Page 95 of After All

Peyton thunked her forehead on the steering wheel twice and then took a deep breath and got out.

Yep, she was stuck in the mud. Deep in the mud.

Well, this was just great.

Her first thought, a reflex really, was to take her phone out and call Scott. She even got the usual little rush of yay-I-get-to-see-him with the thought. But then, of course, she remembered that he wasn’t there.

And then she remembered, oradmitted, that she knew how to handle this.

It just wasn’t as fun as calling Scott and having him show up and flex all of his big muscles and be her hero, but she was a good country girl. She’d seen more than one truck unstuck from the mud down by the river after a party.

She still wished Scott was here.

Peyton climbed up into her truck bed and pulled out the shovel and the ax that she always had with her. Like a good country girl.

She hopped to the ground and began digging around the back tires, removing as much of the sticky mud as she could and widening the grooves under and around the tires. Then she headed toward the grove of trees about fifty yards away. She chopped at some of the smaller trees and bushes, cussing the scratches they gave her in return and the blister she was going to have on her right palm. But soon, she had enough branches and leaves to get some traction under the wheels. Trudging back to the truck, she also wished she’d changed into her boots and jeans instead of coming out here in flip-flops and shorts.

Finally, however, she had the leaves and branches behind her tires and was able to slowly ease the truck out of the muddy furrows and onto firm land.

She gave a triumphant shout and turned toward the road.

Damn right. She didn’t need a man.

But she wanted one. One very particular one.

Her phone rang just as she pulled out onto the paved highway. She glanced down. Then frowned.

It was TJ.

Her heart kicked hard in her chest. Hope. The baby.Oh my God, it’s time.

She pulled over on the side of the road, scattering gravel as she braked hard, grabbing her phone at the same time.

“Hello?”

“Peyton, it’s TJ.”

“I know,” she said impatiently. “What’s going on?”

“I need a favor.” He followed it with a big sigh, as if this phone call was not one he wanted to make.

“Of course. Anything. What’s up?”

“Travis needs some help at his place and I need someone to come stay with Hope.”

Peyton frowned. “Is she okay?”

“She’s taking her damned sweet time about having my baby is what she is,” TJ said crossly.

Peyton rolled her eyes. “Is she okay though? Having contractions or something?” But surely TJ wouldn’t go to Travis’ place if Hope was actually in labor.

“No. She’s completely fine. Says I’m being ridiculous and that she doesn’t need anyone here with her. But I’m not leaving her alone. You’re the only one we could agree on calling.”

Peyton felt her eyes widen. “Really?”

“Well, she knows you’re always willing to help out and I know that you’ll chew her ass if she does something stupid.”

Peyton grinned as warmth spread through her chest. They needed her and knew she’d be there for them.

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