February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3) (10 page)

C: Good. I can't wait to see our girl sleeping in it.

Z: I can't wait until you're home.

C: Not long now, babe. Just hold on.

Z: The party was great.

C: No drama?

Z: Always drama, but Layla handled it.

C: Good. You rest.

Z: Napping now.

She dropped the phone and snuggled down in the bed.
Just a little nap won't hurt.
Her eyes slid slowly shut then popped back open abruptly at the sound of sirens wailing as they went by the house.
What in the world?

“Grams?” she yelled.

“Yeah?” Grams hurried down the hall. “You okay?”

“What's going on with the sirens?” Panic unfurled in her chest and she swallowed against the lump growing in her throat.

“Not sure, I'll turn the police scanner on. Give me a bit. Why? What's got you all worked up?” Grams came into the room and placed her cool hand on Zoe's forehead.

“I just have a bad feeling, Grams, I can't place it.” she squeaked. “Something is wrong!”

“Well don't you sit here and get all worked up. Calm your nerves down. Let me go to the scanner,” Grams frowned as she left.

Zoe picked up her phone again.

Z: Calvin something is wrong.

C: What? With you? With the baby?

Z: No. Just something.

C: Don't scare me like that!

Z: Sorry. :/

C: Everything is fine. You need to rest.

Zoe frowned as another siren roared past the house.

Z: I'm telling you. Something is wrong.

C: Everything is fine, Zoe. Stop stressing, it's bad for the baby.

Zoe groaned and tossed her phone down to the end of the bed.
I don't know how I know, but I do. Something isn't right. Why can't people just listen to me and believe me?

Grams yelled from the living room, “Listening to the scanner, be there in a minute.”

“Okay,” Zoe yelled back.

She twiddled her thumbs and blew out some breaths. The baby rolled and pressed a foot directly up on her belly. She stared in fascination at the clear delineation of the little foot and tiny toes. Moving quickly she ran a finger over the arch of the foot and giggled as it disappeared.
Someone is ticklish!
Her smile faded as Grams peeked her head into the room.

“You were right. Someone had a wreck out on the bridge.” Grams shook her head sadly.

Zoe's eyes flew wide. “I hope it was no one from the party!”

“Me too, honey, but we don't know more than that. You can't get yourself worked up. Want some more cake? There's plenty left over.”

“Sure, why not. I may as well.”

She shifted on the bed and found her phone. Her teeth worried her bottom lip and she paused for a moment before shooting a text out to Tim.

Z: Who was in the wreck?

A pregnant period of time stretched during which Grams brought more cake. Zoe took it gratefully and began shoveling bites into her mouth. Her phone buzzed against her leg and she swallowed the chunk of cake that was in her mouth. Suddenly the sickeningly sweet confection didn't taste good anymore.

T: Amy.

Zoe placed the cake on the nightstand and licked the icing from her fingers.

Z: Is she okay?

T: I think so. She was coherent. They're taking her to the hospital to make sure the baby is okay.

Z: Thank goodness she's not... you know.

T: We can't take no more of that. I'll let you know if I hear more. We're trying to figure out how she was going sixty on the bridge. Airbag saved her ass.

Z: Sixty on the bridge? Amy?

T: Yeah. Gotta go.

I knew something was wrong. Why would Amy be going sixty on the bridge? That's not like her, at all. I mean she seemed fine when she left here.

“Grams!” she called.

“Girl if you don't stop calling me in there I swear!” Grams puffed as she came into the room. “What in the world?”

“Amy was the one who wrecked.”

“Aw, hell. Her and that baby. How did you find out?” Grams put her hands up on her doughy hips and stared Zoe down.

Zoe held up her phone. “I sent a text to Tim.”

“Girl, you leave that boy alone on the job.” She shook her head in irritation then pursed her lips. “Well, what did he say?”

Zoe snorted. “You tell me to mind my business then demand details.”

“Don't be sassy. You know details, I am naturally curious.” Grams shrugged.

“He said Amy was awake and they are sending her to the hospital. She hit the bridge going sixty.” Zoe rubbed her arm absentmindedly.

