Page 34 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

“Hi, Mom,” said Robbie, sliding into the passenger seat and buckling up. “I got out of history class. I didn’t need to do that report.”

“You’ll need it someday,” I said, smiling at Robbie’s lack of enthusiasm. Of all his classes, that one was his least favorite.

“Are you coming home?” Robbie asked.

“We’re going to put the outdoor furniture away, then I’m going to take you and Cindy to Liz’s. I don’t know how long I’ll be busy at the hotel. Does that sound okay?”

“I guess, as long as I can have my computer with me,” said Robbie. He loved his nieces and nephew, but they could wear him out. At almost four, they each were a ball of energy, vying for his attention.

As soon as we entered our house, Cindy ran to greet us. She hated hearing the wind. Robbie knelt to pet her.

“Robbie, I need you to help me,” I said, heading outside.

He trotted behind me. We put down the umbrella on the patio table, carried the lounge chairs to the storage area in the garage, and went back for other chairs. As we hurried about, Cindy raced at our heels, sensing our concern. Soon, all the furniture was stored.

We were walking into the house to dry off when my cell rang.Liz.

“Mom? Can you come right away? I need you,” Liz said in a quivery voice, and I was reminded of the little blond, pigtailed girl she used to be.

“Sure. Are you alright?”

“I don’t know. I think I might be losing the baby.”

“Robbie, Cindy, and I are on our way,” I said, motioning Robbie to come with me. He snapped a leash on Cindy’s collar, and they left.

“Have you called Dr. Benson?” I asked Liz. Ruth Benson was the best OBGYN doctor in the entire area. She’d delivered the triplets with a team of doctors and had welcomed all of Rhonda’s and Angela’s children.

“I’m waiting to hear from her,” said Liz. “I’m so scared.”

“I’m on my way,” I said, locking the door behind me.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

When we arrived atLiz’s house, the triplets were in the playroom, busy playing with a tube of toothpaste one of them must have retrieved from the master bathroom. Their toothpaste-streaked faces lit up at the sight of us.

Noah went for the dog, Emma went for Robbie, and Olivia lifted her arms to me.