Page 51 of The Maverick

“Mommy.” He held his arms up.

“I can’t pick you up right now, sweetie. Let Bailey or Jake hold you.” It broke her heart that she had to refuse him.

“No. Mommy.”

“No. Wyatt. Mommy can’t right now.” She wanted so much to hold him and soothe him.

Nick was on the phone with his driver. He ended the call and gazed around the room.

Wyatt began to cry.

Nick picked him up. “What’s the matter, buddy?”

“Mommy.” He leaned toward Rachel with his arms open wide.

“She can’t hold you now, Wyatt. Daddy will have to do,” said Nick.

The child cried in earnest. Fat tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Let me have him,” said Rachel.

“No.” Nick furrowed his brow and his mouth was in a flat line. “You’re in labor. He needs to know that Mommy can’t pick him up whenever he wants it. He needs to wait.”

“He’s a baby. He doesn’t understand that I can’t?—”

“No. He’s three. He needs to learn.” Nick was firm and refused to let Rachel hold Wyatt while she was experiencing labor pains.

She knew he was not only protecting her, but Wyatt. What if she had a hard contraction while she held him? Would she drop him? Squeeze him too tight?

Just then, she had another contraction. The pain was intense. She began to worry she’d have the baby at home. It only lasted a few seconds, but to her, it seemed to last forever. Maybe she should have let Nick call an ambulance. “How long before the car gets here?”

“Probably ten or fifteen minutes.” Nick looked at Bailey and Jake. “I’m taking Mommy to the hospital. She’s in labor right now and we’re just waiting for the car. I need you to be good for Mrs. Kirby and to take care of Wyatt while we are gone.”

“We can do that,” Bailey shot a quick look at Jake.

He nodded. “We’ll be sure and take care of Wyatt so Mrs. Kirby doesn’t have to.”

“Thank you. Your mom and I appreciate you both stepping up. I need to talk to Mrs. Kirby. Wait here with your mother and don’t let her pick up or hold Wyatt right now.” He handed the baby to Jake.

“Okay.” Jake glanced at his mother for confirmation. He held a squirming Wyatt.

She nodded.

Wyatt continued to cry though now it was mostly sniffles. He’d stopped squirming and laid his head on Jake’s shoulder, and put his thumb in his mouth.

Nick left to talk to Mrs. Kirby.

Rachel continued to have contractions and had three in the time he was gone.

He walked into the room about ten minutes after he’d left..

The doorbell sounded.

“That will be Kekoa.” Nick headed to the door and opened it.

Kekoa was on the other side. “Are you ready? I have the limo ready and waiting just for Mrs. Kincaid.”

“Good. I’ll bring her.” He walked over to Rachel.