Summer on Lovers' Island (Jewell Cove 3)

She looked tired and a little drawn, and her dark hair was damp around her face, curlier than ever. She didn’t have on a smidge of makeup, but her face simply radiated a happiness and joy that no cosmetics could imitate. She’d changed into a pair of pajamas, and in the crook of her arm was a blanket-wrapped bundle. Her son. Josh got a lump in his throat. After all his baby sister had been through, it was incredible to see her so perfectly happy at this moment. No one he knew deserved it more.

Rick sat at the foot of the bed, beaming as most new fathers were bound to do. This was how it was supposed to be. A baby wanted and welcome and loved, and two parents who loved each other, too.

“So, do we have a name?” asked Sarah, stepping forward and putting her hot tea down on the rolling table that was currently pushed to the side. “Come on now, let his auntie have a turn. My first nephew! It’s about time, Sis!”

Sarah gently took the bundle from Jess’s arms and her face softened. “He’s beautiful, Jess. A Collins through and through.”

Abby laughed. “Don’t discount the Foster blood in there, now.” Josh watched as Abby reached over and took Rick’s hand. “I think my cousin here had something to do with it.”

Rick grinned. “Abby, you’re beautiful, but I’m perfectly okay with our children looking just like their mother.”

Which was the perfect answer, as all the women in the room melted.

Jess eased herself up a little. “In answer to your question, yes, we have a name.” She looked at Rick. “We’ve decided on Liam Joshua Franklin Sullivan. A bit of a long handle, but I think he can handle it.”

Josh stared at Jess, then looked over at Sarah and Meggie. Both had tears in their eyes. It was wonderful that Jess had included their father’s name, particularly as he never lived to see any of his grandkids. “It’s perfect,” Josh said. “And I’m honored.”

Rick nodded at Josh. “I know how much your help has meant to Jess over the years, and you’re

my best friend. We’re the ones who’re honored, Josh.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Heads turned to Abby, who was flapping her fingers in front of her face. “I don’t know if it’s hormones or what, but you all have got me crying now!”

There was another sniffle. “Me, too,” Jess admitted.

Sarah was standing holding Liam, her hips moving to and fro in an automatic “mom” motion. “My hands are full, so don’t make me cry. I can’t wipe my nose.”

They were all chuckling when the door opened again and Tom came through, dressed for work and carrying a teddy bear with a blue ribbon around its neck. Josh still felt a little awkward, so he reached for the chart at the foot of the bed and gave it a quick scan, just to keep occupied.

“Oh, now everyone’s here!” Jess exclaimed. “Except Mark and the kids. But really. You guys…” She blinked again, quite quickly. “Thank you. Thank you all for sticking by me and for getting up in the middle of the night.” She met Josh’s gaze, a startled expression on her face. “Wait. Josh, don’t you have patients to see?”

“Lizzie’s covering for me this morning. Where else would I be but here?”

But what seemed odd was that it felt like Lizzie should be here, too. Probably just because he’d left her so abruptly this morning.

God, what would the people in this room say if they knew he’d left Lizzie’s bed to come to the hospital? Plenty, he imagined. He knew they liked Lizzie, but would they still if they knew she and Josh had slept together? His mother certainly wouldn’t understand how they could have a physical relationship knowing that it was strictly temporary. She was of the belief that sex should be part of a far deeper, more permanent relationship.

While it felt weird to be sneaking around at his age, he valued his privacy too much to make anything obvious. He’d already left his truck parked in front of Lizzie’s cottage all night, which wasn’t the best way of being discreet.

And he hadn’t yet texted her with the news.

“Speaking of, I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’m just going to check in with Robin and make sure everything’s okay at the clinic.”

He stepped outside and, in the quiet of the hall, pulled out his phone.

Baby Boy. 8 lbs 4 oz, 21 ½ inches long, Liam Joshua Franklin Sullivan.

The reply was swift.

Yay! Congrats, Uncle Josh! You must be thrilled. Fast work for Jess. Everything okay?

Everything is perfect. Clinic okay?

Once more the answer came back quickly.

I got this. Got some results back so need to go over tests later. Take a rain check on tonight?

He didn’t want to push. And her tone seemed more easygoing now than it had earlier.