Rebecca Winters - Christmas in Texas - Christmas Baby Blessings / The Christmas Rescue

Someone nudged him over to Capri’s side, and told him to talk to her in soothing tones.

He wasn’t usually a soothing presence for Capri. But once upon a time, he had known just the right words to say to her.

“Hey, babe.”

Capri’s eyes were huge in her face. He could hardly bear to see her like this. Taking her hand in his, he said, “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”

She made little short puffing breaths, and then suddenly she relaxed.

“A local anesthetic,” the doctor explained.

They were awfully busy under the green sheet. Capri had told him he wasn’t to approach the sheet in any way, so he remained by her side, letting her squeeze his fingers bloodless. He welcomed the pain; it wasn’t nearly what she was going through.

“Seagal,” Capri suddenly said, startling him.

“Yes?” He leaned close to hear her.

“Mrs. Penny called.”

He blinked. “Can we talk to her later? I know she’s one of our town’s revered grapevines, but—”

Capri squeezed his fingers to shush him. She was so pale he sent a worried glance the doctor’s way. Dr. Blankenship seemed busy with whatever he was doing under the green sheet thing, so Seagal looked back at Capri.

“Okay,” he said, “was there something special on her mind?”

“She said you’re sniffing around my flower shop.” Capri’s gaze was on him, accusing. “Do you think somebody close to me may be involved?”

He was on the ropes here—he could hear it in her voice. “I can’t say, honey.”

“You didn’t tell me,” Capri said.

“Keep soothing her, Mr. West. We need to keep Mom calm,” a nurse said, glancing at a monitor.

He leaned close to his wife. “Let’s talk about this later.”

“I need to know,” she said, her gaze on him, haunted.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” Seagal said, “I’m simply following orders.”

Capri’s eyes widened. Belatedly, Seagal remembered that the night of their worst argument, he’d said the same thing. It had effectively ended their marriage.

“Capri,” he said, “no one knows exactly who is involved. But this I do know. I’m about to be a dad. All I want to do is take care of you and my children.”

“That’s better,” the nurse said, her tone approving. “Whatever you’re saying, keep saying it. We need to keep your blood pressure down, Mrs. West.”

“Snow,” Capri said, and the nurse glanced at her. “My name is Snow.”

“Now wait,” Seagal said, his voice low so the nurses and doctor couldn’t hear. His blood pressure felt as if he needed someone to say soothing things to him. “You’re still Mrs. Seagal West for another two weeks.”

She closed her eyes.

“You’re doing fine,” the nurse said. “The doctor is almost finished prepping you, and then it will be time to meet your new babies.”

Capri released his fingers. He tried to catch her fingers back but she put her hand under the covers. So he stood beside her, staring down at her pale face, wishing he knew what to tell her to make her happy, to keep her his forever.

“Okay, Capri,” Dr. Blankenship said. “I’m about to make an incision. You’ll only notice some tugging sensations. If you notice anything more than that, let me know, all right?”

Capri nodded. Seagal felt all the blood rush from his head.

“Get Dad a chair,” Dr. Blankenship barked, and the elderly nurse led him over to the side.

“Breathe,” the nurse commanded. “Doc’s done this a thousand times. Capri’s in the best possible hands.”

Wasn’t he supposed to be a fearless, tough guy?

Then why was the very idea of his wife being in pain making him weak as a kitten?

“I’m failing at being a birth coach,” he told the nurse.

“We keep this chair in here for dads,” the nurse said, her tone kindly. “You’ll feel stronger in a bit. Don’t worry. Your wife is in good hands.”

She patted him on the back, then turned to stand by Capri. Seagal took another deep breath, braced himself, and went back to being there for his wife.

* * *

CAPRI KNEW THE SECOND Seagal left her side. She felt alone as soon as he’d gone, and reminded herself that she was destined to be alone in the future anyway.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.