“Lord have mercy!” Grams wailed, her hand fluttering up to her chest. “Sixty on that bridge! The Lord was with her and protected her. I sure hope her baby is all right.”

“Yeah, me too. I mean she said she really wasn't ready for a baby, but no one wants to lose their kid.” Zoe sighed and pulled the blanket up around her shoulders. “I'm cold.”

“You're stressed out. You need to just relax honey. There ain't a thing in the world you can do to help that girl. The doctors will do their best. You have to protect your own baby now. You hear me?” Grams gripped her chin gently and stared deep into her eyes.

Zoe nodded slowly. “I understand.”

“What will be, will be. Worrying does nothing to change it.” Grams released her chin and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Just close your eyes, honey.”

Zoe obeyed, but the thought of Amy's life hanging in the balance kept her from sleeping. She tossed and turned, huffed and ended up awkwardly curled around a pillow.
Let her be okay.

Zoe waited with bated breath for someone to tell her something about Amy. Yet no one was talking. It had been three days since the baby shower and Amy's wreck. Zoe swung her legs over the edge of the bed and sat up slowly.
Why is everyone so hell bent on protecting me?
If she had her way she'd be pacing the floor, wearing grooves into the hardwood, but all she could do was sit up and jiggle her feet in annoyance.

Tim and Layla were both ignoring her text messages.
I know they know. It chaps my ass they won't just tell me. Don't they know the NOT knowing makes things so much worse? I need to know if she's okay.

Zoe gasped in pain as the baby pressed up against her rib cage. “Okay, kid!” She yelped. “I'm laying back down.” She flopped back on the bed and the pressure against her ribs eased. “You're killing me.”

Dr. Crist said she was measuring right on for about thirty-three weeks and so far the stitch was holding. He had been in conference with her high risk doctors in Mobile, and they'd shared ultrasounds. They decided that as long as the stitch was holding, they would let the baby stay. The longer, the better. Dr. Crist had patted her knee and smiled. “It's almost over, and you'll miss it.”

Psh, I won't miss staring at four walls.

She leaned back against the pillows and pulled her laptop into her lap.
Since no one will tell me what's going on, I'll just go online. They should have something...
She looked up the local news station, Mobile being the closest and scanned the most recent news. Nothing was on the site about an accident all the way down in Major. She sighed in frustration and closed the laptop.
Of course not.

A knock came at the door and she called, “Yes?”

“Hey, it's Corey. Feel like walking a little? Can I open the door?” He queried.

“Sure, I could use stretching my legs,” she admitted.

He peeked in the room before throwing the door wide and stepping inside. “Here, let me give you a hand.”

Zoe took his hand gratefully and came unsteadily to her feet. “Thanks. What do you need to show me?”

“Well, we have a little surprise for you.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and they walked down the hallway.

Zoe frowned as they paused in front of the room Grams and Pops had been using. “Why are we going in their bedroom?”

A small smile played at the corners of Corey's mouth and he chortled, “Why don't you see?” He turned the doorknob and the door swung inward, revealing a freshly pink painted nursery.

“Oh my God! You guys did this? Wait, the other rooms are done?” she squealed.

“The rooms are done. Pops had asked if I'd help him get the nursery straight, we wanted to give you something to smile about. Your little girl will have somewhere to sleep when she arrives.” He grinned then hurried on to say, “We just don't want her to come just yet! But when she's ready.”

Pops spoke directly behind her. “What do you think?”

Zoe squealed and jumped. “You scared me!”

Pops patted her shoulder and chuckled softly. “Sorry about that, honey. Do you like it? I went to the paint store and told them pink. This is what the little teeny-bopper picked out. It's not too loud.” Pops wrung his hands together like a nervous little boy waiting to see if his gift was accepted.

Zoe turned and hugged him quickly. “It's great, Pops. I love it. I see you put the crib together too.”

“Yeah, I figured we ought to get stuff put together, we've been living on borrowed time with this girl. She's ready to make her debut and we weren't close to ready. Go on in the room and check everything out.” Pops prodded.

Zoe took his hand. “Mind helping me out?”

