Command Control

Logan took action. He disappeared, returning with the jeans she’d w

orn earlier and a pair of sandals in one hand. In the other, he held his shoes.

“I found these,” he said, holding out her pants. “Put them on and we’ll go.”

She did as she was told and followed him to his truck. Seat belt on, she closed her eyes and silently begged every higher power she could think of to keep her sister and her niece safe.

“I’m sorry our night came to an abrupt end,” she said as they turned onto the main road, heading away from the Mount Pleasant downtown. “But I’m glad you were here.”

“Me, too.”

“That you were here or sorry our night ended so quickly?” she asked.

“That I was here, Sadie.” He slowed the truck and turned right onto a narrow dirt road.

“You’re right. I never would have found my way.” She squinted as she peered into the total darkness.

“I’m taking back roads. They’re faster.”

“Thank you.” The need to rush sent all the potential outcomes racing through her mind. What if there was something wrong with the baby? Or Laurel?

Sadie closed her eyes. She wanted to call Greg and demand answers, but she knew he was busy caring for her twin. The fear and worry threatened to overwhelm her and she refused to show up at the hospital a crying mess—not when Laurel needed her.

She opened her eyes. Up ahead, she spotted a lit sign announcing the hospital’s emergency entrance. Logan bypassed the E.R. and turned in to the second parking lot. He pulled up to the front of the building, but kept the engine running.

“There’s a receptionist inside,” he said. “She’ll direct you to the Labor and Delivery floor. I’m going to park and then I’ll meet you there.”

“Logan, you don’t have to stay.”

He smiled gently. “I don’t have any other plans. I’ll be here if you need me.”

One hand on the door, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. Now I really owe you.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Go on, Sadie. Help your sister.”

* * *

HOURS LATER, AS the sun was starting to rise, Sadie stood beside her sister’s hospital bed, staring down at her newborn niece. Lacey. The baby was small, only five pounds, but perfect. And her twin had finally stopped crying.

When Sadie arrived, she’d found her sister screaming in pain, begging the nurses to keep her baby alive. An hour later, Laurel was threatening them with bodily harm if they didn’t make the pain stop. Watching her sister scream like she was being tortured had turned Sadie into a pit bull—according to Greg, who’d remained strangely calm. She’d snarled and snapped at the nurses, vowing to find the anesthesiologist herself if he did not show up soon. The nurses had ignored her—and Laurel—proceeding to go about their jobs as if they saw women behave like this every day. In hindsight, Sadie realized they probably did.

But now, even after they’d helped bring her niece safely into the world, Sadie didn’t feel the least bit sorry for the way she’d acted. Laurel had needed her help and she’d been there for her twin. For the first time, she’d felt entirely in tune with her sister’s needs. The one-way communication that always seemed to flow from Sadie to Laurel but never vice versa had changed directions for a few hours.

Laurel took her hand and squeezed. “You were amazing tonight. I felt like we were six years old and trying to fight a team of dragons.”

The nurse checking Laurel’s IV raised an eyebrow.

Sadie leaned closer to her sister. “I don’t think they appreciate being compared to mythical fire-breathing creatures.”

Laurel laughed and the baby in her arms opened her eyes for a second before settling back into sleep. “I don’t care what they think. You were my hero tonight.”

Sadie fought back tears. She never cried. But hearing her sister’s words? Her heart swelled. “You’re welcome.”

“I told the gentleman pacing in the waiting area both baby and mom were healthy,” the dragon-nurse said. She looked pointedly at Sadie. “He said to tell you he would see you later.” She turned and headed for the door.

Laurel’s brow furrowed. “What man?”

“Logan. I can’t believe he stayed. He was with me when you called. He drove me over here,” Sadie explained quickly.