Page 129 of Falling Together

I end the call and pick up my backpack. “Georgia’s in labor. We need to go.”

“What about our bags?” Luke asks.

“We’ll come back for them later.”

The two of us dart out of the airport and run to the taxi line. Thank God this town is big enough to have one. My truck is still at the house, but I don’t care. I need to get to the hospital.

Finding the first cab, Luke and I pile inside. “Pinecrest Memorial Hospital.”

“Is she okay?” Luke asks.

“I don’t know. We’ll find out soon.” I pat his knee. “She’s in good hands right now.”

“The baby isn’t supposed to be here until January,” he states.

“I know. Babies can come early. You were early.”

“I was?” he asks.

“Yup. Nothing to worry about.”

Maybe if I can convince him of that, then I’ll be able to convince myself. I’m sure Georgia is panicking right now. If I hadn’t left, I would be the one taking her to the hospital and she might be calm.

Doubtful. There is nothing calm about having a baby.

I just hope she doesn’t kick me out when she sees me.

The roads aren’t busy as we breeze through the main drag of town, heading to the hospital on the far side. When the building finally comes into view, I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thanks, man.”

I throw a couple of bills at him, giving him far too much for the drive, but I don’t care. I’m running after Luke as we enter the main lobby of the hospital.

“Which floor?” he asks.

“Two.”

I stab the up button for the elevator, hoping it comes quickly. When the car doors open, we bolt inside and press the two.

“I’ll go see Georgia, and then I’ll let you know how she’s doing, okay?” I tell Luke.

“Okay. Can I get some money to get a snack from the vending machine?”

I fish out a few smaller bills and hand them over. “Sure. It might be awhile, so you can always get something delivered too if you want. I don’t want you eating only junk food.”

He shakes his head as the doors open and he goes toward the waiting area and I go the other way, counting the rooms until I find Georgia.

Now that I’m here, I’m nervous. What if she doesn’t want to see me? What if she takes one look at me and kicks me out?

There really isn’t much time to talk, considering her focus is on having the baby—as it should be—but I don’t want her to hate me on sight.

I take a deep breath and push the door open. Five sets of eyes stare back at me.

Georgia, all of her friends, and a nurse.

“Grant? What are you doing here?” Georgia asks.

Wisps of hair cling to her sweaty forehead, but she’s never looked more beautiful. “Sam called and told me you were in labor.”