Read Online Mischief and Mistletoe by Lena Matthews - Free Book Online Page B

electrical poles down, which has resulted in some parts of town losing electricity. The roads that are clear are packed and the ones that are empty of cars are filled with snow. The emergency room is completely filled, not that that matters though because at this present point they have no means of getting out here to get her. But there is an upside to that.”
    “How is that even possible?” Russell said, speaking the exact words Tamara was thinking.
    “Because both the 9-1-1 operator and the midwife said the best place for Tamara to be is exactly where she is. Indoors, in a house with heat, lights and running water.” Charlotte smiled sympathetically at Tamara. “The operator did say though that they will be sending an available unit as soon as possible, but she did state they would be doing the calls not in order of who called first, but by severity level. Consider this triage.”
    Tamara rubbed her ha nd on her stomach and let out a nervous breath. “Oh well, better to have the baby at home than in the backseat of a car in the middle of a snowstorm.”
    Charlotte nodded. “Exactly.”
    “Fine,” Russell said stubbornly. “And what about Juniper? Is she going to try to get to the birthing center and prep it for when we do get there?”
    “She’s stuck at home like the rest of us, so even if you went to the birthing center she wouldn’t be there. But she said they ’re already working on her road so as soon as it’s clear she’s going to come to where you are, be it the hospital or this house.”
    Some good news was better than none at all. Sure this wasn’t part of her birthing plan but it was something. “Wonderful.”
    “Exactly .” Charlotte grinned. “Juniper said if you go into active labor before she or the ambulance arrive, then we’re to call her back and she’ll walk us through it as best she can.”
    “Walk us through it!” Russell had that stroke look on his face again.
    “But she’s going to get here as soon as she can and she promised to keep calling to check on you.” Charlotte held up the paper she’d been writing on with a nervous smile. “And she gave me a list of things we should gather in case they can’t be here in time.”
    Russell frowned. “A list for what?”
    “Things to have so we can deliver the baby at home.”
    “Oh hell no.” Russell threw up his hands and stormed from the room.
    Tamara shared an “oh fuck” look with Charlotte before following behind him to the front door where, to her surprise, he was pulling his coat out of the closet. “What are you doing?”
    “I’m going to go shovel the cars out and drive you to the hospital myself.”
    “Are you going to shovel all the way up to the hospital? Because it’s just not these back roads that are snowed in.”
    “If I have to .”
    “Do I need to explain to you in small words how that’s not going to work for me.”
    “I have to do something!” he yelled. “I can’t just sit in here boiling water.”
    “Then don’t. Hold my hand instead. Tell me I’m doing great. Rub my back. Curse and spit and rail against the man. Do one of a million things that don’t involve you walking out their door.” Tamara closed her eyes for a brief moment and prayed for the strength to go on. “Be in this moment with me right now. I got this. Okay? But that doesn’t mean I still don’t need you in here with me. I need— Fuck! Another contraction.”
    Russell dropped his coat and rushed to her side. Tamara grabbed hold of his shoulders and held on for dear life. This one was harder than the last one or the one before that , and despite her epic speech and promise of bravery, Tamara was beginning to feel scared. A matter that wasn’t helped by images of Russell shoveling his life away.
    When the pain subsided, she pulled back and looked at him, ready to go in again. “I need—”
    “Shh…” Russell placed his fingers on her lips. “You win. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not sure if that was a real