Fanning Flames Page 7

  Lindsey didn’t know Dani all that well, but she’d assumed that as a Weston—she’d heard all about the family from Alex—she’d be overjoyed to have a baby. The family was huge, and she knew Dani’s twin, Kelsi—also something she’d been filled in on—had twins and another on the way.

  “No, no, please don’t,” Dani said, clutching Lindsey’s hand, her eyes glassy. “And could you please shut the door and close the blinds? Now I really don’t want anybody to know I’m here.”

  Lindsey did as Dani asked, then poured some more water. She still had her IV in, but a little more couldn’t hurt.

  Dani took it with two shaky hands and sipped slowly.

  “I feel pretty stupid. How could I not know I was pregnant? I mean, I missed some periods but they haven’t been regular my whole life. I just didn’t think. What am I going to do?” she asked quietly.

  Lindsey sat down on the bed beside her, taking the cup and setting it on the small bedside table.

  “What do you mean?” Lindsey had learned not to assume anything, but she couldn’t even imagine that someone with this much family would consider terminating a pregnancy, or even adoption. And she was right.

  “I mean, of course we’ll have a baby, whether I want to or not. But I wanted this to be a choice. My choice. Travis’s choice. And we hadn’t made a decision. We haven’t even talked about it in a while.”

  Lindsey took in a deep breath.

  “You have a huge family. Everybody seems to have kids. You’re married. You love Travis, I can tell. What is it you’re worried about.”

  Dani leaned back on her pillow and stared at the ceiling, and Lindsey hoped she hadn’t been too forward. She didn’t really know her very well, even though she was her sister-in-law.

  She waited in silence until Dani spoke.

  “Two reasons. First, I thought it was because I just didn’t want to. As you can see, I’m pretty busy. And my job is pretty dangerous on bad days, risky on good ones. I didn’t think it was fair to a baby or to me. I love my job. So it was easy just to go about my business.”

  Lindsey could understand that completely, and said so.

  “I know how you feel. I’ve strangely been glad I’m not in a relationship so I didn’t have to make that choice. I love my job, too.”

  “Not in a relationship until now,” Dani said with a wry laugh. “That’s how I felt until I met Travis, and it was—well, there was no way out of it at that point. I wasn’t looking for that, especially a family. But it found me, instead.”

  Lindsey could see it probably took quite a bit to convince Dani to change her life or lifestyle—or to fall in love. Having a baby would be an even bigger change.

  “I don’t know Travis, but was he on board with this decision? I think he would be.”

  Dani’s eyes softened and she looked out the window. “Travis is the best thing that ever happened to me. He loves me, and said he just wants me to be happy. And he really means it.”

  She turned back to Lindsey and reached for her hand.

  “I’m not exactly sure what’s going on with you two, but it’s apparent that you’re related. You’re going to love him, Lindsey. He’s a fine man, and he’s going to love you, too.”

  Lindsey’s stomach dropped and she stood, taking a step back. How could anyone possibly know how Travis would react to finding out he had a twin sister—one he couldn’t possibly remember? The days were ticking closer to when she would find out, and she wasn’t sure she could handle it. She felt like her heart had softened since she’d been at River’s End Ranch, she’d allowed it to open and see what families really could be like. But she didn’t want to say any of that to Dani. Not now, anyway.

  She cleared her throat and turned to look out the window.

  “And Travis would have a baby in a heartbeat if he thought I wanted to. He’s always wanted a family. He doesn’t bug me about it, but I know it’s true. He talks a lot about growing up lonely, and he wanted to bring a child into the world and do it differently.”

  Lindsey stood with her back to Dani so she couldn’t see the tears falling. She’d wanted just what he had—a family to grow up with that had even one tenth of the amount of love she’d seen in these families. She suddenly felt the big hole in her heart that she’d been covering up her entire life.

  “Here, take a tissue,” Dani said, and Lindsey turned to see her holding out a box in her direction.

