Breaking Free: A Colorado High Country Crossover Novel, Pamela Clare [i can read book club .TXT] 📗

check-in desk. “My wife is three weeks from her due date and just collapsed. She said she was feeling dizzy and has a headache.”

“I’ll need her insurance card and a photo ID.” A young man at the check-in desk held out a clipboard with several sheets of paper on it.

Winona was about to tell the guy what to do with the clipboard when Ellie Moretti, an RN and wife of Jesse Moretti, a friend and Team member, walked out. “Bring her back. We’ll deal with the paperwork later.”

Thank God.

Chaska carried Naomi into an exam bay and set her gently down on the gurney. Winona stood off to the side so as not to get in the way.

Grandpa motioned toward the waiting area. “I’m gonna sit out here and pray.”

Naomi and Chaska explained what had happened and answered Ellie’s questions, while Ellie took Naomi’s temperature, checked the baby’s heartbeat with a fetal doppler, and hooked her up to an automatic blood pressure monitor.

“The baby’s heartbeat is strong, so that’s good news.” Ellie gave them all a reassuring smile. “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”

Naomi shook her head. “We wanted to wait.”

But when the blood pressure monitor had to try a second time to get Naomi’s reading, Ellie’s demeanor grew more serious. “You’re at thirty-seven weeks, right?”

“Yes.”

“You said you’ve had a headache?”

“I’ve had it off and on for the past few days.”

When the monitor finally gave its result, it put a knot in Winona’s chest.

Much too high.

Ellie gave them the news. “Your blood pressure is dangerously high. I’m going to start an IV and page the on-duty OB. We’re also going to need to draw some labs. In the meantime, try to rest. We’ll take good care of you and your baby, Naomi.”

Naomi’s eyes filled with tears, her fingers twining with Chaska’s. “Thank you.”

Chaska kissed Naomi’s cheek, smiled, his voice projecting calm strength. “It will be okay, Tanagila. They’re not going to let anything happen to you or the baby.”

Tanagila was their Lakota nickname for Naomi. It meant hummingbird.

Ellie returned quickly and set up the IV, stepping back for the lab tech, who drew four vials of blood. “We’re checking your kidney and liver function and several other things, too. We should have the results soon.”

A few minutes later, a woman in a white lab coat stepped in. “I’m Dr. Peterson, the OB-GYN. You must be Naomi. And you’re the baby’s father?”

“Yes. Chaska Belcourt.” Chaska shook the doctor’s hand.

“I’m Winona Belcourt, Chaska’s sister.”

“Nice to meet you all.” Dr. Peterson glanced at the blood pressure monitor. “It looks like you’ve developed severe preeclampsia, Naomi. While we wait for the results of your blood tests, we’re going to give you IV medication to bring down your blood pressure and prevent seizures. Then it will be time to have this baby.”

Chapter 3

Jason had no idea what had just happened, but it was clear that people needed to step up to keep things moving. He helped McBride and Rossiter clear what was left of lunch off the picnic table and carry it into the Mess Hall.

They found Kat talking on the landline. “Tell Naomi not to worry about anything, Win. We can manage. Let us know how things go. If you need anything… Okay. Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Bye.”

She hung up, a worried expression on her face.

Rossiter set an armful of condiments on the counter. “What’s going on?”

“Naomi has preeclampsia. Her blood pressure is so high that it’s life-threatening to both her and the baby. The doctor wanted to induce labor, but her blood tests showed her condition was more serious. They’re doing an emergency C-section.”

“Ah, hell.” Rossiter shook his head. “Is there anything we can do?”

“Pray.”

Jason nodded. “I’ll gather everyone into a circle.”

Most of the volunteers were already back at work, their mood somber.

Jason raised his voice, shouting to be heard. “Listen up! Gather around!”

When everyone had formed a circle, Kat shared the news and then led the prayer, holding her husband’s hand. “Creator, we thank you for the gift of life and ask for strength for our sister Naomi as she gives birth to her child. Keep her and her baby safe. We also pray for our brother Chaska, her husband, that he might be strong for her. May they walk in beauty always.”

There was a moment of silence afterward.

Then Jason led the volunteers in a quick strategy session. Rossiter offered to help Kat in the kitchen. Chaska’s team needed someone with construction experience to take his place. The three teams that were shorthanded would do their best. Any team that finished quickly would divide up to help the others.

He did his best to encourage them. “I know most of us don’t know Naomi and Chaska well, but we came to help anyway because of what this camp represents. They can’t be here, so let’s put our hearts into this for their sake and get it done.”

“Aho!”

“Yeah!”

“Let’s do this!”

They went back to work with a new sense of urgency, Adam joining Jason and McBride, apparently feeling better now.

Jason pointed to the rolls of insulation with his hammer. “Let’s insulate the corners before we put on the sheathing.”

Roof rafters would come next and then the front wall, which was already framed.

They were halfway through getting the sheathing onto the cabin when Kat and Rossiter walked out of the Mess Hall, both smiling.

They came to stand in the center of the cabins. “We’ve got news from Winona. It’s a boy!”

A cheer went up.

“The baby weighed seven pounds three ounces and is healthy and doing well. Naomi isn’t out of danger yet, but she…” Kat’s words trailed off as three vehicles drove up the dirt road and parked, a small army piling out. “Oh!”

“Nice of you all to show up,” Rossiter called out to them.

“Who are they?” Adam asked.

McBride grinned. “They’re friends. Remember the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue Team I mentioned, Chiago? Chaska and Winona are both Team members. It looks like some of them have come to