Justin held back, feeling useless and down-right scared, and wishing he were anywhere but here.
Paige quickly checked the laboring mother over. “Is this your first baby?” she asked softly. The woman nodded, her eyes wide with pain and fear. “Your water has broken. Did you know that?”
The woman nodded again and grabbed Paige’s hand. “Help me. Help my baby. She’s too early.”
“I’m going to help both you and your baby, and an ambulance is on the way. I’ve delivered hundreds of babies, and I want you to know you’re going to be fine.”
The woman clung to Paige’s hand. “I can’t have her out in the middle of the woods. It’s not safe.”
Paige ran a hand over the woman’s forehead. “Your baby will be fine, and so will you. What’s her name?”
“Ruby. After my grandmother.”
“What a pretty name. I’m going to guide Ruby out into this world. You okay with that?”
The woman nodded. “I’m Barbara,” she said between pants. “Don’t let my baby die.”
“Your baby will be fine. In fact, I think I hear the ambulance siren.”
Thank God, Justin thought, as he gave a prayer of thanks. They couldn’t get here soon enough as far as he was concerned.
Barbara clutched Paige’s hand. “She’s coming,” she said around a long moan. “I have to push.”
Paige motioned for Zach. “Give me your shirt to cover her and let’s get her slacks off. Once they’re off, you hold your wife’s hips up and I’ll put your shirt under her.”
Justin’s stomach took a dive and bounced back up. He turned around, not wanting to see one more thing.
“Try not to push,” he heard Paige say.
“Please, please, please, don’t push,” he chanted to himself.
“I have to,” the woman yelled right before another scream.
“Zach, get behind your wife and support her shoulders and head,” Paige instructed.
Justin felt the ground tilt and swallowed back bile. He was never having kids. He couldn’t take it, and he certainly wouldn’t be able to watch his wife in so much pain.
“Justin get over here. I need you. The dad just fainted.”
“The medics are almost here,” Justin responded, taking a quick look behind him at the husband, who lay flat on his back.
“Now!” Paige ordered.
Oh, God, please don’t let him faint dead away like that poor sucker on the ground. This woman needed him, and so did Paige. She was counting on him to help her. He pulled in the deepest breath he could and hurried over, keeping his eyes focused on the ground. No way did he want to see anything that even resembled blood.
“Get behind her and support her back while she pushes.” Justin swallowed down his horror and knelt behind the half-crazed woman. Lifting her shoulders off the ground, he held her up, felt her push and strain, and his own body tensed. He shot Paige a quick glance, and she looked cool as a cucumber. Even though he could barely keep himself conscious, he felt tremendous pride in Paige.
A minute later, he heard voices as two medics rounded the corner, pulling a stretcher. The woman pushed again, moaning with the effort. Her husband sat up, rubbing his head as he scooted over to his wife and grasped her hand. “I’m here, baby.”
A few seconds later, Paige held a tiny infant. “Thank God you guys finally got here,” Justin said, thankful as hell he hadn’t fainted.
Paige wrapped the newborn in the dad’s t-shirt and then lay the squalling infant on her mother’s stomach. Justin watched in awe as the baby cried, its tiny hands balled into fists, its face red and blotchy. The husband settled a hand over his newborn and kissed his wife.
Paige stood, smiling down at the new parents. “You did good, Barbara. The medics will load you up as soon as they’ve finished delivering the placenta. You and your baby will be at the hospital in no time.”
Justin laid the woman’s shoulders on the ground, desperate to get away and miss the whole placenta thing. Paige, on the other hand, didn’t take her eyes off the procedure. He walked away from everyone, bent over and rested his hands on his knees as he drew in several deep breaths. He’d never been so glad to have that ordeal behind him.
A few minutes later, Paige walked over to him. “Thanks for helping. The baby’s little, but she’s got a good set of lungs.”
He stared at her, amazed she could be so calm. “How do you do this every day?”
“I’m usually in a hospital,” Paige answered with a grin. “This was my first outdoor delivery, and I hope it’s my last.” Her brows pulled together as she watched him. “You don’t look so good.”
“At least I’m still standing,” he muttered.
“I didn’t realize what a wuss you were,” she teased, poking him in the ribs.
“How can you be so frickin’ calm?” he asked, his heart still racing like he’d been the one who’d pushed that baby out into the world.
“Someone has to be,” she said, obviously holding in laughter. “Now let’s go back to the cabin, so I can get a shower. I think we need to find another path to walk while we’re here. The scent of blood will be strong for a long time. In fact, we should let the manager know about this, so they can put up a sign and keep people out of this area.”
Justin realized his mouth hung open with awe at what Paige had just done. He clamped it shut. “Good point. By the way, you are officially my hero.”
Paige laughed. “I’m glad you didn’t pass out. Your face was as green as the grass. Still is actually.”
“You think that’s funny, don’t you?” She laughed harder, and he plopped his fists on his hips and glared at her. “I need a beer. Or three.”
“Race you back to the cabin,” she taunted, a twinkle in her eye.
“I’m not sure my legs are up for running.” Grinning, Paige started down the path at a slow jog.