  “Thank you,” she said as she took one and blew her nose. She sat down on the side of Dani’s bed and tried to take the spotlight off her red eyes.

  “You said there were two reasons you were holding off on that decision. What was the other one?”

  It was Dani’s turn to take a tissue and dab at her eyes. Lindsey’s eyebrows rose—she would have bet a million dollars that crying was not in Dani’s repertoire. At least not often.

  She took a deep breath before she spoke. “You met my sister, right?”

  “Yes, Kelsi. I met her at the diner.”

  Dani paused and took another tissue. “She and I are nothing alike. She’s sweet and perky and fun and silly. She laughs a lot—and she’s one of the best mothers I’ve ever seen. Her twins are precious and she loves them with all her heart. Most of my brothers have kids, too, and they’re great parents. Fantastic.”

  She stopped and looked away.

  Lindsey took her hand again.

  “You’re worried you won’t be great parents, like they are?” she asked quietly.

  Dani burst into tears and Lindsey handed her another tissue. She leaned forward and gave Dani a hug, grateful that she accepted it. She’d had similar thoughts herself, and had packed them away as deeply as Dani had. Now, Dani had to look at them, whether she wanted to or not.

  “I know I sound like an idiot. But I really, truly am not sure I could do it. What if I have a baby and drop it. Or lose it?”

  Lindsey laughed out loud, so long that Dani began to smile.

  “That doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t. It might take a bit of adjustment, but you will be a fantastic parent, just like your brothers and sisters and your own parents. The apple never falls far from the tree.”

  Dani sniffled and dabbed at her nose.

  “You promise?”

  Lindsey rested her hand on Dani’s arm.

  “Yes. I’ve worked with many, many mothers who had similar fears. I think all women do, to be honest. And when the baby comes, you look to more experienced moms to help you learn. And you have a ton to choose from.”

  “I do, don’t I?”

  “Yes, you do. Absolutely. And as to the change in your job, tons of women, thankfully, continue their careers when they have children. Firefighters, police, you name it. It can work.”

  Dani let out a deep breath.

  “Thank you, Lindsey. I really appreciate you talking through this with me. I feel like I’ve got another sister, and I appreciate that.”

  Lindsey’s breath caught in her throat and she looked away, certain that she didn’t have a good enough poker face to play off that one. Yes, Dani did have another sister—well, sister-in-law, and didn’t even know it.

  “And what about you?” Dani asked as Lindsey stared out the window.

  “What about me?” she replied, turning back toward Dani.

  Dani gave her a look that said, “Seriously?” She didn’t even have to say it.

  “All this stuff about me, but what about you?”

  “I told you I wasn’t going to talk about anything like that until Travis gets here.”

  “No, no, no, I get that. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about Alex.”

  Lindsey frowned. “What about Alex?”

  “Oh, come on. Jaclyn didn’t even need to put in an appearance to see how perfect you guys are for each other. Honestly, the way he looks at you—I’ve never seen that before.”

  “I barely know him,” Lindsey said, trying her best to keep her cheeks from turning any more crimson than they already were.

&nbs
p; “Uh-huh. That’s what I said about Travis.”

  “There’s so much going on. I’m really not ready for—”

  “Oh, brother,” Dani said. “You yourself said nobody’s ever ready, and it’s always the right time.”

  She sat down slowly on the empty bed on the other side of the room and looked at Dani.

  “I will say that he’s incredibly fun to be with, and smart, and handsome and very kind.”

  “Mm-hmm,” Dani said, her arms crossed over her chest. “Go on.”

  Lindsey looked at her and laughed. “You need more? I really, really like him.”

  Dani shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Right. You’ve got that first letter right, but the last three—maybe look at O-V-E instead.”

  Lindsey rolled her eyes right back and turned toward the window again. She’d been so solitary, so alone, for her entire life and in the time she’d been at River’s End Ranch, her heart was virtually unrecognizable. Between Dani, Alex and his family, she felt—somehow different. As if her heart was full. Was that love? She didn’t really know, but she was excited to find out.

