Page 41 (2/2)

"Brad’s delivering in the don area now"

I knehat had happened "He requested a transfer, didn’t he?"

The UPS driver shrugged "I wouldn’t know about that Sorry"

"Do you ever see hie

"Nothi

I knew that what I’d done to Brad rong I’d badly hurt the one person who’d proved himself to me over and over All I could do was hope it wasn’t too late to make amends

CHAPTER 41

JACQUELINE DONOVAN

"J acqueline"

Her name seemed to come from far away

"Jacqueline" It was louder this tinized Reese’s voice Her eyes flew open and she stared up in the darkness to find her husband standing over her

"What’s wrong?" she asked, rubbing her eyes So drastic must have happened for Reese to enter her bedrooht

"Paul just phoned--Tammie Lee’s in labor"

"Now?"

"When did a baby ever decide to arrive at a decent hour?"

He obviously didn’t expect a response and she didn’t give him one "What did Paul say?"

"Just that he’s been at the hospital since ten"

A quick glance at her clock told her it was nearly five

"She’s close to delivery," her husband finished

Jacqueline didn’t hesitate She tossed aside the comforter and autoo to the hospital?" Reese sounded surprised

"Of course" He could do as he damn well pleased and, as a e But nothing he said would keep her away frohter Already Jacqueline had thrust her feet into her slippers and started toward her bathroo, too," Reese announced as if he anticipated an argunored her petulant re," he warned "From what Paul said, it could be any time now"

"I’ll be ready in ten minutes" In the best of circumstances, that was a stretch, but Jacqueline was determined to keep her word Exactly thirteenHe had the garage door open and the engine running, ready to go

They were silent on the ride to the hospital and Jacqueline wondered if his thoughts were the saht such as this that he’d rushed her to the hospital to deliver Paul Her water had broken in the ht endanger the baby, she’d clung to Reese Her one concern was to keep the cord fro around the baby’s neck

In true heroic fashion, Reese had swept her into his arms, carried her to the car and driven to the hospital Fortunately, there was virtually no traffic, since he took the corners at a speed any racecar driver ht have envied Then her hero had carried her into the hospital waiting area Reese had stayed with her until Paul entered the world Closing her eyes, she could still hear her son’s first high-pitched wail At the tilorious sound she’d ever heard

When they arrived at the hospital, they parked quickly Together, walking side by side, they hurried into the lobby and were directed to the birthing center on the fifth floor

At the reception desk, Reese gave their naested they take a seat in the waiting rooazines, Reese went to see if he could round them up a cup of coffee