by Dahlia Rose
“Do you mind telling me how bad it got?” Zeva asked quietly.
“He put me in the hospital a few times. The last time he almost killed me, three broken ribs and a punctured lung.” Mari’s body began to shake. “His father is the Sheriff and his mother is a complete bitch who came to the hospital and told me in no uncertain terms her son would never get arrested, not in that town. The doctor was furious. She was the one who called the police. Dr. Reid threatened to call the D.A. and got laughed at.”
“That makes me furious,” Zeva said angrily. “And you started looking for love online?”
“A dating app.” Mari shrugged. “It wasn’t love per se, I saw it as an escape, and Jeffery had all the right words. Now it seems he’s just another version of Marcus or worse. If you haven’t noticed I have the worst luck in men.” She gave a sarcastic laugh. “The thing is Marcus didn’t even want me anymore, he just loved terrorizing me and no one would stand up to him. When I did, I got pummeled for it.”
“Nothing about Haile is related to this Marcus or Jeffery,” Zeva explained gently. “I can see how that kind of violence leaves a mark on your soul. You probably have PTSD from the trauma and the fact that there was no help in an entire town. Being scared, nothing can compare to it and seeing Haile fight could bring it all back.”
Mari nodded. “I could hear each hit echo through my head. I had to run upstairs. I wanted to scream and panic, and I barely made it into the apartment before I fell to the floor.”
“Haile is dealing with his own PTSD, and he’s never really dealt with the loss of his sister,” Zeva revealed. “But I can tell you this: he wouldn’t hurt anyone for sport. He is one of the gentlest people I have ever met. He wouldn’t hurt you, he’d probably throw himself into the moors before he ever raised a hand to a woman.”
“He kissed me when he came to check on me,” Mari said tentatively. “I kinda shouted at him and told him I just wanted peace.”
“And you deserve that. Men are not good with timing,” Zeva said. “Jasper proposed to me the second day we met because he wanted to oust his crazy ass mother in a way. I wanted out of D.C., and we had this attraction.”
Mari sat back. “Luckily it worked out for you—me, I’m not so sure.”
“Oh honey, if you want this it will, but if you don’t, Haile will protect you with his life but never make you feel like you’re obligated to him,” Zeva explained. “It’s all up to you, just take your time, and either way, you have friends and a life here now. It’s not dependent on him.”
“So if I moved out of the apartment, you or Jasper wouldn’t be mad?” Mari asked tentatively.
Zeva snorted. “Of course not. We would help you find a place and a new job. But I have to ask, do you not feel safe with Haile around? Truly, in your heart, do you think he would hurt you?”
“No...” Mari shook her head. “I don’t think so but.... Ugh, I don’t know how to feel.”
“Stop trying to analyze everything now. It’s not a race, and it doesn’t need to be fixed right this moment. Do what’s best for you, Mari, in the long run that’s all that matters.” Zeva hesitated. “And I think my water just broke.”
“You’re right I can... Are you kidding me, right now?” Mari stood up quickly. “What the hell should I do?”
“Jasper is in town somewhere with Haile. They had a meeting about something or other...” Zeva blew out a breath. “Oh shit, I think I’m having a contraction.”
“You’re not telling me what I need to do?” Mari pointed out and felt a bit of panic filter in. “I may be from Texas but I never birthed a baby.”
“Birthed a baby?” Zeva laughed, and it ended on a cry of pain and then ended up laughing again.
“You want to tease me about my words now?” Mari asked amazed.
“I’m sorry.” Zeva wiped tears from her eyes. “I think I may be a bit hysterical and possibly terrified. This is really happening.”
“Okay, I’m fixin’ to call Haile and tell him get Jasper home now,” Mari said.
Zeva moved her legs and lay on the sofa. “Yep, that sounds good, do that... fixin’.”
She started to laugh again, and Mari looked at her worriedly before feeling around in her purse. Haile’s number was one of the few in her new cell phone so she pressed the touch screen and put the phone to her ear. He answered on the second ring.
