Season of Hope. Virginia Carmichael

well, I am sure you will have many babies to cuddle.” She said this like a benediction, her dark brown hand lifted toward Lana.

      “Thank you, Marisol. I can’t imagine how wonderful it will be. But you’re closer to that than I am.” Lana’s face crinkled in a smile, and both women sighed happily.

      “You’re waiting for a new grandbaby?” Gavin wished he had a cheat sheet for the Mission staff and their families.

      “Calista is having her baby soon. Very soon.” The older woman put a hand on her heart and closed her eyes. “Dios le bendiga. We must pray for her.”

      Gavin glanced at Evie and grinned. He’d seen Calista, and the woman was as white as they came. And Grant, with his tall frame and blue eyes, was probably not related to Marisol, either. He was getting the full picture of this place and it was all about family, but not the kind he’d known.

      The seriousness of what he’d seen this morning in the neonatal critical care unit intruded on his thoughts. He reached for his keys. “It was a wonderful party, but I’d better go.”

      “Anything we can do, Gavin? Is the office running twenty-four hours?” Lana turned, concern lining her face.

      “We are. Just keep trying to get the word out. We’re racing to stay ahead of the outbreak, but...” His voice trailed off and he could feel Evie watching him. It was the stuff of nightmares, his very worst fear, that his city would be hit with a disease he couldn’t control. That more families would suffer like Patrick’s had.

      Lana reached up and squeezed his hand, sympathy written large on her features. “We’re praying.”

      “Thank you.” Gratitude swelled in him. “And I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

      “What’s on Tuesday?” Jack mumbled through a mouthful of cookie.

      “Gavin’s helping set up a soccer league for the kids.”

      “Overachiever. Now I suppose I have to volunteer for that, too.” He pretended to huff, but Gavin knew he lived for sports, any sports.

      “Actually, I need another coach. So, yes, you do.” He was already heading for the door. “Be there at six.” He let his gaze wander to Evie, just for a moment. When their eyes met, he felt a tug deep inside that had nothing to do with the finance board or coaching and everything to do with the fact she was a beautiful woman who had a smile that took his breath away.

      A second later, Grant pushed through the far door, his phone clutched to his ear. The director’s tie was crooked and he was running one hand through his dark hair. “Yes, yes! I’ll be right there!”

      The four of them froze in shock, watching the normally calm man snap closed the phone and take two steps forward. And then two more. He looked like he was sleepwalking, except for the wide-eyed expression.

      “Grant, honey.” Lana’s calm voice cut across the lobby. “Are you okay?”

      He looked up, a huge smile on his face. “It’s time! She’s already at the hospital!”

      Gavin and Jack exchanged looks. Uh-oh. Looked like the dad-to-be was having a mental breakdown before he even got to the labor room.

      “Why don’t we have someone take you over?” Gavin walked back across the lobby, holding out one hand to Grant like a lion tamer approaching a wild beast.

      “He’s right. Let me get someone to cover the desk and we can take my car.” Lana rolled out from behind the desk and was heading toward the office doors. She punched in the code and hit the blue button that opened it automatically. “I’ll grab our coats.” And she was gone before he could answer.

      “How long has she been in labor?” Gavin wasn’t an expert, but Calista was probably going to take a while.

      “Twenty minutes. She just checked in. She didn’t want to interrupt our party if it was nothing.” Grant shook his head, dark hair falling over his forehead. “She sounded so calm. I wonder if they already gave her drugs. She said she didn’t want any.”

      “Hmm. Sometimes they can be helpful.” Gavin led Grant toward the desk, one hand on his shoulder.

      “Especially for the dads,” Jack murmured and Evie tried not to giggle.

      Gavin glanced up, eyes creased with mirth. Their gazes locked and he watched her lips curve up at the corners.

      Lana wheeled herself back through the door, her coat draped around her shoulders, purse on her lap. “Eric just left. Michelle and the child care folks helped the parents take the kids back to the family area. I’ve called a few more people.” She looked at Gavin and he nodded.

      “Don’t worry. I’ll man the desk. Good thing you showed me the switchboard in case of emergencies.”

      “Emergency? There’s no problem. I can drive,” Grant said.

      Three of them spoke at once. “No, Lana should drive.”

      Grant looked from one to the next, then grinned. “Okay, Lana can drive. Let’s go!”

      And then they were gone, with only a cold gust of icy wind as a farewell.

      Gavin walked behind the desk and slipped off his jacket. A new life, a precious gift to the mission family. “I was afraid we were going to have to take his keys.”

      “Too excited to drive,” Evie agreed.

      “Well, I’d better get. I’ve got a ski date early tomorrow morning.” Jack was already heading toward the door.

      “Same girl as before? The bank teller?” Evie sounded hopeful.

      “Who? Oh, right. No, she didn’t like to go out and do anything. Sort of a homebody.” Jack shrugged, as if that said it all. And it sort of did. Jack was all about the going and doing.

      Evie looked at Gavin. “Won’t you need someone else here?”

      He didn’t look up from the switchboard but poked a few buttons and frowned. “I’m sure someone will be here in a few minutes. They have staffers everywhere.”

      Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her look toward the office doors, then the deserted lobby. Okay, so maybe there weren’t staffers everywhere. But they would come, and he wasn’t really certain about hanging out with Evie.

      “I’ll just wait until someone else arrives.”

      Emotions flashed through him. Concern, relief, dread. The Christmas tree sparkled in the corner, the air smelled like cookies, and the excitement of a new life hung over them like a blessing. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know her better—something he was determined to avoid.

      Chapter Three

      Gavin could feel the heat at the back of his neck as he stared at the switchboard. It seemed to have at least a hundred more buttons than the day Lana walked him through the system. But this was what the Mission needed right now, so he was going to sit behind the desk and answer the phone. At least until someone else got there, and he prayed that would be soon.

      “You really don’t have to stay.” He tried to keep his tone even, but the focus of the gorgeous brunette with the bright blue eyes was almost as unnerving as the switchboard panel. The way she laughed with Marisol, held a little girl’s hand and sang carols with Lana told him this wasn’t the gossip-hungry editor he’d imagined. She radiated energy, as if she was plugged directly into a current. He shouldn’t have been surprised, since she was Jack’s twin, but he hadn’t expected her to be so...vibrant. Quiet, yes. Jack had mentioned that part. But not this live wire of a personality.

      “Not a problem. It’s not going to interfere with my social life to stay here a little longer.” She smiled then and he was glad he was sitting down. Perfect, matching dimples. And that was a definite reference to the lack of a boyfriend. He sat up a little straighter, needing to remember who