Page 158 of Lost
“Good,” Nova breathes. “This is all good. Some of the government insurances will pay for birth center care, while those who can pay for their own will do so. Then, my plan is to have a nest egg for those who can’t pay for services but need them.”
“It’s going to be amazing,” Hollis says. “Did you see that the Tider place is up for sale?”
“Is that the listing you sent me yesterday?” Nova asks distractedly as she says goodbye to the cat.
Pixie snuggles her hand as she bends over, meowing loudly as she realizes that she’s about to be left home alone.
“I wish I could say I’d be back soon, but I don’t know if I will,” Nova croons to her.
The damn cat hisses at her before attempting to swat at her hand with full claws extended. Nova jerks away in time, rolling her eyes at her demon cat.
“You’re too young to be this crotchety,” Hollis says, frowning at the cat. “Be nice to your mama!”
Pixie meows as if she’s sorry, before slinking away to her bed.
“She’s been like this for the past year at least,” Nova complains, pulling on her coat. “Oh, it’s already warming up. This thing is amazing. I think it’s new…”
“Lars hung it up the other day for the charity event, he wanted to make sure you had a fancy coat for events,” I say with a smirk.
“You’re spoiling me,” she says, though not in a way that makes her seem ungrateful.
“As you should be,” Hollis says, opening the door. Caleb and Lars walk up toward us, and she shakes her head. “Nova, you need a bigger house for all these big men. I bet Lars hits his head on the doorways.”
“Sometimes,” Lars says with a shrug. “I figure it just helps to knock sense into me as needed.”
“I’m sure your mother would appreciate that,” Hollis chuckles.
I can see the sheen of sadness that comes over Lars and Caleb as they nod.
“She would have,” Lars agrees. “Why do you have so many bags, Tyde?”
“Adira may be going into labor tonight,” Nova explains. “I just want to be prepared.”
“Who is driving with you in the van?” Caleb asks, coming to the same conclusion I did.
“I am,” Hollis says, pulling out her phone. “I’ll let the guys know now so they won’t wait for me. We’ll all be behind each other. We’ll be fine.”
I’m still nervous as I get into the SUV with Caleb and Lars. Caleb watches as the girls get into the van, waiting until Nova is ready before pulling out of the driveway.
“She may say she’ll be fine, but I’ll still be watching. The van is updated on all her maintenance, but we just got our last snow storm today,” Caleb mutters. “God, at least I hope it’s our last. I’m ready for spring.”
“I feel the same way,” I murmur as we drive to the club.
As we approach the parking lot, I turn around to see that Nova is struggling a little bit as she pulls in. As soon as Caleb stops the car at valet, the three of us rush out to where she’s cursing up a storm behind the wheel.
“Bertha, you bitch!” she moans angrily.
“What’s she up to?” Malcolm asks. It takes me a second to realize that he’s talking about the car. “Wasn’t Bertha running just fine?”
“Yes, and all her maintenance is up to date too. It looks like it’s the battery,” Nova says. “The weather sometimes drains it.”
“I’ll get you another,” Malcolm says. “Go inside, enjoy the party. By the time that you make the first loop around, Bertha will be good as new. Leave me your keys.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. I have no idea how to change a battery, but I’ll ask just the same.
“Yeah, it’s not a problem,” Malcolm says. “Bertha and I have an understanding. I won’t take her apart for scraps as long as she behaves.”
Nova sighs as she gets out of the van with Hollis, and hands him her keys.
