by Jordan Ford
Ana’s still laughing but the sound is cut short as she wraps her arms around his neck and they start making out.
I leave them to it and head outside, leaning against the railing and scanning the area for Jules.
I hear slow footsteps and turn toward them, disappointed when it’s Riley who appears. The expression on his face is grim. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Why?”
“Just been reading the news.” His blue gaze swirls gray.
Shit, we’re in trouble. “What is it?”
“Jerk-face woke up from his coma.” Riley leans against the railing. “He’s remembered stuff.”
My nostrils flare. Fuck! I thought no news was good news. “But it’s been so long.”
“I know,” he mutters. His smile is sympathetic, which somehow makes it worse.
“What does he remember?”
Riley works his jaw to the side. I want to smash my hand over his tapping finger. It’s a nervous tick that’s doing my head in.
“The article says he’s talking to the police, but he’s indicated that he was assaulted by a tall, Caucasian man with black hair. He says you tried to kill him.”
I squeeze my eyes shut.
“They’re bringing in a sketch artist.”
“Shit! Did the article actually say that?”
Riley shakes his head. “No, but that’s what they’ll do.”
I grip the railing to hold myself up, wondering how the hell I’m going to tell Jules this stuff. “Do you think it’ll go nationwide?”
“I’m not sure, but it’s a really shitty time to be leaving the mountain. With this guy talking, trying to identify you, the investigation’s going to flare up all over again. They may want to question the couple Jules wants to give this baby to.”
I scowl at his pointed look. “What the fuck are we supposed to do? I can’t exactly tell the baby it’s not convenient to be born right now.”
Riley’s snicker is hard and humorless. “You’re not leaving for a couple of weeks yet. I guess I’m just worried. It’s hard not to overreact to this kind of thing.” Riley slaps me on the shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “We’ve had time on our side. Hopefully Rybeck’s moved on. Hopefully it won’t make national news. He may be accusing you of murder, but you didn’t kill him. It’s assault and battery. Still bad but not… you know, as bad.” The way his voice peters off is hardly comforting.
“That shithead will lie through his teeth to hide what he’s responsible for. No one’s ever going to know that I was doing it to save my girlfriend!”
Riley glances over his shoulder at the cabin. “I know you don’t want to, but we probably need to tell Jules what’s going on. If it ends up being too risky to hand the baby over to these people, we’re going to need a plan B.”
I frown and shake my head, hating the idea. It’s hard enough for Jules to give away the baby. This will throw her even more. Another stupid complication in this never-ending mess.
She’s gonna cry. Big fat tears that will break my heart.
Scratching my forehead, I glance at the barn. “Ana said she’s not here. I don’t know where she’s gone.”
“She mentioned something about golden currants.” Riley frowns and looks at his watch. “She’s not back yet?”
His soft murmur and the hitch of concern in his tone make my body ping straight. “When did she leave?”
“Nearly two hours ago.”
“Two hours?” I jerk to look at him.
Riley’s forehead wrinkles then his eyes snap to mine. “She left through the barn, which means she’s probably taken the eastern track.”
“I’m gonna head that way.” I start down the stairs before I’ve even finished talking.
“I’ll check the south side, in case she decided to loop around.”
“Got it. Thanks, man,” I call over my shoulder.
I don’t know why I’m so worried. I mean, maybe she’s taking her time to walk back. Now that her belly’s so big, she’s slowed down a lot.
I try to calm myself with simple logic but something’s making me uneasy, a tug in my gut that’s pulling me along at a fast clip, making me break into a run.
“Jules!” The chickens squawk and scuttle around in the pen as I close the gate behind them. “Julienne!”
My loud shout makes the hens crazy but I don’t care.
Jogging down the track, I head into the woods.
“Julienne!” I silence the birds with my urgent shout. “Where are you, babe?”
