Returning Home (19 page)

The puppy chose that moment to escape Bonnie’s grasp and dash, barking, across the lawn. Laughing, Bonnie chased after it

“The baby,” Hope said and rubbed her back again, grimacing. “Wow. That was a strong one. Know what? I think it’s time to go to the hospital.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He took her elbow and steered her to a lawn chair. This time he was prepared. This time he would take charge. “You sit there and don’t move. I’ll go call Charlene to come stay with Bonnie. Then we can grab the bag you packed and go.”

She gave him that same gentle smile that never failed to melt his heart. “Hurry, then. I have a feeling this baby is going to come fast”

Those words galvanized him into action. Sprinting for the house, he called back to Hope over his shoul
der, “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she yelled back, wincing as another contraction hit her.

And Ryan Jeffrey Riggs was
born
at the county hos
pital
exactly
two hours later.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Whiddon spun tales for her young brothers as early as eleven. Growing up in the Catskill Mountains, then the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, she found enough magic in the rugged peaks to keep her imagi
nation fueled for years.

Now making her home in North Texas, she shares her life with her hero-like husband, her soon-to-be Texas Aggie daughter, and two doting dogs.
Returning Home
is her third Precious Gems romance novel.

You can E-mail Karen at
[email protected]
.