Читать книгу The Midwife's Son - Sue MacKay - Страница 9

CHAPTER THREE

KEEPING HER EYES closed, Jess reached across the bed for Jackson and came up cold. What? She scrambled up and looked around. She was alone.

‘Jackson?’ she called.

Nothing. No cheeky reply. No deep chuckle. Silence except for the house creaking as the sun warmed up the day.

‘Great. Bloody wonderful, even. I hate it when the guy of the night before leaves without at least saying good bye.’ Her stomach tightened. Jackson had enjoyed their lovemaking as much as she had. She’d swear to it. ‘Maybe he didn’t want the whole bay knowing we’ve been doing the deed.’

Was that good or bad? Did she want the whole of Golden Bay discussing her sex life? Nope. Definitely not. The muscles in her stomach released their death grip.

Did she want to do it again? With Jackson? Oh, yes. Her stomach tightened again. Absolutely wanted that. Which was a very good reason not to. Already she felt the need to see him pulling at her, wanted his arms around her, to hear his sexy chuckle. And that was after one night. Blimey. Was she falling for her best friend’s brother? Even when she knew she shouldn’t? That was a sure-fire way to fall out with Sasha, especially once Jackson packed his bags and headed back to his job. But there was no helping those feelings of want and desire that seemed to sneak out of her skull when she wasn’t looking.

Throwing the sheet aside, she leapt out of bed. He might’ve left but, darn, she felt good this morning. Despite the uncertainty of today and, in fact, every other day of the coming months with Jackson in the bay, she felt great. Just went to show what a healthy dose of sex could do for her.

‘What’s that?’ A piece of paper lay on the floor by the bed. Picking it up, she read:

Hey, sleepyhead, thought I’d get away before the bay woke up. Thanks for a great night. See you at brunch. Hugs, Jackson.

Hugs, eh? That was good, wasn’t it? Seemed he wasn’t hiding from her if he’d mentioned the post-wedding brunch. What was the time? Eight-thirty. Yikes. She was supposed to be at the Wilsons’ by nine-thirty and she had to pick up Nicholas. Her boy, the light of her life. She might’ve had a fantastic night but she missed him.

The piping-hot shower softened those aching muscles that had had a rare workout during the night. Singing loudly—and badly—she lathered shampoo through her hair while memories of last night with Jackson ran like a nonstop film through her mind. Hugging herself, she screeched out the words to a favourite song.

The phone was ringing as she towelled herself. Knowing she had no babies due at the moment, she wondered who’d be calling. Sasha would be too busy with Grady, it being the first day of married bliss and all that.

‘Hello,’ she sang.

‘Is that Jessica Baxter? The midwife?’ a strained male voice asked hesitantly.

Her stomach dropped. ‘Yes, it is. Who’s this?’

‘You don’t know me, but my wife’s having a baby and I think something’s wrong. It’s too early. Can we come and see you? Like now?’

No. I’m busy. I’m going to have brunch with the most amazingly attractive, sexy-as-hell guy I’ve ever had the good luck to sleep with. Except, as of now, she wasn’t. She swallowed the disappointment roiling in her stomach. ‘Let’s start at the beginning. Yes, I am Jessica. You are?’

‘Sorry, I’m panicking a bit here. I’m Matthew Carter and my wife’s Lily. We’re up here for the weekend from Christchurch. Staying at Paton’s Rock.’ The more he talked the calmer he sounded. ‘She seems a bit uncomfortable this morning.’

‘How far along is your wife?’ Why had they come away from home and their midwife when this Lily was due to give birth?

He hesitated, then, ‘Nearly eight months. Everything’s been good until this morning, otherwise we wouldn’t have come away. But my cousin got married yesterday and we had to be here.’

‘You were at Sasha and Grady’s wedding?’ She didn’t remember seeing any obviously pregnant women, and as a midwife she usually noticed things like that.

