Chapter Seven #2
“It’s good to know you aren’t hanging around the terminal with nothing to do,” Avery said. “I’ll update you when I have some solid information.”
“Great.”
“No need to wait for me. I’ll walk to your condo—”
Reed interrupted her before she could finish. “Kellie and I are headed to Pike Place Market. She’s waiting for someone, too, so we decided to hang out together.”
Avery smiled. Well, at least someone was benefiting from the delay.
She ended the call and replaced her phone inside her purse.
Dan and Kyle returned to the seats in one of the rows toward the back of the deck.
Avery was certain Harrison had sent them on their way while she’d been on the phone.
He seemed determined to win her over in the short time they had together.
“Everything okay with your brother?” Harrison asked.
“Better than I expected. He ran into a woman from work. He didn’t say much, but it sounds like they’re having a grand old time exploring the city.”
“That’s great.”
Avery thought so, too. She glanced over at James and noticed that he continued to nervously study his phone.
“Any news from your wife?” she asked, leaning closer so he would be able to hear her.
He looked up and nodded. “Lilly’s pains are five minutes apart. Thankfully our next-door neighbor is with her. She can’t stay long, though, as she has a commitment later this afternoon.”
“Is she heading to the hospital soon?” Avery knew next to nothing about labor pains or when Lilly should consider getting medical help.
“Not yet,” he told her. “She called her OB-GYN and she said to wait until the pains are closer together.”
“That’s good, right?”
He nodded.
“I’m sure you’ll make it to the hospital in time.” Seeing that there was little she could do to relieve his worry, she did her best to sound positive.
“I appreciate your assurance.” He rubbed his fingers through his already disheveled hair.
“If you need anything, let us know.”
“Thanks, but I doubt there’s much anyone can do at this point.
Lilly and I took birthing classes, so we know what to expect.
It’s early yet. On our last doctor’s visit, she said the baby should arrive right on time.
Now this. From what your friend said, this is early stages, right?
So even if the repairs take another couple hours, I should make it to the hospital in plenty of time for the birth. ”
“That’s reassuring,” Avery said, although James didn’t sound the least bit confident.
Harrison got up and walked to the cafeteria. He returned in short order and handed James a cup of coffee. “I thought you might need this.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
Harrison accepted James’s gratitude. “You’re going to need the caffeine, as it’s bound to be a long day and night.”
James grinned as he tasted the hot coffee.
“Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?” Avery asked.
James shook his head. “We decided we wanted to be surprised.”
“Names?” Avery asked next.
“Nicholas for a boy and Noelle for a girl. We wanted to keep it simple and in line with the holiday. Lilly’s due date is January fifth . . . If the baby is born early, we’ll get a tax deduction,” he added.
“Everything is going to be fine,” Harrison said and turned to Avery, seemingly about to ask her something, when Olivia approached, skipping, with a big smile.
“Hello, Olivia,” Avery said cheerfully. It must be difficult for the little girl to be confined for hours on end.
“Hello.” She looked at Harrison. “Is he your boyfriend?”
“Not yet,” Harrison answered before Avery had a chance to. “But I’m working on it.”
Olivia laughed. “You’re silly.”
“Yes, he is,” Avery agreed, and frowned at Harrison.
If she noticed, Olivia didn’t say anything. “I want you to come and meet my daddy. He was on the ferry. Mommy and I didn’t even know it.”
Avery glanced over to where Beth sat. Sure enough, there was a man in the seat beside her. The two sat stiffly, looking straight ahead.
“Can you come?” Olivia asked, and held out her hand to Avery.
“Sure thing.” Avery stood and followed the girl back to where she had first sat before moving to be near Harrison.
“Daddy, Daddy,” Olivia said, tugging Avery closer.
“Yes, pumpkin,” he said, smiling at Olivia.
“I want you to meet my new friend. She has a pretty name. It’s Avery.”
“Logan Sullivan.” Logan stood and exchanged handshakes with Avery.
“I’m so sorry,” Beth interjected. “Is Olivia pestering you again?”
“Not in the least,” Avery was quick to tell her. “I was sitting around waiting like everyone else.”
“I didn’t realize Olivia had wandered off.”
“No problem.” Avery brushed off Beth’s concern. “Like I said, I wasn’t doing anything important.”
“My daddy is going to spend Christmas with us,” Olivia explained excitedly. “Mommy called my grandma and grandpa, and Grandma said Daddy was welcome. Now I don’t need to see Santa, because I already have what I really wanted and that was my daddy to be with us for Christmas!”
Logan frowned and then looked away.
Olivia’s happy face melted as she glanced at her father. “Daddy is going to Seattle to sell his motorcycle. He promised to give me a ride one day, but I don’t know how he can if he sells it.”
“Pumpkin,” Logan said, gently chastising his daughter. “It’s impolite to tell people someone else’s personal business.”
With an apologetic look, Olivia placed both her hands over her mouth. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Avery whispered to Olivia and smiled at Beth and Logan, “I won’t tell anyone.”
Olivia’s face brightened. “This is going to be the very best Christmas ever.”
Avery hoped it would be, for Olivia’s sake.