“Mari?” Haile’s deep voice was tentative.
“Hey.... Um, is Jasper with you?” Mari asked.
“Yes, why?” he replied
She took a deep breath and explained. “Can y’all get on over here? Zeva’s water broke. She is in labor, and she’s laughing at my words.”
“Can y’all.” Zeva laughed again. “You get all Texan when you’re stressed out.”
“See what I mean?” Mari muttered into the phone. She heard Haile tell Jasper who yelled. There was a crash of something dropping and then Jasper asked a million questions.
“Shut it mate, give me a minute,” Haile said before speaking to her again. “This one isn’t too stable himself right now. From where we are it will take us at least an hour to get there.”
“You drive her to the hospital,” Jasper called out.
“What he said. There is a GPS in the smaller car, take that and you’ll be fine,” Haile said.
“Okay, I’m on it. I’ll get her there safe,” Mari promised. “Y’all get there as fast as a prairie fire with a tail wind, you hear me?”
“Um yes, I hear you, and I don’t know what you said but we’ll get there quickly,” Haile answered.
Zeva asked, “Do they really talk like that in Lumberton?”
“Sure as shooting,” Mari said firmly. “Now let’s get you up and dressed in something dry, and then I’m to drive you to the hospital.”
“The address is in the GPS in the sedan,” Zeva said.
“Good, one thing at a time.” Mari helped her up the stairs.
It took about half an hour and two contractions to get her in comfortable fleece pajamas—Zeva’s choice—and her bathrobe. By the time she got them to the car, there was something better than GPS waiting for them. Jasper had called the police, and there were two cars to escort them to the hospital.
One officer scrambled out of the car and took off his hat to Zeva. “Duchess, we’ll be your escort.”
“Thank you, but you didn’t have to,” Zeva said.
He nodded with a smile. “Ma’am, this is the first birth of a Duke’s child in a very long time for Northumberland. You’ll be in for a surprise when you come home.”
“Let’s get you in the car,” Mari said gently and helped her into the back seat before she got in on the driver’s side on the right.
“What do you think he meant surprise?” Zeva asked as she pulled out slowly behind the police car. The second car pulled out behind her and the caravan began its drive.
“I think that means you get a parade or something,” Mari answered. “Isn’t that what they do for royals and stuff?”
“I don’t want that!” Zeva cried out. “These darn Brits and their celebrations.”
Mari laughed. “I’m sure tomorrow the beer taps will be dry while they celebrate.”
“I hope you stay at the apartment and see Haile is an amazing guy,” Zeva said suddenly.
“Maybe I will,” Mari murmured and focused on the road.
Right now her attention was on the mom-to-be in the back seat and getting her to their destination safely. The situation with Haile would have to be thought about another day. But she knew from the time she saw his face, her stomach would erupt in butterflies recalling his lips on hers.
* * * *
By the time Haile and Jasper rounded the corner from the elevator and dashed into the room, Zeva was already in a hospital gown and in bed with the baby monitor on her round stomach picking up the baby’s heartbeat. Jasper rushed to her side and picked up her hand, kissing her knuckles before pressing another kiss on Zeva’s lips.
“Are you oka
y, love?” Jasper’s words dripped with concern and worry was etched on his face.
“Contractions—don’t ever sign up for it, but when I hit four or five centimeters they’ll give me the epidural.” Zeva’s smile was gentle. “I’m okay, Jasper... In a few hours, we’ll be a family of three.”
Jasper grinned. “I can hardly wait. I love you, wife.”
Zeva cupped his cheek. “I love you, husband.”
Mari watched them even though she was acutely aware of Haile standing as far away from her in the small room as possible. She still felt somewhat like an outsider, but witnessing the affection of the two people who literally saved her in the midst of all her chaos. It gave her hope and no one could deny they were completely in love with each other.