‘No, Greg and Deb Smith’s.’

No one she knew. There were often multiple weddings in the bay in January. The golden beaches were a huge attraction for nuptials. ‘Right. Tell me what’s going on.’

‘Lily’s having pains in her stomach. Personally I think she ate too much rich food yesterday but she wants someone to check her out.’

‘That sounds wise. They could be false labour pains. Can you drive into Takaka and meet me at the maternity unit? It’s behind the medical centre. I’ll head there now.’ She went on to give exact directions before hanging up.

Immediately picking the phone up again, she called the mother of Nicholas’s friend and asked if it was all right for him to stay there a while longer. Then she phoned Sasha’s mother.

‘Virginia, I’m very sorry but I have to bail on brunch, or at least be very late. A pregnant woman from Christchurch is having problems.’

‘That’s fine, Jess. You can’t predict when those babies will make their appearance.’

Yeah, but this wasn’t one of hers. Then there was the fact it was coming early—if it was even coming at all. ‘Can you tell Sasha and Grady I’m sorry? I really wanted to be there.’ And can you let your son know too?

‘Sure can. What about Jackson?’

Ahh. She swallowed. ‘What about him?’

Virginia’s laughter filled her ear. So that’s where Jackson had got that deep chuckle. She’d never noticed Virginia’s laugh before. ‘Seems he had a bit of a walk home at daybreak. We shared a pot of tea when he got in. He doesn’t realise how little I sleep these days. It gave him a bit of a shock when he crept in the back door just like he used to as a teenager.’

So much for Jackson trying to stop the town knowing about their night of fun. But his mother wouldn’t be one for spreading that particular titbit of gossip. Or any other. She didn’t do gossip. And...Jessica drew a breath...she didn’t need to know what he’d got up to as a teen.

‘Tell him thanks.’ Oops. Wrong thing to blurt out to the man’s mother.

‘For what, Jess?’ That laughter was back in Virginia’s voice.

Too much information for Jackson’s mother. ‘For...’ she cast around for something innocuous to say, came up blank.

Virginia’s laughter grew louder. ‘I’ll tell him thanks. He can fill in the blanks. Good luck with the baby. Come round when you’re done. We’d love to see you.’

I’m never going to the Wilson house again. My face will light up like a Christmas-tree candle the moment I step through their door. Apparently Virginia had a way of getting things out of a person without appearing to be trying.

Hauling on some knee-length shorts and a sleeveless shirt, she gave her hair a quick brush and tied it in a ponytail. There wasn’t time to blow-dry it now and as she wasn’t about to see Jackson it didn’t really matter any more.

Pulling out of her driveway, she saw her neighbour, Mrs Harrop, waving at her from the front porch. They both lived on the outskirts of town in identical little houses built back in the 1950s. Mrs Harrop took care of the gardens for both of them while Jess made sure the other woman had proper meals every day by always cooking twice as much as she and Nicholas needed.

‘Morning, Mrs Harrop. Everything all right with you today?’

‘The sun came up, didn’t it? How was the wedding? Who was that man I saw leaving your place in the early hours?’ There was a twinkle in the seventy-year-old woman’s eyes.

Damn. Usually her neighbour was half-blind in full daylight. ‘Mrs Harrop...’ Jess couldn’t help herself. ‘You won’t mention anything to your friends, will you?’

‘Get away with you, girl. My lips are zipped.’

Now, why did she have to mention zips? Jess’s brain replayed the memory of Jackson undoing the zip of her dress last night. Oh, and then of her hand on his fly, pulling that zip down. Turning the radio onto full blast, she sang some more cringeworthy words and banged the steering-wheel in an approximation of the song’s beat, and drove to town.

Jess made it to the maternity unit fifteen minutes before the distressed couple arrived. She filled in the time making coffee and nipped next door to the store to buy a muffin for breakfast. Nothing like the big cook-up she could’ve been enjoying at the Wilson establishment. But way better for her waistline.

