The Look of Love

by Chris Keniston

  “I can get you a bag of ice.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” She let her hand drop even though she wanted to rub the spot a bit more. “I’m fine.”

  “Okay, but if you wake up with a knot on your head, I don’t want your brother coming after me. I’m getting too old for brawls.”

  “According to my brother a sailor is never too old for a good brawl. Especially if they’re brawling with jarheads.”

  A crooked grin teased at one side of his mouth. “Maybe then.”

  “Maybe then what?” Kara walked in to set an empty plate on the counter.

  “The age-old tradition of squid versus jarhead.” Dan opened the nearest cooler. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

  “A water would be nice. I think I totally overindulged in those cream puffs, but I’m pretty sure I can blame the indigestion on the coconut fritters.” Kara rubbed her tummy with one hand and accepted the cool bottle of water with the other. “Thanks. I’m going to make my husband happy and find a comfy chair to sit in.”

  “Do you need something else? Maybe warm tea would be better?” Maddie suggested.

  “Nope. Going to get off my feet and stop munching my way through the house. See ya.” Kara tipped the bottle at Dan and Maddie, and waddled out of the kitchen.

  “They seem like a really nice couple. Billy and his wife too.” Dan’s gaze returned to Maddie.

  “You know what they say. Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”

  Leaning back against the counter, he crossed his ankles and took a sip of his beer. Maddie watched the reflexive motion of his throat as he swallowed and wondered why that looked so sexy on him.

  He set down the beer, and her gaze followed a path from his lengthy fingers still wrapped around the longneck bottle, up strong arms and broad shoulders, across a firm square jaw to settle on the sparkling green eyes that had her insides clenching with an interest she hadn’t felt in so long she’d actually forgotten what lust was like.

  * * *

  If she didn’t stop looking at him that way, he was going to forget she was too young for him, forget who her brother was and forget why ignoring those things would be a really bad idea.

  Good sense must have been smiling on him. Before he had time to decide anything, a swarm of people seemed to descend on the kitchen, one after the other. Groups of two and three, all suddenly searching for another drink, more napkins, a bottle opener. By the time Billy’s sister Emily came hurrying inside in search of another spatula, Dan decided he was simply in the way. He leaned into Maddie, close enough to notice she used a vanilla-scented shampoo. “I think it’s time for a little fresh air.”

  Maddie bobbed her head and led the way through the increasingly crowded kitchen out to a charming gazebo in the back corner of the yard.

  “Lovely spot here.”

  “Every place seems to be a lovely spot.”

  Leaning against the railing, he took in the tropical yard. “I can see why Carolyn didn’t want to go back to Tennessee after college.”

  “How did she wind up attending college in Honolulu in the first place?”

  “She didn’t come right out and tell me, but I believe she followed a boy.”

  “That’s a heck of a long way to go for a boyfriend.”

  “It’s a hell of a long way to go for anyone.” Just then he caught site of Kara walking toward the back end of the ample lawn. Keeping her in his line of site, he shifted to face Maddie. “Looks like the baby’s going to be coming pretty soon.”

  “Three weeks.”

  Shaking his head, he cleared his throat to hide a chuckle. “I don’t think so.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Eight nieces and nephews.” He took another sip of his drink. “Not that I was around for all their births. But I was home for two of my nieces’ arrivals. My sisters Mary and Liz were like chipmunks storing nuts for winter. The look on both their faces all the way to the delivery room was exactly like the expression on Kara’s face just now. And I should know. I drove Liz to the hospital. Thought for sure I’d have to put my emergency medical training to the test on the side of the road.”

  “What look?”

  “It’s a cross between heartburn and surrender. Hard to explain, but, if you look at Kara, she’s got it.”

  “You seem pretty sure of yourself.”

  “Wait till you’ve been around as long as I have. You learn a lot from reading between the lines.”

  Maddie tilted her head to one side. “You have a thing about age, don’t you?”

  “Nope. It is what it is.”

  “What is that?”

  “I’m a forty-two-year-old retired naval officer who is tired of blowing things up for a living and ready for a little more serenity in my life.”