“I don’t know how it got around so quickly, but there is a bit of a royal birth crowd outside,” Haile teased. “Someone has a chair and table set up, having a cuppa while they wait.”
“You’re kidding,” Zeva gasped and looked at Jasper. “Tell me he’s kidding.”
Jasper shook his head. “No such luck, love. We are the closest thing to royal unless you head to London and see the queen and those lot.”
“If they think I’m getting prettied up and going outside after pushing a baby out of my vagina, they are going to be sorely disappointed,” Zeva snapped.
“I’ll go out and say something after, and they’ll go on home,” Jasper replied. “We’ll put a birth announcement and a picture in the paper.”
“As long as I don’t have to put on make-up.” Zeva blew out and grimaced in pain. “Here’s another one.”
Jasper coaxed her through the contraction, and the nurse came in just at the right moment. Unlike American customs, only the mom and dad were allowed in the delivery room. They were shooed out, and before they left, Haile kissed Zeva goodbye and hugged his friend.
“Congratulations. I love you guys, and you’re making me an honorary uncle,” Haile said huskily.
“Honorary my ass. You’re my brother and family, you are an uncle.” Jasper grinned.
Mari was next after a kiss on Jasper’s cheek. She bent to do the same to Zeva. “In Texas they say that giving birth is like riding a bull, just hold on tight because it’s the ride of your life.”
“Thanks?” Zeva said with a teasing smile. “I was half expecting one of those Texan euphemisms you keep handy.”
“Not right now, let’s see how cute this baby is first.” Mari laughed. “The point is, you are bad ass and a rock star, you got this mama. You both do.”
Zeva pulled her hand until Mari bent low so she could speak and no one could hear. “You do too, trust me, and you can believe when I say, that man in the corner is one of the best people I know.”
Mari looked at Zeva and nodded. “I’ll take that into consideration.”
The nurse stood at the door with a frown and cleared her throat loudly. It was their cue to leave. Haile stood back so she could leave the room, and the silence stretched between them down the long hall.
“I can take you home, if you’re okay with it,” Haile said hesitantly. “You’ll be safe with me.”
Mari stopped. “I don’t think you’d hurt me, Haile.... I just... the violence, it scared me, that’s all.”
“I overreacted. There are usually little skirmishes in the pub, but he talked to you that way and...” Haile shrugged. “I find myself rather protective toward you.”
“I don’t need you to beat people up for me.” Mari sighed and began walking again. “I seem to bring out the worst in people.”
“I don’t think so.” Haile pressed the button to the elevator. “I think you’re the best thing...”
The elevator dinged, the doors slid open, and people filed out. She snuck a quick glance at Haile, and he seemed to be relieved that his words were cut off. They entered, and he pressed the button for the lower floor of the hospital.
“Luckily I parked around the corner. The Northumberland press, will be camped outside, and a few other news agencies have picked up the news by now,” Haile said.
“We aren’t the duke and duchess. We should be fine,” Mari said.
Haile chuckled. “Around here, they know Jasper and I are basically brothers. They see me, they’ll descend upon us like crows. I’m assuming you didn’t want your name in the news or on television so it’s best we go out the back way.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Mari hadn’t thought of it that way. She wasn’t hiding per se, not anymore, but she didn’t want to think how Marcus would react seeing her on television. Nor did she want to find out.
His Land Rover was close to the exit and they got in quickly, heading away from the crowd setting up outside the hospital.
“Wow, it was like on TV,” Mari said looking back.
“Honestly, after Jasper most people around here thought he’d be the last of the line,” Haile explained. “His mother is a piece of work, and everyone assumed he’d be childless just to spite her.”
“I’ve heard bits and pieces of what happened from the girls when it’s slow at the Celtic Cross,” Mari replied. “What about you, do they go crazy for Lord Haile Buchannan?”
Haile snorted. “That title is akin to being part of your American congress, no one cares.”
“But you have this distinguished military career to go along with it,” she teased.
