Page 58 of A Moment In Time

Chapter seventeen

"I finally got you into a cowboy hat."

When Paxton went home to Elaina, he found her pacing in the living room. She hugged him when he walked over to her. She looked beautiful and not like she was about to deliver a baby.

“I waited to call you until I was sure.”

“Babe, you should’ve called me right away.” He put a hand on her stomach. “How close are your contractions?”

“Five minutes or so.”

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. I called my mom and Corbyn. They’re both waiting for us at the clinic.”

“Is Joaquin up?”

“No. I didn’t want to wake him until you got here.”

“Okay. The truck is running. Let me get you out there, then I’ll come get Joaquin.”

She nodded, and Paxton helped her into her coat. Then he grinned and took his cowboy hat from the rack. “Here. Wear this. It’ll keep the snow off.” He set the hat on her head, then grinned. “I finally got you into a cowboy hat.”

“For the first and last time.”

“I don’t know. Once you start wearing one, it’s hard to stop.”

She patted his chest. “Trust me. That won’t be a problem for me.” As Paxton opened the door, Elaina stopped and groaned.

“Honey?”

She held up a hand and breathed through the contraction. “I’m okay. Let’s go before the next one hits me.”

Paxton helped her to the truck and when she was inside, she handed the hat back to him. “Please take this.”

“Put your seatbelt on.”

“I’m not sure that’s possible.”

“Figure it out. The roads are really bad.”

He left her to work on that while he went into the house to get Joaquin. The boy was sound asleep and Paxton lifted him up, blanket and all. Then he carried him through the house and out the door to the truck. He put him next to Elaina, then got in behind the wheel. He buckled the child’s seatbelt, then pulled onto the street.

“Okay, here we go. I’m glad it’s only four miles to the clinic.” Paxton wanted to hurry, but he took it slow. Better safe than sorry. Elaina had two contractions on the way there.

“That’s closer than five minutes, honey.”

“They seemed to have sped up.”

When they got to the clinic, the lights were on and the walkway had been cleared of snow. Corbyn had made sure they got inside safely. He must’ve been waiting for them, because he came outthe door and approached the truck. He helped Elaina inside while Paxton got Joaquin.

Maria and Lainey were waiting inside. Joaquin was still asleep, so Paxton carried him up the stairs to Maria’s apartment and put him in his room there. When he went back downstairs, Maria was reluctant to leave Elaina.

Elaina smiled at her. “I’m in good hands,Mama.Go stay withJoaquin.”

Maria kissed Elaina, then hugged Paxton. “Call me if you need me.”

Paxton nodded. “I will.”

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