On Shadow Beach (27 page)

The door opened and one of the nurses popped in. “Everything all right, Mrs. Lynch? Can I get you anything?”

“No, I’m fine. I’ll probably spend the afternoon here.” She’d brought along her needlework. She knew her mother’s friends were making a quilt for the baby, but she’d wanted to make something special as well, something to be passed down from mother to daughter.

The nurse smiled and pulled the door shut. Kara moved a chair closer to Colin’s bed and sat down,
feeling weary. She picked up Colin’s left hand and played with the gold wedding band on his finger. The nurse had taken it off during his initial surgeries, but Kara had put it back on, wanting to keep that bond between them. It had gotten loose in the past few weeks. She was afraid if he got any thinner it would fall off, and she couldn’t bear the thought of that. It would be another symbol that she was fighting a losing battle. But she
couldn’t
give up.

She rubbed her abdomen; her muscles felt tight and crampy. A tiny foot kicked against her rib cage. “It’s okay, baby. I know you’re getting impatient, but we have to wait for your daddy.”

Her body felt so warm compared to Colin’s hand. She rubbed his fingers, trying to increase his circulation. He got physical therapy three times a week. Had anyone been in today? She got up to check with the nurse, and suddenly she felt a swoosh of fluid between her legs, followed by a sharp abdominal pain.

She gasped, realizing that her water had just broken.

“No,” she said in shock, putting her hand to her abdomen. She sank back down on her chair, feeling panicked. She couldn’t go into labor now; she wasn’t ready. But the water on the floor told her it was too late.

Drawing in several deep breaths of air, she gathered her strength. Okay, if this was it—this was it. She scooted her chair up against the bed and grabbed Colin’s hand again, squeezing his fingers tightly.
“You have to wake up,” she said forcefully. “It’s time. I’m going into labor. Our baby is coming.”

He didn’t respond, not even the tiniest flicker of his eyelid. She stood and pressed his hand to her belly. If he felt the baby, somewhere in his mind he would know that he had to wake up. The childbirth instructor had told her that first labors could last hours, and she wasn’t leaving until he opened his eyes. He’d be there to see their baby come into the world. She wasn’t going to do it without him.

Shane brought his fishing charter back at four o’clock, the large waves having sent one burly ex-football player heaving over the side. It wasn’t much of a storm yet, but too big for a pleasure trip. He was relieved, actually. His mind was on Lauren, and for the first time in a long time he’d been eager to get back on land.

He’d spent most of the day thinking about what she’d said to him, how she couldn’t give her heart to a man who couldn’t be completely honest with her. He didn’t blame her. He’d wanted to tell her the truth for years, and maybe it was time to do just that.

The idea had been brewing in his mind for a while. Before he could talk to Lauren, though, he had to see Kara. She was the most vulnerable member of his family right now. He needed to feel her out, to see if she could handle what might follow.

He parked his motorcycle at the Bayview Care
Center and entered the long-term-care facility. A couple of elderly people sat in wheelchairs in the lobby, one watching television, the other staring into space. While the room was decorated in warm, happy colors, there was no disguising the medicinal smells or the scent of sickness. How could Kara stand to come here every day?

The fact that Colin was even here was a crime. He was in the prime of his life. He had a wife and a baby on the way. He shouldn’t be lying in a bed, with no purpose or joy to his existence.

After getting off the elevator, Shane walked down to the end of the quiet corridor. Colin’s door was closed, so he gave a short knock, then pushed it open.

Kara sat next to the bed, her hand in Colin’s. When she saw Shane, her eyes widened with fear. There was a fine sheen of perspiration on her forehead, and the hair that fell against her face was also damp. There was more than fear in her eyes; there was pain.

“He has to wake up, Shane,” she said, desperation in her tone. “Dammit, Colin, wake up!” Her voice broke in defeat.

Whatever composure Kara had been hanging on to all these months had snapped. She was obviously on the edge of a breakdown; he needed to get her out of this room. “Why don’t we get some coffee, take a break?”

She shook her head and bit down on her bottom lip, a moan escaping. Her pain wasn’t just emotional,
it was also physical.

“Kara, what’s going on?” He rushed to her side. She drew in quick, sharp breaths, her hand pressed against her abdomen, and he suddenly realized . . . “Oh, my God, you’re in labor, aren’t you?”

