Page 109 of Forged in Steele

She shook her head. “Been having them for an hour. Probably longer. But they weren’t within the five-minute range, and I didn’t want to interrupt the meeting. Then it got bad, and I had to do something. Even if it meant walking out on Adair, which one does not do lightly.” She braced her feet and planted her hands on her knees. “Here comes another one. Time the length.”

Bristol got out her phone and set a timer running. She stared at the screen likely watching the numbers count up.

Jared let his mind wander, imagining he was in this situation with Bristol as his wife and having his child. Something he now knew he wanted for sure. But had she been truthful at the cabin when she admitted her love for him? Sure, she’d told her family that she wanted to find out if they had a future, but that didn’t necessarily mean she loved him.

“Oh my.” Piper breathed deeply and let it out slowly while running her hands over her belly. She obviously knew what she was doing and appeared calm, though her face was contorted with pain.

Come on, Nick. Hurry.

“Okay.” Piper panted. “It’s over.”

“Sixty-nine seconds,” Bristol said.

“I’ll time the break between them.” Jared tapped the timer on his phone.

“Thank you.” Piper sighed. “Not something I ever thought I would be doing with task force members.”

“I kind of thought it could happen.” Jared smiled at Piper. “But you’re one of the best so I had to ask for you. Luna deserved the best.”

“Even if you hadn’t asked, I would’ve insisted.” Piper smiled. “I’m so relieved Luna was found, and she seems healthy. Who knows, maybe I was holding out until that happened then let my body relax and labor set in.”

Her phone dinged. She looked at the screen and frowned. “Nick’s stuck in traffic.”

“We could drive you to your hospital,” Jared said. “But not until we’re sure you’re not too far into your labor.”

As if her body had heard him, another contraction set in, and her face tightened as she started breathing.

“Only three minutes thirty seconds between,” Jared said. “I’m calling Coglin to get you a room now.”

Piper nodded as she gripped the edge of her chair and moaned. Jared dialed his phone and glanced at Bristol. Their gazes held for a long moment, transmitting what, he didn’t know, but it felt warm and incredible.

“Coglin, good,” Jared said and explained the situation.

“Hold on while I check on room availability.” Jared watched Piper, his heart racing. “We have a suite. Head up to the birthing center, and I’ll call ahead to let them know to expect you.”

Jared ended the call and updated the women.

Piper continued to breathe in shallow even breaths through her contraction, then got her phone out again. “Texting Nick to tell him where to find me.”

“Ask for his location,” Bristol said. “I’ll try to get an officer to him to transport him here faster.”

“We need to move before you have another contraction.” Jared took Piper’s arm. “We can contact Nick once we get you settled in a room.”

“With you directing my steps, I can text as I walk. Just don’t let me plow into any walls.” She laughed and tapped in her message.

Jared admired her good mood, and his respect for her internal strength grew. He led her to the elevator. Thankfully, the car was on the ground floor waiting for them. They got in and started up. Jared tapped his foot and wished he could make the car move faster.

“Nick’s phone number and location.” Piper held out her phone to Bristol. “Do you think you really can help?”

“I’ll do my best.” She thumbed Nick’s number into her phone and looked at Jared. “You get Piper settled, and I’ll call dispatch.”

He nodded, though he honestly wished it were the other way around. He knew nothing about helping a woman in labor and feared he was about to get a crash course in an area of life he wasn’t ready to see.

23

Dispatch located a Portland police officer in Nick’s area, and Bristol had him patched through to Nick. Dispatch thought the officer should be able to get Nick to the hospital in fifteen minutes after they were able to meet up. The officer was a mile or so behind Nick and could ride the shoulder to reach him.

Was this request strictly within protocol? No. Was it something the officer was willing to do because of the sacrifices Piper had made to find Luna? Of course.

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