Defending Zara (Mountain Mercenaries #6)(71)

Morgan nodded. “I get that. I do. I was the same as you in that I didn’t want anything to do with men, but there was just something about Arrow that made me feel . . . settled. And it wasn’t because he rescued me, like some people would say. When he looks at me, it’s as if he sees me. He listens when I talk and doesn’t push me to do anything I’m not comfortable with. I never thought I’d be able to make love again after what happened to me, and I still can’t picture letting anyone but Arrow touch me. Now we’re married—although my dad wasn’t happy with the small, quick civil ceremony before Arrow went to Lima. And now I’m having his baby, and I feel as if it’s a miracle. Just go with your gut, Zara. It’s served you well for fifteen years. Maybe you and Meat won’t work out long term . . . but what if you do?”

Zara thought about that, and she knew Morgan was right. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah. I’ve tried to eat just three meals like normal people, but I swear I feel as if I’m always hungry. I guess because I went without having food on a regular schedule for so long, my body is always pushing me to stuff myself just in case there’s nothing to eat later.”

“I know exactly how you feel!” Morgan exclaimed as she struggled to get up from the chair.

Zara helped her up and watched as she leaned over and took a few deep breaths. Then Morgan stood and smiled. “And how about showers and baths? I haven’t been able to take any baths recently, but there’s nothing like a nice long, hot shower, huh?”

Zara smiled as they walked into the kitchen. “Meat swears he doesn’t mind that I take forty-five-minute showers, and even though I feel bad about it, I can’t make myself shorten them.”

“I’m the same way. Arrow mock-complains about the water bill, but I know he doesn’t care. People who haven’t been in our situation just wouldn’t understand,” she said.

Zara inwardly sighed with relief. She’d been silly for staying away from Morgan for so long. She suddenly had the suspicion she’d feel the same way when she got to know the other women as well. She felt as if she could tell Morgan anything and not be judged, simply because she’d been there. She’d lived through some of what Zara had. Not exactly, but close enough.

Maybe that was why she hadn’t clicked as well as she’d hoped with Renee.

“Now . . . what do you want to eat?” Morgan asked as she opened the fridge.

“I’m not the best cook, but I’m up for just about anything,” Zara said.

They settled on macaroni and cheese, and as they prepared the meal, Zara felt the shields she’d had up for the last month, which Meat had already started to crack, crumble even more.

Two hours later, after eating and chatting about nothing and everything, Morgan excused herself to go to the restroom. When she hadn’t returned after ten minutes, Zara got worried and tentatively walked up the stairs to the second floor.

“Morgan?” she called. “Are you all right?”

“No!” the other woman cried.

Alarmed, Zara pushed into the master bedroom and headed straight for the bathroom, where she found Morgan leaning over the counter, resting her weight on her elbows. She lifted her head, and Zara could see she’d been crying.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just . . . I’ve been having pains all day, but assumed it was false labor, just like the other two times Arrow made me go to the hospital. I’m still a week from my due date. It’s too early, but I . . .” She paused and grimaced and gripped the edge of the counter hard enough for her fingers to turn white.

“You’re in labor,” Zara declared, having seen more than her fair share of pregnant women about to give birth.

Morgan shook her head. “I thought I had lots of time! I mean, first babies always take forever! I know how much Arrow was looking forward to seeing his friend. I didn’t want him to worry. My water hasn’t even broken! I can’t have a baby without that happening first, right?”

“It’s possible it happened when you were in the shower this morning, or when you went to the bathroom sometime today.”

“Wouldn’t I have noticed?” Morgan asked incredulously.

“Maybe, maybe not. With this being your first, it’s possible you didn’t. But let’s not panic. I told you earlier that I have some experience with this. Will you let me take a look and see how things are progressing for you? Then I’ll go downstairs and grab your phone, and we’ll call for an ambulance. I’d drive you myself, but . . .” Zara kicked herself for not getting her driver’s license before now.

“Okay.”

Zara helped Morgan lie down on the floor of the bathroom. The tiles were probably chilly against her back, but Morgan was in enough pain that she didn’t even seem to notice. Zara helped get her pants and underwear off and covered her lap with a towel.

Thinking she’d just see how dilated Morgan was, and that they’d have more than enough time to get to the hospital, she was alarmed when she saw the baby beginning to crown.

“How long have you been having contractions?” Zara asked, standing up and quickly washing her hands in the sink. They weren’t going to have time to wait for an ambulance. Hell, she didn’t even have time to run downstairs and get Morgan’s phone. This baby was coming. Now.