  Chapter 15

  “Oh, hi, Alex,” Dani said, wiggling her eyebrows at Lindsey.

  The nurse had just left Dani some Jell-O and soda crackers when Alex walked in with lunch. It smelled heavenly, and even Dani’s eyes lit up before she made a face and turned away.

  “No dice, eh?” Alex said as he set the food as far away from Dani as was possible in the room.

  “I guess not yet,” she said as she reached for a soda cracker and nibbled at the corner. At least tried to.

  “We can step outside and eat. I thought Lindsey might be hungry, too, and I’m happy to eat your taco if you don’t want it,” he said with a big grin.

  “Thanks. You’re such a giver,” Dani said as she shooed them out with her hand. “I’ll be here when you get back, apparently. Take your time.”

  Alex grabbed the box of tacos and opened the door for her, pointing to a bench right outside.

  “Don’t get into any trouble while we’re gone,” Lindsey said as the door closed behind her.

  “Harrumph,” Dani said as she eyed the cracker and put it back on the bedside table.

  Alex laughed, and handed Lindsey a taco and a napkin.

  “How you holding up?” Alex asked between bites.

  “Me? Don’t you mean Dani?”

  He wiped the hot sauce that was dripping from his chin with his napkin.

  “No, I mean you. She seems back to her normal self.”

  Lindsey laughed and took a bite, moaning a little at the great flavor.

  “This is amazing,” she said. “Thanks for thinking of me.”

  Alex finished off his first taco and reached for another, pausing a moment to look at her.

  “I think of you quite a bit, I must say.”

  He fell silent for a moment and wolfed down another taco. Lindsey could have said the same thing about him—and Dani, too.”

  “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you all. It’ll be tough to leave when this is all over.”

  Alex stopped mid-bite and put his taco in the box.

  “Leave?”

  She finished her first taco and was so hungry she reached for another one.

  “Yeah. I have to go back home. And I’m sure I’ll be getting an off-site assignment soon with hurricane season coming.”

  She wasn’t quite sure what he was thinking—the expression on his face wasn’t quite upset, but definitely wasn’t happy. Probably just about what she felt herself, she imagined.

  Alex’s radio crackled and he stood, pacing while he answered. Lindsey could hear that there was concern that the big fire had picked up again, and along with that there some other spot fires turning up, some along the route they’d taken the other day.

  “Everything all right?” she asked when he sat back down.

  He shook his head. “No, but I’m not telling Dani until I have to. Things seem to be heating up a bit. Fortunately, everybody’s safe and they’re on it, but it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if we’re called out. We’re really short-handed, so I’m calling around now to see what manpower I have.”

  “Oh, no,” Lindsey said at the flash of worry in his eyes. “I hope everything’s all right.”

  “Me, too,” he said with a weak smile.

  “Uh-oh.” She looked past him down the hallway. She took the last bite of her taco and wiped her chin and hands.

  “What?” Alex asked, turning around and following her gaze.

  “That’s an ultra-sound machine. Guess they’re going to give her a test. I’d better see if she’d like me to stay. It might be a bit of a shock.”

  Alex stood and packed up the wrappers.

  “Good idea.”

  She followed the technician wheeling the ultra-sound machine into the room and stood beside Dani, who looked from the machine to Lindsey.

  “Hi,” the technician said. “I’m Amy. I’m here to do your ultra-sound.”

  “What?” Dani said with a panicked glance at Lindsey.

  “It’s easy,” Lindsey said. They just put some jelly on your tummy and take pictures.”

  “Of what?” Dani asked as the technician checked the information on her wristband against the chart she held in her hand.

  Lindsey and the technician both laughed.

  “The baby,” Lindsey said. “Pictures of the baby.”

  Dani blanched and squeezed Lindsey’s hand. “Oh, my gosh, there really is a baby in there, isn’t there?”

