Sweet Surrender Read online

  Megan placed her hand on the side of her tummy. “Two weeks ago. Everything was normal.”

  “That’s good.” Zac looked around the room. Apart from a dozen chairs stacked against one wall and a full-length mirror, the room was empty. Before they went any farther, he wanted to know if Megan was happy for him to exam her. It was one thing to see a different doctor, but it could be more stressful if the doctor was a friend of your husband’s.

  He placed three chairs in the middle of the room and helped Megan sit down. “How do you feel about me examining you?”

  “It doesn’t worry me. I just want my baby to be safe.”

  “I want that, too. There’s something else you should know. I’ve looked after a lot of pregnant women, but not in the last few years. In Afghanistan, women only see female doctors.”

  Megan held his hand. “It’s okay, Zac. I trust you.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. “In that case, I need you to lie on your back on the floor. The examination might be a little uncomfortable, but it won’t take long.”

  While William helped Megan, Zac opened the first aid kit and found a pair of gloves. His friends might have complete confidence in him, but he was as nervous as they were.

  “I’m ready,” Megan said hesitantly.

  Zac gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “It will be all right.”

  After he’d finished the examination, he helped Megan to her feet. “You are three centimeters dilated. I’d definitely recommend driving to the hospital.”

  “Will our baby be okay?” Megan asked.

  “Your baby will be fine. It’s just a little impatient to meet you.” Zac could feel the tension in the air, the uncertainty of what would come next. “Would you like me to follow you to Polson?”

  William looked at his wife’s worried face. “That would be great.”

  Megan rubbed her tummy. “We’ll have to ask Mabel if Nora can stay with her tonight.”

  “While you’re doing that,” Zac said, “I’ll bring my truck closer to the barn. I’ll meet you in the foyer.”

  William held his wife’s hand. “We’ll see you soon.”

  After Zac moved his truck, he checked the medical bag he always carried with him. He didn’t anticipate any problems on their way into Polson, but he’d sooner be prepared than risk anything happening.

  Footsteps scrunched on the gravel behind him. He looked over his shoulder, expecting to see William and Megan, but it was Willow.

  “Megan told me you’re following them to the hospital. Would you like some company?”

  “That would be great. But don’t you need to take more photos?”

  Willow shook her head. “I spoke to Brooke and Levi. We’ve taken all the important shots and I’ve photographed everyone at the wedding. They’re more worried about Megan and the baby.”

  “They’ll be okay. If Megan lived closer to the hospital, she could have stayed home for a little longer. But the drive into Polson isn’t the easiest and it’s getting late.”

  Willow studied the open bag beside him. “Do you need to take anything else with you?”

  “Medically, I’ve got everything covered. But if you can find some plastic bags or towels, Megan might appreciate sitting on them if her water breaks.”

  “I’ll see what I can find.”

  Zac zipped up his bag. “I’ll come with you. I told Megan and William I’d meet them in the foyer.”

  Ten minutes, and another set of contractions later, Zac was following William’s truck into Polson. And if everything went to plan, by tomorrow afternoon, Nora would have a new baby brother or sister to cuddle.

  Willow peered through the windshield at the truck in front of them. So far, the trip into Polson had been uneventful.

  It didn’t look as though William was taking any chances with his wife’s safety. He was driving carefully along the winding road, taking each bend slowly as they made their way closer to the hospital.

  She looked at Zac. “If you get tired, let me know. I’m happy to drive.”

  “I’ll be okay.”

  “You’re lucky you haven’t got jet lag. Whenever I travel overseas, it takes me a couple of days to recover from the time difference.”

  Zac glanced across the cab. “I work long hours, so that probably helps.”

  “Where did you meet William?”

  “At a training session at a hospital in New York City. William was working for the FBI, showing us what to do if we had a hostage situation. I had the following day off work and offered to show him around the city. After that, we kept in contact with each other. When I started working overseas, we only managed to see each other once a year.”

  “Are you enjoying being closer to your friends?”

  “I haven’t spent much time with them, but I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks. They like living here.”

  Willow smiled. “It’s an easy place to get used to. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Why did you build your home in Sapphire Bay?”

  Zac turned down the radio. “When my grandfather was little, he used to visit Flathead Lake with his parents. When he was older, he bought the land where my house sits and built a cabin. After he died, my family sold the property. When it came on the market again, I bought it.”

  “What happened to his cabin?”

  “The previous owners pulled it down.” Zac glanced across the cab. “While I was in Afghanistan, I asked an architect to design a big family home that made the most of the views. Building the house wasn’t as straightforward as I thought it would be, but we got there in the end.”

  “Do you come from a large family?”

  “I have one brother, but my dad has six brothers and sisters and my mom has four. What about you? Do you have any siblings?”

  “I’m an only child. Mom and Dad—”

  Suddenly, the brake lights of William’s truck filled the darkness.

  Willow checked her cell phone. Megan had told her she’d send a text if she had more contractions, but there were no new messages.

  Zac stopped behind William’s truck. “I hope everything is all right.”

  A few seconds later, William got out of his truck and walked toward them. “The road is blocked. A pile of earth and rocks have slipped off the bank.”

