Page 144 of Samuel

Sam’s heart clenched in his chest, but it didn’t scare him. It was the happiest feeling in the world.

“You want to name Jellybean after me?”

She nodded. “And Jo after my mom and your dad.”

JoannaandJoel. It was perfect.

“But you said no to naming her after you.”

“I got to carry her for nine months, Sam. So much of me is already a part of her. I want her to have the strength of your name. To remember that she is always connected to you, too.”

He rested his hand on his daughter’s back. “I love you, Sammy. I’m never going to let anything bad ever happen to you. You and your mommy are my whole world.”

Their daughter began to root around on Evie’s chest, eventually finding her way to nurse for the first time. It was the most beautiful thing Sam had ever seen.

Evie’s contractions continued until she delivered the placenta, but it was almost as if she was having an out of body experience. She only seemed to notice their baby.

Jake draped Evie’s dress back over her and the baby before he stood up, a full smile on his face.

“Congratulations you guys. You have a beautiful daughter. I’m going to step outside and call for an ambulance now.”

“Is everything okay?” Sam asked, his eyes bouncing between Evie, and Sammy Jo asleep on her breast.

“Everything is fine. It’s the safest way to get you guys to the hospital. Although I’ve delivered my fair share of babies, it’s not my specialty, and I know Dr. Hayes would kick my butt if I got to have all the fun.”

“Actually…” Evie’s eyelids were growing heavy, and Sam could see how exhausted she was. “Sam, would you go up to the apartment and grab our things? You can call for an ambulance while you’re doing that.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you alone.”

She nodded. “Jake will stay. I’d like to get into my nightgown and be a little more covered up when people get here.”

“Of course.” He kissed Evie’s lips and looked at the baby. Pulling out his phone, he snapped a photo of Evie and Sammy. “Don’t you grow any while I’m gone. I don’t want to miss a second with you.”

He hurried out of the office and up the stairs. Before long, he’d given all the details to the dispatcher, who assured him an ambulance was on its way to the ranch, gathered up Evie’s hospital bag, and began firing off a group text with the sweet picture he’d snapped of his girls.

Sam:Sorry Evie and I ditched the party early. A certain little miss wanted to share her Aunt and Uncle’s big day. Samantha Jo Cooper and Mama are doing just fine. Don’t worry if you see the ambulance coming onto the ranch. We’re heading to the hospital soon, and Evie and I can’t wait to share her with all of you.

There. Hopefully Evie wouldn’t mind him handling that part of things for her. He could already hear his sister squealing with excitement when she finally picked up her phone later that night.

Sam strolled through the barn, anxious to get back to his girls. The second he stepped into the office, his blood ran cold.

“So nice of you to finally join us, Boss Man.”

Jake stood in front of Evie and the baby, his hands held up in front of him. For a minute, Sam didn’t understand why he was frozen in place like that, until he registered the gun, pointed directly at Evie through his friend.

Forty-One

It was as if his heart had stopped working mid-beat. A wave of nausea washed over him as he tried to make sense of the scene unfolding in front of him. “What the fuck is going on here? Evie, are you okay?”

She nodded, pulling her dress up higher on Sammy’s back. She’d lost all the color in her face and Sam felt fucking furious.

Holy fuck. His barely-an-hour-old daughter was in the line of fire, with only Jake’s body and Evie’s hands as protection.

Derrick moved his arm, swinging the gun so it was now trained on Sam. Good. That’s right where he wanted it to stay.

“Why don’t you come join your little family and the good doctor here.”

Sam walked over, positioning his body away from his girls, but still close enough he could cover them if he needed to.

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