A Father for Her Baby

by Sue MacKay

  ‘You did the right thing phoning the medical centre.’ Sasha trotted along on Kevin’s other side.

  In the cabin Tamara lay across the bunk; a large girl dressed in loose trackpants and sweatshirt. She was moaning and gripping her stomach. Then she stopped, breathing deeply.

  Grady figured he knew what the problem was immediately but had to approach Tamara and her situation delicately. After he’d introduced Sasha and himself, he waited while Sasha went through the motions of checking her pulse and BP. The loaded glance Sasha gave him as she said, ‘All normal,’ told him she was onto it, too.

  Sitting on the edge of the bunk Grady asked, ‘Tamara, is it all right if I lift your top and feel your abdomen area?’

  The girl nodded. ‘What do you think is wrong with me?’

  Uh-huh. His hand felt the contraction as Tamara suddenly gasped and snatched at Kevin’s hand. A scream filled the small room, piercing in its intensity. Grady waited, nodding at Sasha who’d grabbed the girl’s other hand.

  When the contraction had passed, Sasha asked quietly, ‘When did you last have a period?’

  ‘Why?’ Tamara blinked. ‘I don’t remember. I’m never regular. What’s that got to do with anything anyway? This is my appendix, right?’

  Grady drew a long, slow breath. ‘You’re having a baby, Tamara.’

  The girl stared at him as though he’d lost his marbles. ‘No way. That’s not possible. I’d have known. You can’t just have a baby and not know. I’m not stupid.’

  Sasha still held her hand. ‘No one’s saying you’re stupid. If you don’t have regular periods then you wouldn’t necessarily notice when you missed them. Have you had one in the last few months?’

  ‘Yes, of course I have.’ But Tamara’s focus was directed on the wall behind them. Tears were oozing down her face. ‘I must have.’

  Kevin spoke up for the first time in a while. ‘A baby? We’re having a kid? No way, man. We’re too young. I haven’t even got a job. No, can’t happen.’ He pushed Grady out of the way and hauled his girlfriend into his arms. ‘I’ll get you to another doctor, Tam. This is crazy.’

  Another contraction rippled through Tamara and she screamed louder than ever, holding onto Kevin as though her life depended on him.

  As soon as the pain faded Grady said, ‘I know you don’t want to believe me but think about it. You’re having contractions. That’s what the pain is.’

  Sasha added, ‘I’ve been timing them and they’re quite close. We need to examine you internally, Tamara. Are you okay about that?’

  The girl nodded slowly, gulping as more tears splashed down her pale face. ‘I guess. Um, it feels like I have to push my stomach out. Is the baby trying to come out?’

  ‘I imagine so,’ Grady told her. ‘Let’s take a look and then we’ll know what’s going on.’ So much for a lead-in time while everyone got a little bit used to this unexpected situation. How hadn’t Tamara detected any changes in her body over the previous several months? She was a large girl but she must’ve noticed some weight gain. Glancing across at Sasha, he saw her doing that tummy rub thing and looking a little baffled at the situation. Hadn’t Tamara felt the baby kicking?

  Hell, she won’t have had any bloods taken for blood grouping or antibody checks. Too late now. He’d cross his fingers and hope for a normal delivery with no hidden problems. Because, even without looking, he doubted they had time to get back to Takaka before this baby made an appearance.

  Sasha helped Tamara remove her pants and gently settled her back on the bunk before placing a glove-covered hand on her knee. ‘I know this isn’t easy, Tamara, but try to relax. Let your legs drop wide. There, that’s it. Dr O’Neil will examine you. Are you all right with that?’

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered, and grabbed for Kevin’s hand again.

  One look and Grady turned to Sasha, asking, ‘Have you got a sterile blanket in your medical kit?’

  ‘We always carry one in a sealed pack, in case of exactly this. Not that I ever thought I’d have to use it.’ She shook her head. ‘I can’t imagine…’

  The look of disbelief in her eyes made him want to haul her in tight and reassure her. She’d done everything right so far. Sash didn’t turn a blind eye to the tricky things life threw at her. No, she pulled those shoulders back and straightened her spine to face the world head on. ‘Sasha, get the blanket, will you?’ Grady nudged her towards the door. ‘Quickly,’ he added quietly, so as not to panic Tamara. ‘I don’t think we’ve got long to wait.’

