“IF IT’S TWINS, does it take twice as long?” Nevada asked.
Montana laughed. “I don’t know and I’m not sure I want to. Labor would be the same, wouldn’t it? I guess the delivery would be different.”
They were sitting in a waiting area on the maternity floor. Other families gathered together, talking, anticipating their own miracle, but Pia’s group was the largest. Mayor Marsha was already there, as were Charity and Josh Golden and their baby. Montana’s brother Ethan was there with his wife, Liz. The girls and Tyler had been left at home.
Food had been spread out on the various tables, and a cooler filled with water bottles and soda stood in the corner. The other people waiting had been invited to eat and drink. The atmosphere was more like a party than a hospital setting. Something Pia would have appreciated.
“Did I tell you Dakota called?” Montana asked.
Her sister shook her head. “Is she coming?”
“As soon as she gets Hannah to sleep. Finn is going to stay home with Hannah.”
Denise came in with a redheaded boy at her side. Montana stood and walked over to them.
“Peter,” she said, giving him a hug. “You doing okay?”
The boy looked more curious than worried, which was probably a good thing. He’d been through a lot, losing his birth parents in a horrible car accident. He was the only one who’d survived. After a couple of years of foster care, he’d found a home with Pia and Raoul. Now he was about to get a couple of baby brothers or sisters. Or possibly one of each.
He hugged her back. “I wanted to see,” he told her, looking both defiant and a little embarrassed.
“He was concerned that we were all worried,” Denise said, resting her hand on Peter’s shoulder. “And hiding it from him.”
“I love Pia,” he said simply. “I want her to be okay.”
“We all want that,” Montana told him, taking him by the hand and leading him over to the table.
He picked a peanut butter cookie and took a bite. “So she’s okay?”
“We haven’t heard any differently.”
There was no point in discussing the possible complications of childbirth. Statistically Pia was going to be fine. Montana didn’t see the point in worrying a ten-year-old needlessly.
“Do you think Raoul is scared?”
Montana laughed. “I’m sure he’s terrified. You’re an easy kid to have around, but babies are small and helpless and they can’t tell you what’s wrong.”
Peter nodded. “I guess I’ll have to help. You know, be a big brother.”
She wrapped her arm around him. “My parents appreciated my big brothers helping with me and my sisters.”
Dakota arrived a few minutes later. Mayor Marsha claimed Peter and sat chatting with him. Denise shared a sofa with her daughters.
“You’ll be next,” she said, smiling at Dakota.
Dakota touched her still flat stomach. “I’m not due until early March, Mom. We’ve got a ways to go.”
“Still. I’m very excited.”
Nevada sighed. “I’m feeling pressure.”
“I didn’t say anything,” Denise said.
“You didn’t have to.”
Denise looked at Montana. “Do you feel pressure, too? I don’t want you to. While it would be nice to have more grandchildren, if you’re not interested in starting a family or in carrying on the Hendrix tradition, I’m fine with that.” She paused and drew in a deep breath. “My heart will mend eventually.”
Montana looked at Nevada. “Pressure? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
A doctor came into the waiting room. Everyone turned toward her, but she walked to another family.
Dakota heard Mayor Marsha telling Peter, “Pia thought she would get the cat instead.”
The boy laughed. “I’m glad she didn’t. We have a dog now. Dogs are better than cats.” He glanced around the room, then added, “You can play with a dog. Cats like to sleep a lot.”
“So I’ve heard,” Marsha told him.
Montana listened in on other conversations. Moments like these reminded her why she loved living in Fool’s Gold. This was more than a small town—it was a real community. People took care of each other. She knew that when Pia went home, women would bring her all kinds of casseroles. That she wouldn’t have to cook for at least a month.
She knew that mothers and grandmothers would stop by regularly to offer advice and free babysitting so Pia could nap or take a walk. Raoul would find himself drawn into the lives of those around him in ways he didn’t expect. She liked being a part of this—having a place she could depend on. Fool’s Gold wasn’t like other places. Living here meant belonging.
Raoul stumbled into the waiting room. Everyone stopped talking and looked at him.
The normally handsome former football player still wore scrubs. His hair was mussed, his gaze unfocused. He glanced around, as if not sure where he was.