Page 68 of Rhett

“That’s not safe for the mother or the baby.” My heart was racing with fear, just thinking about all the women in this town who had no trained medical experts. “I’ve helped bring many babies into this world safely as a certified nurse midwife. My focus is educating and empowering women to make their own health care decisions based on knowledge, not fear. That’s why what I do is so important. Women should be empowered to make decisions about their own bodies and be educated to know what’s going on.”

“And that’s why the Ridge needs you,” Bonnie said.

Piper touched my shoulder. “Won’t you just think about it?”

I nodded. “I’ll think about it.” I looked at them pointedly. “But you have to stop spreading rumors about a clinic.” I’d always wanted to open my own clinic someday.Is the Ridge the place where I’ll finally make my dream come true?

They looked at one another.

“Um…” Piper scratched her chin. “It’s too late for that. Quinn and Imani are planning to announce the news to the town.”

“Without confirming it with me?” I threw my hands in the air.

“What confirmation? They heard it from her.” They pointed to Bonnie.

“Grandma,” I growled.

“What?” She gave me a not-too-innocent stare.

A tall, thin man with black eyes, a potbelly, and a brown cowlick strode up to us and glared at me. “I don’t know why the Hunter’s here at our festival.”

His words ignited my temper. “Excuse me?”

“You know full well that she isn’t a Hunter.” Bonnie bit out the words. “So go on. Get, Weasel. We don’t have time for you or your silly games.”

“That’s right. Don’t be rude,” Piper snapped.

He puffed out his chest. “I have a right to my opinion.”

Freya snorted. “Opinions are like assholes. Everybody’s got one, right?”

“Now get out of here before I tear you a new asshole,” Bonnie delivered between clenched teeth.

“You women are plain old ornery,” he said before scuttling away.

“Who was that?” I asked.

“Chester. He’s a weasel-shifter,” Bonnie said. “So we just call him Weasel.”

“He’s a pain in everyone’s ass.” Piper scrunched up her nose. “He loves to complain and hear himself talk.”

“Attention, everyone.” A man’s voice boomed over a microphone.

“Let’s go,” Freya said. “Quinn is about to open the festival.”

The four of us made our way to the front of the stage. There was a band sitting on the stage, and Quinn and Imani were standing by the microphone. Imani waved at me, and I waved back.

“Good evening, everyone,” Quinn said. “Welcome to the Black Forest Ridge Festival. Tonight’s event signifies the return to tradition. The return of unity among our kind.”

The crowd clapped, and I nearly jumped out of my skin from the noise until I remembered Bonnie’s tip about modulating sound. Taking a deep breath, I focused on turning down the volume, and it worked.

Quinn continued. “The council and I had considered canceling tonight’s festivities in light of the tragic loss last night of a few of our own, Dean and some of his kin. But we decided that the significance of this festival is too important to everyone in this town.”

Imani added, “Our Black Forest Ridge Festival is a celebration of our connectedness. No matter our Other race, we are one.”

More clapping mixed with cheers.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to share some good news,” Quinn said. “Nova King has decided to become our newest resident. She’s a certified nurse midwife, and it is our good fortune that she’s decided to open a health and wellness center for our expecting females.” The crowd cheered, agreeing with Quinn’s words.