Endless Love (Santa’s Secret Helpers #5) - Leeanna Morgan Page 0,54
in some of the worst conditions in the world. Even though they were forty-five minutes from the nearest hospital, Sapphire Bay was so much better than a war-torn country.
John kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay.” Shelley stepped into the living room and frowned. If she weren’t mistaken, a vehicle had just stopped in front of Bailey and Steven’s cottage. Unless someone had changed their mind and decided to come here, Caleb’s sister and brother-in-law must have arrived.
She walked outside and waited for Megan to get Nora and Rebecca out of their truck.
“Sorry we’re late,” Megan said as she walked toward Shelley with Rebecca’s little hand clutched in hers. “Caleb and Sam’s cake took longer to decorate than I thought.”
William leaned into the back of the truck. When he reappeared, he was holding a large cardboard box. “Hi, Shelley. Where should I put the cake?”
“The kitchen counter will be fine. Although, I don’t know if we’ll be able to eat it today.”
“Why not?” Megan asked.
“Sam has gone into labor. We’re not sure what’s happening.”
Megan’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding?”
“I wish I was. She’s with Zac at the moment.”
“In Bailey’s house?”
Shelley nodded.
“Zac’s a good doctor,” William said. “Sam couldn’t be in better hands. Is Caleb with her?”
“He is.” Shelley’s heart pounded when she heard someone rushing out of the house.
Mila jumped off the last veranda step. “Nora!” she yelled excitedly. “Guess what? Aunt Sam’s baby is coming and Grandma said it will be a girl, just like us.”
Nora grinned. “That’s awesome. We made a cake for the baby. It’s got pink and blue frosting and lots of glitter.”
“Can I see it?”
William carried the cake box toward the house. “It’s in here, Mila. Let’s take it into the kitchen and Nora can show you what it looks like.”
After William and the girls disappeared inside, Megan touched Shelley’s arm. “I brought cupcakes and cookies for the party, too. Why don’t we make a drink for everyone and have something to eat? It might take everyone’s mind off what’s happening for a few minutes.”
“That’s a good idea.” And hopefully, they’d soon know what was happening with Sam and the baby.
When Sam and Caleb walked into the kitchen, everyone stopped talking.
“We’re following Zac to the hospital,” Sam said. “The baby’s all right.”
Caleb wrapped his arm around Sam’s waist. “Zac doesn’t think the baby will have any issues if it’s born early. It was a good weight last week when Sam saw him but, if the contractions don’t stop, he wants us to deliver the baby in the hospital.”
Elena was the first to move. “I will help you pack a bag.”
“It’s okay, Mom. I’ve already got one organized. It’s in the back of the truck.”
“That is good.” Elena gave Sam a big hug. “We will follow you to the hospital in case you need us.”
“It could take hours for the baby to be born,” Sam said. “Or the contractions could stop and we’ll have to do this all over again.”
“It does not matter. We are family.”
Zac walked into the kitchen. “I’ve told the hospital we’re on our way.”
Elena picked up a large container and handed it to Sam. “I have made a snack box for you.”
Sam smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You are welcome.” She looked at Ted. “We will follow Zac.”
Sam’s smile disappeared. “What about the people who were coming to the baby shower?”
“Don’t worry,” Shelley said as she hugged Sam. “Bailey called everyone. They sent you their love.”
Caleb took the keys to his truck off a hook on the wall. “We’d better get going. Did you want to come with us, Elena? You could sit in the backseat with Sam.”
The smile on Elena’s face was all the answer Caleb needed. “I would like that. Will you be all right driving on your own, Ted?”
Shelley’s dad sent his wife an amused smile. “Of course, I will.”
“Dad could come with us,” Shelley said.
Zac cleared his throat. “While you’re sorting out transport, we’ll leave.”
After saying goodbye to everyone, Sam, Caleb, Zac, and Elena made their way to their trucks.
Shelley just hoped they made it to the hospital before the baby was born.
John breathed a sigh of relief when they drove into the hospital parking lot. In the end, Ted had caught a ride with him and Shelley, and Bailey had brought Megan in her truck to give them options for driving home at different times. Steven and William were left on babysitting duties—making Mila, Nora, and Rebecca very happy.
Shelley checked her cell phone. “Mom hasn’t texted me, so everything must