Special Delivery. Laura Browning

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СКАЧАТЬ she wasn’t sure they would have enough for food, but if she didn’t pay, the power would be cut off and then not only could she not afford to reconnect it, she would also not be able to get her bookkeeping done. She could ask Mr. Crawford, but she hated to do so if there was some other way to work it. He was already being kind enough. If a solution was out there, she sure would like to know. She glanced up, hoping for a little divine intervention, or at the very least inspiration, but of late even faith—in God or man—was in short supply.

      Holly pressed a hand to her back and stood, hoping it would relieve the ache. She just couldn’t seem to find any comfortable position. And the bed-rest part? Forget it. Every time she lay down she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Between working on the computer and a lack of sleep, Holly’s eyes were gritty. She was sure they must be bloodshot. Doc Owens had warned her the last month would be uncomfortable, but it seemed to her the bed rest made it worse, not better. She was so inactive, the last thing her body wanted to do at night was sleep.

      The baby rolled and shifted. Holly rubbed her belly. The muscles across the top of her stomach tightened, then relaxed. Doc told her these practice contractions weren’t anything to worry about, but they happened more and more often. She smiled as she stroked her abdomen again. Wish me luck, baby, because Ty and I are going to need it.

      She called the power company. She tried to time her bill-negotiating calls for when Tyler was out of the house. He didn’t need to hear her working deals for partial payments on their phone and electricity. She would pay the minimum and just hope the money she had left combined with what she could still earn would get them through. At least if Ty brought groceries one worry was off her mind.

      * * * *

      Jake locked his office and grabbed his cap and coat from the peg next to the door, realizing he didn’t have time to run home before he was supposed to be at Jenny’s house. He grimaced at the idea of going to her party in his uniform, but hell they all knew who and what he was anyway. Wasn’t like jeans and a shirt would make them any more comfortable.

      “Get in the car, Jake.”

      “Evan?” Jake started. “What are you doing here?”

      Evan straightened from where he’d been leaning against the side of his car and grabbed Jake’s elbow. “You forget. I know you too well. You were getting ready to go to Jenny’s in your uniform, weren’t you?”

      “Well…” Jake slid in the passenger side.

      “Fuck well,” Evan said as he buckled his seat belt. “I’m running you back to your house so you can change. Then we’ll go.”

      Jake glanced at Evan’s profile as his friend drove the few short blocks to where their homes stood side by side. “I still don’t get why you want to go.”

      “I’m a masochist.” Evan pulled into the drive. “Hurry up. I can’t wait for Dr. Owens to give me an eat-my-assectomy.”

      Jake sighed. Evan was right. They did know each other too well, and he knew Evan was up to something. He’d dropped hints all week until Jake invited him along. Jenny had said he could bring a friend, but Jake knew Evan was not who she’d had in mind. So why was he going along with it? Because he was a sucker. That was why. They might not remember, but Jake did. Evan and Jenny were supposed to be together.

      In just minutes, Jake climbed back into Evan’s car, uniform gone and jeans and a sweater in their place. Christmas music blared from the radio as Evan flicked his wrist to turn on the ignition.

      “I figure we can both use a little mood music.”

      Jake laughed. “Doesn’t feel like the holiday spirit’s infected anybody this year.”

      As they passed the road leading to the old Crawley place where he’d dropped off Tyler and met Holly, he frowned. He’d given Sam a heads-up about the Morgans so maybe he and his deputies could keep an eye on her. What would she do if she went into labor and couldn’t drive? Mistletoe Lane was little more than interconnected potholes. He doubted either of the county’s two ambulances could even negotiate the road.

      One thing was for sure, Mountain Meadow was small enough chances were good he’d see Holly and Tyler again. He grinned as he realized he wouldn’t mind at all. He’d liked the kid a lot, and if he could get past some of Holly’s wariness… Jake wasn’t quite sure how to finish that thought. Anyone could see she loved her brother and the baby she carried. He had to respect that kind of commitment.

      “What are you grinning about Allred? My imminent demise?”

      Jake snorted. “You were the one who invited yourself along. Don’t whine if you’re welcome’s less than you expect.”

      “So why the grin?”

      “Thinking of the woman and her brother who’ve rented the Crawley place.”

      Evan laughed. “You’re thinking about a woman? Careful, next thing you know, Sam’s prediction will come true…hooked and landed before the new year.”

      “Asshole.”

      Evan turned into Jenny’s drive. Her home, tucked into the trees on the side of one of the mountains, was ablaze with light when they arrived. Some of the doctors and nurses from the hospital as well as friends they’d gone to school with were already milling about. When Jake showed up late, Jenny smiled—until she saw who followed him in.

      “Hi, Jake.” She ignored Evan and pulled Jake to one side. “When I said bring a friend, Evan wasn’t who I meant.”

      “Come on, Jenny. He’s my best friend and my next-door neighbor. Besides, I was running just a bit late and he was waiting for me.” He needed to change the subject. “I was up this way last night. Dropped a kid home on Mistletoe Lane. Tyler Morgan. Lives with his sister, Holly. I guess y’all are neighbors of sorts.”

      “Oh. Then you’ve met her,” Jenny said with a smile. “I hoped Ernie would remember to give you my message.”

      “What message?” Jake asked in confusion. “When I saw him today, he just said you wanted to talk to me about a patient.”

      Jenny tucked her short blond hair behind one ear. “Yes. Holly Morgan. Didn’t you stop at her house?”

      “Well, yeah, but only because I gave the kid a ride home yesterday. Why’d you want me to check on her? It’s not my jurisdiction. I can give Sam a call, though.”

      Jenny sighed. “I know it’s not your jurisdiction. I wasn’t talking about official business. Ernie didn’t listen. Sam had already left the courthouse, so I left a box of food at the station for you to take by. There’s no way my car will make it down her road, and I knew you were headed out here anyway.”

      Jake quirked a brow. “You’re feeding your patients now?”

      Jenny punched him in the arm. “I had to put her on bed rest. She’s only worked at Crawford’s pallet warehouse for a couple of months or less. I think he’s arranged some work-at-home stuff for her, but still. She’s got no family and few resources. I mentioned Medicaid and food stamps to her, but she shut me down cold.”

      Jake’s brows drew together. “Where’s the dad-to-be?”

      “She has a protective order against him. I know his name СКАЧАТЬ