“I’m just having a few cramps. I’m fine.”

He saw the lie in her eyes. “I need to take you to the hospital.”

“I’m not leaving,” she said with stubborn determination. “Colin will sense that the baby is coming, and he’ll wake up. I
have
to stay here, Shane.”

She was beyond reason. He had to get her to the hospital, but aside from physically throwing her over his shoulder, he wasn’t sure how to do that. “I’ll call the nurse, then.”

She grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare! She’ll get some orderlies to drag me out of here, and I’m not going. If you love me at all, you will not call the nurse.”

He had to call
someone.
“What about Charlotte?”

“Not yet. I have lots of time, Shane. It’s not that bad, really.”

“Okay, but I am calling Lauren. You need a woman here with you.” This was definitely not his area.

She gave a weary nod. “Fine, but don’t tell her I’m in labor.”

Shane punched in the number of Lauren’s house. It was still burned into his brain from his high school years. She answered on the third ring. “Lauren, I need you.”

He heard her quick intake of breath. Then she said, “Where are you?”

“Bayview Care Center, room twelve, second floor. I’m with Kara.”

“What’s happening?”

“Just come,” he said, hanging up the phone. “She’s on her way,” he told Kara.

“You still love her, don’t you?” Kara asked, her eyes searching his face.

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do, Shane. Why are you so afraid to admit it to yourself? Or better yet, tell her?”

“There are things between us. I haven’t been honest with her, and she’s moved on. She’s planning to leave next week.”

“So make her change her plans. Whatever it is you’ve been keeping from her, tell her. And don’t wait too long. Life is short.” She glanced over at Colin. “There are so many things I wish I’d said to him. You think you have time, but you never really know if you do.” She bit down on her bottom lip again and closed her eyes.

Shane put his arm around her. “Just breathe. You can do it.”

A moment later the pain seemed to ease, and she looked at him through teary eyes. “I’m glad you’re here.”

He was wishing he was anywhere else. But she was his little sister, and he couldn’t let her do this alone. He just hoped that Lauren could talk her into getting help.

“What else is going on with you, Shane?” Kara asked. “There’s something between you and our parents. I can feel the tension every time you’re near each other, especially when Mom is in the room.”

“You’re imagining things.” He couldn’t get into this now; Kara had enough to worry about.

“I’m not,” she said, shaking her head. “Dee, Michael, they’ve both noticed it, too. Even Dad, I think, although he’s always kind of adorably clueless. Can’t you tell me? Maybe I could help.”

He shook his head. “That’s a story for another day.”

“Will
you tell it another day? Or just stonewall me?”

“I don’t want you or anyone else to get hurt.”

“Like you’ve been hurt?” she asked, her gaze searching his face.

“Me? I’m fine,” he replied, wishing she wasn’t trying to distract herself with his problems.

Kara gave him a shaky smile. “You always say that, but it’s not true.”

“It’s not true for you, either, Kara. You need medical attention. You can’t just wish this labor away.”

“Later,” she promised. “Give Colin a chance. I know he’s coming back to me.”

Shane got to his feet as Lauren flew through the door. Her hair was damp from the rain, her blue eyes worried. He’d never been so happy to see her.

“What’s wrong?” She looked from Kara to him.

“Kara is in labor, and she doesn’t want to leave,” he said shortly.

“Colin knows I’m here,” Kara told Lauren. “When the contractions come, I put his hand on my belly so he can feel the baby. I read about a man who woke up when his wife went into labor. He knew he was needed, and that’s going to happen to Colin. That’s why I’m staying here.”

He could see by Lauren’s expression that she was just as flummoxed by Kara’s declaration as he was.

“We should call Charlotte,” Lauren said immediately.

Kara shook her head. “No way. She’ll try to make me go to the hospital.”

“We could just ask her how long she thinks you have before the baby comes,” Lauren said. “I know you want Colin to wake up, Kara, but you have to think about your child, too. You don’t want to do anything to jeopardize your baby’s life.”

“The baby is fine,” Kara said firmly. “She’s kicking. I can feel her. She wants to see her daddy. Oh, God, here comes another one.” Kara grabbed Colin’s hand and put it on her abdomen as she gritted her teeth against the pain.