The quiet is unsettling, and I have to fight a panic that wants to sizzle through me. The trees are so dense here. The fading daylight casts ominous shadows around me. The trees somehow seem taller, like they’re growing and closing in at the same time.
All the dangers this forest has to offer start rearing their ugly heads.
What if she’s been mauled by a bear? Jumped on by a mountain lion?
What if she slipped and fell?
The thought of her hurt, alone, crying…dying…
It’s horrifying.
I can’t lose her.
“Jules! Come on, baby! Where are you?”
A faint cry reaches me. At first I don’t recognize what it is.
But then my heart jumps into my throat.
Jules.
Crying.
In pain.
I break into a sprint, veering off the path and begging for a few more cries. I don’t want her hurting but I need to find her fast.
“Jules!” I shout again.
“Kade.” My name sounds more like a sob than a call.
“I’m coming!” Jumping over fallen logs and slippery roots, I crash through the forest.
Jules cries again, a groan of agony that feels like a punch to the chest.
God, please let her be okay. Please let me find her.
#35:
Panic Stations
Julienne
The contractions are coming on pretty hard and fast, intensifying with each step. I’ve gotten completely lost and turned around in my struggle to walk, breathe, not panic, and find the path.
I can’t handle it.
About twenty minutes ago, I gave up, slumped onto my butt and bawled like a baby.
But now Kade’s coming.
The forest doesn’t seem quite so dim and ominous now that I can hear his boots crashing through the undergrowth.
The ache in my back is constant, becoming unbearable whenever a new contraction hits. I can feel one brewing again.
“No,” I whine and start to cry as it builds and blinds, clamping my body like an iron vice.
“Jules.” Kade jumps over the log I’m leaning on and drops to his knees beside me. His face is white with fear. His eyes are vibrant as he scans my body, lightly brushing my banged-up legs.
“Ahhhh!” I tip my head back as the height of the pain grips. I hold my belly, crying out until the tension slowly subsides.
“What can I do? What’s happening?” His voice is punchy with panic. “Did you fall? Where does it hurt?”
“The baby,” I manage to murmur.
“The baby?”
I whimper. “It’s coming.”
“Oh shit,” he breathes. “It’s happening now?”
I nod. “Mh-hm.”
“But it’s not due yet!”
“Tell that to the baby,” I cry, gripping his arm and squeezing. “It hurts.”
Kade’s expression crumples with sympathy. “I know. It’s okay. It’s gonna be okay.” Brushing the sweaty hair off my forehead, he kisses my skin, then lifts me into his arms. I cling to him, moaning when he hitches me up. “Sorry,” he murmurs before quickly walking us out of the trees and onto the path.
It’s slow going and Kade’s a puffing, sweaty mess by the time we reach the cabin. I’ve had about four contractions in that time. Kade’s carried me through them all, telling me to breathe and that the pain will go away soon.
His voice keeps me steady as I ride out the painful waves,
but it doesn’t take away that low-lying panic, and we both don’t say what’s terrifying us.
I’m having a baby.
It’s coming. With no hospital. No doctors.
Just a wood cabin and five clueless teenagers.
“Hang in there, babe.” Kade rushes around the barn, calling for help the second we’re in sight of the cabin.
Trey’s the first to rush out. Before Kade has even reached the stairs, Trey’s run down and is taking me out of Kade’s tired arms.
“What’s going on?” Ana follows Trey inside.
“Baby,” I manage to squeak.
“Shit,” Trey mutters, rushing into the cabin and making a beeline for my room. Kicking the bedroom door open, he carries me inside and lays me down on the pillows. He looks across the bed at Ana. “What do we do?”
Kade brushes past Ana and kneels on the bed beside me. He smooths the hair off my face as another contraction hits. Gripping his hand, I squeeze hard and cry out, no doubt scaring Trey.
He stands back from the bed, sharing an agonized look with Kade.
“What do we do?” Ana glances between Trey and Kade.
“Hospital?” Trey asks.
“I don’t think there’s time.” Kade shakes his head.
