Chapter 27
Cole kept glancing at his watch as he waited for Hannah’s text. Brody raised his head every time someone entered the facility and appeared disappointed when he didn’t see the person he expected.
“Where’s Patch?” Knight asked.
“Claire’s sick again and in the ER, he asked if we could drop off his truck. He and Saint went to town when Kassie called him. We’re waiting for word on how she’s doing. Apparently, she passed out and hit her head,” Leo informed them.
“Oh, no. Patch finally got to her and she keeled over,” Knight said, shaking his head. “I hope she’s all right.”
“You can see if they know anymore when you and Cole take his truck over. I have a meeting with Whiskey and the Texas team. We have a new guy joining them,” Leo said, sighing.
“I’ll text Gabby and let her know. We’ll take them some soup for dinner tonight,” Knight added while he contacted his wife.
Cole liked how the men took care of each other and their families. “I’ll drive. I’m waiting for Hannah to call and let me know when to pick her up. Since I’m done for the day, I’ll pick up Nine.”
“When will you give her a new name? Her current one sucks,” Leo said as they picked up their maps and put away their dishes.
“She’s growing close with Hannah. I’m hoping she’ll name her,” he said as he rechecked his phone.
“How’s she doing at night?” Leo asked.
“I’m hoping she’ll rest better since I put her lights on the walls of her room. We’re working on food right now. She avoids certain things,” he admitted.
“Like what? It’s important we know and avoid any of her triggers,” Leo explained.
“She won’t eat bread. The rebels gave her moldy and old crap to eat. When we walk down the path, her head swivels nonstop. I don’t think she even knows she does it,” he said quietly, feeling like he betrayed her, but the team deserved to know for the reasons Leo gave.
“Shit, and Saint gave her the giant donut,” Leo cursed.
“We did get her to eat pancakes. Saint made them at the bakery. It’s a special memory with her mom. She tries something new every day,” he informed the men. “Hopefully, she’ll attempt it again soon.”
“Keep us posted. Make us a list of things she likes. We want her to feel comfortable here. Maybe take her to the trails in the evenings and start running with her. It’ll get her used to small groups of people and help clear her mind,” Leo suggested.
“It’s a good idea. I’ll add it to our routine. I have friends coming this weekend. You might know Cookie and his wife, Fiona.”
Leo grinned. “Yeah. We met Cookie once. He’s a good guy. If you have time, bring him over.”
“Will do,” he said, turning to Knight. “You ready?”
“Yeah. Let’s go. Patch doesn’t sound right. He’s worried about Claire,” Knight said as he texted his friend back.
Cole signaled for Brody, and they drove to the hospital following Knight in Patch’s truck.
They entered the hospital to find Patch pacing the floor.
“What’s wrong, man?” Knight asked him.
“I don’t know. They took her back for more tests. They haven’t returned yet. She’s got a lump the size of a baseball on her noggin. Maybe she’s got a concussion. Kassie’s not saying a word, which worries me even more,” Patch vented.
“You know she’s in good hands,” Knight reminded him. “And the lump didn’t resemble a baseball.” Knight rolled his eyes.
“I know they’ll take care of her. I don’t understand why I can’t go back. Gabby stayed with her until I arrived,” Patch said, glancing down the hallway.
“Why did Gabby come here? She didn’t say anything about taking the day off,” Knight said, appearing confused as he pulled out his phone and texted his wife.
“She found Claire in her office,” Patch informed him. “Thank goodness, she did.”
“Gabby hasn’t answered my last three texts. She always answers me.” Knight’s forehead scrunched as he grew concerned.
“I’m sure it’s nothing. Gabby probably went to keep an eye on Claire to report back to you,” Cole offered.
Patch swiped the scruff along his jaw. “It’s taking too long. Something’s wrong.”
“You don’t know for sure,” Knight chastised him. “You’re overthinking this.”
Cole noticed Kassie pushing Claire in a wheelchair and lightly patted Patch to catch his attention. Gabby walked beside her, holding her hand. Claire sniffed as she dabbed her eyes. Gabby passed her a tissue while she wiped her own.
“Oh, shit,” Patch whispered. “It must be bad. They must’ve found a brain tumor or something by the way they’re carrying on.”
“Whatever you do, don’t go off the deep end. I’m right here, buddy,” Knight consoled him.
“Me, too,” Cole chimed in as they walked to the room where Kassie wheeled Claire.
When they entered, Kassie helped Claire into bed.
“Patch,” Claire cried.
“I’m right here, Claire Bear. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together,” he soothed.
