Page 72 of Mulberry Hollow (Riverbend 2)

“Yes. I think I feel the baby. I’m afraid it’s going to drop out!”

“I’m almost there. How far along are you?”

“I’m due in two weeks.” She gave a long grunt. “I thought it was just back pain.”

Avery slipped on her shoes and headed out her apartment door. “Listen to me Nadine, I don’t want you to push. Next time you feel the urge, just pant through the contraction. You can do this.”

“It hurts... ,” she cried.

“I know, honey. You’re doing great.” Avery had a full battery of questions she wanted to ask but that could wait. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

She disconnected the call as she flew down the steps. On her way through the darkened lobby, she grabbed disposable gloves, then unlocked the front door. The porchlight beamed down on a twentysomething woman Avery recognized from high school. She’d been a few years behind her.

Nadine bent forward at the waist, hand braced against the building, panting like mad. She wore only a long pink T-shirt and socks.

“You’re doing great, Nadine. When the contraction passes, we’ll get you inside.”

“I can feel the heeaaad!” Nadine bore down, grunting with the effort. Her face turned strawberry red.

Oh boy. Too late to move the woman. “Okay, plan B. Let’s see where things are at, huh? Have you done this before?”

Still in the grips of the contraction, Nadine just shook her head.

When the contraction eased up, Avery said, “Let’s ease you down to a sit and check your progress, all right?”

Once Nadine was sitting, back supported by the building, Avery turned on her phone’s flashlight. Nadine had already shedher underwear, and a quick peek proved Avery right. The baby was already crowning, a good three inches of the head visible. At least it wasn’t breech.

Seemed like Avery would be delivering this baby. Thank God she’d had plenty of practice during residency. “You’re making great progress, Nadine. And your baby’s in good position.”

She could really use an extra set of hands and quick. But Katie and Sharise lived on the other side of town, and this baby wouldn’t wait. She grabbed her phone and tapped on Wes’s contact. Thank God his back was better.

He answered on the second ring, his voice groggy.

“I need a hand, quickly. Could you come to the clinic’s front porch? And bring a few clean towels.”

“Uh, sure. Be right there.”

Avery disconnected and positioned herself between the woman’s legs. The contraction had eased up but Nadine looked beat. “You’re doing great. Just another contraction or two and the head will be out. Do you have any health conditions I should know about? Any problems with the pregnancy?”

“No.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-six.”

“Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”

“Girl. My husband’s going to kill me... all those birthing classes.”

“Well, it’s hardly your fault. Should we call him?”

“He’s on his way but he’s coming from Georgia so—” Nadine’s face tensed up, her eyes tightening at the corners. She sucked in a breath. “It stings down there!”

They should slow this down to avoid a serious tear. “Allright, Nadine, we’re going to pant through the contraction again, like before, okay?”

The contraction intensified but Nadine did as she requested.

“That’s it. You’ve got this. I can see a good four inches now.” She smiled up at Nadine. “Your baby has a headful of hair. Keep panting now. You’re doing great.”