“Who me?” he blurted. “Oh yeah, sure!”

They walked into the room and Zoe sighed. “It's great, Pops. Where did the chair come from? It's a beautiful rocking chair.”

Pops shrugged. “Well, I had some spare time and I used to build stuff like that. Remember the rocking chair in the old house? I gave it to Grams when we got married. Now I made one for you and your girl. There's a few extra holes, I forgot how to piece it together and had to take it apart, but it's been sanded and is smooth. You can rock all the babies you want in that chair and it will hold up.”

Tears filled Zoe's eyes and she squeezed Pops' hand. “Thank you. It's beautiful.”

“Aww, hell, don't go crying. You cry then I get allergies.” He wiped at his nose with the back of his hand and he glanced away quickly, batting his eyes.

“Aww, Pops, thank you. Let me sit in it for a minute.” She lowered herself into the glossy chair and rocked back and forth slowly. “Pops, it's perfect. I love swinging and rocking.”

He glanced down at his feet and smirked. “Well, good I'm glad you like it.”

Corey watched quietly from the doorway and he finally spoke. “You want to see the rest of the house? Feel up to walking a little more?”

Zoe placed her hands on the chair arms and pulled herself up. “Yeah, I would love to see it.” Pops took her hand and they walked out of the room. She glanced over her shoulder at the sunny little pink nursery again and couldn't help but smile.

Corey pointed out the two new bedrooms and the second bathroom. The two bedrooms were small but bright and the bathroom was accessible for Grams and Pops, especially as they got older. They had moved their furniture into one bedroom and the other stood empty. It would make a great extra family room, so everyone could watch what they wanted and the TV wasn't monopolized by
Matlock
. It was perfect. Zoe smiled.
It was well worth the money spent.

“Do you like it?” Corey inquired, a hopeful look on his face.

Zoe nodded. “I love it.”

“Well good! I think it was some of my best work,” Corey bragged.

Pops rolled his eyes. “Boy, you are gonna outgrow those britches.”

They laughed and then Pops coughed. “Welp, best get you back to bed. Doc said we have to marinate your girl a bit longer.”

Zoe giggled. “You make her sound like a pork roast.”

Pops just shook his head and chuckled. “You go rest.”

“I think all I do is rest.”

“It's an important job you got there. The world can wait, Zoe. It will keep right on spinning with or without you raising hell. Just keep growing that girl. Then after she's born, you can tear the world up. It won't know what's comin'.” Pops promised.

“All right. If you say so.” She crawled back into bed and leaned against the pillows. “See, I'm being good.”

“Mmhm, sure you are. Well at least rest. Keep your feet up.” Pops ordered, waggling his finger as he left the room.

Zoe picked up her phone and called Calvin. She counted the rings until he picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” she said simply. “The house is done.”

“That's great! How does it look?” Cavin asked.

Zoe snuggled back against the pillows and a soft smile crossed her lips. “It's perfect. Pops and Corey surprised me with putting together the crib and stuff and they painted the room pink. Pops also built me a rocking chair! Can you believe it?”

Calvin chuckled. “Well, he asked me if I thought you'd like it. I told him yes, I thought you would.”

“Oh I do. It's perfect. I can't wait until she's here.”

Calvin murmured, “Me either. She's going to be beautiful.”

“Only a few more weeks. That's it.”

“Only a few more weeks then I'll be home to you too. Three and a half weeks, Zoe, and I'll be home for good. I'm finishing up the out-processing. Lots of paperwork. Oh, I may have some good news for you.”

“Oh?” Zoe queried, her curiosity piqued.

“Yeah, I have a couple leads about jobs. I put in applications, we'll see.”

“What jobs?” She asked.

Calvin was quiet for a moment and she checked the phone to make sure she hadn't lost him. “Well,” he started slowly. “I applied to be a cop.”

“Really? Why?” Zoe groaned.

“Don't groan. It's an honest job!” Calvin sighed.

“Maybe so, but I know you don't want to do that.” Zoe retorted.

“No, I don't. But I would at least be close by and Tim could get me in the department.”

