Small-Town Midwife. Jean Gordon C.

eyes to block the sun and scanned its length for Jon. He wasn’t there. Fabulous. Her stomach growled again.

      “Jon, pizza’s here.” Her voice echoed over the still water. She looked up and down the length of the camp’s waterfront as she listened for a response. She didn’t see or hear anything. Maybe he’d gotten tired of waiting and left. Except his bike helmet was up at the lodge, and she didn’t think he’d be that rude. More likely, he’d decided to take a run along the beach. He could be halfway around the lake. And she wasn’t about to hike the circumference looking for him.

      Walking toward the dock, she spotted one of the megaphones the camp lifeguards used. She flicked the battery switch. “Jon, pizza.” This time her voice boomed over the lake, and she caught a motion to her right.

      Jon jogged over to her. “That’s some voice you’ve got.”

      She lifted the megaphone. “Me and AmpliVox. You didn’t hear me the first time?”

      He shook his head and gazed out at the water. “It’s so quiet here. I’m surprised I didn’t. But I was a ways up the beach.”

      “Quiet for now. Wait until tomorrow when the new campers arrive. That will make the family crew up at the lodge look like nothing.”

      He frowned.

      “So you admit it. You found the family a little intimidating.”

      “I admit to nothing.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You didn’t happen to bring the pizza with you, did you?”

      “No, I did not. But my brother Ian is saving some of the veggie one.”

      “I’m more of a meat lover’s fan myself.”

      Of course he was.

      “Autumn, Autumn.” Ian raced up to them. “You have a phone call.”

      “Do you know who it is, sweetie?”

      “Your friend Kelly. She talked to Opal’s mother, but she wants to talk to you.”

      Autumn turned to Jon. “It might be one of our mothers, although we don’t have anyone due for a couple of weeks.” She hurried ahead to the lodge.

      Jamie handed her the lodge phone. “Kelly said to call her back on her cell phone.”

      Autumn dialed the number and listened while Kelly explained the situation. “Okay, I’ll need to stop by my house. See you in a bit. Bye.”

      She placed the phone on the table. “Sorry, Gram, Aunt Jinx. I have to go. Oh, Jon, did you get your key?”

      “Yes. Is there a problem with one of your mothers?”

      “No, come outside.”

      They stepped out onto the porch. “Kelly got a call from one of her friends. The woman’s daughter is in labor and she’s afraid something isn’t right. The couple is free-birth. They were determined to have their baby with no interference from anyone. But the woman has talked them into letting Kelly come.”

      “Free-birthers. The mother-to-be hasn’t had any prenatal care?”

      “Not that I know of.”

      “I’ll go ahead to the birthing center and make sure one of the rooms is ready.”

      “Jon, we’re not sure the couple will even let us help with the birth. I doubt we can talk them into coming to the center.”

      “Insist. You said the mother thought something was wrong.” Jon crossed his arms.

      Autumn mirrored his stance. “We can’t make them go to the center.” She dropped her arms. There was no need to turn this into a standoff. Besides, this wasn’t her birth. It was Kelly’s. Kelly was in charge. Autumn swallowed the guilt that waved over her and didn’t try to distinguish whether it came from her not holding up her end of the practice work or the relief she’d felt because Kelly was in charge. How long would Kelly agree to go on managing all of the deliveries?

      He placed his hand on her forearm. “You have to try to get them to the center.”

      Kelly’s van rolled into the camp parking lot. Autumn gently pulled away. “No, I have to go help catch a baby.”

      “I’ll expect a report on Monday.”

      Autumn strode to the vehicle.

      “And I’ll pray for an uncomplicated delivery,” Jon said in a less strident voice.

      She nodded and climbed into the van.

      “Who is that?” Kelly asked.

      “Jon Hanlon, the new director of the birthing center.”

      “Oh. What does he want you to report?”

      “Our business.”

      Kelly creased her forehead in question.

      “I don’t know why, either. But whatever his reason, I don’t think I’m going to like it.”

      Like she didn’t like the way he’d said they had to get the mother to the birthing center, didn’t like him expecting her to report in to him on Monday and didn’t like the way he seemed to think all he had to do was smile and he’d get his way.

      Chapter Four

      Jon tested the doorknob to the midwifery practice. It had been locked when he’d tried it on his way to his office earlier. This time the knob turned. He hesitated. He’d exercised great restraint yesterday morning by not going over to Autumn’s place to ask about her unexpected delivery on Saturday. Her car hadn’t been in the driveway when he’d left for church, but it had been when he’d returned. After giving her a few hours to catch up on her sleep, he’d glanced out and she’d been gone again.

      Today, he had the good excuse of wanting to introduce himself to Kelly, along with finding out how the delivery had gone. He pushed the door open and looked around the empty waiting area. Two warm brown leather couches in the corner framed an oval coffee table, forming an inviting sitting area. Matching leather chairs were positioned a couple of feet away along the wall, one on each side of a combination table-magazine rack. A desk sat on the opposite side of the room, and paintings of a mountain scene and the monthly stages of pregnancy hung on the wall in between. He walked over and checked them out. They were both done by the same artist, probably a local.

      “Can I help you?”

      Jon turned.

      “Dr. Hanlon?”

      He nodded.

      “It’s good to finally meet you,” the attractive, middle-aged woman with auburn hair said. “I saw you briefly at the lake on Saturday.”

      He glanced behind her down the short hall. “You must be Kelly.”

      “Yes.” She extended her hand. “Kelly Philips. Good to meet you. I would have introduced myself when I picked up Autumn, but I was kind of in a hurry.”

      “Understandable.” He shook her hand. “And call me Jon.”

      The office door opened, and Autumn’s voice rang out. “I’ve got coffee.”

      Jon tightened his grip on Kelly’s hand, prompting a raised eyebrow from her. He quickly released it.

      Autumn backed into the room. “I have your latte, a large regular for Jamie and my mocha.” She turned around, and the cardboard tray dipped dangerously to one side. “Jon.”

      “Good morning.”

      “Hi.” She righted the tray and handed Kelly her coffee.

      “I stopped in to introduce myself to Kelly and see how your delivery went on Saturday.”

      “It was really Kelly’s delivery.” Autumn looked to the other midwife. “Is Jamie getting the exam room ready?