16. Maverick

16

Maverick

I was stuck in Texas, grounded by a storm that had halted all flights. "Damn it, I have to get home," I growled. "I promised Rebecca I'd be there when the baby was born."

"Call her, make sure she's okay. We'll find a plane," Reaper said, trying to stay calm. "I'm still reaching out—someone's bound to be crazy enough to fly in this weather."

"I can't reach her. She always forgets to charge her phone, and she doesn't like talking on it much. The baby's due in two weeks. If I have to steal a damn plane, I will."

"You don't need to steal one," River Channing said as he walked up. "I've got a plane. You're lucky I'm here. Beau told me you were desperate. I was planning to wait out the storm, but I'll take you to your wife. When's the baby due?"

I threw my arms around him. "Thank you! The baby's due in two weeks, but Rebecca thinks it'll come sooner."

I turned to Reaper. "I'll see you when I see you."

"Send pictures of the baby," he called after me.

"I will," I replied as I followed River to the plane. I was impressed. "Are they going to let you take off in this weather?"

"I outrank them, so I can take off whenever I want. But I haven't slept, so I might catch a few hours when we get to your place. I heard you married an Amish woman. That surprised me."

I told River about the murder of Rebecca's family and how much I loved her. "The farm belongs to Rebecca. She'll never leave it—it's where her family died."

"Do you have a tractor and everything you need for a big farm?"

"No, we've got a horse to pull the plow, and the person behind it pushes. It's easier if the ground is soft. We've got a couple of electric outlets, but Rebecca only uses them for emergencies. I got her a phone, but she's always forgetting to charge it."

"That sounds rough. Give me my technology any day. What do you do about the internet?"

"It's the Amish way. I use my phone for everything. Honestly, it's peaceful—no noise, even in the fields. Rebecca never stops working. We've got a boy who helps with the farm, but his appendix burst recently. I had to push his family out of the way to rush him to the hospital."

"Yeah, I don't think I could live like that. But then again, if I fell in love with an Amish woman, who knows? Hang on, we're about to hit some rough weather."

"I'll help co-pilot. Are you still doing Special Forces work?"

"Yeah, we've got a deal with the Army. They can call us in for emergencies. Our whole team is part of it."

"So the team stuck together? That's great. I love working with mine too. Damn, this weather's getting worse. I hope I don't get you killed trying to take me home."

"You won't. My assistant wouldn't like it if I got myself killed—she's big on keeping things in order."

"You still have that same assistant? I thought for sure one of you would've run off with her by now."

"Kat's married now. Lucky for us, because we have a strict no-dating-co-workers rule."

I laughed. "Too bad she's married. The way you used to look at her made me think you were interested."

"I've always pushed that feeling aside. I'd never date a married woman, and especially not a co-worker."

The plane tossed and shook through turbulence and heavy rain, but a few hours later, we landed. River and I rushed to the truck, which thankfully started right up. Snow covered everything.

"Damn, was Rebecca snowed in? Is that why she hasn't answered her phone?" I wondered aloud.

"Looks like there's been rough weather here," River said, glancing around.

I hadn't considered the weather in Ohio. Why hadn't I realized it snows so much here? Rebecca hadn't mentioned it. Maybe she's used to it—maybe it's like this every winter.

"Are you okay?" River asked, sensing my concern.

"I don't like the idea of Rebecca being alone in this weather. She never told me it was snowing."

"When was the last time you talked to her?"

"Over a week ago. I thought she just forgot to charge her phone. Maybe the power's out, not that Rebecca relies on electricity. She makes everything by hand—her clothes, cans all our vegetables and fruit, bakes her own bread, sews her own clothes. She's amazing, and I love her."

"She sounds amazing. I can't wait to meet her."

It felt like forever before we got home. A bad feeling tried to creep into my mind, but I pushed it away. When I finally saw the house with a faint light in the kitchen, I breathed a sigh of relief. She was home.

"Careful, the ice might be slippery," River warned.

I slipped and slid my way to the front door. Sure enough, the handle turned. I had told her so many times to keep the door locked, but she never listened.

"Sweetheart, I'm home. Where are you?"

"Maverick, I'm in the kitchen," she called out weakly.

I walked in to find Rebecca doubled over on the floor.

"Sweetheart, what happened?" I asked, rushing to her side and lifting her. She cried out in pain. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I went out to feed the animals and slipped on the ice. I thought I was okay, but as soon as I got back inside, the cramps started." She was crying uncontrollably. "Something's wrong with the baby. She's not moving. I couldn't call Lily because my phone's dead, and the power is out."

"Let me check on her," River said, stepping forward. "What were your first pains like?"

"Who are you?" Rebecca asked, startled.

"Rebecca, this is River Channing. He flew me home through the storm. He's a Special Force. Plus he's a medic."

"River, this is my wife, Rebecca."

"Would you rather explain it to Maverick, or can I help?" River asked gently.

"When I first came inside, I was fine. I was slicing bread for lunch."

"Have you been in here since then?"

"No, I came in earlier to cook some meat for later, just in case I couldn't get more wood for the stove." She bent over again, holding her stomach. I suddenly realized how big she was. I'd been gone for four weeks.

"Is there a bedroom downstairs where we can put her?" River asked.

I carried her to her parents' room, and as always, it was spotless, just like the rest of the house. River pulled the quilt off the bed, and I gently laid Rebecca down. He felt her stomach and asked her a series of questions like he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Hello, I need an ambulance at this address," I said into the phone, giving them our location.

"There's a twenty-car pile-up on the freeway. It'll be a while."

"No, I don't want to go to the hospital," Rebecca pleaded. "Call Lily. Please call her. Her number's on the wall in the kitchen."

I didn't want to, but I called.

"Hello, is Lily available?"

"No, she was called out earlier today. Who is this?"

"I'm Rebecca's husband. I just got home, and she's in a lot of pain. She said she fell on the ice. I believe she's having the baby."

"I'm sorry, but Lily won't return for three days."

"Okay, thank you."