“He’s right, Claire, we have your six,” Knight said sincerely.
Claire glanced at Kassie and Gabby as she burst into fresh tears. Patch stood beside her and held her hand. “We got this,” he murmured, brushing her hair away from her face.
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered, as tears ran down her cheeks.
Patch blinked. “What…what did you say?”
“I’m pregnant. We didn’t think it was possible with all my body’s gone through. We did an ultrasound, and everything appears perfect,” she gushed.
Patch smiled and kissed her hand. Then his eyes rolled into the back of his head as he hit the floor.
Knight burst out laughing as Claire rose, attempting to assist Patch. Kassie urged her to lie down while she tried to help the big man up. Knight brushed her aside while he and Cole grabbed his arms and laid him flat.
“Will he be all right?” Claire asked.
“He’s fine,” Kassie assured her. “I think he’s a bit shocked,” she said while grabbing smelling salts to wave under his nose.
Knight stood and grinned. “Oh, boy, this will be so much fun. Do you know how much crap he gives me on a daily basis? I’ll wait until he finally gets this kid asleep and pound on his door. Don’t worry, Claire. I’ll give you fair notice, then you can sleep in the other room.”
“You might not want to press him too much,” Gabby said as she handed Kassie a cold cloth. “What goes around comes around.”
Knight chuckled. “I know, but he’s got it coming.”
Gabby gazed at her husband. “You might not want to antagonize him since I’m pregnant, too.”
Knight weaved, and Cole led him to the wheelchair Claire vacated.
“How did it happen?” Knight whispered. “We barely sleep.”
“Last time I checked,” Patch mumbled. “Women don’t get pregnant by sleeping, you jack ass.”
“Gabby, why didn’t you tell me?” Knight asked gently as he rose and embraced his wife. “I missed the first trimester last time. Sit down, or do you need to lie down?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s how she got pregnant,” Patch murmured. “Claire, why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve accompanied you to the ultrasound. How far along? What about the fall?” he asked, rising slowly.
“I’m keeping her for a few hours, and then you can drive her home,” Kassie informed him.
“Why?” Patch asked, narrowing his eyes.
“I bled a little, and it’s only a precaution. Dr. Greene checked me out herself.”
“Gabby, did you see Dr. Greene yet? Did I miss the ultrasound again?” Knight asked, worried.
“You didn’t miss anything. I asked Kassie to wait until I told you. Claire and I planned to have lunch together after my appointment. Then, I found her. I only suspected it and didn’t want to get your hopes up,” Gabby explained.
“I didn’t get to see our baby,” Patch pouted. “You know our kid will be cuter and smarter than anything Knight produces. If it’s lucky, it’ll take after Gabby. When’s the next ultrasound? I missed it. I can’t let this bastard one-up me.”
Kassie rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you keep Claire company, and I’ll take Gabby and Marcus down. When I finish, I’ll bring the portable one here and we can visit with your little one.”
“Stay in the chair, Gabby, I’ll push you,” Knight ordered.
“Knight, I walked here all day. I’m not an invalid,” she told him firmly.
He knelt at her side. “Please let me do this. I didn’t get to spoil you last time. I need this.”
Cole watched as the couples glowed with love. Knight leaned over and kissed Claire’s cheek. “Congratulations, sweetheart. You’ll make a great mother.”
“Congratulations, Knight. Kassie did the calculations, we’re due around the same time,” she said, beaming.
“Promise me, Claire. You’ll go into labor first, right? I can’t let Knight see his kid before me. He already has one. We need to house hunt right away. I won’t be able to handle him singing ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow to two kids. I’ll even paint the house God awful pink.”
Claire laughed. “I’ll see what I can do about the whole labor part, but we’re not moving. I’ll buy you a nice pair of earplugs on your nights off from diaper and feeding duty.”
“We gotta get married. Can we do it tonight?” he asked, growing more excited by the minute.
Kassie rolled her eyes and motioned for Knight to follow. “Come on, let’s give them some time alone.”
Cole laughed as he watched his new buddies turn to mush and followed Kassie from the room. He congratulated the couple again before walking to the parking lot. His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out.
Can you come and get me? Hannah texted.
I’m on my way. He replied.
A vision of Hannah carrying their child with Brody at her feet popped into his head.
He didn’t know if she even wanted children.
Cole only knew he wanted to experience what he witnessed between his new teammates and their wives.
It didn’t matter if it took months or years, he’d wait for the woman who stayed on his mind and brought him to the mountain.