Page 27 of Timber Ridge

Hailey looks up. “Daddy!” She runs around the couch and hugs me. “Cody is coming soon.”

Her enthusiasm is infectious. “He sure is, sweetheart.” Some might consider Hailey too young to experience all that comes with a home birth, but this is a way of life here.

As Timber emerges from the bedroom, I notice the way her hair is pulled back into a messy bun, strands escaping to frame her face. There's a subtle sheen of sweat on her brow, and yet she’s absolutely beautiful. Despite the exhaustion evident in her features, her calm demeanor is a reassuring presence.

“Hey there.” I can’t suppress the surge of appreciation swelling within me at the sight of her. “How’s it going in there?”

Timber laughs. “Oh, you know,” she says, her tone laced with a hint of exhaustion and a dose of humor. “It’s just another day. Burn down a cabin one night and deliver a baby the next. There’s no rest for the weary here.”

“That’s a pretty accurate statement.”

She walks to the kitchen and fills a glass with ice. “I should get this to Eliza. May says the baby will be here within the hour.” She disappears into the bedroom.

As someone who has lived a solitary life, wary of outsiders and protective of my family, I’ve often hesitated to let strangers in. But seeing Timber’s genuine kindness and willingness to lend a hand, even to those she’s just met, has challenged my notions about outsiders. While I may still approach new faces cautiously, Timber has opened my eyes to the possibility of finding friendship and support in the most unlikely places.

As I settle into the living room, my eyes are glued to the closed bedroom door. Heavy quiet hangs over the room, broken only by the muffled sound of Eliza’s labored breaths and the background music to Frozen, Hailey’s go-to for entertainment. The tension in the air is thick as fog. I look for something to do, but it appears everything from dishes to laundry has already been done.

“I bet it will be any minute now,” Rhys says from beside me.

It seems like forever before we hear it—the cry of a newborn echoing through the house. A chorus of relieved sighs fills the room. Nash rushes inside, his forehead dripping sweat. “Sounds like we’ve got ourselves a new Hollister.”

“You can’t take his dad out of the mix,” I say. “While Cody is half Hollister, he’s also half Ryder, and that’s good.” Out of all the men Eliza could have chosen, she picked Matt Ryder, who is as steady as the mountain and patient as a saint. I can’t wait for him to get here, so I can give him a pat on the back for being the kind of man we can all be proud of.

Several minutes later, Timber emerges from the bedroom as the newborn’s cries echo through the house. She catches my eye and offers me a weary smile. “Hey, guys,” she says, her voice soft, but her eyes filled with excitement. “Eliza would like you all to come in and meet Cody.”

My brothers and I exchange glances, rise from our seats, and follow Timber back to the bedroom where May stands at Eliza’s side.

I step inside, with Hailey next to me. Eliza is nestled in the bed with a tired but contented look on her face, cradling her newborn son. The room is warm and joyful, and time stands still. This is so different from when Hailey was born. Amanda looked at our beautiful baby girl and rolled to her side to sleep. I should have known then that she wouldn’t stay, but I chalked it up to exhaustion. But right now, I push those thoughts aside to focus on Eliza and Cody.

“Hey, Sis,” I whisper, approaching her bedside. “You did it. Mom would be so proud of you.” Cody would be the first grandson and her only daughter’s child. Poor Eliza had to go through all of this without a mother. That makes me sad for Hailey because she’s had to navigate her short life without her mother, too.

Eliza squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Kane,” she says. “And thanks for being here.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” I take in my nephew, this tiny bundle of new life. He’s red, wrinkly, and nearly bald, but I can already tell he’ll be a good-looking kid. How could he not—he’s half Hollister.

Hailey tentatively approaches the bed, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Daddy, can I touch him?” she whispers.

I glance at Eliza, deferring to her.

Eliza nods. “Of course, sweetie,” she says, her voice filled with kindness and affection. “You can touch him gently.”

Hailey's eyes widen as she reaches out, her hand trembling slightly. With a gentle touch, she brushes her fingertips against the baby's fine hair.

Observing the tender exchange between my daughter and her new cousin fills my heart. For all the bad that came with Amanda, she gave me Hailey, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

After a few moments, May shoos us out of the room, and I find myself lingering in the doorway. Timber takes the baby and cradles him in her arms with a tenderness that takes my breath away. I’m struck by how natural it seems. It’s as if she was born to be a mother.

After seeing her with Cody, I allow myself to entertain the possibility of something more between us. It’s not something I can rationalize or explain away. It’s simply a knowing, deep-seated intuition that tells me Timber is more important than I ever imagined. And at that moment, I know that I can’t ignore this undeniable connection between us.

As Timber puts the baby in the bassinet, I realize how tired she must be. She walks out of the bedroom and closes the door behind her. She heads for the couch in the living room and sinks into the cushions, where she seems to find a moment's peace.

May steps out several minutes later. With a grin, she tells me to take Timber home. “I’ll stay the night here, but she needs a hot meal and a comfy bed,” she says. “Timber worked hard today. We should all be proud of her.”

I give May a nod, appreciating her concern for Timber’s well-being.

Turning to my brothers, May asks, “Who is staying and going? If you’re staying, then you have to change diapers and cook breakfast.” Before May can say another word, my brothers are on their feet, ready to hit the road. They quickly say their goodbyes and head out.

May’s laughter echoes behind them as they exit the house.

---