Read Online Saints and Sinners: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #5) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries) by Sarah Biglow - Free Book Online

glare as another contraction—this much closer together—faintly rippled through her belly. He’d been the one to tell them to call if anything big had changed. She bit her lower lip to keep from snapping at him. It wouldn’t do anything but frustrate him.
    Her doctor reappeared with a new nurse, both in scrubs and face masks. “I’m just going to check to see how far you’ve progressed. It might be time to start pushing.”
    “OK.”
    Kalina blew out a slow breath as the doctor examined her. Chris’s grip was steady and present, making some of her irritation dissipate. He was here for the important part.
    “Everything looks ready, so I’m going to need you to start pushing when you feel the urge, Kalina.”
    She had no idea how she was supposed to know but apparently the rest of her body was in tune with what was happening because a few minutes later her knees were raised and her chin was pressed to her chest.
    “Nine. Ten. And relax,” her doctor instructed.
    Kalina lay back against the pillow, beads of sweat moistening her upper lip. “How much longer?”
    “You’re doing great.” Chris brushed a strand of sweaty hair out of her face.
    “Push again.”
    Kalina bore down and this time she could feel something change and move. She was so focused on the push she didn’t register the sounds of encouragement around her.
    “One more big push like that and I think we’re going to have our baby,” her doctor prompted.
    She pushed one last time. The haze of the experience fell away as a wail filled the room.
    “Our baby girl cried,” Chris said.
    Kalina turned to look at him and saw tears streaming down his cheeks. Her husband clearly didn’t care that he was sobbing. He made no attempt to wipe them away. Instead, he released his grip on her hand and accepted the tiny, squirming baby wrapped in a hospital blanket. He settled their little girl on Kalina’s chest.
    “Welcome to the world, little lady,” Chris whispered and stroked the baby’s cheek.
    “What are you going to call her?” Kalina jumped a little at the sound of her sister’s voice.
    “Nina Elise.”
    “That’s a beautiful name.”
    Chris’s attention diverted from the baby for a split second as his phone buzzed. “I’ll get it later,” he said.
    “Take it. You’re still working the case.”
    “He’s not going anywhere.”
    “Chris, please just answer it.”
    He bent and kissed Nina’s head before stepping out into the hallway. With his back to her, Kalina couldn’t see his face. But his shoulders tensed and his back went rigid. Whatever was being communicated wasn’t making him happy. The nurse took Nina from Kalina’s arms.
    “Where are you taking her?” Kalina’s tone came out more desperate than she’d intended.
    “To the nursery. Your husband is welcome to come with me.”
    “He’s busy. AJ and I will go and keep an eye on her,” Jillian offered.
    The panic that had begun to tighten Kalina’s chest subsided. At least someone would be watching over her daughter. Chris ended his call just as the nurse, Jillian and AJ walked by.
    “What’s wrong?” Kalina asked when she saw his face.
    “Bethany Fairfax is here demanding to see her son.”
    “What are you going to do?”
    He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. “I don’t know.”
    “Maybe you should talk to her.”
    “I don’t know what good it will do. I mean I’m fairly certain she didn’t have anything to do with Paige’s death.”
    “But she kept Patrick from his parents. Even if he wanted to stay that’s got to be illegal.”
    “It will be a hard charge to prove. And the Fischers are dead now. They aren’t going to agree to file anything.”
    “But you have to do something.”
    He held up his hands. “I get it, Kal. Calm down. I’ll talk to her and see what happens. You rest.”
    “I don’t want to rest. I want to know what happened.”
    “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll talk to Bethany and let you know what happens if you promise