Page 27 of Joy Ride

“Yeah.”Devra put her hand on Joy’s knee and squeezed.“Trust me.We’ve been where you are, in one way or another.Even Amber and Gavyn broke up once before he got treatment for his addiction and they figured things out for good.Perfectrelationships come with plenty of potholes to swerve around.”

If things had worked out for these women, why should it be different for her?

“Just promise us you’ll think about what would really make you happy,” Kyra said.“And if that’s those two gearheads, then we’re all in to help you scheme up some ways to get back together with them.Fair warning, it might involve rope, sexy lingerie, and some inventive positions.”She rubbed her hands together.

Amber stood, somewhat unsteadily and shoved Kyra from the arm of the couch onto the cushion as she made her way to the bathroom.That did nothing to erase the evil grin from her face.

“I guess what bothers me the most is that I’ve been trying so hard to break free and now that I kind of am, at least for the moment, all I want is to be theirs.Is that dumb?”Joy bared her soul.Why stop short at this point?

“Absolutely not.”Wren was serious when she said, “Independence is great, but partnering with people you choose is even better.Going through life solo is hard.”

“And lonely,” Joy added.

“That too.”Devra nodded.

Joy picked up her plate and carried it to the kitchen along one wall of the intimate space.She needed a moment to breathe and to think.Because what they were saying was ringing true.Maybe her lingering feelings for Dane and Walker made her loyal and not stupid.

Maybe they deserved one more chance…if she could convince them to take it.

She thought about Dane and how frantically he’d kissed her, but also about how he’d stormed off afterward.“I just might need that rope after all.”

“Woohoo!”Kyra bounced on the couch and pumped her fist.

Until something interrupted their rowdy encouragement.

“Guys?”Amber called from the bathroom.The hint of panic in her tone had them on their feet in an instant, Joy at the front of the pack.

She raced to the door and said, “You okay?”

“I think so but…my water broke.”Amber sounded shaky.“This feels really…real.”

“You’re okay.Wash your hands and come on out.Where’s your bag for the hospital?”Joy asked, preparing to run over to the house for her.

“It’s in the garage office.”After the running water cut off and a paper towel crumpled, Amber opened the door.Her chest rose and fell in rapid, shallow drops that Joy could relate to.She’d felt the same trepidation when she’d realized Arden was on the way.

“Okay, I’m going to grab it.Will someone else call Gavyn?”Joy took a few steps toward the door.

“No.Damn it!”Amber latched onto Joy’s sleeve and yanked.“My sister had a big meeting this afternoon.They’re talking to an automotive chain about doing a nationwide deal for Hot Rods branded components.She’s supposed to be my coach.Gavyn is there too in case there’s opportunity for Hot Rides to get in on the action.It’s super important.I don’t want to interrupt them before they close the deal.Shit!”

“Don’t worry.You’ve probably got plenty of time before active labor starts.”Joy recalled how terrified she’d been when her water had broken in the middle of the night.With no one else to rely on, she’d gotten in her car and zoomed toward Dane’s cabin, calling the midwife to meet her on the way.

She blinked the memories aside.Without some idea of what to expect, the first time experiencing childbirth could be terrifying along with excruciatingly painful.

Amber clutched Joy’s hand hard enough to risk cracking a few bones.“Is this a good time to mention I’ve sort of been having contractions for a while?I was thinking they weren’t serious but…maybe…”

“Don’t worry.You’re going to be fine.Do you remember your breathing exercises?Stay calm and relaxed and things will go more smoothly.This is more of a marathon than a sprint.”Joy kept her voice even and low although she simultaneously led Amber to their jackets where Devra helped her get dressed so Joy could do the same for herself.

They were going to the hospital.Pronto.

“You know what, I’ve got the bag.”Wren jogged for the door.“I saw it in the office.I’ll grab it and meet you out front.”

Kyra seemed a little shell shocked, and looked to Joy.So did Devra.Having these women defer to her did a lot for her battered ego.She might not know how to weld, or be a drummer in a famous band, or own her own business, but she had brought a new life into the world, pretty much on her own.

“Will you stay with me?”Amber peered at Joy with wide, worried eyes.“At least until Gavyn and Nola get to the hospital?Please?”

The sentiment hit her straight in the chest.No one had ever needed her like that before.She’d always felt useless or unwanted.From the time her mother had shacked up with Angus, to watching Dane and Walker leave for the military, and definitely the morning after they’d made love and she’d woken up to a cold, empty bed, there’d always been something missing.This feeling right here.“Of course I will.I’ll stay as long as you’d like.”

“Thank you,” Amber threw her arms around Joy, squashing her in a bear hug.

“It’s truly my pleasure.”Joy wondered ifthiswas what she was meant to do.

After all, now that she had the opportunity to do anything she chose with the rest of her life, it was time to start making some decisions about what exactly it was she intended to pursue.Maybe she’d reach out to her own midwife in the coming days and see what steps she’d need to take to become official.If she could help women through some of the most excruciating, exhilarating, and profound moments of their lives, what better calling could there be?

She held Amber’s hand until she loaded the woman in the passenger seat of her car.Kyra, Devra, and Wren piled in the backseat.Devra said, “I texted Quinn and asked him to let Gavyn and Nola know what’s up the moment the meeting is finished.Amber’s mom and Tom are going to meet us at the hospital.Want me to text Walker and Dane so they know they’re on Arden duty for the rest of the day?”

“Would you, please?”Joy wondered what it said that she didn’t even hesitate leaving her baby home, unsupervised for an extended period, with Dane and Walker.Okay, fine, she knew what it said.

She still loved and trusted them, despite everything that had come before.

And soon she would have to do something about that.

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