The man she supposed to be Matthew helped his wife into the clinic and stood hopping from foot to foot, looking lost and uncomfortable.

After the introductions, Jess helped Lily up onto the examination bed. ‘This is where they used to tell the husbands to go and boil water.’

Matthew gave a reluctant smile. ‘Thank goodness the world is far more modern these days. But I admit having something concrete to do would help me right now.’

‘You could hold your wife’s hand while I examine her.’ Try being a comfort to her, rubbing her back. She’s the one doing the hard work here.

‘Speaking of water, Lily did pass a lot of fluid just before I rang you.’

‘You’re telling me her waters broke?’ What was wrong with letting me know sooner?

Matthew looked sheepish. ‘Lily wouldn’t let me look and I wasn’t sure.’

Jess wanted to bang her head against the wall and scream. These two really weren’t dealing with this pregnancy very well. After an examination she told them, ‘Baby’s head’s down, and its bottom is pointing up. You’re definitely in labour.’

Lily said nothing, but her face turned white. ‘Now? Here? We shouldn’t have come.’ The eyes she turned on her husband were filled with distress and something else Jess couldn’t quite make out. Blame? Fear?

‘Matthew told me you’re nearly eight months along.’ When Lily nodded slowly, Jessica groaned internally. She’d have preferred to be dealing with a full-term baby when she didn’t know the patient. ‘I need to talk to your midwife. Lily, have you timed how far apart your contractions are?’

‘She wasn’t sure they were contractions,’ Matthew replied.

‘So this is your first baby?’ Jess asked.

‘No, our second.’ Matthew again.

So far Lily had hardly got a word in. Maybe that boiling water was a good idea after all. Jess pasted on a smile before saying, ‘I really need to talk to Lily for a moment. Have you timed the pains?’

Lily nodded, her face colouring up. ‘They’re four minutes apart.’

‘Okey-dokey, we’ve got a little lead-in time, then.’ Possibly very little, if this baby was in a hurry, but there was no point in raising Lily’s anxiety level any further. ‘You can fill me in on details. Like who your midwife is and how I can get hold of her for a start.’

I so do not like flying blind. A perfectly normal pregnancy so far, according to Matthew, but that baby was coming early. Too early really. Jess punched the cellphone number Matthew read out from his phone.

‘They’re where?’ the other midwife yelped when Jess explained the situation. ‘I warned them not to leave town. Lily has a history of early delivery. She’s only thirty weeks. The last baby didn’t survive.’

‘Thirty weeks? You’re sure? Sorry, of course you are. Damn it. Why would Matthew have said nearly eight months?’ Jess would’ve sworn long and loud if it weren’t the most unprofessional thing to do.

‘To cover the fact he shouldn’t have taken Lily away at all.’ The other midwife didn’t sound surprised.

‘He’s brought his wife to a place where there’s no well-equipped hospital or any highly qualified obstetricians and paediatricians.’ All because he’d wanted to go to a family wedding. The closest hospital by road was Nelson, a good two hours away. Now what? She had to call one of the local doctors. At least she knew where they all were. At the post-wedding brunch. She needed help fast. And probably a rescue helicopter. Those guys would have Lily in Nelson with every chance of saving her baby’s life in a lot less time than any other form of transport.

Lily groaned her way through a contraction. It would only get worse very soon, Jess thought after another examination of Lily. ‘Your baby has definitely decided on Golden Bay for its showdown.’ But she’d do her damnedest to change that. ‘Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?’

‘A girl,’ Matthew answered.

A discreet knock at the door had her spinning around to see what her next crisis was. Another patient was not on her agenda.

Heat slammed into her tummy. ‘Jackson?’ Yes, please, thank you. ‘Come in.’ Perfect timing. ‘What brought you here?’

‘Mum’s truck.’ He grinned. ‘When she told me why you’d phoned I thought I’d drop by and say hi.’

