grate, but he wasn’t sure what the best dad in the world should do in this particular situation. Should he leave his trapped daughter to change his son’s pants or fill his never-ending gut?
If he smashed the vending machine open, could he take it apart without slicing his baby’s arm off? Maybe she wanted a bionic arm.
Alex was better with tools than he was. Theo was good with his hands, too. Maybe he could figure out a way to take the machine apart. Or he could call the vending machine company. Did they have a help desk? Frequently answered questions?
Charlie was going to have his head.
His cell buzzed in his pocket. He slipped it out, praying it was Alex.
It was Charlie. How long could he duck this call?
He looked down at his daughter. “Do not move.”
Kala had obviously gotten to Seth because he quieted down.
Kenzie was crying. “I don’t want to starve.”
“I’m not going to let you starve.” But she might grow up here. He would make it comfortable for her. He could put in a cot, and she would have lots of company because Hutch used this sucker three times a day.
Fuck. He took a deep breath and slid his finger across the screen. “Hey, baby. How’s the relaxation going?”
He would tell her. One day. But she was resting today. She didn’t need to worry about their daughter being attached to a vending machine for the rest of her life.
“Ian, I need you to come home. I’m in labor. I think I’ve got enough time for you to get back here and take me to the hospital,” she said.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Baby. Coming. Soon.”
His heart was going to stop. The baby wasn’t supposed to be here for another week. How could this be happening? He had to deal with it. “I want you to call 911.”
“I don’t think I need to,” she replied. “I think I’m okay. I would rather wait for you.”
“Don’t tell Mom,” Kenzie whispered.
He sent his daughter a stern look and stepped away. “How far apart are the contractions?”
He would call until he got someone on the phone. He would send someone over to hold her hand, and he would get the fire department out here to smash the fucking vending machine. That was a plan.
“I don’t know. My water broke,” she admitted.
It was time to take control. “Charlie, I’m calling 911 if you don’t. The traffic shouldn’t be too bad on a Saturday. I’m twenty minutes away if I leave right now, and I can’t.”
“Don’t call 911. I was on the phone with my sister when it happened. Chelsea’s already on her way. Why can’t you leave?”
There were times when he couldn’t hide shit from his wife. “Kenzie’s arm is caught in the vending machine.”
“What?” The question came out on a screech.
“Baby, I will deal with it. I need you to get to the hospital. I will meet you there. I promise you this is fine.” He moved back into the break room and held the phone out. “Kenz, tell your mother you’re fine.”
“I’m fine. But Daddy told us we had to share our snacks and Kala picked the candy bar, and I think she’s going to eat all of it,” Kenzie began. “And that is not fair, Mom.”
He put the phone back to his ear. “See, she’s fine.”
“Okay. My contractions are still eight minutes apart. I’ve got time, but if Chelsea hits traffic she could be thirty minutes out. I’m calling Faith. She’s in town so she’s nearby. If I call Faith, would you be okay with she and Ten driving me?”
Faith was a doctor, and he trusted her. Ten had been his friend for years. He would do what he needed to do. “All right. Text me when they’re on their way. I mean it, Charlie.”
“Okay. I’m calling now. I love you.” She hung up.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Erin Taggart walked into the break room, a couple of bags in her hand. “Is there a reason Kala and Seth are in the nursery? I don’t know that he should be eating chocolate in the crib. It’s getting messy.”
“She gave my half of the candy bar to Seth?” Kenzie started crying again. “That’s not fair! She doesn’t get any of my chips.”
“Why are you stuck in the vending machine?” Erin’s green eyes were wide as she looked back at Ian. “I brought some lunch because you were supposed to be working today. I need to write up the Grate investigation, and Theo’s got the kids