Page 129 of For Better or Hearse

Whatever he does next, all he knows is he can’t let her get away.

It was inevitable. Falling in love with Ash. He’d have a million babies with this woman. He’d also be content living in a lighthouse at sea with fifty cats. Whatever Ash wants.She owns him completely.

“There you are,” his mother says, coming toward them when they enter the lobby. Her eyes land on his arm around Ash’s waist.

He doesn’t let go of her. He’s stopped caring about who sees them. Let them say something.

“Have a nice time?” Claire asks.

Nathaniel angles his head to Ash. “We did.”

In return, Ash pokes him in the arm. “He’s a show-off with that helicopter.”

Nathaniel asks his mother, “What are you still doing up?”

She nods her head toward the bar. That’s when he picks up the sound of Delaney’s great giggle of a laugh. “Late night chess match between Tater and your grandfather. You two should come.”

Nathaniel murmurs to Ash, “What do you think?”

“I think I’m betting on Augustus.”

His mother gives him a quick smile, then focuses on Ash. “Someone’s been calling the hotel trying to get a hold of you. He’s very…growly.”

Nathaniel frowns.

“Who?” Ash asks, her brows pinched in confusion.

“He said his name’s Solomon.”

Ash pales, goes rigid in his hold. “Fuck.” She slips out of his grasp. Then she’s moving so fast, speed walking for the elevators, that Nathaniel has to jog to keep up.

“What’s wrong?” he asks immediately.

She’s shutting down. Tense expression. Tight voice.

“I never called her. Tessie.” Her lips are pressed flat. Storm clouds enter her eyes. “It was my turn. And I forgot. I put her off.”

In silence, they take the elevator up to the thirteenth floor. The minute they pass through the doorway of her hotel room, her phone’s at her ear. “Shit. Shit, shit, shit.” Her curses are soft and panicked. She hangs up. Tries again. “I forgot to call her.”

“Ash,” he says, alarm rising in him too. “What can I do?”

Wide, worried eyes on his, she shakes her head. Then she startles, like maybe the other end of the phone finally picked up. “Solomon? What happened?” A pause as she listens. Then, “What? Oh no.” Ash presses a hand to her chest, worries her lower lip between her teeth. “Is she okay?”

Nathaniel sets his backpack on the counter. He moves to stand behind her, running his hands over her shoulders. Ash, eyes closed, leans back against his chest like she’s absorbing a blow.

“Fuck.” She sniffles. “Okay. Call me if anything changes.” A growl of warning in her voice. “Anything, Solomon.”

The moment she hangs up, she turns around and buries her face in Nathaniel’s chest. His entire body jolts, stiffens when wetness coats his neck, his shirt. Fuck. She’s crying. Her tears do something violent to his heart. Why does he feel like he’s drowning?

“Hey, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Tessie went into labor.” Her voice breaks. “They stopped it, but it’s too early.”

“Fuck.” His stomach sinks. “I’m sorry.”

“She told me she wasn’t feeling well yesterday, that she wastired and dehydrated. I didn’t think anything of it…” She trails off, her eyes lined with silver.

“It’s not your fault.” He pulls her closer, crushing her to his chest. Their hearts hammer together. He rubs her back in slow circles. Keeps his voice calm and steady. “They’ll give her terbutaline to stop the contractions. Then bed rest. She’ll be okay.”

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