Page 6

PATIENCE

" W hat an asshat," Patience mumbled to herself as Quinn practically disappeared because of the whiteout conditions. Sure, it was dangerous to be on the side of the road, but she had been taking care of herself for a long time. Who was he to tell her she needed to stay in the truck? What if she could help? He didn’t know the condition of the driver any more than she did.

Maybe the driver was lying in the snow bleeding out after being tossed out of the car on impact.

The cold would help slow the flow. But did Quinn even know what to do?

Common sense said, yup, of course he did. He was the boss of the SEAL team. They probably all had at least basic first aid. Still, it didn’t make her worry less. How could he make her just sit here like she was useless? She was the one who was a doctor—mostly.

As more thoughts swirled in her brain, she twisted her hands and nibbled on her lower lip. Patience’s worry increased with each passing moment. What was taking so long? Had Quinn gotten hurt trying to get to the driver? He didn’t have snow boots on, or snow gear, just a regular coat and jeans.

“Screw it. I’m not sitting here all night,” she said when Quinn didn’t appear after ten minutes. Zipping up her coat, she wished she’d had her gloves. This would teach her not to leave home without them again.

Her decision made, she leaned over to turn off the ignition when she thought she saw Quinn crest the embankment. Finally. But wait, where was the driver? Shouldn’t he have brought them back to the truck?

Patience watched as she trudged through the snow toward her. She lowered the window enough to talk to him as he approached her.

“Where’s the driver?” she asked.

“Still in the car in labor. I hated to leave her alone, but she’s too scared to get out of the car. Without your number, I couldn’t call you to come down to us. It was stupid not to grab it before I left you.”

She hadn’t thought of exchanging numbers, either. The whole thing happened so fast. They’d reacted on pure instinct.

“I called 911 and they’re on the way, but with this weather, I’m not sure how long it’ll take them to get here. She’ll be more comfortable with you than me.”

Patience nodded. Reaching over to shut off the truck, she pulled the keys and stepped out. As she handed Quinn his keys, he dropped them into his pocket and grabbed her hand.

“Be careful. It’s really slick under the snow and piling up quickly. I think the weatherman underestimated the amount we’re going to get. It’s practically a blizzard already. Did you learn how to deliver a baby? I’m not sure they’ll get here in time.”

“Dammit. Yes, I know how, but we need to get her somewhere warm. Can’t we try to get her up here and into the truck?”

“She’s terrified and refuses to get out of her car. I don’t think she’s thinking straight between the shock of the accident and the labor pain.”

“You’re probably right. No one was with her, and she’s in labor.”

“Yes. Her husband is on deployment. That’s all I could get out of her. I didn’t want to upset her more by asking why she didn’t call 911 to take her to the ER.”

Patience nodded. An ambulance would have been a much better option.

Panic probably kept her from thinking clearly.

Besides, the snow started as just flurries.

It wasn’t supposed to be heavy. Poor thing.

She wasn’t really worried about delivering the baby.

As long as it wasn’t a complicated birth, she’d be fine.

It was concern about keeping mom and baby warm until help arrived that was the bigger problem.

“She probably panicked when she went into labor, especially if she’s alone. I pray they get her before she delivers the baby. We’ll have to keep them warm or they’ll both die of hypothermia. Was she hurt anywhere that you could tell?”

“The airbag deployed. She’s going to have bruises and be sore. I didn’t see blood, but that doesn’t mean she’s not bleeding internally. She’s terrified she hurt the baby in the accident, and she’d going to lose her. I doubt she’s thinking about much else right now.”

Patience nodded again and tightened her grip on Quinn’s hand as her foot slipped out from under her.

He grabbed her around the waist, holding her until she was steady. “Okay?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“We’re almost there.”

She looked up from where she’d been walking to see the car about five feet away. Crumpled, and wedged between two pine trees, it wasn’t going anywhere without a tow truck. The front looked crushed, but at least it hadn’t caught fire. The sound of crying carried in the snow's stillness.

“Agreed. But hopefully, the paramedics will arrive before the baby.”

Patience nodded. It would be better for both mom and child to be delivered in the hospital and not in the middle of a blizzard. Her foot slid in the snow, but Quinn’s tight hold on her hand helped keep her upright.

“Don’t let go of my hand. I don’t want you to fall and get hurt, little girl,” Quinn said in his commanding voice.

When he used that tone, it sent shivers of arousal straight to her core. Damn . This was the not time or the place. She needed to focus on helping the woman. Getting turned on was not on the agenda.

