A Frightful Noel by Liz Bradford

Author:Liz Bradford
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781790971732
Publisher: Stand on the Rock Publishing
Published: 2018-12-12T05:00:00+00:00

Paige glanced up from the supply bag she had set up on a card table Zeke had supplied and caught Doug’s eye. He stepped into the room and squeezed her shoulder, but he kept walking towards the window. She wished he’d stayed next to her, and she wished she could fall into his arms. She bit her lip and refocused on the task at hand. She pulled out the Doppler and ultrasound gel.

Doug stood at the window looking out. A reminder that they weren’t actually safe. Would the shooters come back? She looked to the bed. What was it about this pregnant teenage girl had her being shot at?

Paige walked over to Selena and sat on the edge of the double bed. “How are you doing?” she tried to ask in a sweet voice, but it came out flat.

Selena half smiled at her and shrugged.

“Hang in there. You’re doing well. Let’s check the baby’s heart rate while you are between contractions.” Paige pulled down the sheet to reveal Selena’s round belly. She held up the tube of jelly. “This is going to be a little cold.”

Selena nodded.

In less than half a minute the Doppler found its mark. The precious thump, thump, thump rang out loud and strong. Paige counted the beats. Perfect. But her heart clenched at the sound, and tears stung her nose.

“Sounds great.” She forced a smile on her face. “Have you found out if it’s a boy or girl?”

“No.”

“Really? I’ve never understood how people could wait.”

Caleb came back in the room. “I talked to the hospital and the fire station. The roads are pretty much impassable now. Looks like we’re having this baby here tonight.”

Paige looked at Selena but couldn’t quite distinguish the look on her face. But Paige could tell Selena was scared. But why? The gunmen? The idea of delivering a baby? She had plenty of reasons.

Another contraction gripped Selena’s body. Paige jumped to her knees and moved closer to Selena. Paige rubbed Selena’s arm and pushed her hair back out of her face. “That’s it. Breathe.”

Paige sat back on her heels as the contraction faded. She wanted to connect more with Selena, so she could help her through the labor, but Paige was struggling.

“Have you thought of any names, boy or girl, for the baby?”

“No.”

“No? Why not?” She could hear the irritation in her own voice. What was her problem? Just because she felt that way didn’t mean she needed to take it out on the poor girl.

Tears brimmed in Selena’s eyes. “It’s not for me to decide.”

Paige opened her mouth to apologize.

“Paige?”

She shut her mouth and turned to look at Doug, who had walked away from the window.

He nodded towards the door and walked toward it.

She followed without question. They walked into the living room, all the Christmas decorations once again stabbing her in the heart.

“What?” she said without waiting for Doug to turn around.

Rebecca appeared beyond him. “There’s cocoa in the kitchen. You two should get some.”

Doug turned towards Paige. “That sounds like a great idea.

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