  “Well, we’re going to make sure,” the technician said. “I don’t think I’ll be able to tell if it’s a boy or a girl yet, but we will definitely be able to see if there’s a baby.”

  “Oh, good Lord, help me now,” Dani said and closed her eyes.

  Lindsey laughed and held Dani’s hand as the technician set up. It didn’t take long, and before they could even see any pictures, they heard the soft, whooshing sound of the baby’s heartbeat.

  “What’s that?” Dani asked, squeezing Lindsey’s hands harder, her fingernails making marks.

  “It’s the baby’s heartbeat,” Lindsey responded with a much lighter squeeze in return.

  Dani fell silent as she stared at her belly, her eyes wide.

  “Oh, good grief.” Dani seemed panicked again and looked away.

  “Do you want to see?” the technician asked, turning the monitor toward Dani.

  “I’m not sure. Do I?” Dani asked Lindsey in a very quiet voice.

  “I think you do,” Lindsey said, her smile wide as she looked at the monitor. She’d seen plenty of ultrasounds, but this one was special. It was her niece or nephew. And the baby looked healthy.

  Dani looked toward the monitor with her eyes closed, and it took a while for her to open one eye. But it was quickly followed by the other eye as she stared in astonishment at the monitor.

  The technician and Lindsey shared a quick glance and big smiles as Dani started to cry.

  They all three turned at a knock on the door. It opened a crack and Lindsey heard Alex’s voice say, “Look what I found in the parking lot.”

  The door opened a bit wider, and in walked a man who looked just like her. She froze, her stomach crashing on the floor.

  “Oh, Travis. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t know,” Dani said between sniffles.

  “Didn’t know what?”

  Lindsey was grateful that although Alex had clearly called Travis and asked him to come home that he hadn’t let him in on Dani’s surprise—or her own, she hoped.

  Dani took another tissue and wiped her nose after Travis had given her a long hug, kissing her forehead and cheeks thoroughly.

  She pushed his shoulders back and turned him toward the monitor, pointing at the tiny black and white speck.

  “Travis, that’s our baby.”

  Dani smiled at him shyly, and Lindsey stood, taking a step back. She knew Dani wasn’t at all sure how Travis would take it, and it felt l
ike a very private moment to her. She backed up to the door, and was relieved when it opened by itself and Alex pulled her out, right as they heard Travis let out a big, “Woo hoo!”

  Lindsey felt her own tears fall, and Alex pulled her into a hug. She nestled her head on his shoulder, his strong arms pulling her close.

  She wiped her tears away and stood back, looking up into his eyes that were filled with emotion.

  “You did a good thing calling him, Alex,” she said softly before she stood on her tiptoes and rested her lips on his.

  “Oh,” he said, his finger on his lip. “I was afraid you’d be mad at me.”

  “I probably should be. She didn’t want us to call, but he would have missed this.”

  “I didn’t know they were going to do that. I just thought he had a right to know that Dani was in the hospital, and I took my chances. For better or worse.”

  “Hm. For better or worse,” Lindsey repeated. “Sounds like better.”

  They laughed as they heard Travis holler again, followed by Dani’s hearty laugh. All seemed well with them, and for a moment, Lindsey forgot all about the reason she’d come. This was much more important.

  Chapter 16

  Alex and Lindsey had just finished a cup of coffee from the vending machine when Alex’s radio crackled again.

  He stayed at the end of the hall and Lindsey wandered back to the door of Dani’s room, soft voices coming from inside.

  “We have a problem,” Alex said as he walked quickly toward her.

  “What is it?”

  He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “A spot fire is threatening some people who couldn’t—or didn’t—leave when they should have.”

  “Oh, no. Can they get out?”

  “Apparently not. Fire notified them yesterday that they should probably voluntarily evacuate, and they didn’t. Wanted to save it if they could. And no the roads are impassable.”

  “Oh, my gosh, they stayed for their house?”

  Alex closed his eyes and shook his head.

  “No. Nellie’s Cafe.”

  Lindsey gasped and her hand flew to her chest.