Chapter 11 - THE ROAD OUT
The ambulance couldn’t reach the estate yet.
A fallen tree blocked the county road.
Snowplows were working below the ridge.
The doctor listened to the dispatcher, then turned to Lorenzo.
“We prepare here while they clear access.”
Lorenzo was already reaching for another phone.
“I have vehicles.”
“And I have a patient.
We’re not putting her on an unsafe road because you dislike waiting.”
Nora would have laughed if another contraction hadn’t taken her breath.
They helped her into the guest room.
Clean sheets.
Warm blankets.
A bed she didn’t have to make herself.
She hated how close that came to making her cry.
The doctor stayed in contact with the hospital.
Lorenzo stood near the doorway, useless in a way he clearly wasn’t used to.
“Tell me what you need.”
Nora closed her eyes.
“For everybody to stop looking terrified.”
The doctor smiled.
“You heard her.”
Lorenzo pulled up a chair.
Nora shook her head.
“Your father.”
“He’s with the butler.”
“He was alone too long already.”
Lorenzo hesitated.
Then he left.
Minutes later, Giovanni appeared in the doorway, wrapped in the heated blanket.
Lorenzo pushed his chair slowly.
“Is this okay?” he asked.
Nora nodded.
Giovanni watched her through the next contraction.
When it passed, she reached for his hand.
“Looks like you’re meeting Lily sooner than I planned.”
One blink.
Her eyes filled.
“I’m scared.”
His fingers moved against hers.
Not enough to squeeze.
Enough for her to feel him trying.
Lorenzo turned away.
His phone rang.
The road crew had cleared one lane.
An ambulance was waiting beyond the steepest part of the drive.
The doctor spoke to the crew, checked Nora again, and agreed to move her.
Lorenzo’s driver would take them slowly down to the ambulance.
Nora held Giovanni’s hand until the last possible second.
“I’ll come back.”
His eyes followed her.
At the front door, a contraction bent her forward.
Lorenzo offered his arm.
This time, she took it.
Outside, the wind struck hard enough to steal her breath.
The SUV’s door stood open.
Beyond it, the driveway disappeared into white.
Nora stopped.
“I can’t lose her.”
Lorenzo looked at her, helpless against a promise no amount of money could guarantee.
So he gave her the only honest answer he had.
May you like
“We’re getting you help.”
Then he helped her into the car.