  “Is this still the only road into Polson?” Zac asked.

  “There are some gravel roads,” Willow replied. “But you can only reach them from the northern end of Sapphire Bay.”

  “If we use those roads it will take two and a half hours to drive to the hospital.” William pulled out his phone. “I’ll make sure they’re open.”

  Usually, William was the most calm, level-headed person Willow knew. But right now, he was as stressed as any expectant dad.

  “I’ll go and see Megan.” Willow pulled up the zipper on her jacket and left Zac and William alone. Hopefully, Zac would say something to make his friend less worried.

  When she saw Megan’s white face, her heart sank. “It will be okay.”

  “We didn’t think to check the road conditions. How could we have a slip on the main road? We haven’t had any rain for a couple of days.”

  She held Megan’s hand. “Take a deep breath. Zac is a great doctor. He won’t let anything happen to you or the baby.”

  Megan took a wobbly breath. “What if we don’t get to the hospital in time?”

  “Babies aren’t born right away. Most first-time moms are in labor for hours before their baby is born.” Willow crossed her fingers, hoping she was right.

  “Are you saying that to make me feel better?”

  “Is it working?”

  A smile lifted the corners of Megan’s mouth. “A little.” She looked down and groaned. “My water has just broken.”

  Willow bit her bottom lip. “Don’t move. I’ll get Zac.” As she raced back to the other truck, she prayed that Megan’s worst nightmare wasn’t about to come true. It was cold, dark, and one of the most unsafe places to stop,
let alone have a baby.

  “Megan’s water has broken.” Her words tumbled on top of each other, but they must have been clear enough for Zac and William to understand.

  William ran to his wife, kneeling beside the truck as he spoke to her.

  Zac took his medical kit out of his vehicle. “We need to go back to Sapphire Bay. Once we’re there, I’ll examine Megan and we can decide what we’re doing next. Can you drive my truck while I travel with Megan and William?”

  “That’s no problem. Do you want me to find Megan some dry clothes?”

  Zac looked ahead of them. “William is hunting through her suitcase. As soon as she’s ready, we’ll get going.”

  Willow took the keys he handed her. “Good luck.”

  Zac’s tight smile worried Willow. She just hoped they made it back to Sapphire Bay before Megan had her baby.

  Chapter Six

  Three hours later, Willow was making herself busy by baking cookies in Megan and William’s kitchen. Despite this being Megan’s first pregnancy, her baby was in a hurry to be born. By the time Zac re-examined her, Megan was six centimeters dilated and in active labor.

  After speaking with Zac and their obstetrician, William and Megan had decided to have their baby at home.

  Willow had expected Megan to be completely stressed by the change of plans, but she was so focused on having a safe delivery that she didn’t care where her baby was born.

  William wasn’t so calm. When he came to the kitchen for more crushed ice, he was shattered. Before he went back to Megan, Willow had made him a cup of coffee and a sandwich. He’d need every ounce of energy he could muster to help Megan through the birth.

  A soft knock on the kitchen door made Willow turn around. “Hi, Sam.”

  “I hope you don’t mind me coming over. I was worried about Megan and couldn’t sleep.”

  “I feel the same way. It’s good to have company.”

  “Can I do anything to help?”

  Willow looked around the kitchen. Two trays of chocolate chip cookies were baking in the oven. In another bowl she’d started mixing more butter and eggs.

  “You could add the flour and baking powder to this bowl while I find another cookie sheet.”

  Sam smiled and took off her jacket. “What flavor are you making?”

  “This batch will be vanilla with a small spoon of huckleberry jam on top.”

  “Sounds yummy. How’s Megan?”

  “Zac came downstairs about half an hour ago. He said everything’s going well. I can’t believe Megan’s about to have a baby.”

  Sam picked up a spoon and folded the flour through the batter. “I know what you mean. It’s strange, but there’s a big difference between being pregnant and having a baby in your arms. I hope everything is okay.”

  “So do I. At least Zac’s here. Imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t come home for Brooke’s wedding. Megan and William would have been stranded here with no doctor, nurse, or midwife to help them.”

  “We need to petition the county for more medical services. It’s crazy to travel to Polson for every emergency. Especially when the road is so unreliable.”

  Willow placed the cookie sheet beside Sam. “Pastor John asked Zac if he’d thought about staying in Sapphire Bay.”

  “What did Zac say?”

  “That he’s leaving in two weeks.”

  Sam tipped the baking powder into the batter. “Why does he have to go back to Afghanistan?”

  “He said it’s because there’s a shortage of doctors working in the refugee camps. I think it’s more than that.”

  Sam tilted her head to the side. “Maybe he hasn’t had any incentive to stay.”

  “What kind of…Sam!”

  A wicked grin lit Sam’s face. “I know, I’m terrible. But you seem to be getting along really well.”

  “He’s my neighbor,” Willow squeaked. “I’m friendly to all my neighbors.”

  “You don’t have any neighbors apart from Zac. He’s also tall, dark, handsome, and single. Unless he’s got a terrible secret lurking in his past, he’s perfect.”

  “No one’s perfect,” Willow muttered.

