Page 40 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

Still, when they were gathered that night by the fire, Petra did her best to look without seeming to look.

Were those secretive glances passing between Logan and Jinx? Did she hesitate for a moment before taking the only empty seat—the one that put her beside him?

Petra’s clandestine attempt was hindered by the growing repetitive pain that streaked across her belly. Braxton Hicks, but unlike the ones she’d grown accustomed to over the last month.

Hard enough contractions to force her to concentrate so she didn’t give it away. Erratic enough in timing to make holding her tongue difficult. But the last thing she wanted was a full-on High Water all-hands-on-deck when she could be at this for days.

If she could hold out until the first people said good night, she could excuse herself without anyone worrying.

“We’re turning in,” Aiden announced. He pulled Petra to her feet even as he spoke to Jinx. “You figure out what your baby brother’s middle name will be yet?”

“Close,” Jinx offered.

“Don’t put it off much longer, okay?” He promptly led Petra from the room, bundled her into her winter coat, and hustled her out the door.

Thank goodness she wasn’t currently in the middle of a contraction.

The instant he closed the door behind them, guiding her back to their suite, he wrapped an arm around her waist and sighed big enough to melt the snow around them. “How long have you been in labour?”

Well now. No use in hiding it then. “Since supper.”

Aiden shook his head, but he held his tongue until they were safely inside their suite. Then he twisted her to face him. “Before we take off our boots and coats, is this a head-to-the-hospital moment?”

Petra shook her head. “It’s uncomfortable, but I don’t think we’re anywhere near that point.”

He stepped in closer, hand cupping her cheek in a gentle caress. “Then tell me, what do you want? What do you need?”

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. “You. I need you.” A new contraction hit, and she sucked for air. “And maybe a lower back massage and a hot shower?”

Aiden stripped her down, controlled concern on his face. “Let’s start there.”

The warm water sluiced over her, easing some of the shaking pain that flooded her system. Aiden joined her, hands gentle on her body. Easing the ache in her back, smoothing over the swell of her belly. Cradling their baby even now.

Hours blended and then blurred. Petra paced the small rooms of their suite until exhaustion sent her into quick restless naps that were stolen by pain. Aiden held her, supported her. Prodded her into sipping water and eating small bites of food.

Morning sunlight streamed through the windows when her water broke, and the entire escapade shifted to the hospital. A multi-legged creature made up of family and friends joined them, their voices tangled in Petra’s head.

Then it seemed it was only her and Aiden, his blue eyes holding hers, her fingers crushing his as she breathed through the unending contractions.

“So strong,” he whispered. “Breathe out. Breathe in.”

“Tired,” she complained. “You have the next baby, ’kay?”

He laughed, kissing her knuckles even as her belly clamped down again and tore a gasp from her.

Finally—finally—the order to push came. As satisfying as it was to finally get to work, the sensation of being ripped in two tore one guttural cry after another from her.

“Doctor says one more push,” Aiden encouraged. “Come on, love. You can do it.”

Incredibly, the cloud of pain and confusion enveloping her vanished when the piercing cry of a baby rang through the room.

As the nurse laid their baby boy in her arms, Aiden slipped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. Tears shone in his eyes as he whispered words of love to them both.

“Hello, little guy.” Petra’s cheeks were wet. She wasn’t sure why she was crying because she was so very happy. “He’s beautiful.

“He is.” Aiden sounded as shocked as she felt. “He looks like a perfect Jaden.”

Her throat tight, she nodded, still staring at the wrinkled little face with his fist held tightly to his mouth as his lips moved furiously. “Yup. Now we need to find out what Jinx came up with for his middle name.”