“I’m not a little girl,” she muttered, not sure he could hear her.

His grunt in response told her he had.

She needed to get her head on straight. Patience had assisted her parents with births a few times, but this would be her first alone and in adverse conditions. “Did she give you her name? Do you know how far apart her contractions are?” she asked as she followed him toward the car.

The ground was uneven and littered with fallen branches, making it hard to keep her balance. Holding onto Quinn’s hand was the only thing keeping her from landing on her ass.

“Felicity.”

“That’s her name?” It was unusual, but so was hers.

“Yeah, that’s all she gave me when I asked. I didn’t want to press her for more. She’s scared and in shock. I figured once the paramedics got here, they’d get the information she needed.”

“Right.” Patience prayed it would be soon.

Delivering a baby in the middle of a blizzard was not on her bingo card for this year.

As they reached the wrecked car, she sucked in a breath.

Seeing the sedan wedged between two pine trees, with the hood crumpled, and the windshield a spiderweb of cracks, it was a wonder Felicity was even alive, let alone coherent enough to talk at all.

Patience appreciated Quinn’s warm hand holding her steady as she reached the driver’s door.

Knocking gently on the window, afraid to do anything to shatter the windshield, she hoped she didn’t startle the woman inside.

It was impossible to see her through the condensation-covered glass, but she didn’t want to yank the door open and let in all the frosty air if she could avoid it.

They needed to know her status. Patience worried that the woman’s condition had worsened after Quinn came for her.

After a muffled shriek, they watched as Felicity wiped the steam from the window with her coat sleeve. Her relief at seeing Quinn standing with Patience was palpable. Quinn’s grip on her hand eased, and a huffed breath let her know he’d been worried about Felicity, too.

“The door is off kilter. She won’t be able to open it. I had to shove it closed when I came to get you. You steady?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

Quinn moved her toward the rear of the vehicle and made sure her footing was steady before releasing her. “Stay here. I can’t guarantee the car won’t shift when I pull on the door. I don’t want you in its path. Okay?”

Patience nodded. “Just get the door open.”

Quinn met her eyes and, after finding what he was looking for, he stepped closer to the sedan.

Reaching for the door handle with one hand, he braced his other on the top of the car.

With a small grunt, he wrenched it open.

The car shuddered but didn’t move, and Patience let out the breath she’d been holding.

Quinn leaned into the car, but she couldn’t hear what he said to Felicity. Then he turned toward her and reached out a hand.

Grasping it, she let him pull her over the uneven, snow-covered ground.

Patience got her first good look at the woman. Even with a bruise forming on her forehead and tear-tracks on her cheeks, she was beautiful. Quinn moved to the side so Patience could lean closer.

“Hi, I’m Patience. How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay—I think. But the baby…”

“Quinn told me you’re in labor. How close are the contractions? Have you been able to track them?” Patience felt stupid asking, but if there was even a slight chance, the woman knew it would be helpful.

“Every two minutes now.” Felicity gestured to her smart watch on her wrist. “I’ve been checking it.”

“Good. Did you water break before you left home?” Patience needed as much information as possible. From the sound of things, it looked like they were going to be welcoming the baby soon.

“Yes, that’s when I figured I needed to go to the hospital.” Felicity moaned and clutched her stomach. “Oh my God,” she cried. “They lied in Lamaze class. This hurts like a motherfucker.”

Patience tried to hide her grin. “It does. Try to breathe through it. Inhale…hold it…exhale. Good.”

“That was the worst one yet.” Tears rolled down her flushed cheeks. “I don’t want to have my baby here.”

Patience didn’t want that either, but she wasn’t sure there’d be a choice if the ambulance crew didn’t show up in the next few minutes.

“I know. I wouldn’t either, but it’ll be okay. Do you have any extra blanket in the car? Or your suitcase?”

Felicity nodded. “In the suitcase. I have a couple I brought for the baby.”

“Good. Quinn will get those out. But I need you to let me move you to the backseat. We can’t do this where you’re wedged against the steering wheel. I’ll help you. It’ll be okay, I promise.”

A myriad of emotions cross the woman’s face before she nodded. As she gripped the steering wheel, she sucked in a breath and slowly eased her body toward the open door.

Another contraction made her grunt in pain and grab her stomach again. Patience couldn’t even imagine the inner strength this woman had to keep it together.

“Will you let me help you?” Quinn asked. His usual fierce expression eased as he spoke to Felicity.

“Yes, thank you,” Felicity said through a groan.

“Let me get the back door open first. Give me a minute.”