Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson

Author:Jeanne M. Dickson [Dickson, Jeanne M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781542045537
Publisher: Waterfall Press
Published: 2017-06-13T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Dutch stood and his knee locked. The pain momentarily paralyzed him.

“You need to get in the closet.”

“You think?” He dragged his leg along, biting down the burning torture of each step. His knee hurt more than his arm. Progress, he supposed.

Letting go of the curtain, she bit her bottom lip. “It’s probably about Kelly. It’s a wee soon for the baby, but they have a way of being born on their own schedules.”

Halpin knocked. Nan waved her hand at Dutch and whispered, “Don’t just gape at me. Go on with ya.”

“I’m moving as fast as I can,” he said. Every step brought a sharp stab to his leg, but he had no choice.

The knock at the door grew louder. “I’m coming,” Dutch heard her call as he closed the closet door behind him.

His heart threatened to explode out of his chest, and he gulped for air. He ran his hand up the wall until he found the panel that slid open. From this vantage point, he could see Halpin.

“Come in out of the rain, Sergeant Halpin.”

“Ah, Nan. I was about to give up on you.” Halpin’s wet raincoat glistened in the soft cabin light.

“Sorry. I was in the, you know.” She gestured toward the bathroom. “What’s wanting?”

“Kelly. It’s her time.”

“Ah, is it? Grand. A wee early, but not to be alarmed. I was just saying—”

“To whom?” he asked, peering around the room.

“My cat, of course. Babies have their own timetable. Wait in the car while I get my things.”

Dutch grinned. She was quick with the tongue.

After Halpin stepped back outside, she gathered her medical bag.

“It’s Kelly’s time,” she said out loud. “I probably won’t be back until morning. Be careful. Please eat and get some rest. Wait a few minutes before you come out. When the timer goes off, take the bread out of the oven. Oh. And there’s a box of clothes and things for you under the table, from the doctor.”

With that, she grabbed her coat and left.

He leaned his back against the cold stone, his hand touching his throbbing knee. It was hot, puffy. Doggone it. He’d done it again, injuring his knee. He had to get that car running and himself out of Nan’s life before their luck burned out.

And while she was gone, he was going to hunt for his gun. Ridiculous. How was he supposed to protect himself? He pressed the door open and sucked in clean air as he limped to the table by the door.

He reached under the table for the box and set it on top. This is better, he thought as he dug through the contents. There was a complete outfit, shoes even. Nice ones, lace-up Italian leather. Seemed more his size, not like Teddy’s tiny nightshirt.

Nan had been on the verge of telling him what had happened. Maybe later she would. But he wouldn’t push her, lest he send her deeper into her funk.

At the bottom of the box, he found a nine-by-twelve envelope.

Wow, he thought while opening it.

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