Page 2 of Luke

Luke looked at her in shock. “Listen, lady, I’m the only friend you’ve got right now. Do not push me.”

She clutched her stomach again and groaned.

“The ambulance won’t make it in time. The baby is coming now.”

“Wait, what? The baby is coming? Now?”

“Yes,” she growled as another contraction hit her.

“Holy fuck!”

“No need for that language, Mr...?”

“McCallister. Luke McCallister. And what’s your name?”

“Bryce Spencer.”

“Where’s your husband?”

“I’m not married. Please, just help me.”

“I’m doing everything I can, ma’am. We need to take your pants off. The baby can’t come with them on.”

“I don’t know you,” she snapped.

“Now isn’t the time for modesty. Do you think I haven’t seen a woman before—”

“You haven’t seen me!”

“That’s about to change. Do you want me to help you or not? The ambulance is on its way, but we’re far from the hospital.”

“Oh no, I need to call my sister. She’s expecting me in Seattle tonight.”

“Well, you’re not going to make it there, and what were you thinking driving in your condition?”

She sat up and glared at him. “I had to leave.”

“You couldn’t have picked a worse fucking time to do it.”

“Stop swearing at me.”

“I’m not swearing at you; it’s the situation. You shouldn’t have been behind the wheel in your state.”

“I wasn’t due for another two weeks. I thought I had plenty of time.”

“Well, that kind of thinking got you into this mess. What’s wrong with you?”

“Oh my God! Just leave me alone. I’d rather do this by myself than accept help from someone like you,” she snapped, kicking her leg out at him.

Luke jumped back in surprise. What was her problem? He stopped to help her, and now she was treating him like this.

“Someone like me? I just tried to help you. Do you want me to go? Fine, I’ll go. But once the ambulance arrives, figure out how to get your car off my property,” he growled before storming back to his truck. However, when she screamed, he stopped in his tracks, hung his head, and let out a frustrated sigh. “Damn it,” he muttered, turning around and striding back toward her car.

“I sorry. I am so sorry,” she said when she saw him.

“It’s alright. We’re both under a lot of stress right now. Let’s take those pants off. You can feel embarrassed later.”

“You have a gun.” She pointed to the weapon in his holster.

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