Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
GEORGIA
For one of the first times, I don’t want to go to the ranch. Being around Queenie has always been good for my soul, but I’m not sure even she can help me today. Today, my tired and exhausted body is screaming at me to stay in bed.
But I can’t. Showing up is what I always tell the kids. It’s half the battle. Staring at myself in the mirror, everything I’ve been through the last few weeks is written on my face.
Luke wanting to go home to LA. Grant leaving with him. Having to go to appointments on my own. It’s the most heartbreaking thing to want to bask in the glow of the ultrasounds, but having no one to do it with.
I went from never needing anyone to relying on Grant. I didn’t want to be that person, but here I am.
I get dressed as fast as I can. The closer I get to my due date, the slower I am. I haven’t seen my feet in weeks and I feel like a whale.
By the time I get to the ranch, I’m exhausted. The only redeeming factor for today is I at least have some time before the kids come. With Gail starting to take over the lessons under my observation, today should be an easy day.
The barn is sweltering by the time I waddle inside. Even though it’s freezing outside, exerting any effort is hard for me. I scoop all my hair back into a ponytail and settle into my desk chair to start working on lessons for Gail.
It’s hard to get anything done. The pain in my lower back woke me up early and hasn’t quit.
“Hey, Georgia. You want to come to the ranch for lunch?”
Joey bounces her way into the barn. She’s grinning from ear to ear. Sometimes it’s hard to be around my friends when they’re so happy.
“Ugh. I don’t think I can move. Can you bring me something?”
“Are you okay?” Her smile drops. “Everything alright with the baby?”
“I’m just exhausted,” I tell her, rubbing my stomach.
“Maybe a walk in the fresh air will help. Rex made a healthy lunch for you that I think you’ll enjoy,” she says.
“Any reason you want me to come to the main lodge?” I ask, eyeing her as she grabs my coat.
“I’m just looking after you. And maybe trying to get you away from all this planning.” She waves her hand around.
“Fine. But lunch better be good.”
That lights her face back up. “I promise, it will be.”
She holds on to me as we make the slow trek from the barn to the lodge. “Did you feel this terrible when you were this close to the end?”
Joey nods. “Yes. I felt like a blimp. And Max wouldn’t stop kicking my ribs. It’s terrible.”
“Oh, yeah. This baby is using my bladder as a trampoline. I wish he would stop.”
“There’s still plenty of—”
“Ooh!”
“What’s—oh shit.”
A sudden pop followed by a warm rush down my leg tells me the one thing I wish wouldn’t happen has happened.
“Did my water just break?” I ask.
“Oh my God. I think it did.”
“Oh my God,” I repeat. “I’m not due for another four weeks.”
“We’re almost there. Keep walking and when we get there, we’ll take you to the hospital.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.” I wince. “I still have another month to go.”
“Babies don’t care about your timelines, G.”
Joey holds the door open to the lobby and I collapse into the first seat I find.
“Are you okay?” Presley is at the front desk and comes rushing over.
“No. My water broke.”
“Oh my God. We need to get you to the hospital,” she shrieks. “Let me find my keys.”
“I’m getting them!” Joey calls back from the office. “Call Rylee and she can meet us there.”
“On it.”
Tears well in my eyes at how much I love my friends. They are my family, but I still wish Grant were here.
Joey comes back out, and between the two of them, they help me into the back seat of one of the ranch’s SUVs and Presley tears off down the road. Joey is holding my hand as I try to keep it together. I’m not looking forward to what’s to come.
“Okay, I called the hospital and told them we’re on the way. The doctor will meet us there,” Presley says.
“One perk of a small town.”
“Only one OB. And she is the best,” Joey says. “Just keep breathing. We’ll be there soon.”
“I need to call Grant,” I bite out as a pain starts. “Did anyone grab my bag?”
“Crap,” Joey mutters from beside me. “Do you know his number?”
“No!” I wail, breathing as a contraction hits. “I always have my phone with me. Why would I need to memorize it?”
“Okay. I’ll call Sam and have him get it and text him. What’s the passcode?”
I rattle it off to her, doing my best to focus on anything but the blinding pain I’m in.
Fuck, this is not going to be fun.