‘I’m really glad you did.’ Then Matthew glared at her and Jackson so she quickly made the introductions.

‘Good. A doctor is exactly what we need,’ the guy had the temerity to say straight to her face.

Lily would’ve had any number of those if only they’d stayed in Christchurch. ‘Lily, Matthew, I need to talk to Dr Wilson. We’ll be right back.’

She dragged Jackson out of the room before anyone had time to utter a word. Her hand held a bunch of his very expensive shirt, the likes of which wasn’t usually seen around Takaka. In other circumstances, she’d have been pulling that gorgeous mouth down closer so she could kiss him hard and long. But today wasn’t her lucky day. ‘I know you don’t start covering for Grady for a few more days so I can phone Mike or Roz, but I’d like some assistance here.’ She quickly ran through all the details the midwife had given her. ‘I think it would be best if the rescue helicopter is called. I do not want to risk that baby’s life.’

‘I’m with you.’ Jackson caught her hand to his chest as she let go of his shirt. ‘The baby will need all the support it can get right from the moment it appears.’

‘She. It’s a girl.’ Jess spread her fingers across the chest that only hours ago she’d been kissing. ‘You need to make the call. I’m not authorised to except in exceptional circumstances.’ Which this could arguably be.

‘No problem. I’ll examine Lily first and then I’ll know what I’m talking about when I phone the rescue service. Can you get me the number? And the midwife’s? I’d like to talk to her, too.’ His green gaze was steady. ‘I’m not undermining you, Jess. I prefer first-hand information, that’s all. Especially since it’s been a while since I delivered a baby.’

The relief that he was sharing the burden swamped her, although she knew it shouldn’t. She had experience in difficult deliveries, though always in places where back-up was on hand. ‘Not a problem, I assure you.’ She turned to head for her patient. ‘Come on, we’ll talk to those two again. Together.’

Jackson still held her hand, tugged her back against him. ‘I had a great time.’ His lips brushed hers. ‘Thank you.’

You and me both. But she couldn’t tell him because of the sudden blockage in her throat and the pounding in her ears. So she blinked and smiled and then made her way into see Lily.

* * *

Jackson made the phone calls and returned to check on baby Carter’s progress. He was angry.

Breathe deep, in one two, out one two.

This mother and baby should not be here, jeopardising their chances of a good outcome. His hands fisted.

In one two. Out one two.

Sure, everything could work out perfectly, but at thirty weeks the baby would still need an incubator and special care. The father was a moron. Especially considering the fact their last baby had died. How did Jess remain so calm? Maybe she’d had time to settle down and get on with what mattered most, appearing confident in the current situation and ignoring the if-only’s. ‘Lily, you’re going to Nelson Hospital to have this baby. It’s too early for us to be bringing her into the world here.’ His tone was too harsh.

In one two. Out one two.

‘I’m not driving Lily over that awful hill in her condition. It was uncomfortable enough for her on Friday and she wasn’t in labour then.’ Matthew stared at Jackson as though it was his fault they were dealing with this here and now.

Jackson ground his teeth and fought for control. Losing his temper would do absolutely nothing to help. Finally, on a very deep, indrawn breath, he managed to explain without showing his anger. ‘The rescue helicopter will be here in approximately one hour. Jessica, where do they land?’

‘In the paddock out the back of the medical centre. I’ll go and see if there are any sheep that need shifting. Matthew, you can give me a hand.’ Jess winked at Jackson before she led the startled man out the door.

‘Go, Jess.’ Jackson grinned to himself, his anger easing off quicker than usual. Starting an examination of Lily, he talked to her all the while, explaining what was happening. And calmed down further. These sudden anger spurts were disturbing. He was usually known for his cool, calm manner in any crisis and he’d hoped taking time away from his job would fix the problem. It seemed he was wrong or maybe just impatient.

‘Will my baby be all right?’ Lily asked through an onset of tears.

