Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
KANE
My pulse quickens as I read Timber’s message about Eliza being in labor.
I pull in my gear and steer the boat toward home. I’m sad my father won’t be here for the birth of his second grandchild. And poor Matt won’t be there to watch his first child come into this world. I was there when Hailey was born. There’s nothing more amazing than watching your child take their first breath.
I push the throttle, and the engine roars to life, the boat slicing through the waves at a faster-than-safe speed. Suddenly, a jolt ripples through the rig, the helm shudders, and the engine sputters. Panic grips me as I wait for everything to stall. Today is not the day for mechanical failures. I pray for things to hold together a little longer. Miraculously, the engine steadies, its familiar hum returning with renewed strength.
The familiar sights come into view. I approach the dock, steer the boat into its berth, and secure the vessel to the metal cleats. Every second counts as I unload the day’s catch, my mind solely focused on reaching Serenity Cove. With the last crate of fish on ice and safely stowed away, I sprint toward my ATV. The minutes stretch into eternity as I race toward my sister’s house.
The scene at Serenity Cove is much like its name, deceptively tranquil, with shimmering water lapping at the shore and tall trees swaying in the breeze. Despite the calm exterior, I know that a different kind of energy courses through the air inside.
The sight of four parked ATVs lined up neatly in the driveway signals my brothers’ presence and their readiness to help.
With Eliza’s husband away on an oil rig, we are responsible for providing support and assistance. We’d do that anyway because she’s our sister. We may not always agree, but family comes first. Together, we’ll weather any storm that comes our way.
As I approach, the sound of an ax hitting wood comes from the back of the house. I step around and find Nash cutting wood. He sees me and stops mid-swing.
“I think she’s got enough wood.” I stare at the pile, already eight feet tall and ten feet wide. “Are you doing this for her or you?”
“Probably both. Every time she cries out in pain, I want to rush in and take that away, but I can’t, so I’m better off out here where I can’t hear. At least I’m doing something productive.”
I walk over and pat my brother’s shoulder. “Hang in there. She’ll be okay. May knows what she’s doing. ”
I walk back to the front door, and other than the sound of metal hitting wood, it’s silent outside. It’s as if the birds are waiting for Cody’s arrival. With a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, I raise my hand to knock, but the door swings open before I can make contact, and Rhys stands there.
“Glad you’re here so quickly,” he says. “May says things are moving fast.”
I’m grateful because Hailey’s birth took what seemed like a lifetime. Though I felt helpless, like Nash does now, I stayed by Amanda’s side.
Finn is in the kitchen washing dishes. Reid is in the living room, letting Hailey “do” his hair. He’s got barrettes and bows everywhere.
Hailey looks up. “Daddy!” She runs around the couch and hugs me. “Cody is coming soon.”
Her enthusiasm is infectious. “He sure is, sweetheart.” Some might consider Hailey too young to experience all that comes with a home birth, but this is a way of life here.
As Timber emerges from the bedroom, I notice the way her hair is pulled back into a messy bun, strands escaping to frame her face. There's a subtle sheen of sweat on her brow, and yet she’s absolutely beautiful. Despite the exhaustion evident in her features, her calm demeanor is a reassuring presence.
“Hey there.” I can’t suppress the surge of appreciation swelling within me at the sight of her. “How’s it going in there?”
Timber laughs. “Oh, you know,” she says, her tone laced with a hint of exhaustion and a dose of humor. “It’s just another day. Burn down a cabin one night and deliver a baby the next. There’s no rest for the weary here.”
“That’s a pretty accurate statement.”
She walks to the kitchen and fills a glass with ice. “I should get this to Eliza. May says the baby will be here within the hour.” She disappears into the bedroom.
As someone who has lived a solitary life, wary of outsiders and protective of my family, I’ve often hesitated to let strangers in. But seeing Timber’s genuine kindness and willingness to lend a hand, even to those she’s just met, has challenged my notions about outsiders. While I may still approach new faces cautiously, Timber has opened my eyes to the possibility of finding friendship and support in the most unlikely places.
As I settle into the living room, my eyes are glued to the closed bedroom door. Heavy quiet hangs over the room, broken only by the muffled sound of Eliza’s labored breaths and the background music to Frozen , Hailey’s go-to for entertainment. The tension in the air is thick as fog. I look for something to do, but it appears everything from dishes to laundry has already been done.
“I bet it will be any minute now,” Rhys says from beside me.
It seems like forever before we hear it—the cry of a newborn echoing through the house. A chorus of relieved sighs fills the room. Nash rushes inside, his forehead dripping sweat. “Sounds like we’ve got ourselves a new Hollister. ”
“You can’t take his dad out of the mix,” I say. “While Cody is half Hollister, he’s also half Ryder, and that’s good.” Out of all the men Eliza could have chosen, she picked Matt Ryder, who is as steady as the mountain and patient as a saint. I can’t wait for him to get here, so I can give him a pat on the back for being the kind of man we can all be proud of.
