“Call me every other day. Take care of yourself. And tell MacDuff to get a room ready for me, because I’m going to show up when it’s time for that little girl to appear on the scene and be with you for the birth.”

“All will be as you command.” Jane was grinning. “She’s already making her every desire known. I can hardly wait to see the two of you together.”

*  *  *

MacDuff’s Run
Three Weeks Later

Jane smothered the scream, her fingernails digging into Caleb’s hand. “Did you call Eve?”

“Right after you told me. She said she’d be on her way as soon as she could pack a bag.” His gaze was on her face. “I don’t like this. Why don’t we call an air ambulance and get you to a hospital?”

“By the time we got there, the baby would probably have already been born and be howling her lungs out. You know she marches to her own drummer or she wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to send me into labor. It happened in the blink of an eye.”

“We should still try to—”

“No!” She tried to keep from screaming at him. “MacDuff said there’s a midwife in the village and he’s already sent Rodland there to bring her here. It will be fine, Caleb.”

“Son of a bitch. You’re in pain,” he said harshly. “I can’t take it. There’s nothing fine about that.”

“But there’s nothing that weird about it, either. It’s happened to women for thousands of years. Do I like it? Hell, no. But I can put up with it since she seems determined to immediately join the human race.” She was feeling dizzy, and she shook her head to clear it. “Maybe she thinks she has something to…say.” She tried to keep from slurring. “Or maybe she’s an artist like her mom or…even…Rembrandt.” She giggled. “Rembrandt. Wouldn’t that be cool?”

“Absolutely,” he said hoarsely. “Can I go get some whiskey for you?”

“No, I don’t know what the rules are. I suppose I should have read up about it.”

“You didn’t realize she was going to be this impatient. She should give you a break.”

“We’ll work…it out. I can see you…in her.”

“Heaven help you.”

“It already did. She’s going to be…like Eve. Special…or maybe not…She reminds me of someone…else. Tough, so tough, and ready to take on…the whole world.”

“Like you.” His grasp on her hand was almost painful. “Where the hell is Rodland?”

“No, not me either. Don’t be so upset. I told you…this kind of thing happens all the time. It…happened to her…”

“Who?”

“Here I am.” Rodland suddenly burst into the room, dragging a plump dark-haired woman behind him. “And this is Eileen Cameron. She’s going to help you, Jane.”