friend. “Do you want me to take you to the hospital? We can call Rose to come over and stay with Kira, this way we can know for sure what’s going on.”
Bad parent guy chose that moment to chime back in. “I really don’t think that’s necessary,” he said calmly. “It sounds like Braxton Hicks.”
“Who the hell is Braxton Hicks?” she demanded. “Is he your doctor? I don’t remember seeing that name on the list on the fridge!”
Rather than answer or even acknowledge her, he kept his attention fully on Katie. “Did you have them with Kira?”
“I did, but I don’t remember them feeling quite like this.”
He nodded. “Have you been drinking enough water?”
“Water?” Violet cried, jumping to her feet. “What does water have to do with labor?”
But no one was listening to her. Katie’s attention was on…wait…what was his name? Harry? Harmon? Gunther? Oh…wait, not Gunther. Hunter. Ugh…
“I don’t think I’ve had my usual amount today. I took Violet out to show her the town. She’s never been to Magnolia Sound before and I wanted to get out for a bit. Since it was only Eli and Kira today and the weather was so nice, we walked down by the park and then went to the beach.”
He gave her a patient smile. “So maybe you just overdid it, huh?”
And then her friend did something she rarely did. She blushed as she admitted, “Now that I’m thinking about it, I probably did. Lately it seems like I get tired a lot easier and yet I don’t try to rest a little more. I know it’s hard to believe, but sometimes I forget I’m eight months pregnant and can’t run a marathon.”
Hunter placed his hand on Katie’s knee. “Maybe you should go and lie down for a little while. On your left side would probably be best.”
“What does the left side have to do with contractions?” Violet asked, none too nicely. “Isn’t she supposed to be comfortable?”
Again, no one was listening to her.
Katie started to stand up, and before Violet could help her, Hunter was already doing it.
While holding a three-year-old in one arm.
He was incredibly gentle and his voice was soft and oddly soothing as he walked Katie back to her bedroom. With nothing else to do, Violet followed.
“You get settled and comfortable and I’ll get you some water. Or would you prefer a cup of hot tea?” he asked.
“Violet?” Katie asked, suddenly remembering she was even there. “Can you please refill my water cup? The big blue one. Thanks!”
Part of her didn’t want to leave the room because…well…it was obvious this guy kind of knew what he was doing and she felt like maybe she should know some stuff too.
“Um…is there anything else you need me to get? Maybe something to eat?”
“Food really wouldn’t be helpful right now,” Hunter replied without looking at her. “We need to make sure she’s hydrated first. So…”
Yeah, she got the message.
With a quiet sigh, she stepped out of the room and found Kira coloring at her kiddie table in the kitchen. She bent down and kissed her on the head as she walked by. “Hey, baby girl. Whatcha coloring?”
“A puppy. Daddy says I can get one when he’s home!” She proudly held up a picture of a large brown…something she supposed could be a dog.
“That is awesome!” she replied as she filled Katie’s jumbo water mug. “Want to help me bring this to your mommy?”
“Yes!” And before Violet knew it, Kira had the cup and was running from the room.
Back in the bedroom, Hunter was now sitting on the corner of the bed with Eli in his lap. He accepted the cup from Kira with a big smile while thanking her profusely for being so helpful.
Kira. Not her.
It would be petty to point that out, so she stayed back and listened to whatever other pearls of wisdom he had to share.
“If you can, just try to relax for maybe thirty minutes,” Hunter was saying. “Drink your water, and if the contractions don’t calm down by then, try a nice warm shower.”
“I know you’re right,” Katie said softly. “I’ve been through this before. I think I was just tired and…” She paused and groaned. “Look, I don’t mean to pry, but…it was a little stressful when Eli started asking…”
Violet knew when to step in. “Hey, Kira, why don’t you and Eli come with me to the kitchen and we can draw some more puppies! What do you say?”
Eli scrambled off Hunter’s lap as he