February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3) (11 page)

Zoe chuckled. “I don't know. Very carefully, I'd imagine.” She paused and fiddled with the screen of her phone. “Tim said they are investigating the crash.”

“Oh?” Grams said warily, her eyes darting away.

“You knew, didn't you,” Zoe grumbled.

“I know all. But I didn't want to say anything until I knew for sure. No need in getting you all worked up.”

“I can't wait for this girl to be out of me so there are no more secrets!”

“Well, that will come soon enough,” Grams smiled and patted her knee. “Until then, we'll protect your behind.”

Zoe rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine. But Amy says the FBI is investigating.”

“Aw hell, I didn't know that. If they are suspecting Rebel had anything to do with it, maybe they are planning to tighten the noose on him.” Grams clenched at her throat and stuck out her tongue like she was being choked.

“I know I read some stuff that really pointed fingers at him when I was researching the book.”

Grams nodded. “Rebel Peters has been doing dirty dealings around here for a long time. But when you have the almighty dollar, you can get away with just about anything. Hopefully someone is gonna show him he ain't above the law.”

“I hope no one else gets hurt before they do.” Zoe whispered.

“Me too, honey. But you can't live your life in fear of the bastard. It's what he wants. His kind gets off on it.” She spat. “You can't let the devil win.”

Zoe nodded. “I know.”

“Amy and the boy are all right. The five-o are looking into it. We just gotta have faith it all will work out.”

“You're right.” Zoe admitted.

“I got something for you. It ain't quite done yet, but almost. Want to see it?” Grams eased up off the bed and glanced back at her.

“Sure.”

“Be right back.” A few moments later Grams returned with her arms full of cotton candy pink and white yarn. She tossed it up on the bed. “Here.”

Zoe touched the soft knitted blanket. “Grams, it's beautiful.”

“Hell, I know. Some of my best work. I'm just adding a border now, and that fat girl will have her a pretty blanket.” Grams smugly replied.

“You must have been working on it non-stop these last couple weeks.” Zoe touched the delicate chevron pattern again.

“Pretty much, yeah. I had started on a blanket but it burned up. So I had to replace it.”

“You and Pops are too much.” Zoe bawled, tears pouring down her cheeks. “Just too much love and stuff and emotions.” She waved her hand in front of her face and sniffled.

“Oh Lord have mercy, girl. Stop that crying!” Grams patted her shoulder awkwardly. “It's going to be just fine.”

Grams' promise that it would all be fine held her through the coming days as the little world of Major, Alabama came tumbling down. Rebel had been arrested by the FBI and brought up on charges of attempted murder, racketeering, and several other charges. Needless to say, the whole town was in an uproar.

Zoe was stretched out on the couch in the living room and Tim had her feet in his lap.

“What's on your mind, girl?” He queried.

“Just... Rebel is really locked up?” Zoe breathed.

“Yup, the mouse finally fell into the trap. The guy he hired to cut Amy's brakes rolled over on him with a little pressure.” Tim squeezed his index finger and thumb together.

Layla came walking in from the kitchen with a newspaper in her hand. “Zoe! You're in the Mobile paper.”

Zoe's eyes flew wide. “What?”

“Yeah! You're featured at the end of this article about Rebel. They are saying your book details out some of the dirty dealings of Major and it is a must read.” Layla flapped the paper around and did an awkward chicken dance.

Zoe felt the blood drain out of her face. “Does it say my real name?”

“No, your author one, silly. Have you looked at your sales recently?” Layla squealed.

“No...” Zoe mumbled. “It's just a Mobile paper, it's not a big deal.”

“Shut the eff up, it is
a big deal, Zoe! Mobile is huge. I bet you made some sales. This stuff going down is huge. I even saw it on CBS.” Layla plopped on the arm of the couch.

“Like, CBS, CBS, or the local affiliate,” Zoe asked.

“Like freaking CBS, dude. The big one. They said Major, Alabama.”

“Oh, wow.” She paled further.

Tim butted in. “Well, Rebel did get locked up by the Feds for some pretty deep stuff. It's an interesting story. Backwater hillbilly evades the law for years... Small town author writes a book and causes people to look at him differently... People start to roll over on him.”

Zoe swallowed nervously. “You're bullshitting me, guys.”

Tim shook his head. “Nope. That's how it went. You looked deeper into the story and when people round here read your book, they started to talk. And when people started to talk, secrets came out.”

Zoe reached for her glass of water on the coffee table and drained it. “I didn't know this.”

“Really? You didn't realize everyone was talking about your book?” Layla scoffed.

“Well I mean I knew everyone was reading it, but I never... I didn't...” Her voice trailed off.

Tim patted her foot. “No secrets stay hidden forever.”

“Um...I think my water just broke...” Zoe whispered.

Layla jumped off the arm of the chair. “You're shitting.”

