Page 103 of Night Moves
Please,she prayed.Don’t let this slip away from me. And please, please, please let the Gentry children be placed with an amazing family like this one. A forever family.
Sierra suddenly pushed her chair back, her eyes wide. “My water just broke.”
Reed jumped to his feet, his chair tipping over behind him. “We should leave now.”
Sierra nodded and stood.
Peggy rushed over and gave Sierra a hug. “Go. Go. If you’re like me, you won’t have a very long labor at all. We’ll clean up here and get to the hospital as soon as we can.”
Sierra smiled at her mom. “I can’t believe it’s finally time.” The smile faded as she clutched her belly and moaned. “Oh, yeah. It’s time.”
“Let’s go.” Sounding panicked, Reed took her arm and led her to the door to a chorus of best wishes.
The guys resumed eating, and Peggy shook her head. “I knew nothing much could stop you from eating, but now I’ve seen it all.”
“Hey,” Drake said, “we’re going to be at the hospital for hours. We need to fortify.”
“He’s right,” Peggy said. “Everyone eat up before we go.”
Natalie started eating again, but as she pictured the upcoming scene at the hospital, she suddenly felt awkward. Did she go with the family? She barely knew Sierra, and this was such a personal time.
As if Drake read her mind, he bumped her shoulder and lowered his voice so only she could hear. “Will you come with me to the hospital? I know we’re all new to you, but I’d like you there.”
“Of course,” she said.
He rested his hand over hers for a moment and looked into her eyes as if he knew she needed reassurance.
“Can I watch the baby come out?” Karlie asked.
Laughter burst from the others, and she looked crestfallen.
“Sorry, honey.” Jenna ran a hand over Karlie’s hair. “We’ll go in to see the baby as soon as Sierra says it’s okay, but he’ll be born and wrapped in a blanket by then.”
“Okay.” And just like that—like a child could do—she moved on and scooped up a bite of baked beans. “I like Nana’s beans.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” Peggy stood by the table holding her plate as if she might have to dump it and run.
As if taking a cue from her, everyone put their attention to eating, and they were all soon cleaning up. The guys knew exactly what to do. Jenna, Harper, and Toni seemed to be well versed too. Even Pong seemed to know what to do and laid down under the table and out of the way.
“Hey, Natalie,” Russ said. “Mind getting me a container to put the leftover burgers in?”
“Glad to.” By the time she made it to the kitchen, Drake had gotten out a big glass container with a red plastic cover and held it out to her. Their hands touched, and she smiled at him. He fired her a sweltering look, and she suddenly wished this newfound family was already on their way to the hospital so she could have a few minutes alone with Drake.
“Don’t let Mom catch you slacking off.” Clay winked at her.
She rushed out with the container and held it out as Russ plopped the burgers in. “I never have this many left. Guys just didn’t eat their usual quota. Maybe I should bring them to the hospital. I know they’re all gonna be hungry in an hour or so.”
Natalie wasn’t sure what to say to that.
“Yeah, you’re right. Not a good idea.” He took the cover from her hand and snapped it on the container. “Let’s get out of here.”
She turned to find the tables bare and everyone inside. She and Russ crowded into the space with them.
“Okay, too many cooks in the kitchen,” Peggy announced. “Dad and I’ll go ahead while you all finish here.”
Russ removed his apron, and Peggy grabbed her purse from a built-in desk on the far wall.
“Mom’s right,” Drake announced. “Too many cooks. Natalie and I’ll head out too.”
