Read Online Caribou Crossing by Susan Fox - Free Book Online Page B

his body as he spooned her. “Morning’s going to come far too soon.”
    He kissed her shoulder, yawned widely, closed his eyes . . . and he was gone.
    How much later was it when he woke in the darkness, feeling the bed shift as Miriam climbed out? He didn’t bother checking the clock, just rolled over, ready to go back to sleep. When she was pregnant, she often had to pee in the middle of the night.
    A few minutes later, his wife’s voice called from the bathroom, bringing him to alertness. “Wade? Are you awake?”
    â€œYeah. Are you okay?”
    â€œI . . .”
    That hesitation had him whipping back the covers and climbing out of bed. “Miriam?” He strode to the closed bathroom door. “Can I come in?”
    â€œYes.”
    When he did, she was standing by the toilet, clad in flannel pajamas, one hand across her middle. Her face was white and she gestured wordlessly to the toilet.
    He looked inside and saw that the water had swirls of red. “Jesus, you’re bleeding!”
    â€œSpotting. It’s just spotting. I think.” But her eyes were huge and scared, and her voice was uncertain. With a gasp, she curved forward suddenly, hunching over the way she’d done when she was in labor with Jessica.
    He put his arm around her shoulders, steadying her. “Miriam, what’s going on? The baby’s acting up?”
    â€œI guess. It’s like cramps. Or c-contractions. Like when I went into labor. It’s probably normal, right?”
    â€œIt didn’t happen when you were pregnant before.”
    â€œThe doctor says each pregnancy’s different.” She straightened. “It’s eased off now. I have an appointment with Dr. Mathews in a couple of days. I’ll ask her.”
    Wade felt inexperienced and helpless. His wife was in pain. She was bleeding. He hated asking for help, always figuring he should handle things himself. But what did he know about pregnancy? “We should call her now.”
    â€œWe can’t do that. It’s the middle of the night. It’s not an emergency.”
    How did they know whether it was? “I’m calling your mom.”
    Miriam put a restraining hand on his arm. “We shouldn’t wake her up.” But he could tell from her tone that she’d love her mother’s reassurance.
    â€œShe won’t mind. It’s not negotiable, Miriam.”
    â€œOkay,” she said softly, sounding relieved.
    He helped her back to bed and got her settled, then yanked on his pajamas and dialed the phone. When her dad answered, sounding sleepy and worried, Wade said, “Miriam’s feeling a little under the weather. Could we talk to her mom? We have some pregnancy questions.” His mother-in-law had given birth to four kids, which to his mind made her an expert.
    When Rose came on the line, he passed the phone to his wife, who described the pains she’d been having. Miriam listened, then said, “If you’re sure, Mom. Yes, we’ll call you back.” She hung up and turned to him. “She says to call the doctor.”
    The number was programmed into their phone. When she made the call, Wade listened to her side of the conversation, gnawing on his bottom lip as he saw the worry on Miriam’s face. Wordlessly, she handed him the phone.
    â€œWade,” Dr. Sonia Mathews said calmly, “as I told Miriam, it may be nothing at all, but I don’t think we should wait until morning to find out. Bring her to the hospital and I’ll meet you there.”
    â€œSure. Of course. But you think it’s nothing?” He begged for reassurance.
    â€œWe’ll hope. She’s healthy, and her last pregnancy had no complications, at least not until she was in labor.”
    That had been a little scary. They’d planned for natural childbirth, but Jessie’s umbilical cord had slipped into the birth canal. Dr. Mathews said it would be compressed during birth