Her Wilde Marines (Wilde, Nevada 4)

Shelby groaned and grimaced. Looking into her friend’s face, Emma thought she might be having a contraction.

Justin frowned. “I didn’t know my kisses had that kind of impact on you, sweetheart.”

Brandon touched Shelby’s shoulders. “Honey?”

Concerned for Shelby, Emma asked, “Did you just have a contraction?”

Shelby shrugged. “Probably just Braxton Hicks.”

“Doc. Doc.” Dax Strong, one of Charly’s husbands, ran up to them. “My wife’s water just broke.”

Alex turned to Brandon and Justin. “I’m going to go check on Charly, but we’re not taking any chances with our Shelby. Keep an eye on her. She might be right about it being false labor, but if anything changes, bring her to the hospital.” He and Dax left in a sprint for Charly.

Justin and Brandon asked Shelby questions about how she was feeling and did she need to sit down. Shelby smiled and told them she was fine. Her words didn’t take away the concern in the two men’s faces.

Emma thought it was great how her friend’s husbands were taking care of her.

Shelby closed her eyes and moaned.

Mac grabbed Shelby’s hand. “That’s another contraction, no doubt.”

Justin lifted Shelby up in his arms. “We’re going to the hospital right now, baby.”

“I’ll let Alex know she’s had another contraction and we’re taking her to the hospital.” Brandon ran to the men around Charly.

In a flash, all the fathers to be rushed Shelby and Charly out of the party to the new Wilde Hospital. Adam and Bane, the uncles to be, left with their parents to go to the waiting room. The majority of the crowd followed. The few remaining were abuzz with excitement for the two families. Everyone would be heading to the hospital to wait for the new babies to arrive.

Emma turned to Mackenzie. “What a night.”

“Shelby and Charly are going to be wonderful mothers, Em.” Something about Mackenzie’s tone told her the woman would make a great mom, too.

“Thank you for considering me to work with

you.”

“I’ll be the one thanking you. I sure need help. Lots of changes coming in the next several months.” Mackenzie was glowing. Was she pregnant? “I might be able to have dinner with my husbands now. Let’s go talk to the big bosses.”

She walked with Mac to meet the owners.

Life was already looking brighter.

Chapter Four

Bane glanced around the waiting room. The hospital still had quite the crowd, though some had to leave for their shifts in the Wilde Silver Mine. Of those remaining, most had nodded off, but not his parents. They were wide awake, sitting in the chairs closest to the swinging doors that led to the delivery room.

“Look at Mom and Dads, bro.” He sat in the waiting room with Adam, anxiously anticipating the arrival of Shelby’s baby. “You think they’d like something to eat?”

His brother shook his head. “Nope. I just asked them less than fifteen minutes ago. They told me they are too excited to eat. I’m in the same boat.”

“Me, too.” Bane grinned and looked at the clock—zero-four-hundred. He recalled one mission where he had been cut off from his unit. Being behind enemy lines and under heavy fire, he hadn’t been able to eat for forty-eight hours. This should be a piece of cake. “Food after Shelby’s baby comes, and not before.”

“Agreed,” Adam said.

An hour ago, Charly had delivered a healthy baby boy. Gregory Grant Strong was named after his grandfathers on his dads’ side. The little cowboy had arrived twenty and a half inches long and weighed eight pounds four ounces. All the Strong brothers and their parents were with Charly and the new baby.

Emma and Mackenzie returned from the nursery and sat down across from them.

Bane couldn’t keep his eyes off of Emma. God, she’s gorgeous.