Page 52 of Need Me
Chapter 12
Brooke’stense expression told Robert that time was of the essence. He drove as fast as was safe along the dirt road. Reaching the main road, he shifted gears and drove a few miles over the speed limit. He knew where the cops sat and slowed down at the necessary places, but then sped upagain.
Fear was making his stomach cramp. Memories of his son came crashing in. No one should have to go through the loss of their child and he prayed the babies wouldsurvive.
He felt so bad for Anna and Chase and hoped that the doctors could deliver the babies successfully. Glancing at Brooke, he saw that she wasn’t quite in nurse mode yet, but she was working on it. Reaching over, he took her hand, offering her quiet support and taking comfort in having hernear.
Her eyes found his. “Chase always thinks that I have all the medical answers, but I don’t. I’m not a doctor. I’m not in that deliveryroom.”
Robert kept hold of her hand. “I know, but you’re a nurse who knows a hell of a lot. Plus, you’re his good friend, and Chase trusts yourexpertise.”
Brooke shook her head. “I’m sure that the doctors can explain it tohim.”
“Maybe they’re not taking the time to because they’re too busy working on Anna and the twins,” Robert said. He knew from experience that the doctors focused on the patient, which is as it should be, but he could remember the agony of notknowing.
“Which is going to drive that boy crazy. Chase has nopatience.”
Robert nodded and let go of her hand as they neared the town square. “This Iknow.”
As they pulled up to the hospital, Robert swung over by the front doors. “Go ahead. I’ll park and be rightthere.”
Brooke leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Okay. See youinside.”
* * *
Brooke spottedher friends as soon as she entered the Labor and Delivery waiting room. Everyone was there except for Chase. Emily rose from her chair and came to hugBrooke.
“They just took Chase back to be with Anna,” she said. “They’re going to do an emergency C-section.”
Brooke blinked back tears. “Then there was arupture?”
“I’m afraid so.” Emily releasedher.
Tyler said, “Chase wants you to be in the delivery room,Brooke.”
“Me?” Brooke asked. “They won’t let me do that. I’m not an OBnurse.”
Kate smiled even though tears shimmered in her eyes. “Chase threatened to fire the doctor if they refused to let you goin.”
Ric cocked his head a little. “Looks like it’s your turn to be the ChaseWhisperer.”
“Good Lord.” Then with a resigned shrug, “All right. I better get in there before he comes out looking forme.”
* * *
Terror clawedat Anna as she held onto Chase’s hand with a vice like grip. “No! I want Chase to stay.Please.”
Dr. Rutger, her OB surgeon gazed at her with kind, blue eyes. “I know, Anna, but he can’t. We have to put you under and we don’t know how long this will take. I’m sorry, but Chase can’tstay.”
Anna’s chin trembled and tears streamed down her cheeks. “Am I going to need ahysterectomy?”
Dr. Rutger replied, “I won’t know until I get in there and see exactly what’s going on. We’ll do everything in our power to preventthat.”
Anna sniffed and nodded. “Okay.” She looked up at Chase and thought he still looked handsome even though he was wearing one of those funny, disposable surgical hats. “I want to give you morebabies.”
He put an arm around her and kissed her forehead. “Sweetness, let’s just get these two born first and worry about more babies later. What did you tell me? We’ll have more, one way or another. We’ll have a whole bunch of McIntyre kids running around someday. Right now, we have to do what’s best for you and the twins,okay?”
Knowing he was right, Anna tried to rein in her fear. “Okay.” She gave Dr. Rutger a steely look. “Chase stays just long enough to see the twinsborn.”
