Page 33 of A Buckeye Falls Christmas
CeCe’s eyes grew wide, and she shook her head. “Okay, I’ll cooperate. Don’t get Evan.” She rested her hands on her belly and frowned. “I’ve noticed someminor”—she stressed the word—“contractions starting two days ago.”
Mallory was incredulous. “Two days ago? That’s when you stopped by the farm to see us. You were in pain then?”
“I’ve been in some form of pain since your brother knocked me up,” CeCe said, wincing as a fresh round of contractions hit.
Mallory pulled herself up to standing, dusting off her knees. “Yeah, I’m getting the car. We’re on our way to the hospital.”
With a lightning-fast reaction neither woman expected, CeCe latched onto Mallory’s wrist. “Sit down. I’m not going to be the reason Christmas is ruined.”
Mallory tried to yank herself free, but CeCe’s fingers dug into her skin. “Not to state the obvious, dear sister-in-law, but you’ll ruin Christmas if you have a medical emergency during the turkey carving.”
“Not. Going. To. Happen,” CeCe clipped, a bead of sweat sliding down her temple. She looked at the clock over the door to the kitchen. “We have an hour until dinner will be ready. I’m going to sit here in my pillow fort and sip water. I will be fine. As soon as the pie is served, I’ll ask Ev to take me.”
Mallory’s head fell back in exasperation. “You know this is a horrible idea, right?”
“Never said it was a good idea, just the right one for the moment.”
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Mallory collected her thoughts. She looked down at her phone where CeCe’s blood pressure and heart rates were documented. “Your water hasn’t broken yet?”
CeCe quickly shook her head. “See? I’m going to be okay.” She protectively covered her belly with her hands. “These babies are fine. Just a little restless.”
“I’m going to regret this,” Mallory said, stepping back. “I’ll give you turkey, but you’re not sitting here through dessert.”
CeCe’s head bobbed in agreement. “Fair compromise.”
Beckett appeared with Maybelle on his hip. In a hushed tone, he said, “I can have the car up at the door in sixty seconds. What’s the plan?”
Mallory leaned in and reiterated what CeCe and she decided.
“Lawless will hate that plan.”
“Which is why you’re not going to say a word, Foxy.” CeCe glared, causing the redhead to squirm.
“Please don’t scare my husband,” Mallory warned. “You’re trying to stay on my good side, remember?”
CeCe blew raspberries, causing Maybelle to giggle. “Fine, but only because you have me by the balls.”
“Merry Christmas to us all,” Mallory droned, pinching Maybelle’s cheeks and earning a giggle of her own. “Operation hide CeCe will commence, but I’m the general of this operation. If I think you need to go, you listen to me. Okay?”
CeCe saluted. “Aye-aye, Captain.”
“You’re messing with my analogies, but thank you.” She pointed to CeCe, and added, “Don’t make me regret it.”