“No, you deserve better, Calvin. I'll not have you taking a job you'll hate.” Zoe argued.

“Well, the other job I applied for was in Mobile. I'd be working on computer systems for the government.” He revealed.

“Oh, ho! Holding out on the good job until the last,” she sniffed.

“Hey, I didn't want to get you excited about the government job until I knew more. Plus it's an hour drive each way.” Calvin assured her, seeking to soothe her ruffled feathers.

“I know. But I don't want you to just take a cop job and be unhappy.”

“I won't be unhappy, Zoe. I will have you and our daughter, no matter what. A job is just a job, it's making money until I can come home to you. Nothing more, nothing less,” he promised.

“Aww,” she murmured her anger cooling. “All right, if you're sure.”

“I am. But right now I have to get back to work. I love you.”

“I love you too, Calvin.” She hung up the phone and smiled.
Things seem to slowly be working out.

Later that evening her phone buzzed. She picked it up. A text from Tim flashed on the screen.

T: Can't say much about the accident. Investigation. Shit is gonna get deep. Amy is okay. Baby is okay. She went into labor and they are keeping the little boy for a while. All I know. Text Amy. (845) 995-5454. Talk later.

Zoe furrowed her brow and chewed at her bottom lip.
Investigation? So it wasn't “just an accident”. Oh hell.
She saved Amy's number in her phone and toyed with texting her.
I really should. She would do the same for me. But I don't want to bother her.
Finally she began typing.

Z: I just got your number. Are you okay?

Her phone buzzed.

A: I'm okay. A little bruised up. Belly and head took most of the hit. I creamed the passenger side. I got so lucky. Derek Jr. is 3 lbs, 10 oz. Want to see his pic?

Z: Yes.

A picture came through a few moments later of a little boy with soft blond curls, so like Derek's and mocha skin. He was beautiful.

Z: He is beautiful, Amy. How long are they going to keep him?

A: A couple of weeks, probably. He had some trouble breathing, they couldn't keep him in too long after I got to the hospital. They think he's okay.

Z: I am so sorry.

A: For what?

Z: I feel like you having a wreck is my fault.

A: Hush your crazy talk. I'm fine. D.J. is fine. He just decided to grace us with his presence a little early.

Z: No doubt he's Derek's. Look at that hair!

A: Tell me about it. Doc thought it was funny.

Z: Do Rebel and Sadie know yet?

A: I don't know. I don't want them up here. Not right now.

Z: Why? I think if they saw him they would be happy.

A: Ever feel like someone wants to off you?

Z: No.

A: Well, I do. The police think my brake lines were cut. You know how Rebel feels about black people...

Zoe swallowed and looked down at her phone.
Poppy's brake lines were cut... Oh God...

Z: They threatened to take my baby. They didn't want Calvin raising her.

A: WHAT! Why didn't you tell me this?'

Z: I don't know… we weren't exactly talking, Amy!

A: Do the cops know?

Z: Yes, I have a restraining order.

A: Omg. I wonder if the FBI know.

Z: THE FBI! :O

A: Yeah. I don't know whether to be flattered or freaked they are looking into it. Maybe Lila Edwards should write another book.

Zoe smirked at the use of her author name.

Z: Maybe she will.

A: Gotta go feed D.J.

Z: Glad you are okay.

She dropped the phone and covered her mouth with her hand. “Holy hell,” she mumbled out around her fingers.
Brake lines cut?
Her fingers shook and she swallowed nervously. “Grams!” she finally croaked out.

Grams peeked into the room. “What is it, honey?”

“Did you know Amy had her baby?”

“Naw, did she?” Grams shuffled in and plopped at the end of the bed. “He all right?”

“Yeah, he's fine.” She pulled her phone out and showed Grams the photo.

“Lord have mercy! Ain't no doubting that boy is Rebel's blood. He's got that pretty blond hair.” Grams shook her head sadly and passed the phone back. “He's awful tiny!”

“Three pounds and some odd ounces, she said. Not quite four pounds.”

Grams looked down at her hands. “That's not even a bag of flour! How do you hold that?”