7. Lawson

SEVEN

"Yeah," I answer the phone in my office. Juniper never responded to my text yesterday. It didn't matter. She took the day off, and I was fucking glad. The woman slept most of the day and through the night. Juni didn't so much as get up to pee. I'd know. While I cleaned up the place, I'd check in on her every half hour or so. She'd make a low humming noise in her sleep, and I swear I've heard her make the noise before. I just can't place when.

"That's not how you answer the phone, Lawson Dwayne Johnson," Mom chides. I can already tell this is one of those calls Dad has on speaker phone, except Mom decided to join him.

"Sorry, Mom, didn't look at the caller ID. I've been dealing with the books." JW came in earlier today saying one of the neighboring farms is up for sale and thought it'd be a good investment. Needless to say, I told him I'd look at the books, check what they were asking, and what all it entails in order to bring it to the table.

"Fine, fine, but don't make it a habit. I'm off to the store. Case grew out of his clothes, completely surpassed two sizes, and Ryland has zero taste besides all one color when it comes to outfits. Love you." She's a busybody, never met a store she didn't like, and has no problem putting any of us in our place. It doesn't matter the time or place. Between the two of them, their boys minded their manners while living under their roof. Once we were over the age of eighteen, we did a whole lot of fuckery, drinking, rodeoing, you named it. We lived our lives, got it out of our systems, and some of us settled down. Dean and Lane both have women, Fletch does as well, and I'm going after the woman who has my dick tied in knots soon. I make a mental note to call my buddy to see how he's doing. We've been friends for a while, there for one another when shit goes down. Him more for me than the other way around, except he knows I'd be on the first flight to Georgia anytime, day or night.

"Love you, Ma. Try to save some for the other shoppers," I reply. I can hear my parents talk quietly before loud smooching noises, then finally, Dad comes on the line.

"Heya, your mom wasn't going to call and ask you. I figured it was time I step in. She's got a lot going on. Case growing has her in a tizzy, and I knew she'd forget," Dad starts. He's not wrong. Her first grandbaby and my first and only nephew has all of us wrapped around his finger, Mom most of all. When Case needs something, Case gets first priority. As it should be. Ryland is a single dad. There are not enough hours in the day to work and do it all on your own, so Mom picks up where he can't.

"What's that?" I drop the pencil I was using to make notes outside of the margins on the spreadsheet. For the most part, everything is done on the computer, but I like to work on it with pencil and paper before inputting it into the system. I've made mistakes before, and it's a bitch to fix.

"Keep your eye on Juni. She went to the doctor this morning and said she's going to work."

"What did the doctor have to say?" My office door is currently closed. The only reason I keep it open is for Juniper. I stand up and go straight to my door, unlocking it and using the toe of my booted foot to wedge the door stopper.

"That's the thing. Juni was tight lipped. Only said she was fine and that it'd pass. Except you and I both know there's something else. I could hear the difference in her tone of voice." I look across the hall, not seeing any sign of her, and the door to the clinic isn't open either. That's damn weird.

"Yeah, I'll check on her." Turn her over my knee and smack her ass, too. This damn woman thinking she needs to be here every waking minute of every day is bullshit.

"Thanks, bud. I better get. Case is moving in the crib," Dad says.

"Not a problem. Case still got his days and nights mixed up?" When we had breakfast yesterday, he was up, so I assumed he was on the right track.

"Sure doesn't. Juni came over before she was sick. Apparently, you can do some flip a baby maneuver, and it helped. Instantly." Why am I not surprised Juniper would step in and work her magic? She's one of the few who don't give an opinion about Case and Ryland. Juni sits back, watches the craziness amongst all of us, and stays to herself. A part of me wonders why that is. The other part knows not to ask too many questions. Her tongue is sharp and her aim is dead perfect.

"That's good. Ryland finally beg for help?" I ask.

"He did. Alright, now my grandboy is yammering away. Go check on Juniper and let me know how she's doing." I was going to anyways. I don't tell him that, though. "And take her home if she still feels like shit." Dad hangs up the phone, and I'm pocketing my own. My feet are already carrying me to Juniper's area. A few short steps, and I'm knocking on the door. A sense of déjà vu washes over me when Juni doesn't answer the door right away. I'd rather not holler for her. The whole damn barn would hear what's going down, and that's the last thing either of us needs right now.

I knock again and wait a few beats. Still nothing. I turn the handle and thank fuck the damn thing is unlocked. There isn't a single noise coming from the other side, and I'm tired of waiting. Once I'm through the door, I close and lock it.

"Juniper, babe. You okay?" I ask, my eyes scouring the place. There isn't anything out of place as I step further inside. Yesterday, it took her a bit of time to get to the door, but that's because she was in the bathroom. Today could very well be the same story, except I can't hear a single peep from her. There's no movement and no noises throughout the space. I head toward the only two places she could be—the supply closet and bathroom.

"Juniper," I call out her name again, my hand on the handle to open the door to the supply area. I've got a sinking feeling in my gut. The light is turned off, and I realize she's not in here. I move even faster to the bathroom, turning the corner and seeing a light. What I also see has me about ready to lose my shit. There on the cold tile floor is Juniper, her head to the side, eyes closed, and not a fucking peep is coming from her.

"Oh fuck, baby. Juniper." I drop to my knees beside her. My fingers go to her wrist, feeling for a pulse, the other hand reaching for my phone, ready to call an ambulance, except I do one better. I call the doctor we all go to when shit goes sideways. It's rare that I've had to use that road, and I've never once abused it. Neither has anyone else on the ranch. I put Juni's head in my lap, moving my hand away from her wrist and holding her throat. I place my thumb on her pulse point, and my palm can feel each breath she takes.

After I've unlocked my phone and found his contact number, he answers on the first ring, "Hey, Lawson, what can I do for you?"

"Doc, I found Juni unconscious in the bathroom. She's breathing and there's a steady pulse, but she's not waking up." Remaining calm is out of the fucking window. My sole focus and purpose are on making sure Juniper's okay.

"I'm in the area. I'll be there in ten minutes. Any bleeding or signs of trauma?"

I look her over once again. "No."

"Good. Move her to the table. Elevate her feet. I'll be there in a few minutes." The conversation is over. I drop my phone to the floor, and it can stay there. My arms go beneath her knees and neck, and after a few awkward movements, I'm up on my feet with Juniper in my arms.

"Damn, Juniper, whatever is going on with you, it's not great, babe." She's like a limp noodle in my arms, and my only hope is Doc will make good on his promise. Seeing the strong, fierce, independent woman this way is not what I thought I'd ever expect when I left her place. I'm ready to kick my own ass for leaving her alone when whatever this is, is giving her a run for her money.