She picked up one of the portable paramedic kits, knowing that between it, the emergency supplies in her truck, and whatever the Brownings had on hand at the house, shed have everything shed need to deliver Lilys baby if there wasnt enough time to get her friend back into town. She silently snapped her fingers in a moment of inspiration and hurried over to the wall of cabinets.
She opened the first one and scanned the contents. Nope. Moving on to the next cabinet, she spotted the goodies shed stashed away. She set the med kit on the counter and stretched up on tiptoe to grasp the prize she was looking for. A bag of chocolate candy left over from Easter. She might snitch one to satisfy her own cravings, but she could use them as a reward for the Browning boys in case she had to take care of them as well as Lily.
Jolene jumped in her boots as she closed the cabinet door and a broad set of blue-clad shoulders came into view.
Problem?
Pressing her hand to her chest to soothe the startled leap in her heart rate, Jolene looked up past the jut of Nate Kellisons chin and straight into those omniscient brown eyes. Nothing that concerns you, California.
Nate.
Right. She tucked the bag of candy into the pocket of her overalls and reached for the handle of the med kit.
Before she could leave, his hand settled over hers, pushing the kit back onto the counter. Youre not going out on a call, are you?
His grip was firm, warmand sent a crazy little frisson of electricity up her arm. His succinct query rolled across her eardrums in a deep-pitched whisper. Dormant emotions awakened inside her at the surprising intimacies of sound and touch, emotions that were all too vulnerable and uniquely feminine. Emotions she quickly shut down by breaking the connection. She slid her hand from beneath his, willing the tingling sensation of his callused fingertips brushing across her skin to dissipate.
In one practiced, self-conscious motion, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and pointed toward her father, avoiding those eyes that seemed to possess the power to read her silly reaction to his touch. Youre missing the briefing.
The slight turn of his head was all the diversion she needed to grab the med kit without answering his question. But their movements were enough to capture her fathers attention as well. Jolene waved the note at him, indicating shed leave it in the office. Then she turned her back on Nate Kellison and tried to sneak out without disturbing the rest of the meeting.
No such luck.
Excuse me a minute. Jolene halted at the sound of her fathers voice following her down the hallway. Since you picked up a kit, I can guess that youre not going home?
I didnt mean to interrupt you, she apologized. To her chagrin, Kellison had followed her to the door as well. Setting her shoulders, she purposely ignored him standing behind her father. Lily Browning called. Shes gone into labor, but shes stranded at the ranch. Im going to drive out to do what I can to help. If theres time, Ill drive her and the boys into town. If not, Ill deliver the baby there. She squeezed her fathers arm reassuringly. It wont be my first delivery.
Mitch Kannon nodded, his tone as businesslike as hers had been. Give me ten minutes to finish this meeting, and Ill go with you.
She gestured down the hall. You cant leave these people right now. Youve got four virtual strangers wholl be lost in a minute without your directions, and a handful of locals who are half-distracted worrying about their own families and homes. Theyre looking to you for leadership. You have to stay with the command center.
Nice speech, drawled Mitch. But I still dont want you driving that far out into the county by yourself. The weathers unpredictable right now, and youre not exactly in the best condition to go gallivanting across the countryside.
Dad! My condition doesnt make me stupid. Jolene didnt know whether to smile or frown at his flare of old-fashioned chauvinism. Opting for her most indulgent smile, she cradled the curve of her belly. Were in perfect health. Im done with morning sickness and nap attacks. The pregnancy is progressing fine. Nothings going to happen to me or Junior just riding in the truck.
He shook his head. You and I both know thats not the problem. With you, its never just a ride in the truck.
Lilys waiting, Dad.
Can I help? Mr. California wasnt content just observing her business, he had to butt in.
Bristling at the intrusion, she glanced over her fathers shoulder. No.
But Mitch angled himself to include Kellison in the discussion, ignoring her dismissal. A friend of Jolenes is stuck out at her ranch. Just went into labor with her fourth baby.
Fourth? Kellisons eyebrows rose. The baby could come fast, then. Within a few hours.
Jolene backed toward the door. Exactly. Id better get going.
Mitch stopped her. Honey, why dont you stay and man the phones until Ruth gets here.
Dad
Ill go. Kellisons statement was directed at Mitch. Ive been trained to deliver babies under a variety of conditions. He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. Youll need Cheryl and Amy here to handle the more serious patients as they come in. Your daughter can stay in the office.
Of all the annoying, arrogant Jolene planted her empty hand on her hip and squared off against the visiting paramedic. Do you know the way to the Rock-a-Bye Ranch, California?
Its Nate. He turned to her father. You got a map?
I know the way, she insisted. Were wasting time discussing this.
Oh, no. She could read the decision on her fathers face.
Youre right about needing the doctor and trauma nurse here, Mitch said. You go with her, Kellison.
Dad
Hes a trained paramedic.
Which is why you need him here, she argued. For real emergencies. I can handle this and be back in no time.
Listen, young lady. What I need right now is to not worry about you or Lily Browning. Kellison goes with you, or you stay put.
Father and daughter glared at each other. But the silent battle of wills didnt last for long. Once Mitch Kannon dug in his heels, he couldnt be budged. And as much as she loathed the idea of being assigned a baby-sitter while she made a routine call at a friends house, Jolene didnt want to cause her father any additional worry when she knew he had a whole county and hundreds of additional evacuees to protect.
All right. Watching the worry ease from her fathers expression made agreeing more tolerable.
He hugged her and kissed her goodbye. Be sure to call in and keep me posted.
I will. Love you.
He winked. Love you. Then he released her and grasped Kellisons shoulder. Youve got the most important job in the county, as far as Im concerned. Keep my little girl safe.
Dad
Yes, sir.
Chief? Doyle Brown called from the end of the hallway. He pointed to his watch. You said to keep an eye on the time?
Let me know if Lily finally gets her girl, Mitch ordered over his shoulder as he hurried back to the main room. The phone rang in the dispatch office as he passed by. And so it begins, he muttered, just loud enough for Jolene to hear. Doyle! Come answer this phone. She watched her father disappear around the corner and take command of his audience once more. All right, boys and girls, lets get down to business