Kiss Me in the Summer - Barbara Dunlop Page 0,26

I don’t know, just . . .”

“I’ve got you,” Josh said coming to full height.

I followed him through the reception area and locked the door behind us as we left the office. Then I moved past him and opened the back door of his SUV.

“Do you want to lie down on the seat?” he asked Becky.

“Yes.”

I trotted around to the other side, opened the door, and crawled in to help her.

“Put your head on my lap,” I said while Josh settled her legs.

“I feel so stupid,” she said.

“You’re not stupid.” I smoothed her blonde hair away from her face.

Josh shut the door. I shut mine, and in seconds we were moving along the street.

Becky’s breathing seemed to even out.

“Josh Rowin here,” Josh said, and I realized he was talking on his phone. “I’m bringing in Becky Seymour with a headache and stomach pain.” He paused. “Yes. Thanks.”

He met my gaze in the rearview mirror. “They’ll be ready for us.”

I nodded, again impressed with the way he took charge.

A few blocks later we pulled up to the medical clinic. It was bigger than I’d expected—a modern-looking navy-blue building with white lettering and a big wall of glass across the front.

I let out a sigh of relief when two nurses appeared with a wheelchair. I helped Becky to sit up, then they all lifted her into the chair, and Josh and I followed them through the automatic doors.

“Dr. Gray is in today,” a composed and professional-looking nurse said from behind the reception desk. “I’ve already paged him. Go ahead and take Becky to room three.”

One of the nurses took a right turn down the hall and wheeled Becky away.

“Do you want to fill out the paperwork for her?” the reception nurse asked Josh.

“Ben’s on his way,” Josh said.

The automatic door slid open behind us and we both turned.

A man rushed in, tall, fit, thirtyish, wearing dress pants and a white button-down shirt. His tie was loose and his expression harried. I recognized him from his picture. It was Ben.

“Where is she?” he asked Josh.

“Room three,” Josh answered and pointed down the hall.

Ben pivoted right and increased his pace.

“There’s some paperwork,” the reception nurse called after him.

Ben didn’t even break his stride. The nurse heaved a sigh and came from behind the counter.

“He’s worried,” Josh said to her.

“He can fill out the forms and worry at the same time,” she said and strode briskly down the hall.

“Do you suppose that’s a good sign?” I asked Josh as we watched the nurse turn into room three.

“What’s a good sign?” Josh asked.

“She seemed more frustrated than worried. Maybe she’s seen this before. Maybe she can tell that Becky and the baby are going to be fine.”

“Maybe,” Josh said.

“Well I’m going to think very positive thoughts.” It was all I could do for Becky from here.

*

I didn’t give any credit to my positive thoughts, but when Ben arrived at Madeline’s house an hour later, he was all smiles.

Josh rose from his chair in Madeline’s living room where we’d all been waiting together. “Good news?” he asked Ben.

“Unexpected,” Ben said, holding out his hand to Josh. “Thanks so much for being there for her.”

“Always, man,” Josh said as they shook.

“And you too,” Ben said to me, reaching down to shake my hand.

“Is Becky okay?” I asked. Patience wasn’t my strong suit, and I really wanted to hear what looked like good news.

“She’s great,” Ben said.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness,” Madeline said.

“Well, she’s good anyway. The doctor wants her to take it easy for the next few weeks. Her blood pressure’s higher than they like.”

“Is it preeclampsia?” Madeline asked, looking less relieved than she had a minute ago. I’d vaguely heard of the condition, but I didn’t know any details. I knew it could be serious though.

“No,” Ben said. “Nothing like that. It’s . . .” His grin grew wider. “Twins.”

My jaw went slack.

“Two?” Josh asked, holding up two fingers.

“A boy and a girl they tell me.” Ben dropped down at one end of the soft, copper-hued sofa. His smile faded and his eyes got wide. It looked like reality was dawning on him.

“That’s fantastic,” Josh said, sounding delighted.

I felt a lurch of sympathy for Becky—both for carrying two babies now and caring for two babies after they were born. I couldn’t even imagine the workload.

“One’s behind the other,” Ben said. “She had an ultrasound early in the pregnancy, but they didn’t pick it up. It’s rare, but they said that position can hide the second