Page 29 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride
“Why don’t you just let Carl grill you a steak and be done with it?”
“It’s not the same thing,” Matt answered trying to get the subject closed.
“Why not?”
Carl spoke up next time.“Geez, Tillie, give the guy a break.He’s going to this much trouble to learn what it takes years to perfect and do it in just hours… It means there is a special woman involved somehow.”
Tillie’s eyes lit up.“Ally?You’re cooking Ally a special meal?How romantic.Why steak?”
“Because I said I was an amazing griller of steaks.Little did I know that she eats hers well done to the point of charcoal if need be.”
“Oh wow,” Tillie said, shaking her head.“You’re in big trouble.Unless you just give her charcoal and be done with it.”
“You are no help.”
That was much the same help he received from his daughter when he went through the same conversation later that evening just before Ally was set to arrive.It did little for his confidence.
“Hello,” Ally said following Jillie out onto the patio where the grill was set.“It smells delicious.”
“Thanks.You look very nice by the way.Jillie, why don’t you see what Ally will drink and get it for her?”
Jillie left with her request for iced tea and his for the same.“I’m glad you could come over and let us try to…”
Jillie ran from the house.“Dad, Uncle Cade called, and your phone was on the kitchen cabinet.They’re on their way to the hospital.We need to go.Hurry!”
Ally saw his hesitation.She stood.“Why don’t you go and I can stay with Jillie so you don’t have…”
“No, Aunt Tori said I could come whenever it happened.Right, Dad?”
“Yes, she did.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.You both go and we’ll do this some other time.”
“Her labor might be a long one and, Jillie, you have school tomorrow so how about, if Ally doesn’t mind, she could follow us in her car and if we see it’s going to be a long night, then she can bring you back home.”He looked at Ally and she nodded.
“She can even stay with me overnight if needed.So, I suggest you turn off the grill and we get moving.”
Fifteen minutes later, the trio arrived in the waiting room.Cade was standing talking to the doctor.He saw them and came over.“I’m about to go back and stay with her.She’s only about halfway and in pain of course.So far, the baby is doing good.I’ll come out when I can, or the nurse will let you know what’s going on.Thanks for being here, all of you,” and he included Ally in his thankful glance.He left them to make themselves as comfortable as one could in a maternity waiting room.One hour turned into two and then three.Jillie had spent her excited energy and was dozing off curled into one of the couches.Ally had gone and found the cafeteria and came back with soft drinks and some sandwiches.
“This isn’t quite the meal I had planned for this evening.Sorry about that.”Matt shook his head and offered her a bag of potato chips.
Ally grinned and took the bag.“This is still a good evening.Besides, I love picnics.”
“This isn’t exactly my idea of a great location for a picnic.”He grinned, looking around at the small waiting room area.The last few people had been called for the arrival of their babies, but they were still waiting.His smile faded a bit.Ally noted it.
“I can’t help thinking that there’s something on your mind.It might be none of my business, but is there some reason you might be worried about Tori’s labor?”
“You’re very sensitive to others’ moods,” he noted.“Worried?I know my sister is tough.And her doctor is the best.But memories can intrude when they’re least expected.”
“Memories as in what happened to your wife?”
“I try to keep things upbeat around Jillie.But I guess it’s inevitable that those memories of being in this same hospital, waiting for a birth to happen—they’re bound to find their way into my brain.”
Ally laid a hand on his as it rested on his knee.“It’s only human.But you’re right in what you said about Tori.I have a feeling that she will do this beautifully just as she does everything else for her family and the people of this town.You Parkers are a tough group.”
“This is certainly not how I wanted tonight to go…good food, good company…and you get this instead.”
“Sure, a nice location with good scenery is great, but it’s the people, the company, that matter the most.And you gave me a rain check on that steak.”
