Page 45 of Unbound

I know that box of toys I left for you probably made you clutch your pearls, but I want you to try them out while I’m gone so my baby isn’t frustrated every night. When I get home, you can show me which ones you like best.

Fuck, now I’m hard, writing this, thinking about you thinking about me and playing with yourself.

Okay, I’m out of time. I’ll be home for the birth, I promise. I’ll miss you every minute until then, Sunshine.

—Sterling

16

EDEN

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

The contractions are one minute apart now, coming on strong and fast. Rosie squeezes my hand while Harley feeds me ice chips.

“It’s early. He’s not going to make it.”

I’m only thirty-eight weeks and five days along, but my water broke in the middle of the night. Sterling was supposed to be getting on a plane in two days to fly to Texas for the birth. Now, I’m afraid he won’t make it. My heart is pounding so fast, the beeps from the monitor they hooked me up to showing the numbers.

Tears stream down my face as Monroe—Sterling’s sister-in-law, married to his brother Cash—stuffs another pillow behind my back. She looks a little greener every time a contraction hits. She’s the only one here who hasn’t given birth before.

Rosie drove me to the hospital and called Harley to let her know what was happening. They’re both moms, and I’m so thankful they’re here with me. I can’t imagine going through this right now with only the nurses and a doctor who occasionally pokes his gray head through the door.

We’ve been here for three hours. The nurse checking me is a no-nonsense woman who threw my hospital gown up over my legs and spread them wide without a word.

“You’re at a seven. Not long now, honey. Is Dad going to make it?”

Harley shoots her a look. With her dark hair and tattoo-covered skin, she’s formidable-looking.

The nurse gives me a sympathetic frown. “You’re moving fast. That’s a good thing, typically.”

With the ominous words, she exits the room. Harley feeds me another ice chip while muttering something about the nurse needing a kick in the teeth.

Rosie snickers, and I can tell they like each other.

Since Sterling suggested I move to Redford Ranch when he deployed overseas, I’ve grown increasingly closer to his family. At first, it felt odd, being here without him. Now, it’s starting to feel more like home, especially because my siblings have visited several times with their kids.

I confessed to Harley a month ago that the baby wasn’t biologically Sterling’s. She listened attentively to the story about Michael before patting my hand and telling me that she didn’t see why the DNA of my sweet little baby should matter to anyone, and since then, a heavy weight of relief lifted from my shoulders.

“Where are the girls?” I ask Rosie.

Another contraction surges through me. I grit my teeth.

“They’re still asleep. Holden had to go out to the fields, so Dolly went over to watch them.”

I nod, exhaling through the pain. It’s so bad already, and I’m only at a seven. I’ve seen my mother give birth many times, so I knew what to expect. Being the one actually going through it is still so much harder.

“Do you have a name?” Harley asks, clearly trying to distract me.

“Wylie Grant.”

“Awe, isn’t that Sterling’s middle name?” Rosie asks.

I nod, finally relaxing back against the bed. “Yes. He doesn’t know it yet though.”

“He’s going to love it. You’re doing so great. You’re a badass.” Harley feeds me another ice chip, smoothing my hair back from my face.

Rosie shakes her head. “You really are, Eden. You’re killing it so far. And you’re so close to the end. He’ll be here before you know it.”