  “And how do you plan to do that?”

  Hefting a shoulder in a casual shrug, he said, “Originally I’d planned on going back to school.”

  “Originally?”

  “The marine mammal program proved to be more fascinating than I’d expected. Several years back I decided to pursue marine biology. Over the years I’ve gotten my masters. A PhD is my logical next step.”

  “Uncle Sam let you take a break for a master’s degree?”

  He shook his head. “Online distance learning is everywhere. And some are very accommodating to the military.”

  “You sound unsure now.”

  So much had changed in the last year. “The marine mammal program is being defunded. That requires a new start in a new field. Not easy at my age.”

  “But you retired anyway?”

  He didn’t mind teaching, and the navy training programs always involved a lot of action. But with his new pay grade, a desk was more likely in his future, and he’d have hated that. “It was time.”

  “Did Carolyn have anything to do with the decision to leave the navy?”

  The pretty lady didn’t beat around the bush. “Let’s say she was the final piece of a complex puzzle.”

  Maddie gave him a knowing smile that seemed to quietly say, I thought so. He saw wisdom in those bourbon-colored eyes that made him want to learn everything she knew. When a dark storm dampened the normal sparkle in her eyes, Dan followed her gaze across the yard. A deep ridge made itself at home between her brows.

  And then he saw it. Kara, alone, hesitating and then the plate falling from her hand. She swayed forward, not quite doubled over, one hand leaning on the German shepherd at her feet, the other pressing into her side. No one else seemed to notice her or the dropped dish of food on the ground. Taking off at a fast clip, he shouted over his shoulder. “Find your brother. Now.”

  Chapter Ten

  Maddie had never been so scared in her life. Not when she went on her first date with the captain of the football team, not her first day at UCLA, not when she wrote her first real estate contract and not even every time an airplane took off or landed. Logic told her that nothing was wrong; women had babies every day. Even three weeks early. But that didn’t stop the adrenaline rush that had her sprinting across the yard like she’d been prodded by a pitchfork.

  “Oops.” Emily, Billy’s sister, almost collided with Maddie at the patio doorway.

  “I need Nick.”

  Emily’s eyes rounded, the whites of her eyes forming a perfect ring around the darkened centers. “Kara?”

  Scanning the inside of the house, Maddie nodded.

  “I saw him and Billy going out the front door with Jonathan. Something about his new motorcycle. Where is she?”

  “Outside near the bench by the rose garden. I’ll go out front. You hit the kitchen.”

  “Gotcha.”

  The two tore off in opposite directions. Maddie ripped open the front door with such force it bounced off the wall. On the curb she saw her brother’s best friend and their young employee from the dive shop with a few more people she didn’t know. But no Nick and no motorcycle. Damn.

  Running to the group,
she whipped out her cell phone and hit speed dial. Breathless, the phone at her ear, she grabbed Billy by the arm. “Where’s Nick?”

  “He took Jonathan’s bike for a test run. What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Kara.” Her brother’s blasted cell went to voice mail. “I think she’s in labor.”

  “If you’re calling him, he’s not going to hear the ring tone with the helmet on.” He lifted his gaze toward the house. “Where is she?”

  “In the backyard. Dan is with her. Emily is searching inside for Nick.”

  Facing her full-on, Billy put a hand on each of her shoulders. “Take a deep breath and wait here for Nick. Hopefully he won’t be taking a very long spin.” Then Billy inhaled a long breath himself and spun on his heel, racing into the house.

  Even though she knew there was no point, she stabbed again at the phone. Willing Nick to answer. “Come on, big brother.”

  * * *

  From halfway across the yard Dan could see Kara’s pale complexion. The woman was most definitely in labor. Or in trouble.

  “Hey there.” He slowed his approach speed. “Need some help?”

  “It felt stuffy in the house. I thought I’d come sit out here in the garden and enjoy a slice of my mother-in-law’s pie.” Kara sucked in a long breath and blew it out slowly.