“No, I didn't shit myself. I either peed myself or my water broke.”

“My pant leg is wet,” Tim groaned. “Eww.”

Layla hit his arm. “Get over it! We need to get her to the hospital.”

“Yeah, that would probably be good,” Zoe panted. “Ow.”

Tim went pale. “Um. You're serious.”

“Tim, if you don't get me to the hospital I might have this baby in your lap,” Zoe growled.

“Grams!” Layla shrieked. “It's time!”

“Ow!” Zoe yelped. “This shit hurts.”

Tim pulled her feet off his lap and stood. “Uh, I'm gonna bring the cruiser closer to the door.” He took off at a dead run for the front door.

Layla held her hand out. “Come on, let's get you up.”

“I don't even have any clothes for the baby picked out to take!” Zoe wailed.

“Look at me, woman! We will get the baby clothes. Focus and let's get to the hospital!”

Grams came into the room shoving things into a duffel bag. “Clothes? Don't stress on it. Our girl will be dressed when she comes home. I got some of your stuff. I've had some basics waiting now for a week or so. You had this look on your face every pregnant woman gets right before she has a baby. I knew it was getting close. Let's go.”

Grams firmly gripped her elbow and led her through the house. Zoe stepped out on the porch and cried out as a contraction coursed through her stomach. “Ow!” she hissed.

“I know, honey,” Grams soothed her. “Let's get you in the car. We will be there soon.”

Zoe clambered in the back of the car and she slumped against the leather seat. Grams slung the seatbelt around her and buckled it in. Layla jumped in the passenger seat and Grams slid in the back beside Zoe. Pops stood in the doorway.

“Well, I'll just hang here and hold down the fort. Y'all be safe.” Pops waved and Grams blew him a kiss.

“Dinner is in the fridge.”

Tim threw the car in drive and peeled out of the driveway. Grams reached between the seats and slapped the back of his head. “Ow!” he yelled. “Driving here!”

“Drive like you have common sense boy, this ain't
NASCAR!”

Zoe squeezed her eyes shut. “Grams, it hurts.”

“It's gonna, baby. You tell me when your next contraction comes, okay?” She turned the gold watch on her wrist and studied the face. “Layla, you call your brother,” she ordered.

“On it!” Layla dialed and began telling Calvin. Zoe was in labor. “He says he's going to call his sergeant and try to get here.”

Zoe rubbed her stomach and blew out a slow breath. “Ow, Grams.”

“Mmm, we're at about ten minutes on that one. Keep letting me know when you have one, all right?” Grams stared at her watch.

“I'm thankful my car has seats I can wipe,” Tim remarked.

Both Layla and Grams yelled at him. “Really?” shrieked Layla.

“Shut up!” yelled Grams.

Zoe started to giggle which set off a domino effect and soon they all were laughing.

“You gotta admit it's funny,” she snorted. “The couch is probably ruined.”

“Oh lord, and we didn't warn Pops,” Layla giggled. “I hope he doesn't sit on it.”

“Yeah!” Tim interjected. “Then he'll have wet pants too.”

Grams sighed. “Boy you always got to ruin the punch line. I swear.”

Layla crossed her arms. “He does this all the time.”

Tim scoffed. “I'm funny!”

Zoe groaned. “Tim, you have your moments, but I wish you'd just shut up and drive.”

“On it.” he grumbled. Suddenly the sound of a siren filled the air.

“Aw, hell!” Grams yelled, swiveling in her seat to look behind her. “Are the five-o after us?”

Tim laughed hard. “No!” he finally choked out. “I turned my siren on, Grams.”

“Oh,” she sniffed, turning back to sit. “I knew that.”

“I figured we didn't need it until we got closer to Mobile. Now I can just slide through traffic. Zoe, you okay?” Tim asked.

“Yep,” Zoe croaked weakly. “Don’t worry, I'm not leaking on your seats,” she finished lamely.

“Any more contractions, baby?” Grams patted her arm and smiled gently.

“Yes! Now!”

Grams studied her watch again. “About nine minutes. Hurry it up, Tim Taylor. I don't want my great-grandbaby born in the back of a cop car on fake leather seats.”

Tim peeked up in the rear view mirror. “They aren't fake leather.”

“Keep your damn eyes on the road, boy.” Grams growled and Tim shifted his gaze back down to the asphalt.

Layla was steadily texting on her phone, the annoying chirp of her incoming texts becoming more than Zoe could bear. “Who in God's name are you texting?” Zoe panted as another contraction hit.

“Um... Calvin. Amy. People,” Layla mumbled, her fingers moving at lightning speed over the keyboard.

“Tell Calvin if he doesn't get here I'm going to name the baby Abcde. Tell him that.” Zoe smirked as the contraction passed. “Another one, Grams.”