  Tamara went rigid as another contraction hit. This time she held back her scream, instead burying her face in Kevin’s shirt. Almost as though now she knew what she faced the fear generated by the pain had gone. But she’d have more fears later when her situation really sank in.

  Kevin seemed to be in total shock, barely managing to hold Tamara as she clung to him. ‘We need to get to a hospital. She can’t have her baby here.’

  These two were barely more than kids themselves, and they’d just learned they were about to become parents, that life as they knew it was over for ever. Or had they even got that far yet? Probably not.

  ‘The baby’s head’s crowning,’ Grady told the young couple. ‘That means it’s coming out. We don’t have time to take you back to town.’

  ‘What? You mean Tam’s having the baby here? But she can’t. That’s wrong. What if something goes wrong?’

  ‘It won’t,’ Grady told Kevin. ‘Now, this is how you can help Tamara.’

  And they got down to the business of delivering a baby in a cabin in the back of beyond. It happened so fast no one had time to raise any more doubts.

  Soon Grady was handing a tiny baby into Sasha’s safe hands and the wrap she’d found in her bag of tricks so she could clear the airway and wipe out his mouth. ‘Tamara, Kevin, congratulations, you’ve got a little boy.’

  Kevin whistled. ‘A boy. How cool’s that, man?’

  ‘A boy? Truly?’ Tamara’s eyes followed every movement Sasha made with her baby. ‘It’s Jordan. He’s come back.’

  ‘Who’s Jordan?’ Grady asked.

  ‘My little brother.’ Tamara stared at the baby, hunger filling her eyes. ‘Let me see him. Can I hold him?’ Tamara tried to push herself upright.

  Grady leaned to give her a hand. ‘Not too far. The afterbirth’s coming.’

  Kevin filled them in. ‘Jordan was killed when Tamara’s aunt backed over him in the driveway. No one in her family’s been the same since.’

  Sasha froze for a moment. ‘That’s utterly terrible.’ Then she resumed checking the baby’s vitals. He gave a little cry. ‘There you go. His first cry. He’s so cute. Here, Tamara, meet your son.’ Tears streamed down Sasha’s face as she, oh, so gently placed the baby in his mother’s arms. ‘He’s just beautiful. Look, ten toes, ten fingers. And look at all that dark hair.’ The tears became a flood before she turned and ran outside, banging the door behind her.

  Tamara and Kevin didn’t even notice, they were so absorbed in their baby. Grady cleaned up as best he could and then said, ‘I’ll give you a minute to yourselves,’ and headed out to find Sasha leaning against the car, sobbing her heart out.

  Grady placed an arm around her shoulders, tugged her close, handed her a fistful of tissues he’d snatched from her medical kit on the way out. ‘Hey, look at you. If you’re like this for Tamara’s baby, what’ll you be like when Flipper arrives?’ He grinned down at her. Swallowed at the awe glittering in her eyes. ‘Guess seeing this is different for you now.’

  ‘When I was training as a nurse and saw babies being born I never knew this tugging of the heart. I fell in love with each one but…’ She waved a hand in the direction of the cabin, ‘Oh, wow. He’s so cute and tiny and vulnerable and helpless and all covered in mucky stuff.’

  ‘Yep, all of those. And some.’ Her body shook against him and he wrapped her closer, rubbed her back in circular motions to ease the tightness he felt in her muscles. ‘And very special. Just like Flipper is.’<
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  ‘How are those two going to manage?’ she sniffed. ‘They didn’t even know.’

  ‘Yes, well. It’s kind of sad. But who knows? They could step up to be the best parents ever.’ Grady continued to rub her back. ‘I wonder where they come from? They’ve obviously been through a huge trauma with her brother.’

  ‘We need to get them to Takaka and in touch with their family. This baby’s arrival might be what they all need.’ There was a waver in her voice, and under his hands he felt Sasha straightening, stiffening her shoulders, putting on her brave face again. The moment of tears was over.

  Dropping a kiss on the top of her head, he stepped away, and instantly felt cold. Sash was such a part of him he didn’t know how to stop missing her whenever he wasn’t touching her. Which was almost all the time, especially since they’d made love and she’d kicked him out. Hell, he missed her all the time, full stop.