  “Can you straighten?” He wrapped an arm around her waist; the dog at their feet nudged his hand with its muzzle. “It’s okay, boy. She’s fine.”

  “She probably should have quit eating two coconut fritters ago. And to answer your question, the pain in my side gets sharper when I stand up. I think I pulled something.”

  “I doubt that. Any other pain?”

  She shook her head. “Just a little indigestion. I really should stop eating, but it’s all so good.”

  “How long have you had the indigestion?”

  “I guess since the pizza last night. I shouldn’t do tomato sauce either.”

  “Last night?” Holy cow this woman has been in labor almost a full day. No wonder the pain wouldn’t stop; she had to be in the last stages of labor. “Kara, we need to get you to a hospital.”

  She hissed through gritted teeth, leaning forward more heavily on his arm, and then slowly eased her grip. “Shit, that hurt.”

  “I’m going to assume, if you can’t straighten, you can’t walk either?”

  Eyes closed, she nodded her head. “Good guess. You go to the front of the class.”

  He actually chuckled. The woman still had her sense of humor. Nick had done well for himself. “I’m going to slip my arms under you and pick you up. Okay?”

  “I’m going to break your back.”

  He laughed again. “No, you’re not. Just hang on to my neck.” Hooking his arms under her, he hefted her up against him. “See? Light as a feather.”

  “Liar, liar, pants on…” She huffed out a breath. “…fire.”

  Moving as quickly as he dared with Kara in his arms, Dan was extremely grateful that, even though he hadn’t been on the field with heavy equipment in years, he’d kept in shape nonetheless. “We’re almost to the house.” And he hoped to hell her husband was there and ready to take over. Though he had some serious doubts that this baby wouldn’t be born in the backseat of the car.

  Nearly to the house Billy and his mother came running toward him. Billy didn’t say a word; he just looked Dan in the eye. The question was there for any team member to read. Is there a problem? And with a single blink of his eyes and a nearly imperceptible nod, Billy had his phone out and punching numbers. Dan’s guess…9-1-1.

  By now half the guests were scrambling about, some steering clear, others moving in closer. “I don’t suppose anyone here is a doctor or a nurse.”

  “Dr. Shepherd,” Maile called, hurrying over to the couch, a blanket and pillow in hand.

  “He already left.” Emily came rushing behind her mother. “But he’s a psychiatrist. What does he know about babies?”

  Maile dropped the linens on a nearby chair. “A psychiatrist is an MD. He has to know more about this than any of us do.”

  “Where’s Nick?” Dan leaned at the edge of the couch eager to determine if he needed to put Kara down or continue out to the car.

  Jonathan came trotting in the front door. “Nick’s coming down the street. Madeleine’s waiting for him.” The kid took one look at Kara wincing in Dan’s arms and teetered in place before scurrying back outside.

  Billy slid his phone into his pocket. “An ambulance is on the way.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “Ten minutes.”

  Kara’s grip squeezed his bicep for the third time since he’d lifted her into his arms. Not a good sign. Dan looked to the blankets on the chair. At three weeks early he’d rather have a tank of oxygen handy. “I don’t think we’ve got the luxury of time.”

  Nick came hurtling through the door and nearly tumbled over the ottoman by the coffee table before skidding to a halt in front of her, his sister on his heels. “Are you all right?”

  “Ask an easier quest…ion.” Kara’s whole face scrunched tightly.

  Nick’s gaze flew to Dan’s. Too many questions to decipher flickered in his worried eyes. Dan could pretty much imagine every one of them. Is this normal? Is it too early? How much time do we have? I can’t lose her. Them. What do I do, Captain?

  “How far is the hospital?” Dan asked.

  “Maybe fifteen minutes.”

  “Contractions seem to be only a few minutes apart. She’s close.”

  “That’s not how it’s supposed to work.” Nick looked at his wife’s pinched face. “The first baby is supposed to give us plenty of time. In three weeks.”

  Kara lifted her head up. “Stop squawking, and get me to the car.”

  “I’d better move my car. I’m blocking the driveway.” A tall skinny guy ran out the door.