Cursing, Justin jogged up to her and they made it back to the cabin in short order. “Let’s hope the weekend excitement is over,” he said.
“Let’s hope it’s not,” Paige replied, heading for the porch.
Justin watched the gentle sway of her hips and tried to replace the images he’d just seen with thoughts of Paige. She had been great. Calm and cool throughout the whole ordeal. She took the cabin’s porch steps two at a time. He hurried up to her and unlocked the door.
“Thanks.” She brushed past him toward the bathroom. He heard the shower come on and headed that direction. They both needed a shower. He caught up to her just as she dropped her clothes onto the floor. She arched a brow at him, and he wasn’t sure if she wanted him to join her or not.
Paige stuck her hand under the spray and sighed. “Perfect. Care to join me?”
He stripped his clothes off in record time and stepped into the shower with her, grabbing the soap and lathering his hands. He set the soap back down. “Let the excitement begin,” he said as he glided his soapy hands over her smooth wet skin and smiled with satisfaction when she melted into his touch and gasped with pleasure.
He turned her around and put her hands on the shower tiles. “Don’t move,” he said, sliding his hands down her back and over the curve of her hips. She gasped and wiggled toward him, and he wrapped his arms around her and cupped her breasts, feeling the weight of their fullness. “You’ve made me into your sex slave, but you already know that, don’t you?” he asked, nipping her shoulder.
She turned in his arms and rubbed against him. “You complaining?”
“You know better than that.” He reached for the shampoo and lathered her hair then watched as the shower’s hot water rinsed the suds from her hair and down her wet body.
Paige leaned around him, her curves caressing his own wet skin, and picked up the soap, almost dropping it before lathering it up between her hands. With a wicked smile, she smoothed her soapy hands down his chest to his flat abs.
He sucked in a quick breath and grabbed her wrists. He lifted her arms up to his shoulders, and she wrapped them around hi
s neck and claimed his mouth with a passion that was his undoing. “Hold on, baby,” he murmured as he lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. “This is a much better way to exercise than walking. Don’t you agree?”
“Totally,” she answered, her voice raspy with need.
God, he loved how this woman responded to him. He kissed her long and hard as the hot water beat down on them. And when she whimpered with need, he slid into her and lost himself in her heat.
* * *
“I may never get out of this bed,” Paige said an hour later. “We need room service.”
“Bed service would be better.”
“Good point.” Paige ran her hand over Justin’s chest, admiring every toned muscle. “Do you lift weights?”
“More like boxes of supplies for the pub, but sometimes I go to the gym and work out.” He pulled her on top of him. “I’m still awed by what you did today. I was doing my dead level best not to puke, and you were like totally in charge and cool as they come.”
“Not true. I was immensely relieved to get that baby out, and even more glad when the medics arrived. Too many things could have gone wrong, and I had no way of taking care of an emergency with either the mom or her infant. Not to mention we were in a totally non-sterile environment.” Thinking of all that could have gone bad made Paige’s heart skip a beat.
But nothing did go wrong, she reminded herself. And she was glad she’d been there to help. She grinned down at Justin. “I have to admit it was pretty exciting. Think of the stories you’ll have to tell.”
“I don’t want to think about it, let alone talk about it.” He ran his hands down her sides and over the flare of her hips, and she almost forgot what they’d been talking about. She draped herself on his chest and snuggled. She could stay in this bed with Justin forever.
He rolled over and pinned her beneath him. “Brush off my compliments if you want, but I stand by what I said. And I have to add that you’ll be an amazing mother someday.”
She felt her face flush with his compliment even as her heart ached for the baby she’d lost. “Thanks,” was all she could manage to get out. She ran her hands over his muscled shoulders and hoped he didn’t see how uncomfortable his compliment had made her.
“Paige, look at me.” She forced herself to make eye contact, and he cupped her face. “You are the most amazing and caring woman I’ve ever known, and don’t you ever forget it.”
To her dismay, her eyes filled with tears. Justin’s words filled a place in her that had been empty ever since her father had walked out on her and her mother. Her father had never taken the time to get to know his own daughter. Or to show her the affection she’d craved so badly. The day he’d left, he hadn’t even turned around when she’d crumbled to the ground sobbing and begging him to stay.
Paige swallowed past her burning throat and fought down tears as she forced those awful memories away. She had to pull herself together. She was a strong woman despite all that life had thrown her way—or maybe because of it—and she would not break down now.
She re-focused on Justin and ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms. She loved touching him, loved the way he made her feel so special. She kissed her way up his chest, frantically searching for what to say. “Thank you for the compliment, Justin, but I don’t think of myself as amazing. I am proud of myself for going back to school to become a midwife. I enjoyed nursing, but midwifery gave me a sense of truly making a difference in people’s lives. Delivering babies is my calling, I guess.”
“That was evident today.” He drew lazy circles on her back. “What was the deciding factor that made you become a midwife?” he asked.
She so did not want to talk about this. She rolled off him. “You’ve probably figured that out,” she said.
He ran a hand down her arm and back up to her shoulder. “Maybe. I admit I’ve thought about it lately. Wondered if it had something to do with losing your baby.”
