Page 52 of The Maverick

Kekoa waited in the doorway. “Maui Memorial is only twenty minutes from here.”

Nick bent and picked up Rachel.

She’d long ago given up trying to make him let her walk. Letting him do it was so much easier and she had to admit, she liked being held in his arms.

Kekoa rushed ahead of them and opened the rear passenger door of the limo.

When Nick reached the car, he set her on the ground next to the door that Kekoa held open.

Nick had a wide smile. “I think we are having a new baby today.”

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want this to continue longer than necessary.” She slid into the car.

Kekoa closed the door.

Nick ran around to the other door and climbed in. “Let’s go.”

“Maui Memorial next stop,” said Kekoa.

She saw Kekoa’s smile in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but return it. Rachel was ready to have the baby, even if it hadn’t been planned for right this moment or on this trip. They’d thought they had another couple of weeks before the baby was born. Leaning back against the leather seat, she rested. The baby was coming and she didn’t have anything here for it—no clothes or diapers or furniture.

“Kekoa, do you think your wife would be willing to do some shopping? I don’t have anything here for a baby.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure she’d love that. She’s been doing shopping for our baby already.”

“That would be wonderful.” She gazed over at Nick. “Would you see that he has a credit card?—”

The driver shook his head. “No worries there, Mrs. Kincaid. I already have a company credit card. We’ll just put everything on that.” He looked at Nick in the rearview mirror. “Right, boss?”

Nick didn’t take his gaze from Rachel. “Right. Whatever you can get as soon as possible.”

“We won’t have any problems with clothes and diapers. What do you want in the way of furniture? Bassinett or crib or both? Changing table? Dresser?”

“Yes, all of those items.” Rachel breathed in slowly through her nose and out through her mouth. She’d learned in the Lamaze class she and Nick had taken before Wyatt was born. Another pain hit. She couldn’t help but hold her breath. She knew she should be breathing through the pain, but couldn’t when they were so strong. The contraction didn’t last long, maybe fifteen seconds, but it was an intense fifteen seconds.

The limo arrived at the hospital and Kekoa parked in front of the Emergency Department. He was out of the car and opened the door for Nick. Then he ran into the emergency room and grabbed a wheelchair.

Nick helped Rachel out of the car and into the wheelchair. “Kekoa, you can take the car back. I probably won’t need it anymore tonight but I’ll call you if plans change.”

The driver grinned. “Yes, sir, and congratulations to both of you.”

“Thank you.” Rachel smiled. “Please get those items tomorrow and take them to the house. They are to be put in the bedroom next to the master. Mrs. Kirby can show you where.”

Kekoa swallowed and put his hands in the front pockets of his pants. “Are you sure you trust me to get what you want? What if we pick out something you hate?”

“You won’t. Your wife will know what to get.”

He nodded. “You’re right she will. She’ll be thrilled to go shopping for you.”

Rachel reached over and placed a hand on Kekoa’s arm. “If you two find anything you want for your new little one, get it. Mr. Kincaid doesn’t mind. It can be repayment for helping us. It’s not part of your job to furnish our nursery.” Rachel closed her eyes and grimaced as the pain raced around her stomach and back. She’d had three contractions in the car on the drive, so she figured they were coming about five minutes apart. She and Nick still had a long night ahead of them. She looked up at Nick. “I’m ready to go inside now.”

He wheeled her into the emergency room and up to the desk. “My wife is having a baby.”

The nurse looked over the counter at Rachel. “Yes, I can see that. Do you know how far apart the contractions are?”

Rachel looked up at her. “I estimate about four to five minutes.”

“Okay, I’ll get you checked in.” She handed Nick a clipboard with several forms. “Fill these out and I’ll find a room for her. After I get the forms back I can assign her to a room. The doctor will be in shortly.”