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an iced tea? I m dying of thirst out here while this little one is drying
me up.
 I m one step ahead of you, Steve replied as he stepped out
carrying two iced teas and handed one to Sarah. He sat down next to
her with his own.
 Thanks, honey. You always take such good care of me, Sarah
said with a sigh.
 You re welcome, dear, but why do you say it with such sadness?
Is there something else you are hinting for?
 No, I m sorry. I m just worried about Avery. She looked so sad
today. I think she s missing Blake so much, but she won t call him to
tell him. She s so stubborn, you know? But that s not entirely her
fault it s the hormones. She just needs some help, I think.
 Oh no, don t do it, Sar. Don t start meddling. You don t have a
good history here. Your sister still isn t talking to you after the
disaster blind date you set up for her.
 What was the matter with Gary? He was a great catch.
 Nothing was wrong with him! It was the fact you meddled after
the date by calling him and telling him all about Caroline, too much
80 Amber Finn
information after one date, know what I mean? You scared him off,
and Caroline really liked him.
 Well, this is different. Blake and Avery have a history and, more
importantly, a child together. He needs to be here. She needs him
here. She wants him here, whether she is willing to admit it or not.
 Sarah, even if all you are saying is true, there is nothing you can
do about it. You have no way of contacting Blake. You don t even
know where he is. Sarah smiled at Steve.  Oh, don t tell me. Are you
serious? How did you find out?
 I have my ways, my darling husband. I have my ways.
* * * *
Avery was finishing the packing when she decided it was time to
call Sarah and Steve. Her contractions were steady but still not very
close together, so she thought she had some time. She had read that
actual labor could take up to twenty-four hours in some cases. She
called next door and told Steve the news. Within fifteen minutes, the
Whitehouse family was in her driveway, waiting for Avery. When it
was time for Avery to bring the baby home, their plan was to have
Steve and Sarah go back to Avery s house to get her car and bring it
back to the hospital. Steve would drive Avery home, and Sarah would
follow behind in their van. With the plan in place, Avery lumbered
into their van, and they headed to the hospital. Avery didn t know if
the pain of the contractions was making her crazy or if she was
picking up vibes that Sarah was acting strange about going to the
hospital.
 What is the name of your hospital again? Sarah asked for the
second time.
 Weston Methodist, Avery replied.  Why?
 Just making sure, Sarah answered.
Sarah was tapping her feet nervously.
 Are you okay, Sarah?
Her Prized Student 81
 Yes, of course. Just fine.
Steve shot Sarah a warning look. Just then, a strong contraction hit
Avery, and she forgot about the interaction between Sarah and Steve.
* * * *
They arrived at the hospital, and Avery was taken to Labor and
Delivery while Sarah and Steve were shown to the waiting area. Steve
held Emily while Sarah paced.
 Sarah, who were you talking to in the other room while I was
changing Emily and then talking to Avery? Sarah looked guiltily at
Steve.  Oh, Sar, you didn t. What did he say? How did he react to
you?
 Well, to be honest, it wasn t the first time we talked.
Steve almost dropped Emily.  What? You ve been in contact with
Blake and didn t tell me? What have you been telling him?
 What do you think? I ve been keeping him informed about the
pregnancy. Avery promised she would and hardly told him anything.
She told him if there was anything she thought he needed to know,
she would tell him. But he wanted to know everything. He wanted to
see what she looked like. He wanted to know when the baby first
kicked. He s so excited. Steve, he s devastated about questioning
Avery about the baby s father. He s truly sincere. I can hear it in his
voice. Sarah paused.  That s why I called him today to tell him I
heard Avery call you when she had gone into labor, and I gave him
the hospital information. He s been scouting flights for the past week
or so and booked a flight online while we were on the phone. He ll be
here in two hours.
 I hope you know what you are doing, Sarah. That s all I have to
say.
By the time Sarah was allowed in to see Avery, her contractions [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]