  ‘You sure you’re okay?’

  ‘It’s babymones.’ He must’ve looked blank because she explained. ‘Pregnancy hormones. A Jessica word. They knock me sideways at the most unexpected times. Have me crying and doing things I shouldn’t be doing.’

  Like making love with me. It hung between them. He could see the truth in her eyes before she turned for the cabin. She was blaming her hormones for giving in to the need that had rolled through her the other night. Newsflash, Sash. Sex was all about hormones, too. And love, and being with someone special. He must have babymones, too. Because he sure hadn’t been in control that night either.

  *

  Sasha yawned and stretched. Where was she? Peeling her eyes open, she stared at the interior of her car, then looked outside at the house she was parked in front of. ‘That’s Colleen Simmonds’s house, Flipper. How did I get here? Did you drive?’

  Right then the answer appeared at the house’s front door. Everything clicked into place. ‘Grady.’ He’d offered to drive her on her rounds after they’d dropped Tamara, Kevin and the baby at the maternity unit in town.

  ‘Sleeping Beauty awakes.’ The vehicle rocked as Grady slid behind the steering-wheel. ‘Well timed. We’re finished for the day.’

  ‘I’m sorry. Don’t know what came over me.’ Sasha yawned. Had she really slept through the whole round? Couldn’t have. But she’d been exhausted. This was going to look bad when Mike and Rory found out. Not the way to impress them. It would be another black mark against her when her performance assessment came up. That permanent job seemed to be slipping ever further away. ‘Why didn’t you wake me?’

  ‘You needed the sleep and I can handle a few dressings and BP readings.’ He gave her that gut-crunching grin. ‘Just.’

  ‘Thanks. But there’s a problem. The doctors at the centre are hardly going to give me a permanent job if I don’t do the one I’ve already got properly.’

  ‘They don’t need to know any different.’

  ‘Right, Grady. This is Golden Bay, not Auckland.’

  ‘True.’ He seemed damned pleased with himself as he drove.

  ‘Okay, I admit I’m grateful. Thank you.’ She’d deal with Mike and Rory on Monday.

  Then Grady pulled into his drive, and turned to look at her. ‘Would you like some blue cod for your dinner? Freshly caught this morning.’

  She should say no. It wasn’t fair to banish Grady from her life and then take the fish out of his hands. But who turned down fresh blue cod? She licked her lips. ‘Yes, please.’

  Grady’s eyes seemed stuck on her mouth. When was she going to learn not to do things like that around the man? His eyes were lightening with desire that in turn sent shivers of desire over her skin. Take control, Sasha. Get the heck out of here.

  No way was she sliding across from one side to the other while he sat gawping at her. Shoving her door open, she stepped out to go round the front of the car. But her action had distracted that gaze. Grady was out of the car and striding up to his front door. ‘Come inside while I put the fish in a bag.’

  She shouldn’t go in there. The house wasn’t big enough for the two of them. Seemed her feet had other ideas because she quickly found herself standing in the lounge, looking around at the new paintwork. A soft terracotta shade covered the walls, making the room feel warm despite all the windows being open. It was lovely, inviting. ‘What happened to the Spanish White colour?’ she called through the door.

  ‘It was too neutral for my taste.’ Grady stood in the doorway, watching her. ‘Don’t you like it?’

  ‘I love it.’ But what colour he painted his house had nothing to do with her. She picked up a glossy brochure. Kitchens. Flicking through the pictures and plans, it seemed awfully exciting to be revamping a house.

  ‘I like the first and third designs. What about you?’ Grady stood in front of her.

  Flicking back and forth, she decided, ‘Definitely the second one. More workable bench space and all the cupboards seem to flow into one another better.’

  His lips pressed together as he nodded. ‘I’ll take that on board. Now, come and look what I’ve done with the dining table.’

  She followed him outside to the shed where the large table that held so many memories stood. ‘You’ve sanded it back to the wood.’ She ran her hand over the smooth surface. ‘That’s going to come up beautifully.’

  ‘Isn’t it? I’m pleased with the result so far.’ There was a ton of pride in his voice.

