Breathe (Sea Breeze #1)(29)

She gave me a tight nod, and I ran inside.

The smell of sanitized hospital hit my nose and, for once, the smell comforted me. A lady stood at the door behind a desk watching me.

“My mom is in the car. She is pregnant and in a lot of pain.”

The lady went quickly into another room and came out with a wheelchair.

“The car is parked right out front,” I said as she came around the desk.

We walked out to the car quickly. The lady and I helped Jessica into the wheelchair. The lady immediately started asking her questions, and I bit my tongue to keep from asking her to stop for fear it would make the pain come back. Once inside, they got her information, and then instructed me to stay in the waiting area while they checked her out. Which sounded good to me. I didn’t want to go with them. Sitting down alone for a few minutes in order to calm my racing heart was greatly needed at that point. There were a lot of empty seats at that hour, so I found a chair facing a television hanging on the wall, and I watched the soundless news.

“Hello.” A hand lightly shook my shoulder and a woman’s voice woke me up.

I sat up in my chair. “Um, yes, sorry. Is my mom okay?”

The nurse smiled. “Yes, she is fine. She had a bad case of Braxton Hicks brought on by not drinking enough liquids, but she is fine and so is the baby.”

I sighed with relief.

“She is asleep, and we have moved her to a room. Once we have her hydrated and are sure her contractions have stopped, we will release her. You can come up to her room if you like.”

I nodded and stood. The soundless television said 7:30 in the right hand corner, and I froze and realized I should have been at work an hour ago. “I need to make a phone call before I go up. Do I need to go outside to use a cell phone?”

She smiled. “Yes, you do. I will be at the desk when you’re ready, and I'll take you up.”

I thanked her and headed for the door I’d brought Jessica through a few hours before.

I reached into my mother’s purse and pulled out her phone. I knew she’d stored Ms. Mary’s number in there somewhere. I scrolled down until I found it.

“Hello, Sadie,” Ms. Mary’s anxious voice answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Ms. Mary. I am so sorry! I had to bring my mother to the hospital at four this morning, and I fell asleep in the waiting room. They just came and got me. I am so sorry I didn’t call.”

“Oh, my lordy, is she okay?”

“Yes, yes, she’s fine. It was Braxton Hicks brought on by dehydration, and they are keeping her today until she is hydrated and stable. I have to stay and take her home when she is ready. I am so sorry.”

“Girl, you better stop apologizing to me. I’m just glad you’re all right. Now, here is Master Jax’s number. You need to call him. He has gone to your house looking for you. I ain’t never seen that boy all worked up and worried as he was when you didn’t show up. Don’t you worry about a thing, and call him, please, before he gets the police searching for you.”

I thanked her and said goodbye, and then quickly called Jax’s number.

“Hello?”

“Jax, it’s Sadie.”

“Are you all right? Where are you?”

“I’m fine. I brought my mother to the hospital around four this morning. She was in pain. But she’s fine now, and they are pumping fluids into her. She should be able to leave soon.”

“I’m on my way.”

“No, Jax, wait. You can’t come here.”

He paused. “Why?”

I laughed. “Because you will get mauled by adoring fans.”

He sighed. “I can make a few calls and get in privately.”

I laughed again. “No, there is no reason. We will be leaving soon, and I haven’t explained you to my mom yet, and today isn’t really a good day for that.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“I am.”

“I miss you.”

I got all warm and tingly at his words. “I miss you too.”

“You know, I could get you a few posters for your walls....”

I laughed. “I’ll pass. I happen to be interested in someone I don’t really see as the guy in those posters.”

He hesitated a moment, and then said, “Thank you.”

“See you later,” I said and hung up.

I squinted up at the morning sun and smiled before turning and heading back into the hospital to check on Jessica. She wouldn’t get dehydrated again if I could help it. The whole experience was not something I wanted to repeat.

They released Jessica to leave around lunchtime. She seemed tired and whiny. I couldn’t wait to get her home and go to work. As soon as I deposited her in bed with a large pitcher of ice water and a glass beside her, I headed outside.

* * *

Chapter Nine

When I opened the door, a familiar silver Hummer sat in the drive. Jax stepped out and walked over to meet me.

He smiled sheepishly. “I had the hospital call as soon as they released your mom.”

I smiled and stared into his eyes, which were hidden behind black sunglasses. He wore a New York Giants baseball cap pulled down low on his forehead.

“I see you’re in disguise?”

He grinned and nodded.