Page 82 of Not the Bodyguard's Widow
“Not yet. It should arrive today. Your husband was too smart for us. He made a backup plan. Why do you think we had to wrap his car around a tree? Two hours and all we got off him was your name and “ship she’s on a.” Not until you showed up in Chicago did we stop looking for cruise ships, fishing boats, or any ship you could be on. Who knew Shipshewana was a place? That’s why Hastings went to the post office, isn’t it?”
“He went to pick up a—” Focusing on Mrs. Capps, Kimberly panted through the next contraction.
“What did you say?”
Mrs. Capps raised her head. “Can’t you see she is in the last stages of labor? Stop badgering her with questions.”
Kimberly rested her head against the back of the recliner.
Mrs. Capps glared at the agent. “Make yourself useful. Put up the gun and get a stack of towels from the bathroom.”
Agent Danes looked from one woman to the other. “I guess neither of you is going anywhere.” He holstered his gun. “Where’s the bathroom?”
Kimberly waved at the hall. “First door on left.”
“You are doing well. Keep breathing. Do you feel like you need to push yet?” asked Mrs. Capps.
Kimberly shook her head and started breathing through the next contraction.
Thump! Thump!
Kimberly tried to turn her head toward a commotion coming from the bathroom, but the contraction held her in place. She’d lied. Pushing felt like a good idea.
A smile crossed Mrs. Capps’s face as she continued breathing with Kimberly. “Good. Blow out now.”
Kimberly pursed her lips.
“Thank you.”
Startled by Alex’s deep voice, Kimberly screamed. Mrs. Capps grimaced.
Kimberly clutched the back of the recliner and cried out.
* * *
“It’s okay. You’re safe.”
Kimberly groaned.
“Alex, wash your hands and get the stack of sheets and towels from Kimberly’s room now!”
Alex rushed to fulfill Mrs. Capps’s commands.
He returned to find the midwife using a more soothing voice. “It will be all right. All he will do is catch the baby. I can’t get up.”
“Call 911.”
Mrs. Capps winced. “They won’t be here in time.”
“How... do... you... know... ?” Kimberly panted between each breath.
Mrs. Capps pointed. “Kimberly, stay where you are. You can deliver standing or squatting. Gravity will help, and so will Alex.”
“I can’t—” Alex needed someone who had experience.
“Can and will. Kimberly is doing all the work. You just support your wife’s weight.”
Kimberly moaned.
