Page 53 of The Maverick

Nick nodded and rolled Rachel into the waiting room to sit while he filled out the paperwork. About fifteen minutes later, he’d finished with the paperwork and returned it to the nurse.

“Okay, Mr. Kincaid, I have a room ready for your wife. Follow me, please.”

She led the way through the double doors into the emergency department and showed them to a room that was basically a bed with all sorts of equipment, a recliner, and two uncomfortable looking chairs.

“You can wait with your wife. The doctor will be here soon.” She pulled the curtain closed.

“How are you, sweetheart?” Nick picked up her hand and squeezed it.

“I’m fine. I think this baby will be here sooner rather than later. I hope they don’t keep me long. I want to be with our other children, and I want them to meet their new sibling.”

“I know, but I want you to stay as long as they want you to.” Nick kissed the hand he held. “When you return home, you won’t get much rest. Neither will I, so let’s take our time and get as much rest as you can. They’ve got a nice recliner here to sleep in so I can be close to you and the baby.”

“The other kids won’t be able to come and stay. They will be able to visit and that will have to do. But I don’t want them to feel abandoned.”

“I’ll go home every day to shower and change. I’ll spend time with them then and I’ll make sure Bailey and Jake get to come and see him...or her...at least a couple of times while you’re here. Wyatt is too young and will probably throw a fit. I’ll have to bring them while he’s taking his nap. But the longest they will likely keep you here is three days. I still think you should let me hire someone to help you.”

“No.” She held her stomach as she laid in the bed. “Our mothers did just fine without anyone to help them. Besides, as soon as they hear the baby has been born, they’ll both be on the next plane. And they’ll both want to stay until we all go home together. I’ll have more than enough help.”

He sighed. “You’re right. I just worry about you. What is the point of having money if I can’t make your life easier? I should have had an agency send someone to babysit Wyatt, but the older two need to learn responsibility.”

She laughed. “You make my life very easy. I don’t have to cook or clean house. Since I’m on leave from my clinic, all I’ll have to do is care for our children—all four of them. How do you think your mother did it with six when she had no help? She still had to keep house and cook and take care of the children. Your father worked seven days a week running the ranch. I’m sure he was exhausted when he came in every day, and I’m sure your mother took care of him, too.

“And my mother was a single mother with four children. She didn’t have help, and we turned out just fine.” A big contraction caused her to grimace and grab her belly. “Ahh, oww. I need to get up and walk. I can’t just lie in bed.”

“Okay, let me help you. We need to get you into the hospital gown on the bed.” He pointed at the printed gown. “Let’s get you out of these clothes.”

“I appreciate that. First, help me out of this bed.”

He lowered the rails and eased her off the bed.

She didn’t know why the rails were always so high when the staff weren’t working on the patient. She supposed it was so the patient didn’t fall out.

Nick helped her to sit up.

She put her legs over the side of the bed and scooted to the edge. Her feet dangled in the air as she huffed and puffed from the exertion.

He lifted her into his arms and then set her on the floor.

Rachel wore a maternity dress with a scooped neckline.

Nick grabbed the hem and pulled it up and over her head.

She removed the rest of her clothes, set them on the mattress, and donned the ugly gown. The hospital had tried to make it festive with a Hawaiian print, but the garment was still ugly. Once she was dressed again, she began to pace. The path was difficult in the small room but with Nick on the other side of the bed, she managed to take a few steps each way.

Finally, a doctor entered. He was young, in his thirties, with short brown hair and nice, cornflower-blue eyes. “Hello, Mrs. Kincaid. I’m Dr. Strauss. I want to check you before you go to your room. I know you’ll be more comfortable there.”

“Hello, Doctor Strauss, you can call me Rachel, please.

Nick helped Rachel back onto the bed. He turned toward the doctor and I’m Nick.”

The two shook hands.

Then the doctor shook Rachel’s hand, too.

The doctor pulled a sheet from a drawer and covered her legs. Then he snapped on nitrile gloves.

She bent her knees for him.