“Well, she can’t have it here.” Ana points at the bed.
Kade scowls. “She’s gonna have to!”
“But—” Ana gapes. “How?”
“You’re a girl! You tell us!” Frustration is getting the better of him.
“Oh, so just because I have a vagina means I automatically know what to do? I’m eighteen! It’s not like I’ve delivered a baby before!”
“We’ll figure it out.” Trey squeezes her shoulder. “We can do this.” He starts pushing up his sleeves. “How hard can it be, right?”
Ana slaps his arm. “Are you out of your mind? We don’t know shit!”
“It doesn’t matter!” Kade shouts. “We just have to figure it out! What do they do in movies? Rip up sheets or boil water or something.”
“I hate to break it to you, but this isn’t the movies!” Ana plants her hands on her hips. “Our only choice is to drive her to that birthing center thing. Now let’s get in the car and go.”
“We don’t have time, Ana! Are you stupid?”
“Don’t yell at her like that, man.” Trey points at Kade, who starts to rise from the bed, his nostrils flaring.
Soon everyone is yelling at the same time, all shouting in these sharp panic-laced voices that are doing my head in.
Covering my ears, I feel another contraction building and can’t hold it in.
“WOULD YOU SHUT UP AND GET OUT!”
My scream is met with stunned silence. Everyone gapes at me like I’ve sprouted horns and a tail. It would have been comical if the vise around my waist wasn’t so damn tight and painful.
I lean forward, dip my head and burst into tears.
#36:
Strangers in the Cabin
Kade
Watching Jules in pain is like having my heart cut out with a butter knife and then shoved through a blender.
I’m not sure how much more I can take. The fear in this room is thick and suffocating. We don’t know what to do, and none of us seem levelheaded enough to figure it out.
Then Riley walks in.
He stands in the doorway, quickly assesses everything and works out the crisis in his usual, silent way.
“I’m going into town.” He spins out the door.
“What? Get back here!” Trey barks. Riley huffs back into view while Trey keeps ranting. “What the hell is wrong with you? You can’t just take off. We need help.”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to get.” Riley glances at Jules, giving her a sweet smile before looking at me. “Caitlin’s stepmom used to be a nurse. She’ll have a better idea what to do than we will. I can be back in under an hour.”
“What?” Trey snaps.
“You’re just gonna bring a stranger up here?” Ana’s skin drains of color. “What if they talk?”
“We can trust her.”
Trey’s eyes narrow. “How do you know?”
“Because I trust Caitlin.”
“That doesn’t mean we can trust her parents, especially a stepmother,” Trey spits.
Riley huffs and points to the bed. “What choice do we have? I don’t know how to deliver a baby. Do any of you?”
Jules starts to whimper, her face bunching as another contraction builds. I hold her hand while she squeezes my knuckles together. It kind of hurts, but like hell I’m letting it show. Whatever’s happening to her body is way worse than a bruised hand.
“Let him go,” I growl. “He’s right. We need help. We’ll deal with the second shit storm after this one’s over.”
Ana looks pained but nods, especially when Jules lets out another agonized cry.
“Just breathe, babe.” I rub her back. “The pain will be over soon.”
“Until the next one starts,” she moans, her voice growing in volume as the contraction intensifies. “I’ve changed my mind.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
I brush the tears off her cheek and try to smile when she lies back down on the pillow, red-faced and exhausted. “It’s too late now, sweetie. This is happening. You’re gonna survive it, and then you’ll have a beautiful baby.”
My throat constricts as her chin trembles. “Not if I give it away.”
I’m not sure if the agony on her face is from heartache or physical pain. Either way, it kills me. All I want is for Jules to be happy, and I can’t make that happen right now.
Unless…
The thought is fleeting, terrifying, unimaginable.
But it’s a thought.
It’s a solution.
A scary-ass solution.