He would not promise anything. ‘We’ll do everything we can towards that outcome.’

The tears flowed harder. ‘I didn’t want to come to the wedding but Matthew insisted. He can be very determined.’

Try selfish and stubborn. ‘We can’t change the fact that you’re in Golden Bay at the moment so let’s concentrate on keeping baby safe.’

‘Grr. Ahhh.’ Lily’s face screwed up with pain as another contraction tore through her.

Jackson reached for a flailing hand, held it tightly. The contractions were coming faster. All he could do was prepare for the birth and hope like hell the emergency crew would get here first. How fast could they spin those rotors? Where was Jess? She’d be more at ease with the situation than him. It’s what she did, bringing babies into the world. Admittedly not usually this early or with this much danger of things going horribly wrong, but she was still more used to the birthing process.

‘Hey, how are we doing?’ A sweet voice answered his silent pleas. Jess had returned, dissolving the last of the tension gripping him.

Stepping away from the bed and closer to this delightful woman who seemed to have a way about her that quickly relaxed him, he murmured, ‘Remind me to buy you another bottle of champagne when this is over.’

The fudge-coloured eyes that turned to him were twinkling. Her citrus tang wafted in the air when she leaned close to whisper, ‘I might need some of that brunch first. My energy levels need rebuilding.’

Jess would drive him crazy with need if he wasn’t careful. And did that matter? Of course it did. Didn’t it? He’d hate to hurt her in any way. ‘You’ll have to wait. How was that paddock? Any sheep?’

‘Nope, all clear. The windsock is hardly moving so the landing should be straightforward. How’s Lily doing?’

‘Starting to panic. And who can blame her?’

Jess crossed to the woman. ‘We’re all set for that helicopter, Lily. Ever been in one before?’

‘N-no. I—I don’t like flying.’

Jackson groaned quietly. This day was going from bad to worse for the woman. ‘They’re quite different to being in a plane. Perfectly safe. The pilot will probably go around the coastline instead of over the hill so you won’t be too far above ground level.’

Jess added, ‘This is definitely the best way to keep your baby safe. Now, with the next contraction I want you to stand. You might find it easier to deal with the pain.’

Lily’s smile was strained as she clambered off the bed. ‘Thank you. I know you’re trying your best. I’ll be okay.’ Then all talk stopped as she went through another contraction.

This time Matthew held her as she draped herself over him and hung on. ‘You’re doing great, Lily.’

Finally, just when Jackson thought they’d be delivering Baby Carter in the medical centre the steady thwup-thwup of the helicopter approaching reached them inside the hot and stuffy room. ‘Here we go. Your ride has arrived, Lily,’ he said needlessly.

Everyone had heard the aircraft and Matthew had gone to watch the landing. Jackson followed him out and once the rotors had stopped spinning he strode across to meet the paramedic and paediatrician as they disembarked and began unloading equipment.

‘Glad to see that incubator.’ He nodded towards the interior of the craft. ‘You might be needing it.’

‘Baby’s that close?’ the man who’d introduced himself as Patrick asked. His arm badge read ‘Advanced Paramedic’.

‘The mother has the urge to push. But I’m hoping she can hold off for a bit longer.’

‘Let’s take a look before we decide how to run with it. I don’t fancy a birth in mid-air.’

In the end, Baby Carter made their minds up for them. She arrived in a hurry, sliding out into the bright light of the world, a tiny baby that barely filled Jackson’s hand. Handing her carefully to Jess, he concentrated on repairing a tear that Lily had received during the birth.

Matthew stood to one side, stunned at the unfolding events. ‘Is Lily okay? What about my daughter? Is she going to make it? At least she cried. That’s got to be good, doesn’t it?’

The last baby didn’t cry? Jackson looked up and locked gazes with Matthew. ‘The baby’s breathing normally, and Lily’s going to be fine. Have you decided on a name for your daughter?’