  “Damn. We’re behind Nick’s car.” Angela looked about. “Where’s my purse? The keys are in my purse.”

  Different people began pulling car keys out of pockets and handbags, and making their way outside. Dan could hear Billy in the front yard already shouting orders at different people to move their cars here and there.

  “I’d feel better if we had medical staff handy.” Dan took in a deep breath. “I’m not a doctor, and I have no idea if you’ll make it to the hospital. But I wouldn’t count on it.”

  Nick nodded. Looked to his wife.

  Kara grabbed and squeezed his hand. “Ambulance is only a few minutes away. We’ll wait.” She tried to smile, but another contraction grabbed hold of her.

  Without being told, Maile spread the blanket on the couch. Dan eased Kara onto the sofa. Nick’s mother appeared out of nowhere with the pillow and silently stuffed it behind Kara’s back, then retreated out of sight. Emily pushed a chair closer to the sofa and practically shoved Nick into it. Madeleine turned and ran, shouting over her shoulder, “I’ll tell the Indy 500 crew we’re waiting on the ambulance.”

  With everyone tripping over themselves to either help or get out of the way, Maddie’s ability to just step in to do what was needed, and joke about it at the same time, only frustrated him more. If after all these years he had finally found a woman who’d wormed her way under his skin, why the hell did it have to be someone so damn young?

  “Ooh.” Kara bit down hard, her grunts and groan taking on a more unnerving decibel.

  Easing out of the way, Dan leaned over so only Maile and Yvette Harper could hear him. “Just in case, we could use some towels. I’ll see if any of the men have shoelaces. But it might be time to clear everyone out of here.”

  Maile took off like a shot down the hall. Yvette quietly began ushering folks out onto the patio. Emily and Angela repositioned food trays from the dining table to outdoors. A couple of the guys grabbed a cooler each and carried them outside as well. Dan walked among the guests, glancing down at their feet, thrilled to spot a young woman in crisp, clean running shoes. “Those new?”

  “Ye
ah.” She grinned up at him. “Got them for a steal yesterday at a going-out-of-business sale. Couldn’t wait to break them in.”

  “They look really nice. Would you mind very much if I took your laces?”

  The way her brows flew up and she swayed backward, Dan knew she was debating if Maile had any psychos on the guest list.

  “We might need them to tie the cord.”

  “Oh.” Before he could say anything else, she was crouching on the ground unlacing her shoes, careful not to let them touch the ground.

  Back inside, Dan glanced around at the empty room. Only Nick and Kara on the sofa. His mother at the back door. Maile at the front. The two women standing guard. If Dan were still running a navy EOD team, he wouldn’t mind having either of these two women on it.

  Just then Kara blurted out, “I want to push.”

  “No,” Dan said as calmly as he could. “Breathe through it. The ambulance will be here any minute.”

  Nick began murmuring words of encouragement, wiping her brow, pausing to pant with her. Dan had lost track of time when he heard the approaching ambulance’s sirens grow closer. In his career he’d needed to draw on his emergency medical training too many times, for too many horrible reasons. But never had he been more relieved than having just been spared putting to the test his long-ago classes on birthing a baby.

  Chapter Eleven

  Staring at the ambulance’s taillights dwindling in the distance, Maddie’s feet felt rooted to the ground. Even now with Kara safely on her way to the hospital, Maddie’s heart still banged a savage beat against her rib cage.

  “Everything will be fine.” Her mom stood behind her, soft hands gliding up and down Maddie’s upper arms in a soothing motion. “Let’s go on inside and get our things. We don’t want the baby to arrive before we get to the hospital.”

  Tense muscles barely afforded her enough strength to bob her head. Yvette slowly stepped back, turned and led the way into the house. Maddie was only slightly surprised to see Dan standing a few feet away, waiting for her. The guy had orchestrated things like the commanding officer he’d recently been. And he’d called it earlier too. Predicted the baby wasn’t going to wait three weeks. Had said Kara had that look. For a guy who had never been married or had newborns of his own, he certainly understood pregnant women.