  Why would he go to all that trouble if he was going to sell it with the house? Why had he changed his mind about paint colours when he’d said he wanted to attract as many potential buyers as possible? Why look at new kitchens? Her stomach sucked in on itself as the truth hit her hard. ‘You’re staying.’ She shook her head from side to side. ‘You’re going to live almost next door to me.’ Just when I’m settling down and coming to grips with my new lifestyle.

  She’d never be able to get him out of her system this time if she had to see him every day. ‘Have you taken a job at the medical centre? Is that what this is all about?’

  ‘Thanks a lot, Sasha,’ Grady drawled. ‘You really know how to make a guy feel good.’

  ‘Why now, Grady? Why can’t you let me have this one little piece of New Zealand? I’m trying so hard to make this work for my baby and me. All I want is to be safe, secure and able to bring my baby girl up in a good community. But you’re not going to play fair, are you?’ Gulp. ‘Do you think I’ll let you back into my life? Just go away, Grady. Leave me be.’

  Uh, hadn’t she been the one to kiss him? Heat swamped her cheeks. She probably had been out of line but this was too much. ‘I’m going home.’

  Before she’d made it to the car Grady called after her. ‘Sash, I’m not staying permanently. I’ll be heading back to Auckland on Sunday. For now this is going to be my holiday retreat.’

  Don’t call me Sash.

  *

  Grady sank down on his haunches and watched Sash leave, speeding away to put as much distance between them as possible. His heart banged painfully in his ribcage. His head pounded behind his eyes.

  ‘I love you, Sash. More than ever.’

  She’d socked it to him about not wanting him in her life. He hadn’t been expecting miracles but those words had stabbed him, sliced his heart open, exposed his needs, showed how pointless this all was.

  So much for coming here and getting his life sorted so he could move on. Finally he understood totally that he didn’t want to sell his house and all the memories that went with it. For the first time in eleven years he was comfortable with his father’s death, could enjoy recalling all the fun times. So he’d keep the house and visit once or twice a year. If that gave Sash peace of mind then that’s what he had to do.

  There’d been so much hurt and confusion in those brilliant emerald eyes as she’d yelled at him, her hands on her hips, her breasts pushed forward.

  He’d seen that hurt once before. The day he’d told her he didn’t love her. She’d loved him then. Did that hurt mean she loved him now? How was he to know? There hadn
’t been any real indication.

  Oh, yeah?

  She’d instigated more than one of those scorching kisses.

  She’d been more than happy to take him into her bed.

  She’d let him feel Flipper kicking.

  She’d been more than grateful he’d gone with her to Nelson when Flipper had stopped moving, even gone so far as to acknowledge she’d wanted him there.

  Yet when it occurred to her he might be staying, she’d flipped her lid and told him in no uncertain terms to go someplace else.

  Yeah, and what am I doing about it? Walking away, heading to Auckland in two days’ time. For her sake. Doing the same as I did last time. What happened to standing tall and trying to make things work? Sash might love me, she might not. But I’m never going to know if I leave.

  He’d never stopped loving her, had spent years trying to find her match and failing miserably every time. ‘I love Sash Wilson. End of. And I’m going to fight for her. Patiently. One day at a time. One hour at a time. But first I have things back in Auckland to sort out.’

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  SIX WEEKS LATER Grady walked out of the Nelson Airport terminal and across to the aero club, where Ian waited with his plane. ‘Thanks for this, Ian. I could’ve got a rental car.’

  ‘Nonsense. I enjoy taking the old girl up for a spin. Don’t do it often enough these days. Climb in. I’ve done the checks.’

  Grady latched the door shut, buckled the seat belt and slipped the headset over his head. The last time he’d flown in something so small had been with Sasha the day of her sixteenth birthday when she had officially been allowed to take passengers. The calls Ian made to the control tower to report his start up were so familiar.

  As the older man taxied the plane across the grass towards the runway, Grady asked, ‘How’s everything in Takaka?’ How’s Sash keeping? Is she taking it quietly now that she only has a few days to go before giving birth? Has she missed me?

  ‘Sasha’s fine. And behaving—for her.’ Ian changed the subject. ‘Those builders you employed have been working their butts off. You’re going to be amazed at the changes.’