  “Close to perfect.”

  “I’ll get the vanilla extract.”

  Sam chuckled. “You like him.”

  “I like a lot of things, but they aren’t flying to Afghanistan in a couple of weeks.” Willow added a few drops of vanilla to the bowl. “Once you’ve mixed everything together, we’ll roll the dough into balls and place them on the cookie sheet.”

  “I hope Zac likes assertive women.”

  Willow sighed. “Sometimes, Samantha Andrews, you can be the most annoying friend in the world.”

  “Especially when I’m right.”

  A piercing cry made the hair on the back of Willow’s neck stand on end. Her gaze shot to Sam and, without saying anything, they rushed through the kitchen door and flew upstairs.

  Willow screeched to a halt outside Megan and William’s bedroom. With her ear pressed against the wooden door, she listened for any signs her friend was in trouble.

  “What’s happening?” Sam whispered.

  “All I can hear is the classical music Megan saved to her playlist.”

  A groan ripped through the air.

  Willow’s hands clenched tight. “Zac’s telling her to push.” Tears filled her eyes as another heartfelt groan came from inside the room.

  Sam pressed her ear against the door and just as quickly yanked it away. “Was that a—”

  “Baby.” Willow sighed. The high-pitched cry of a newborn baby filled the landing. Willow wiped her eyes and hugged Sam tight. “We’re aunties.”

  A beeping noise traveled up the stairs from the kitchen.

  Willow’s eyes widened. “I forgot about the cookies. I’ll be back soon.”

  Before the baby cried for a second time, Willow rushed downstairs. The last thing everyone needed was an oven full of burned cookies. Especially if the fire department made an unexpected appearance.

  Zac walked into the kitchen. Willow stood at the counter, carefully placing small spoons of jam on top of some balls of cookie dough. After the last few hours, it was good to be here, drawing in the sweet, comforting scent of freshly baked cookies. “What are you doing?”

  Willow jumped. The spoon fell onto the baking sheet, leaving a sticky blob of jam on top of the cookies.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “That’s okay. How are Megan and the baby?”

  “They’re doing fine. Megan said to come and see them when you’re ready.”

  “I’ll go upstairs soon,” Willow said with a smile. “I want to get these cookies in the oven in case Megan and William are hungry. Did they have a boy or a girl?”

  “A girl.”

  Willow’s smile took some of the weight off Zac’s shoulders.

  “That’s wonderful. Nora will be excited.”

  “She isn’t the only one. William hasn’t stopped smiling since he saw his baby daughter.” Zac walked across to the cookies cooling on the counter. Just looking at the big pieces of chocolate sitting in the middle of each one made his taste buds go into overdrive.

  “Would you mind if I ate a cookie?”

  “You can have as many as you like. Would you like a cup of coffee, too?”

  He sat heavily on a kitchen stool. “You don’t know how good that sounds.”

  Willow frowned. “Was it a difficult labor?”

  “It was faster than I was expecting. Megan did really well.”

  “How are you?”

  He watched Willow pour hot coffee into a cup. “I’m okay.”

  “Are you sure?” Willow handed him the coffee.

  “Thanks.” He sighed when she didn’t move. “That was the first baby I’ve delivered in three years.”

  Willow’s eyebrows rose. “Did you tell Megan and William?”

  “They knew, but they weren’t worried.”

  “But you were?”


  Zac tightened his hold on the cup. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because a lot can go wrong, especially when it’s a quick delivery.”

  Willow moved around the counter and rested her hand on his forearm. “You’re shaking.”

  “It’s the adrenaline pumping through my body. It makes—”

  She leaned forward and gently kissed the side of his face. “You did good, Zac. Megan and the baby are healthy and safe. That’s all that matters.”

  He looked into Willow’s eyes and felt himself being pulled into a place he never thought he’d find. Before he talked himself out of it, he leaned forward and kissed her.

  Instead of pulling away, Willow deepened the kiss. His brain shut down as he enjoyed the taste and feel of her body pressed against his.

  Swiveling sideways, he pulled her between his thighs, wanting to devour her whole as her hands wound through his hair.

  When she groaned, every shred of common sense disappeared. He wanted Willow with a ferocity that shook him even more than what had happened tonight.

  He wanted—

  “Are you coming to see the…oops.”

  Willow froze in his arms.

  Sam stood in the kitchen doorway, staring open-mouthed at them. She cleared her throat, then smiled. “I guess the baby can wait. Carry on.”

  Before Zac could say anything, Sam left the kitchen.

  Willow dropped her head to his shoulder. “Tell me that didn’t happen.”

  “The kiss?”

  “No. Sam.”

  Zac didn’t care about Sam. He was more relieved that Willow didn’t regret kissing him. “It won’t be the first time she’s seen two people kissing each other.”

  Willow looked up. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her eyes were so dark they were almost black. “But it’s the first time she’s seen us kissing.”

  A spark of mischief made Zac smile. “Does that mean you would kiss me again?”

  Willow’s gaze dropped to his mouth.

  His spark of mischief flared to a raging fire storm. It took all of Zac’s willpower not to pull her close and kiss her again.