“Well that one was at five minutes. This little girl is being pushy.” Grams grumbled.

“How do I spell Abcde?” Layla asked, glancing into the back seat. “Ewww you look miserable.”

“Oh, if I could hit you right now, Layla. I would. I so would.” Zoe whispered.

“What was that?” Layla quipped.

“If you two don't stop it, I swear to all that is holy, I'm going to pull this car over!” Tim teased.

Grams sighed. “Now I know why Pops held down the fort. The two of you are like two wet cats in a bag.”

Zoe grinned and patted Grams' hand. “You love us.”

“I do, but the two of you are enough to put me in the grave.”

“Nah, we keep you young and on your toes,” Layla chuckled. “Oh, and Calvin says you better not name her Abcde.”

Zoe smiled. “I figured that would get him. Tim? How much further?”

“Um, about ten minutes. Eight if I get lucky. You okay?”

Grams stared at Zoe for a moment and shook her head. “Nope, she's broke out in a sweat and is shaking. Do you feel like you need to push?”

“No...” Zoe gritted out from between clenched teeth. “Not yet.”

“Well even if you do, you don't. You got that stitch in there and we don't want your lady bits blowing clear to the Mason Dixon line, you hear me?”

Zoe panted and attempted a weak laugh. “I don't think the Mason Dixon line wants my lady bits anyway.”

Layla stuck her tongue out. “Can we not discuss vaginas, please?”

“Oh, shut up!” Grams laughed and pointed at Tim. “Like he's not playing hide the sausage in your lady bits. I wasn't born yesterday.”

Tim flushed hot and he pulled at the collar of his t-shirt. “Well, I – uh. Oh, God.”

Layla crossed her arms and closed her eyes. “I did not just hear my Grandma say hide the sausage. I didn't. I'm going to pretend that I never, ever heard that.”

Grams chortled. “You keep believing that, baby girl. Once upon a time your Grams was hot real estate and I played hide the sausage all the time.”

“OH MY GOD!”
Layla screamed, covering her ears. “La-la-la-la-la-la-la-LA!”

Zoe gripped the edge of the door.
“
Ow!”

Silence filled the car as Grams checked her watch again. “Boy? You think you'll be there in three minutes?”

“I'm on it, Grams.”

Zoe closed her eyes and breathed slowly. “It hurts.”

“It's going to, baby. But it will be worth it when you have her in your arms.”

“Maybe we should have called the doctor,” Zoe panicked. “I should have called the doctor.”

“Layla, get off that texting thing-a-ma-bob and call Dr. Crist. He can get through to who he needs to. Now!” Grams ordered. “Now you just lay back there and rest,” she pointed to Zoe.

Zoe squeezed her eyes tighter and halfway listened as Layla made the call to Dr. Crist's office. “He's calling the specialists now, they will be there within minutes. He says to take her to the ER and they will know what to do. He's calling them too.”

“Good,” Grams said. “What's the hold up, Tim?” The car slowed.

“Traffic. Rush hour. I'm trying to get through but we're gridlocked. Cars are trying to slide over, but it's a mess.”

Zoe peeked through her lashes and groaned at the cars surrounding them.

“Do I need to get out of the car and start moving cars on my own?” Grams yelled. “I swear!”

Tim tweaked the siren and honked his horn. The 18 wheeler in front of him started to slowly slide toward the shoulder of the road and Tim carefully squeezed around him. A loud crack sounded and Zoe's eyes flew open long enough to see the passenger side mirror being snapped off.

“Oops,” Tim chuckled. “The department isn't going to like that too much.”

“I'll pay for it, Tim, just get me there,” Zoe growled.

“I'm getting ready to do some off roading. Y'all buckled in?” Tim asked.

“Off roading?” Grams croaked and then squealed as Tim went off the shoulder of the road into the grass.

“Hold your ass cheeks, ladies. We're getting to that hospital.”

Tim rolled through the grass and up the side of the exit. Grams squealed and yelled and Zoe closed her eyes tighter.
I do not want to see this!

The tires of the car met pavement again with a bump and the tires squealed as they made a u-turn in the road. “Woo!” Tim yelled. “Let's do this!”

Grams touched Zoe's hand and mumbled. “Well, I don't need to pee anymore.”

“Tell Calvin that my
Need for Speed
training has served me well, Layla. Tell him!” Tim bragged.

“
Need for Speed
training?” She queried.

“Yeah, just tell him. He'll know what I'm talking about. All right there is the hospital, let's roll up in here like we own the place!” He took the turn into the parking lot wide and fast, the tires squealing again as he braked by the Emergency Room doors.

“Jesus Christ,” Grams whispered. “Am I still alive?”

“Yep!” Tim assured her with a wide, boyish grin. “I got us here.”

“Well, Skippy, how about you stop bragging like a turd and get her a wheelchair!” Grams urged.