‘Yes, but we were afraid to mention it until we knew if she’d be all right.’ Matthew’s eyes shifted to the right, where his daughter was being attached to monitors inside the incubator. ‘Alice Rose,’ he whispered, and brushed the back of his hand over his face.

‘Alice Rose Carter.’ Jess spared the man a sympathetic glance. ‘I like it. Pretty. And so is she. Come over here and see for yourself.’

The paediatrician continued adjusting equipment as he explained, ‘Alice Rose is very small, as to be expected. At thirty weeks her lungs aren’t fully developed so this machine will help her breathe until she grows some. But...’ the man looked directly at Matthew ‘...everything so far shows she’s looking to be in good shape despite her early arrival. I’m not saying you’re out of trouble yet. There are a lot of things to watch out for, but one step at a time, eh?’

Matthew blinked, swiped at his face again and stepped closer to his daughter. ‘Hello, Alice. I’m your daddy.’ Then he sniffed hard.

Jess handed the guy a box of tissues. ‘Hey, Daddy, blow your nose away from your baby.’ She said it in such a soft tone that Jackson knew she’d forgiven the guy for being rather highhanded earlier. ‘You’re going to have to learn to be very careful around Alice Rose for a long time to come.’

Jackson helped Lily into a sitting position. ‘I’m so sorry you can’t hold your daughter yet.’ That had to be devastating for any new mother. During many long phone calls last year Sasha had often told him that she could barely wait for Melanie to be placed in her arms and to be able to give her that very first kiss. Lily and Matthew weren’t going to have that for a while.

‘I’m grateful she’s doing all right so far. Not like last time. We knew straight away little Molly wouldn’t make it.’ Lily’s bottom lip trembled. ‘No. I’m lying. I want to hold her so much it hurts. By the time I do she won’t be a newborn.’ The tears flowed, pouring down her cheeks to soak into the hospital gown that she still wore.

‘You’re going to need to head across to Nelson as soon as possible,’ Jackson told her, shifting the subject to more practical matters. ‘There’s a shower next door, if you want to clean up first.’

‘Thank you. It all seems surreal. I’ve just been through childbirth and there’s no baby in my arms to show for it.’ Tears sparkled out of her tired eyes as she gathered up her clothes and headed towards the bathroom.

His heart squeezed. For this couple who’d blown into their lives that morning with a monumental problem? Or could there be more to his emotional reaction? Since the attack he’d never quite known where his emotions were taking him, they were so out of whack. Coming home had added to his unrest. Having spent so many years being thankful that he’d escaped Golden Bay, it was difficult to understand why regrets were now filtering through his long-held beliefs.

He’d never really given much thought to having a family of his own. It wasn’t that he didn’t want one. It was just a thought that had been on the back burner while he established his career and got over his distrust of women enough to get to really know them. Then his career had grown into a two-headed monster, leaving him little time to develop anything remotely like a relationship. The women who’d passed through his life hadn’t changed that opinion. Probably because he’d chosen women who wouldn’t want to wreck their careers or their figures by having children. He’d chosen women who wouldn’t lie to him or about him.

But honestly? He wasn’t against a relationship where he settled down with someone special. The problem was, he couldn’t see it working in the centre of Hong Kong surrounded by high-rises and very little green space. As that city was where his life came together, where he was the man he’d strived so hard to become, he could see that there’d be no children in his life for a long while.

He looked around and found Jess regarding him from under lowered eyelids. Could she read him? Did she know that if he ever changed his mind she might be the one woman he’d be interested in? Get a grip, Jackson. Until last night he wouldn’t even have had these thoughts. One very exciting and enjoyable night in the arms of Jessica Baxter and he was getting some very weird ideas.

Because, love or hate Golden Bay, there was a lot to be said for the outdoors lifestyle and bringing up kids in this district. The district where his career would fizzle out with the lack of hospitals and emergency centres.