Shane couldn’t stand it a second more. He was not going to sit idly by while his sister made a huge mistake. He grabbed Kara’s purse, pulled out her cell phone, and found Charlotte’s numbers. Kara was too caught up in her contraction to stop him.
He reached the receptionist in Charlotte’s office and told her it was an emergency. A moment later, Charlotte’s voice came over the line.

“It’s Shane,” he said. “Kara is in labor. She’s in Colin’s room, and she won’t leave.”

“When did it start and how often are the contractions?” Charlotte asked.

He looked to Kara. “How long have you been in pain?”

“I told you not to call her.”

“Answer the question,” he ordered.

“A little while. We have plenty of time for Colin to wake up. First babies take forever to be born. ”

He gave his sister a grim look. “She says not long, Charlotte, but I don’t believe her.”

“She can’t have her baby at a long-term-care facility. They’re not set up for that,” Charlotte said.

“Well, unless you want me to throw her pregnant body over my shoulder, you’re going to have to come here and tell her that.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. In the meantime, keep her calm, comfortable, and time her contractions.”

Shane hung up the phone. “She’s on her way.”

Kara glared at him. “I hate you.”

“I don’t care. You need a doctor.”

Kara stood up and leaned over the bed, cupping Colin’s face. “It’s time to wake up, honey. This is it—our big moment. Our little miracle is ready to be born.” She pressed her mouth to his lips. “Come back to me,” she whispered. “Come back to us.”

Kara’s pains began coming one on top of the other. Lauren held her hand and offered reassurances while Shane paced around the room. She’d never seen him so rattled, but couldn’t blame him. She was counting the seconds for Charlotte to arrive. The medical center was only a couple of miles away and Charlotte should have been here by now.

Shane sent her a pleading look, clearly wanting her to do something, but she didn’t know how to answer him. When Kara wasn’t gasping for breath, she was talking to Colin, telling him she needed him, that their baby needed her father. Every word made Lauren’s heart break.

“Kara, let me take you to the hospital.” Lauren tried again. “You don’t want to have your baby here. Or I could get one of the nurses or doctors to give you something for the pain.”

“I don’t want drugs. I have to be alert for Colin. And if either of you leaves this room to get someone, I will never speak to you again.” Kara’s fierce gaze turned desperate as she looked at Colin. “Honey, please, I can’t wait much longer.” She gripped his fingers tightly. “I
need
you.”

Lauren walked over to Shane. “She’s so stubborn. I hope Charlotte can get through to her.”

“So do I. This is killing me.”

“It’s killing her. She can’t accept that Colin might miss this.”

“He might miss everything,” Shane said grimly.

“Don’t say that, Shane,” Kara ordered, her ears acute to any negative judgment regarding Colin’s condition. “Either believe in Colin or get the hell out of here. And that goes for you, too, Lauren.”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Lauren said. “We’re here for you, Kara, and for Colin.”

Charlotte finally came through the door wearing her doctor’s coat and carrying a medical bag.

Kara sat down and put up a hand to ward her off. “I can’t leave, Charlotte. Colin needs to be here for this. It will make him wake up.” She gasped as another contraction hit, and doubled over.

Charlotte squatted in front of her. She glanced down at her watch, timing the contraction. “How often are they coming?”

“Every now and then,” Kara said vaguely.

“One right after another,” Shane interjected. “She’s lying. She needs to go to the hospital.”

“You can deliver the baby here.
Please,
Charlotte, this could be the moment that brings Colin back to life,” Kara said. She had barely finished speaking when she let out a sharp scream and grabbed her abdomen.

“Shane, get the nurse and tell her I need a gurney in here,” Charlotte ordered.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Kara repeated as Shane left the room.

“You’re going to lie down,” Charlotte told her. “I’m going to check your cervix and see where you are. Then I’m going to make a decision.”

A moment later Shane returned with a nurse, an
orderly, and a gurney. Charlotte explained what was going on to the nurse while Lauren helped Kara onto the gurney.

The nurse wanted to call an ambulance, but Charlotte asked her to wait until she examined Kara.

“We don’t have time to move her,” Charlotte said a moment later. “You’re already dilated ten centimeters, Kara. Your daughter is on her way.” She turned to Shane. “Why don’t you stand by Kara’s head and be her coach?”