Page 17 of Mate for the Space Cowboy (Match Made in Space #3)

Chapter Seventeen

MELODY

“Hunter’s going to the medical center?” I yelp.

Helena nods. “He’s one of several who sustained injuries. We think there might be a type of bacteria our people are not accustomed to.”

“Can I see him?” I ask, trying to contain the fear and anxiety spinning wildly inside.

Helena presses her lips together, worry chasing in her gaze. “I understand you’d like to see him, but I recommend against it. You’re about to give birth. We don’t want you, or your baby, exposed to anything,” she points out.

Alarm jolts through me. I press my palm to my chest as that anxiety and fear spin into a whirling storm inside. “How long do I have to wait?”

“The medical team is recommending a full week. He’s not alone. All of those who sustained any injuries from the weapons from Earth are being quarantined together.” Her tone is calm and matter-of-fact, a contrast to the way I feel inside.

“I’m due to give birth in a few days!” I exclaim.

Helena nods. “I’m aware. Princess Jane and Nadine can be with you for the birth. And Romi would like to come stay with you at your home if you’re okay with that.”

I blink back the tears welling in my eyes. “I would like that. Although I have my chienne, it’s been lonely without Hunter.”

“You can communicate with him,” she assures me. “Now that he’s close enough, your communicator will work.”

I tap it immediately after Helena shows me how to select the hospital location on the small communicator. “Hunter!” I exclaim as soon as I hear his voice.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says, the low rumble of his voice making me feel warm inside.

Tears spring to my eyes again. “Are you okay? Helena told me you got injured.”

“I’m fine,” he says. “It’s just a cut. The medical team thinks the infection is because of exposure to a type of earthly bacteria.”

Relief rushes through me. “I miss you.” I swallow through the thickness in my throat.

“As I miss you,” he says.

Even though I want to see him right this very second, his calm tone soothes me. I feel the visceral tug between us even though we aren’t in the same place.

“I love you, Melody, and I’ll be waiting. The medical team says we’ll be here for a week. They want to make sure we’re all fully healed to prevent exposure to anyone else.”

“Helena explained it to me. I understand, but I’m sad. I miss you, and I’m due to deliver our baby before the week is over.”

“I know you are. I’m sorry this happened,” he says.

I take a shaky breath. “It’s your job.”

“It is. Now we know we have to be more careful about any travelers from Earth. I’d like to talk every evening before you go to bed.”

I take a slow breath. “I’d like that. We can text on our communicators too,” I point out.

Texting isn’t much of a habit here. It’s kind of funny because they are so much more advanced than Earth, but they don’t rely on that form of communication. Communication is more personal. I like that. I’d rather hear Hunter’s voice.

“Please let me know when you go into labor, so the medical team here can keep me appraised. Maybe our baby will be late,” he says hopefully.

I laugh softly. “I don’t think so. She’s kicking a lot. I feel like she’s ready for the world,” I say.

Romi comes to stay with me that evening, along with Risa. I’ve readied the extra bedroom we have for them to share. Romi plunks down on the couch, smiling over at me. “It’s so funny to be here,” she says.

“What’s funny?” I ask.

“The whole time I lived on Earth, when I heard about how we used to have television and things, I was so envious of the past. That’s all I wanted. Now, I know we can have it here.” She gestures to the large screen mounted on the wall. “Yet I don’t really think about it. I prefer spending time with people. It’s nice.”

“How are you feeling?” Risa asks.

I instinctively slide my hand over my belly, and our baby girl kicks in response. Emotion rises swiftly inside. “She has been busy these days,” I say. “I feel like she’s knocking on the door of my womb.”

Risa laughs softly. “You are due soon, so that makes sense.”

Romi takes a swallow of lemonade, tucking her feet under her knees as she looks over at me. “I know you’re worried about Hunter, but he’s going to be fine. They’re all going to be fine. Leave it to the visitors from Earth to be assholes.” She rolls her eyes.

I let out a sigh, nodding in agreement. “I know he’s going to be fine. I’ve already talked to him twice, and we plan to talk every evening. I just can’t believe the visitors from Earth would do that. They’re risking their supplies and support from here.”

Romi twists her mouth to the side. “I can believe it. They rely on the largesse of so many other planets, supplying food and more. They’re upset over our people here coming up with a smart plan to recruit women to come here. They’re just idiots, but we know that.”

“I hope they will not try to take any of us back to Earth,” Risa says, her eyes flickering with worry.

“I dare them to try,” Romi says, lifting her chin, a dare flashing in her gaze. “I would have fun fighting them. As it is, they’re going to pay a price for this. Any spaceships from Earth that try to visit here and other planets nearby will be subject to search and seizure. I heard they’ve also put a call out to the galaxy and any planets that support them.”

“It’s amazing how much we didn’t know on Earth,” I muse.

“Yeah, we thought the green zone existed because of Earth’s government trying to rebuild. Come to find out, they just hoard the help they get,” Risa says, her tone laced with a hint of bitterness.

We continue talking for a little while until I feel an abrupt pain. It’s intense enough that Romi and Risa notice my wince.

“Oh, is that a contraction?” Romi suddenly looks panicked.

“Maybe?” I shrug, trying to play it cool. “My doctor told me I might feel some contractions days before I go into actual labor,” I explain.

Romi and Risa keep me occupied over the next few hours. I’m so grateful they’re there.

The contractions increase in intensity later that evening. Despite my assurances that this is just a false alarm, I eventually admit I must be in labor. Our daughter is in a rush to enter this world.

I want to contact Hunter first, but Romi looks at me like I’m crazy and calls the medical team. The next few hours pass in a blur.

Although I want to talk with Hunter through the entirety of giving birth, the nurse points out I can’t talk easily, and I should focus on the baby. Romi stays with me through my labor, giving me support and encouragement. Nadine and Jane are also there to help. After the birth is over and our little girl is curled up safe and swaddled in a soft blanket, the medical team sets up a call for me on a screen in the hospital room.

It’s the first time I’ve seen Hunter since he left to travel with the royal team. He looks a little rough around the edges. His hair is rumpled, his bronzed skin looks pale, and his brow is creased with worry.

“Hunter! She’s healthy.” I gesture to our baby girl.

We’ve already selected a name. We’re naming her Emily, after my mother.

His lips curl in a slow smile as his eyes coast over my face. “How are you feeling?” he asks.

“I’m tired, but I’m fine,” I say.

“Your little girl came early,” Romi calls out from the corner of the room where she’s sitting in a chair. “Melody was amazing, and the birth went great.”

Hunter chuckles. “I’m glad to hear it.” He holds my gaze. “I love you.”

“I love you too. I know you’ll be out of the hospital soon. Even though I miss you and I’m sad you’re not right here with us, I want you to be safe and completely healthy.”

His eyes hold mine, and I feel the tug of our connection. “Soon,” he promises me.