Leaning forward, I press my quivering lips against my girlfriend’s forehead and keep the thought to myself. I’m sure the overwhelming sense of inadequacy trying to drown me will help the idea pass before I’m stupid enough to voice it.
*****
Riley’s hour feels like fifty. I’ve lost count of how many contractions Jules has had. Ana told me to time how far apart they are.
I gave her an odd look and she muttered, “I saw it on Grey’s Anatomy once. Just do it! Maybe it’ll be helpful.”
We do what she says. Trey paces the room, his eyes glued to his watch while Ana writes down the intervals from when Jules starts groaning to when she eases back onto her pillow, and how far in between each torture session.
I hate watching her like this.
“How much longer?” I look over my shoulder, willing Riley to appear.
Jules gasps, struggling forward as a new wave of pain takes her. “It’s coming,” she whimpers. “The baby’s coming. I can feel it. I want to push.”
“Shit, shit, shit. Hold on,” I beg, panic rising in me like bubbling lava.
“It’s okay. Uh…” Trey looks around the room, then across to Ana.
“I’ll get fresh towels, you know in case it…” She flicks her fingers at the bed. “Babies need to be wrapped when they’re born, right?”
She rushes out the door before we can respond, and then I hear the sound of a rumbling engine. It’s the best song I’ve ever heard.
“The car.” Trey bounds out the door while I rub Julienne’s back.
“Help’s on the way, babe. It’s nearly over.”
She looks at me and sniffs. “You’re too good, you know that? Most guys would have turned their backs on me but…” Her smile is weak and watery. “You’re still here.”
“Yep, you’re stuck with me.”
“I don’t mind so much.” The tears in her eyes spill over as we press our foreheads together.
“She’s in here.” Riley’s voice reaches down the hallway, pulling us apart.
All of a sudden five extra bodies are jammed into the room. I glance from Riley to the blonde beside him. The top of her head is in line with his nose.
She’s pretty with long, straight hair, a round face, and blue eyes.
Pushing past her is a tall, lean woman with wavy dark hair. Her eyes are an intense brown color…or maybe it’s the way she’s looking at me with a dark severity that makes me want to shrink away.
Her eyes dart to Jules. I want to lean forward and protect my girl, but the second the woman’s eyes touch Julienne’s they crinkle at the corners with a sympathetic smile.
“I’m Tia, and I hear you’re about to have a baby.”
Jules nods and whimpers.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she touches Julienne’s leg. “When did you last see a doctor?”
“I…” She shakes her head and looks at me.
“Mid-April. She had an ultrasound,” I answer.
“How far along were you?”
“About nineteen or twenty weeks, I think.” Jules’ voice is small and uncertain.
“Right.” Tia nods, obviously calculating in her head. “Thirty-seven weeks. A little early but not detrimental. You’ll need to get the baby checked out.”
I share a worried frown with Riley and Trey.
No one says anything, but the tension in the air is thick enough to slice with a blade.
Tia clears her throat. “We can talk about that later. For now, I think it’s important you know that I’ve never delivered a baby before but I used to be a nurse…plus, I’ve given birth to twins. I feel confident that we can handle this together. So, I’m gonna wash my hands and then send these guys out so I can have a proper look at what’s going on down there.”
Turning to the crowd in the doorway, her sympathetic smile is replaced with that sharp, disapproving glare again.
“Caitlin, I need a bowl of warm water and a clean washcloth. And a sheet to cover the bed would be good. Make it an old one that you don’t mind throwing out later.”
“Sure, Tia.” Caitlin nods, her cheeks flushing with color. I can taste her guilt, and I wouldn’t be an idiot to assume that a snappy argument no doubt took place in the car while Caitlin confessed to knowing all about a pregnant teenager being up in the cabin with Riley.
The group files out of the room to do Tia’s bidding. I shuffle a little closer to Jules on the bed. I have to be honest, I’m not that keen on seeing what’s about to happen, but like hell I’m leaving Jules with a perfect stranger.
