“Hello, Carly. It’s nice to meet you. Let’s get you up on the bed and see what’s going on, okay?”

Vince helped Carly out of the wheelchair and up onto the bed. “We’re going to need you to put on this gown,” Ava said.

Carly was crying. “I’m scared. Am I losing the baby?”

“Just take deep breaths and stay as calm as you can,” Ava said. “Your husband brought you exactly where you need to be.”

At that point, two more nurses came in and began helping Carly out of her clothing. Dr. Quick arrived and began an immediate examination, talking calmly and quietly to both the husband and wife as he did, until he had all of the information he needed.

“Ava, notify surgery we’re bringing a patient up for a C-section.”

“Yes, Doctor,” Ava said, and hurried out of the room.

A few minutes later, orderlies wheeled Carly Lewis out of the exam room and up the hall, with Vince walking along beside her, holding her hand.

Vince came back later, pale and shaking and apologizing.

“I’m sorry. This was the closest place I could think of. She means the world to me. This is our first child. Thank you for being so kind to her.”

Ava frowned. “Why wouldn’t I be kind to her? She’s a patient in need. Go back to the surgery waiting room and just be the husband and the man you’re supposed to be. I don’t need thanks. I was just doing my job.”

Vince nodded, and then hurried away.

Ava sighed. What were the odds?

Then she said a quick prayer for both mother and baby and went back to work.

* * *

When Hunt returned to the house, Ray stopped what he was doing and ran to the edge of the roof to question him.

“Is Birdie okay? She wasn’t hurt?”

“She’s okay. Got some smoke inhalation. She was on oxygen for a bit, and then Emma took her home.”

“Thanks, Hunt. Thanks for checking on her,” Ray said.

Hunt frowned. “I don’t need thanks for that. She’s my sister, too.”

Then he picked up his hammer, staring at the front porch and trying to remember what it was he’d been doing, and then got back to work. But he couldn’t stop thinking about the man who’d died. One morning you wake up, kiss your wife goodbye, and go to work. And then never make it home.

He didn’t know the Hollis family. They must have moved here after he was gone, but he’d heard what Birdie told her boss. Both of his boys in jail. And now Arnold was dead. His poor wife. Her whole world had blown up in her face.

Bless her heart. Bless her heart.

* * *