Delicate Promises (Southern Bride 2)

She took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “Miles, I had a wonderful time, and you do not have to apologize.”

I nodded. “It’s been a hard pregnancy for her.”

“Yes, I know. She’s been really sick. Lana told me they were talking about putting her on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy.”

“Yeah, that was being tossed around if she didn’t take it easy and follow the doctor’s orders.”

“But she has, right?” she asked. “Followed his orders?”

“From what I’ve seen since I’ve been home, she has. Of course, I don’t live with her and can’t keep an eye on her. Bob has promised she’s taking it easy.”

Lana had met her husband Bob while she was in college. They had snuck off to Vegas a year ago and had gotten married. Much to my mother’s disapproval.

I pulled into the hospital parking lot and quickly found a spot. Kynslee got out of my truck and walked next to me as we headed into the hospital. She remained silent as we made our way to the floor my sister was on. Once we were out of the elevator, I saw my mother and brother.

“Momma, Rich.”

They turned and looked at me. My mother’s eyes were red from crying. I stopped walking, but Kynslee reached for my hand and pulled me gently, getting me to move my feet again.

Please God, please. Don’t take my sister from us. Please.

As we got closer, I found it harder to breathe.

I stopped in front of them. “Is Lana okay? What about the baby?”

“We haven’t heard anything. Last we heard, they were doing an emergency c-section. The baby’s heart rate was falling pretty fast,” Rich said, wrapping his arm around our mother.

“Do you need anything, Jen?” Kynslee asked. “Coffee? Something to eat?”

“No, sweetheart. I’m fine.”

“Momma, you’re not fine. You need food. You haven’t had anything to eat all day,” Rich said.

Kynslee took my mother’s hands. “Let me run down to the cafeteria and see what they have. How about some coffee? Rich?”

“I could use a cup and maybe a little something to put in my stomach,” Rich said.

With a soft smile, Kynslee nodded. “Okay, y’all stay here, and I’ll see what I can find.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” I asked.

“You stay here with your family. I can take care of it.”

My chest squeezed at her caring voice. I wanted more than anything to pull her into my arms and hold her. Confess everything. How no woman could hold a candle to her. How she consumed my dreams every night. How I was too afraid to admit how much I loved her.

I didn’t do any of that. I gave her a nod and said, “Thank you, Kynslee.”

She gave me a wink and replied, “Of course. I’ll be back in a bit.”

I watched her as she walked away. I felt that same familiar ache in my chest I had always felt when we were saying goodbye on the phone. But this was much worse because she was here, right in front of me, and I was fucking this all up.

Turning, I caught the way my mother was looking at me. Hope filled her eyes, and it nearly killed me because all my mother had ever wanted for her kids was to find happiness. Love. I’d had it and let it slip right through my fingers…and I was beginning to doubt I’d be able to get it back.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt your date with Kynslee.”

“I’m glad you called, Mom.” I gave her a tight smile and looked to Rich. “Do we know what happened?”

“No. She called Momma and said she was having some pain and then saw bleeding. I was at the house so we called the ambulance.”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I sighed. “When does Bob get back into town?”

“He’s on his way home now. Lana called him before she called Momma. He left for the airport right then.”

“He is a good man,” Momma said as she sat down in one of the chairs in the waiting room. “He loves Lana and this baby so much. The idea that…”

Her voice trailed off, and I sat down next to her as I quickly glanced around the waiting room. White walls and light blue chairs were our only company. A few Texas Hill Country photos hung nearby, adding warmth to the area. On the other side were pictures of babies, little hands and feet. A reminder that this was a place for happiness, as well. There were three nurses at the nurses’ station and a part of me wanted to go over and ask about Lana myself.

I dragged in a deep breath and took my mother’s hand. “She’s going to be fine, and so is the baby, Momma. Try not to worry.”

“She wanted this baby so much, and if anything happens to her or the baby, well, I don’t think she or Bob will be able to deal with the loss.”