Haile’s face turned serious. “A lot of that I’d prefer to forget—not the men or the people I served with. It was just hard, that’s all there is to it, but I served my country and did my duty.”
“I’m sorry about that and about your sister,” Mari said suddenly. “I’ve heard, and thank you for not letting me go down that path with Jeffery. It has to be so hard not having the truth to what happened to her.”
“It is.”
That was all he said, and from there the rest of the drive to the pub was silent. At the pub, the news of Zeva’s impending birth had already made the rounds. And as Texans would say his words didn’t hit the ground because people knew Jasper and Haile’s friendship was close. So they filtered in to eat or to grab a pint but mostly they were waiting to hear if the duke and duchess had a boy or girl. She jumped in and worked alongside everyone else because honestly she’d just be sitting upstairs wondering herself. By closing time there was no word, and there were moans of disappointment when Haile rang the bell for closing.
“You could stay open a while longer till we get word,” one older man grumbled as he left.
“You mean when I get word, Mr. Moore, and no, I can’t stay open. My people have lives and need to go home to their families,” Haile answered.
Clean up came and went. Everyone got their coats, and as usual Haile made sure Mrs. H got into the car with her husband.
“Do you want me to turn off the lights down here before I head up?” Mari asked.
“No, I’ll be here going through the till and getting the books sorted for the day. I’ll get them,” Haile answered.
Mari walked to the stairs before turning. “Do you think everything is okay? It’s been hours.”
“First babies always take a long time.” Haile smiled. “I’m sure she’s fine, and Jasper is a bloody mess.”
Mari laughed. “As any good new father should be. Well night, Haile.”
“Goodnight Marisol.”
I like how he says my name, Mari thought with a smile as she went upstairs. In the apartment, she looked around and warmth spread over her. It was temporary, but it was still more of a home than she had ever had. She walked over to the window and looked out into the darkened night. The yellow lights that reflected off the streets gave it an old world feeling that she had only read about in books. She closed the thick drapes before moving to the bedroom and stripped down to take a hot shower. By the time she came out wrapped inthe plush pink bathrobe and drying her short hair with a towel, there was a frantic knocking on the door. She hurried to the door and opened it to a beaming Haile.
“She had a girl,” he announced
grandly. “I am Uncle Haile to Abigail Katherine McTavish.”
Mari squealed in excitement. “That is the most darling name ever! Did the people outside freak out, is all Northumberland cheering?”
“No clue,” Haile answered, grinning. “Jasper was practically crying and laughing on the phone. I heard a baby crying and then he sent me a picture of this scrunched up baby face. And she is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”
Mari waved her hand. “Well come on, cowboy, let me see the picture.”
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through the messages before pressing the screen. Her heart melted when she saw the little face with closed eyes on the phone screen.
Mari looked up at Haile. “She is the prettiest girl in the world. I can’t wait to smell her little baby head.”
He looked at her in confusion. “Why ever would you do that? Is that some kind of American thing?”
“Babies smell amazing, it’s...” She shook her head. “Never mind, you’ll see. Thank you for telling me and showing me the picture. It was really nice of you.”
“You welcome,” he answered. “Your bathrobe has dancing pandas on it.”
She laughed. “Isn’t it great? I saw it when I was shopping and had to buy it.”
“I don’t want to be nice, I don’t want to be just your friend,” Haile said suddenly. “All I’ve thought about is how your lips tasted since that night and it’s killing me not to kiss you again. I get it, I scared you that night, but I’m not a monster, Marisol.”
“Kiss me again,” Mari said bravely.
A rough noise escaped him. “Don’t say that if you don’t mean it because...”
She stepped forward. “I want you to kiss me. I don’t know where we are going or what tomorrow will bring. But I feel that I’m safe with you, and I want you to hold me in your arms and kiss me as if tonight is the last one on earth.”
“I won’t ever hurt you, I swear that on my life,” Haile said huskily as he pulled her into his arms.