She swallowed hard, but did not avert her gaze. “Yes, it did,” she admitted. “But I really don’t want to talk about it.”
“I get that.” He wound a strand of her hair around his finger, then let it slip away. “I’d never push you into talking about something you’re not ready to open up about,” he said, leaning over and kissing her softly.
His sweet kiss melted her heart, but she still couldn’t bring herself to talk about her past. Spilling her guts to Justin this weekend simply wasn’t in the cards. This weekend was supposed to refresh them both, not pull them down with the weight of her past.
Besides, once she told Justin everything, she had no doubt he would back away from her. Every other man in her life had. Derrick had left after she’d lost their baby. And her own father hadn’t loved her enough to even stay in contact with her after that horrible day when he’d walked out on his family.
The two most important men in her life had deserted her when she’d needed them the most, and she sincerely doubted Justin would be the exception, no matter how badly she wished that might happen.
The festering wound Paige had carried with her for eighteen years bubbled to the surface, threatening to engulf her. She had to get out of here before she totally broke down and ruined this weekend. “How about we go for a hike and then hit that trout restaurant you mentioned earlier?”
He nodded his consent and rolled out of bed, pulling her with him. Paige knew Justin was disappointed that she’d shut down, but he would be far more than disappointed if their conversation had continued. She quickly pulled her clothes on, relieved to have this conversation end and ready to start the relaxing, fun weekend she’d come here to have with this man who had become so important to her.
Chapter Nine
The following morning as they hiked, Justin was glad to see Paige pretty much back to her happy and carefree self. He hadn’t meant to upset her yesterday when he’d asked why she’d become a midwife, but he obviously had. The woman had clammed up like he’d put her on the witness stand and her very life was in danger. Thank goodness, she seemed relaxed and happy this morning.
“I hear a waterfall up ahead.” Paige picked up speed and pulled on Justin’s hand. “I’ve always loved the waterfalls in this area,” she said as they followed a winding dirt path through the dense woods.
“This is supposed to be a walk, not a jog,” Justin protested, even though he enjoyed her enthusiasm. “We should take a trip to North Carolina soon. There are some amazing waterfalls over there.”
“That’d be wonderful, especially if we went in the fall,” she responded with a grin.
“Fall it is.” He was beginning to realize he’d do anything to make this woman happy. He was pretty sure her deadbeat dad and ex-husband had both made her wary of men, but he also suspected it was her father who had done the most damage. Justin couldn’t imagine a parent who would desert their child. He’d always known he’d been lucky to have such a close family, but he hadn’t realized how lucky until now.
What he had realized though, even as a child, was that his mom and dad would always be in his corner. And now, as a man, he knew with certainty that a child whose father hadn’t loved her, would have deep, lasting scars. If he could find that sorry SOB, he’d make him hurt for what he’d done to Paige.
Justin and his siblings had been incredibly lucky. Not until his mom had died, had Justin even thought about what his life might be like without his family there to support him. But now he knew only too well that losing a family member was one of the hardest losses a person could face. Family was everything—guidance, protection, your personal cheering squad, and an abundance of unconditional love—or at least it should be.
Thank goodness Paige had a loving mother she was close to. He hurt just thinking about how lonely Paige must have been as a child. It had to have devastated her when her father had left.
He squeezed Paige’s hand. “I think when we go to North Carolina in a few months, we should make our trip longer than a weekend. How does that sound?”
“Marvelous,” she said, and the joy and excitement he saw on her face, made him want to spend his life doing everything he could to make her feel loved.
He’d bet money she wanted children, and he had no doubt she’d be a great mom like his own mother had been. He’d give anything if Paige could have met his mother. She would have totally approved of Paige and brought her into the fold as if she were one of hers.
“How about I go with you when you pick up Sassy from your mom’s?” he asked. “See if I pass inspection.”
Paige looked surprised, but then smiled. “There’s no doubt you’ll pass inspection. Mom’s been hinting she’d like to meet you. I haven’t said anything, because I wasn’t sure you’d be up for it.”
“You’ve met my family. Why wouldn’t I want to meet yours?”
“It’s just Mom and me,” she said with a shrug.
Justin winced at her words, knowing she still thought about her father. “You told me the other day you look like her. In what way?”
“My eyes for sure,” she answered. “And I guess we have the same shaped nose. I can barely remember what Dad looks like. I think Mom threw away all the pictures she had of him, because I’ve never been able to find one.”
“Damn,” Justin murmured before he could censor himself.
“I don’t blame her,” Paige said defensively.
“She should have known you would want to look at pictures of your father at some point. Even keep some for yourself and your own children someday.”
Paige shook her head. “I don’t want any pictures of him. Mother was right to throw them all out.”
Justin could hear the hurt in her voice, even though she seemed adamant about not caring. “She should have kept them for you. Let you decide if you wanted them, instead of brainwashing you into believing you don’t care.”
“She did not brainwash me,” Paige said through gritted teeth. “My father did that all on his own.” She stared at the ground in front of them as they continued to follow the well-worn path through the woods.
Since I Found You (Crystal Springs Romances: The Wedding Chapel Book 2) Page 12