Something about the way Evan said that had Owen immediately on edge. What now? “What’s wrong?”

“Everything is fine, so don’t worry, but Laura is at the clinic and they’re putting her on an IV because she’s dehydrated. Your mom thought you’d want to know, and she thought I might know where to find you.”

Owen grabbed his T-shirt and towel from where he’d left them on the beach and put the shirt on without taking the time to dry off. He jammed his feet into flip-flops. “Thanks for coming to find me.”

“Let me take you.”

“I’m fine.”

Evan took hold of his arm. “Owen…”

Owen shook him off. “Let me go. I need to get to her.”

“I’m going with you whether you let me drive you or not, so you may as well let me drive.”

Owen grabbed his board and headed for the stairs that led to the parking lot where he’d left his Volkswagen Vanagon. “On that deathtrap motorcycle of yours? I don’t think so. I’ve got three kids to think about.”

“We’ll take your luxury vehicle. I’ll leave my bike here and get it later.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I’m doing it, so stop being such a pain in the ass. Were you always this much of a pain and I didn’t notice, or is that just a recent development?”

“Recent.”

Evan took the keys from Owen. “I’m looking forward to getting back to normal.”

“Believe me, so am I.” The bickering with Evan helped to take his mind off the unreasonable fear that had assailed him when he heard Laura was at the clinic. What if something was really wrong with her besides the relentless nausea? What if the babies were in jeopardy? What if he had to leave her behind feeling unwell while he went to Virginia? How would he ever do that?

“Stop thinking the worst,” Evan said as he navigated the twisting, turning roads that led back to town. “She’s going to be fine.”

“How do you know that? Do you have psychic powers now?”

“First of all, she’s a McCarthy, and we’re a hardy people. Second of all, she’s in very good hands with David and Victoria. Remember David? You know, the guy who saved my sister’s life when she would’ve bled to death without him?”

“Yeah, I remember.” It did make Owen feel better to be reminded of how highly skilled David Lawrence was, and he knew that Laura had nothing but the utmost faith in Victoria, too. The nurse practitioner-midwife had already seen Laura successfully through one difficult pregnancy. Surely, she’d get her through this one, too.

“I’ve got some news that’ll take your mind off your own troubles,” Evan said.

“What’s that?”

“Apparently, I have an older sister no one knew about until yesterday.”