Get it over with. Get it done so I can go on with my life without you

  hanging around like a buzzard waiting for remains."

  "Touchy, isn't she?" the sheriff said to Cord.

  "Holding her own, I'd say. Did you have something specific on your mind?"

  "Want to ask you about your brother." Grimes nodded at Cord. "Was he why you went to Mexico?"

  Tessa breathed through another mind-stealing contraction before reminding herself to stay calm. The entire reason they'd gone to Mexico was because of the slimy sheriff. Now he was here asking questions anyway. It was her worst nightmare. But she had to face it.

  "We didn't see Hunt. We don't know where he is. We've told you that before. Why it's of interest to you to know every detail of our day of sight-seeing, I don't know, but we got married, Sheriff. That's the whole story. You followed us for nothing. There's no scurvy details, no top-secret reason. I'm sorry you've wasted Crookseye Canyon's tax money on two people who are just trying to live their lives." The pain was making her brave and she welcomed it, needing it to survive this confrontation.

  He looked at Cord, who shrugged.

  "Can't say it any plainer than she did. You wasted a trip."

  "Not really." The sheriff eyed Tessa thoughtfully. "Caught the two men who were staking out your property."

  Tessa's eyes widened as she and Cord met each other's gaze. Disbelief was etched on both their faces - and wary hope.

  "I don't believe you." Tessa stared Grimes down with self-righteous disgust. "I don't believe you could catch a headless mouse. You haven't done anything to deserve your badge in years."

  "Careful, Ms. Draper. Mrs. Greer, rather," he said, in sneering deference to her claim that she and Cord had married. "I am an officer of the law to be respected."

  "Not when you're out of your jurisdiction and you accost a pregnant woman on the way to deliver a baby."

  "How do we know you apprehended the right men and not some scapegoats?" Cord demanded. "You were trying to make us the fall guys for the colonel's death. You

  didn't believe us then. Why should we believe you now?"

  The sheriff shrugged.

  "They followed you from your wife's mother's house to the border. The only thing that kept them from crossing the border and catching you was the kidnapped trooper they had in the trunk."

  "Oh, my God," Tessa murmured. Another contraction hit her, taking her breath, making her want to bend over and scream, but she stood her ground, shaking. She wanted to hear every word this man had to say. "Cord, we were in danger and we did
n't even know it."

  "We knew it." He took her hand in his, fortifying her as he stroked her back with his other hand. "We just haven't known who the good guys were. So, Sheriff, have you come to tell us you're one of the good guys now?"

  Grimes gave them an ugly look, obviously resenting their disrespectful attitude.

  "I still think you lied to me. You're just too slick to get caught."

  Cord pinned him with an uncaring stare. "We feel the same about you."

  The sheriff hesitated. "Guess we know where we all stand. May I say congratulations on the wedding? And the impending arrival? Your brother must be so proud," he said silkily. "Growing a new branch on the family tree."

  "A branch that's going to grow up learning the difference between right and wrong," Cord stated. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have matters to attend to."

  "Certainly. See you in Crookseye. You are returning, aren't you?"

  "Of course." Tessa speared him with disgust.

  "I'll be sure to stop by and see the doting grandma."

  "Leave her alone," Tessa commanded. "There are no bones for you to dig up. Surely you have something better to do than harass a hardworking woman whose life is tough enough

  without you making it worse."

  He tipped his hat to her. "I remember when you used to be such a shy girl. It's a shame you've gotten so hard."

  "I remember when you used to be an honest man. It's a shame you've gotten so crooked," she flung back.

  Glaring at her, he left the room. Cord patted her on the back.

  "I'm proud of you."

  She shook her head, biting her lip against the pain swelling in her abdomen.

  "I don't think this baby can wait any longer."

  "Come on," the nurse said, taking her arm. "Let's get you examined. Goodness, that was some excitement, wasn't it?"

  "Not really." Tessa held back a moan as she was helped into a birthing bed. She smiled as Cord took her hand in his.

  "You have to leave now. You've had your quota of drama for the day."

  She ground her teeth, closing her eyes as the nurse examined her efficiently.

  "She's at seven," the nurse informed them chirpily. "We have time for an epidural."

  "She sounds so happy about having a needle stuck in my back," Tessa commented.

  Cord squeezed her hand. "It'll make you feel better."

  "Maybe." She warded off another spasm of pain, gasping with the intensity. He rubbed her back and she tried to focus only on the comfort. When the pain passed, she lay back against the pillow, smiling at him weakly.

  "You really don't want to see me like this."

  "I want to be part of the whole process."

  "I heard you say you'd been to Mexico," the cheery nurse butted in as she sat Tessa up, readying her for the anesthetist. "It's an old wives' tale, but supposedly if a woman is really close to delivery, eating Mexican food can help bring on the birth. It only works if she's really, really ready, though."

  Cord let Tessa lean against him, her face against his chest, as the anesthetist worked on her.

  "Maybe I shouldn't have made love to you," he whispered in her ear. "That might have been more potent than the Mexican food and stirred things up."

  She wanted to shoot back an appropriate comment, but the anesthetist commanded, "Don't move. This is the important part."

  Tessa promised herself she would make Cord pay for his teasing remark later. Right now, she just wanted to lie down and let the medication do its work.

  "You're in big trouble with me," she said, closing her eyes as her back was taped. "That bit of machismo is going to cost you."

  He rubbed her shoulders. "I remember when you used to be shy," he told her, mimicking the sheriff.

  She could feel his grin, if not see it.

  "You're much too happy about this whole thing."