Several minutes later, Timber emerges from the bedroom as the newborn’s cries echo through the house. She catches my eye and offers me a weary smile. “Hey, guys,” she says, her voice soft, but her eyes filled with excitement. “Eliza would like you all to come in and meet Cody.”
My brothers and I exchange glances, rise from our seats, and follow Timber back to the bedroom where May stands at Eliza’s side.
I step inside, with Hailey next to me. Eliza is nestled in the bed with a tired but contented look on her face, cradling her newborn son. The room is warm and joyful, and time stands still. This is so different from when Hailey was born. Amanda looked at our beautiful baby girl and rolled to her side to sleep. I should have known then that she wouldn’t stay, but I chalked it up to exhaustion. But right now, I push those thoughts aside to focus on Eliza and Cody.
“Hey, Sis,” I whisper, approaching her bedside. “You did it. Mom would be so proud of you.” Cody would be the first grandson and her only daughter’s child. Poor Eliza had to go through all of this without a mother. That makes me sad for Hailey because she’s had to navigate her short life without her mother, too.
Eliza squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Kane,” she says. “And thanks for being here.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” I take in my nephew, this tiny bundle of new life. He’s red, wrinkly, and nearly bald, but I can already tell he’ll be a good-looking kid. How could he not—he’s half Hollister.
Hailey tentatively approaches the bed, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Daddy, can I touch him?” she whispers.
I glance at Eliza, deferring to her.
Eliza nods. “Of course, sweetie,” she says, her voice filled with kindness and affection. “You can touch him gently.”
Hailey's eyes widen as she reaches out, her hand trembling slightly. With a gentle touch, she brushes her fingertips against the baby's fine hair.
Observing the tender exchange between my daughter and her new cousin fills my heart. For all the bad that came with Amanda, she gave me Hailey, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.
After a few moments, May shoos us out of the room, and I find myself lingering in the doorway. Timber takes the baby and cradles him in her arms with a tenderness that takes my breath away. I’m struck by how natural it seems. It’s as if she was born to be a mother.
After seeing her with Cody, I allow myself to entertain the possibility of something more between us. It’s not something I can rationalize or explain away. It’s simply a knowing, deep-seated intuition that tells me Timber is more important than I ever imagined. And at that moment, I know that I can’t ignore this undeniable connection between us.
As Timber puts the baby in the bassinet, I realize how tired she must be. She walks out of the bedroom and closes the door behind her. She heads for the couch in the living room and sinks into the cushions, where she seems to find a moment's peace.
May steps out several minutes later. With a grin, she tells me to take Timber home. “I’ll stay the night here, but she needs a hot meal and a comfy bed,” she says. “Timber worked hard today. We should all be proud of her.”
I give May a nod, appreciating her concern for Timber’s well-being.
Turning to my brothers, May asks, “Who is staying and going? If you’re staying, then you have to change diapers and cook breakfast.” Before May can say another word, my brothers are on their feet, ready to hit the road. They quickly say their goodbyes and head out.
May’s laughter echoes behind them as they exit the house.
“Let’s say goodbye before we go,” I say.
We enter Eliza’s room, where Timber and Hailey exchange goodbyes with my sister. “Remember, Eliza, I’m just a call away,” Timber says.
“Thank you so much for being here.”
I kiss my nephew on the head and look at Eliza. “Did you call Dad, or do you want me to?” Eliza confirms that she has already phoned him, right after Matt, who should return home tomorrow.
When I lean down to kiss Eliza, she whispers, “Timber is a keeper, Kane. You should try to keep her.”
I kiss her cheek. “Some things aren’t up to me.”
She shakes her head. “I think you could have a say in this.”
“Go on now. We all need our rest.” May waves us away like we’re annoying insects.
Knowing Eliza is in good hands, I guide Timber and Hailey to my ATV, ensuring Hailey’s buckled in the back seat. Timber finds a spot beside me. Somewhere along the journey, she leans against me, and I enjoy her gentle weight against my side.
The engine hums steadily beneath us as we navigate the winding trails back to the ridge. The rhythm of the ride lulls us into a comfortable silence punctuated only by the sounds of nature surrounding us.
It’s not until we reach the familiar sight of my home on the ridge that I realize Timber has fallen asleep, her breathing slow and steady against my shoulder. Hailey stirs in the back, unbuckling herself and climbing out of the parked vehicle. I signal her to be quiet as I lift a sleeping Timber out of the ATV. She stirs for a minute, lays her head against my shoulder, and she’s out again.
With Timber in my arms and Hailey beside me, I remember that even in tough times, there's beauty. Putting Timber on the couch, I’m hopeful about what comes next.