  "I'm ready to see my son."

  "Daughter."

  She kept her forehead against the buttons of his shirt, glad for the strength of his broad chest.

  "Truthfully, I wouldn't mind having a daughter who looked just like her mother. We can teach her how to ride, rope, barrel race"

  The nurse said, "You can lie back now," so Tessa collapsed against the pillow, looking at Cord with some disgruntlement. "It's time for you to make yourself scarce. I want to enjoy the epidural for a minute."

  "Why don't you go get some ice chips, Dad?" the nurse hinted. "Your wife would like that."

  "Ice chips," Cord repeated. "Okay. I'll go get Mrs. Greer some ice chips." He left the room, a big grin on his face.

  "Is he always this happy," the nurse asked, "or is he afflicted with new-father delirium?"

  Tessa hadn't seen Cord this carefree, not in a long time. He never teased her, not since she'd returned from Spain and they'd been worried about Hunt. But it hadn't always been that way. She thought about the picture on his dresser - her, Cord and Hunt, all grinning at the camera as if they had all their lives ahead of them and expected the future to be bright and shiny. They were young and free and believed it to be so. But she had changed, and Hunt had changed, and Cord had changed.

  "I'm not sure," she told the nurse, closing her eyes."I don't know him very well. "

  Cord came back with ice, feeding some chips to Tessa in between her breaths.

  "Things seem to be moving at a nice pace," their birthing nurse told him. Her name was Anita Gray, and he couldn't think of a last name less suited to such a cheery being.

  "How much longer?" He watched the waves on the monitor with great fascination.

  "Maybe a couple of hours. Depends on what the baby wants to do." She stood beside Tessa's bed.

  "How do you feel?"

  "Fine. Ready." Tessa's eyes met his. "Very ready."

  He was, too. Eager to move their relationship forward, start their lives together. He was proud of the way Tessa had stood up to the sheriff, proud of the way she was handling the delivery.

  "You're doing fine," he told her.

  "It's not hard to just lie here."

  From what he could see on the monitor, it didn't look like she was simply lying around.

  "Can you rest?"

  "No. I'm too excited."

  He smiled, pulling a chair next to the bed so he could hold her hand in his.

  "I'm pretty excited myself."

  She rolled her head to look at him.

  "Cord, thank you for being here. Thank you for... standing in. You make a great labor coach."

  "I want to be here. I told you I did." He squeezed her fingers. "I'm amazed that you've grown a real person inside you. I can't wait to hold the baby."

  She closed her eyes, opening them to stare into his eyes. "I don't think you'll have to wait much longer. " The fingers that had been relaxed suddenly clenched his.

  "Look at that," Nurse Gray said, looking at the paper coming out of the monitor that graphed Tessa's contractions. "Let's check you again." She made a brief examination to check Tessa's dilation.

  "I'm going to call the doctor."

  Tessa met his gaze, her face shining despite the pain.

  "It's happening."

  He smiled, smoothing a hand over her stomach.

  "Boy."

  "Girl."

  They smiled at each other. Cord thought it was possible he had never been so happy. Before he could fully register what was happening, what seemed like an army of people filled the room. Lights went on, and the bed was pulled into two sections. He tried to stay out of the way, unnoticed. His heart beat rapidly in his chest. A nurse stood on either side of Tessa, instructing her to push and praising her when she could. His stomach knotted tensely as he hung there helpless and uncertain. What if something went wrong?

  Closing his eyes, he prayed that Tessa would be fine and that the baby would be fine. He needed both of them. He wanted both of them.

  Giving up his brother was something he'd understood; he'd been willing to make the sacrifice because it had been important to Hunt.
/>   But Tessa and the baby were important to Cord. He prayed harder than he ever had in his life. A nurse asked him if he was okay, and he nodded, stunned. Waiting.

  It seemed to Cord that hours passed before a cry rent through the quiet, efficient sounds of the medical team. The baby's yell was lusty and furious. He smiled, thinking that had to be a good sign. They put the baby on Tessa's stomach for a few moments, letting her bond with her baby.

  Then the newborn was whisked off for measuring, cleaning, weighing.

  His throat tightened as he watched the doctor finish taking care of Tessa. Cord moved to her side, wanting to do something but not knowing what.

  "Everything's fine," he whispered. "You did it."

  Her smile was weak as she looked up at him, her face so pale against the pillowcase.

  "We did it."

  "I didn't do anything except stand over there scared out of my boots."

  "It takes courage to watch someone in pain," Tessa told him. "One of the nurses told me she was afraid you'd have to go sit in the waiting room. They were monitoring you for fainting."

  "No way." He drew himself up tall. "I wasn't remotely close to fainting. I know what's involved with birthing." He didn't want Tessa to know how weak-kneed he'd become. Her frantic pants, her moans of pain, had sorely tested his ability to remain upright. He'd stayed in his boots by telling himself that with what she was going through, the least he could do was be there for her.

  "What is it?" he asked numbly, realizing someone had told him but he hadn't retained it.

  That brought a big smile to her face.

  "A boy, Cord. Just like you predicted."

  At that moment, a nurse offered him a bundle wrapped in flannel. "Would you like to hold your son?"

  "Yes." He hurried to take the baby in his arms, astonished by the squirming little creature he held against his chest.

  "I can't decide," Nurse Gray said as she glanced between mother and father. "I can see some of both your features, but neither one very strongly. Of course, he's brand-new so it's always hard to tell, but usually I see more mother or father. With him, I just don't know. But he sure is a muscular little baby. He's going to keep you both plenty busy."