Zenith Falling (38 page)

Inside the birthing room, Erica came to life in her element. As the contractions increased, and time pressed faster, yet seemed to move slower, Erica moved through the process with her usual confidence and caring. She was an exceptional professional at this, especially at this point, when she brought the new life out of its mother. Whether naturally or by Caesarian, she excelled at both. She didn’t make mistakes, and had steady, gentle, caring hands. She led the entire process with a calm that contrasted with the rushed nature of the event. She never panicked, even when there were times to panic. She knew what to do and how to do it. So, it was with confidence and competence that she delivered Nick and Joelle’s baby into the world.

“What is it?” Joelle gasped, as she pushed her baby out. They chose not to know the sex beforehand. Thirteen girls had already been born to the Lassiter clan, and everyone hoped that Joelle would have a boy. Except Nick. Nick didn’t care what they had as long as Joelle and the baby were safe.

Nick looked between Joelle’s legs, and looked up at Erica as he smiled. His unbridled joy shone in his eyes.

“Our healthy, perfect baby
, Joelle,” Nick said, looking at her, as he took her hand and smiled. “Our perfect daughter.”

Joelle exhaled a weary laugh.

Erica handed the baby off to the nurses, who took her to the prep station, where they washed, bathed, and weighed her before getting her Apgar scores.

“Nick come and hold your baby for me,” Erica said, smiling into Nick’s blue eye
s. He reverently took the baby from her. Erica still had more work to do. Joelle had to push the placenta out, and get some stitches where she tore.

Erica kept on working, and all the while she piqued with delight, glad in her heart at the new family she helped create. Joelle fearfully took the baby, and Nick kept his hands on her and on Joelle as he kissed Joelle gently. Tears pricked
Erica’s eyes. She blinked to clear them. She had things to do, and no time for crying. But no matter how many times she witnessed this, it was always a pleasure, one which she’d never grown tired of watching.

“Is she okay
, Erica?”

Erica was f
inally done, and took her gloves and gown off, throwing them in the garbage can, before washing her hands, and finally approaching Joelle. “She’s really okay. She’s perfect. You did it.”

Joelle’s eyes gleamed with unshed tears and her lips trembled.
Erica touched her shoulder. Tears trickled onto her sheet. This moment was so huge to Joelle, perhaps even more so than most new mothers. Joelle had no mother, and never pictured herself becoming one. Nick touched her hand.

Erica slipped out, letting Nick and Joelle have their moment. Even though the nurses were there, it was easier for them to be sentimental in front of nurses th
an their best friend and doctor. Erica tugged off the headband that was holding her hair back. She massaged her temples and leaned against the wall out in the corridor, smiling to herself. She’d done it. Another healthy life seeing the world for the first time. Another success. Another wonderful miracle.

There was no other high like it. It never ceased to rush the adrenaline through her, or make the worst days great.

“What’s got you looking so smug?”

Erica
glanced up as Roy Bennett approached her. He was a surgeon, in his forties with salt and pepper hair, a killer smile, and smoky-blue eyes. He was no taller than she, and kept himself fit and trim. They had been dating for a few months.

Erica forced a smile. She craved having a moment to herself, but Roy couldn’t have known that.

“I delivered Joelle’s baby, a healthy six-pound, four-ounce, little girl.”

Roy’s eyes clouded and his mouth tightened. He didn’t like hearing that Erica was still close to Nick and Joelle. Nick intimidated Roy,
and made him feel less than manly, as far as Erica could determine. Otherwise, why would Roy care so much that she was friends, as a couple, with her ex and her ex’s new wife? It wasn’t like Erica and Nick hung out together all alone. She saw Nick, but only as husband to Joelle. It was a stupid insecurity on Roy’s part.

“You could say ‘good job Erica,’” she said, when Roy only frowned at her.

“Of course. Of course. Miracle of life and all that. Good, the baby’s healthy. Still, why does it have to be you delivering Nick’s baby?”

“We’ve been through this. Joelle is my best friend. That should mean something to you. Nick and I are friends, sure, but it’s insulting to me that you could think it might be something more. Especially as I’m delivering his wife’s baby. God
, Roy.”

Roy wrapped an arm around her waist as he kissed her on the mouth. “All right. I’ll lay off it. Congratulations.”

As he stepped back to leave, Erica noticed Spencer sitting on a bench that was around the corner from where Roy and she stood. He wasn’t so much as listening, as he couldn’t help but hear them by his close proximity. Erica blushed when they made eye contact, but Spencer’s expression didn’t change. He glanced at Roy. Then at her.

She passed around Roy and went over to Spencer.

“They had a girl. Everything went like it should. Textbook perfect, in fact.”

Spencer looked her over with no reaction on his face.
Wow, he could do a poker face like no one else she’d ever met. “Quite a job you have, isn’t it, Doc?”

“Yes it is,” Erica said, satisfied someone noticed that.

Then Nick’s family spotted Erica, nearly engulfing her as they surged around her. The door to Joelle’s room opened, and Nick stepped out. He was instantly enveloped, as they started to trickle into the room with loud, happy squeals. Erica was soon alone in the corridor with Spencer as the last Lassiter sister disappeared inside the room. Spencer stood up slowly to his full height beside her.

“Looks like they’ll be awhile.”

Erica smiled, as she looked up at Spencer. “I’d imagine so.”

“Are you done then?”

Erica checked her watch and saw it was midnight. “For tonight. I was here primarily for Joelle. I’m not scheduled beyond that.”

“You look like you could use a cup of coffee.”

She was hungry, and she skipped dinner. “I’m starving.”

“It’ll be a wait for the Lassiter crew to clear out. We might as well grab a coffee or something.”

Erica jerked to attention and raised her eyebrows in surprise. She didn’t expect that.
It was nothing.
They kind of knew each other. He was passing time. He was simply waiting to see Joelle. He was being a good friend. None of it had anything to do with her.

“Cafeteria is closed.”

“Anything else closeby?”

“There’s a twenty-four-hour diner across the street.”

Spencer shrugged. “All right.”

“Okay
.” He said it so blasé, she was sure he didn’t particularly want her company, but she decided she’d help him pass an hour.

They turned in sync, got on the elevator and stood without touching, facing forward. Erica looked nowhere, but at the door. It was if her eyeballs were riveted to the steel doors. Anything was better than the urge to fidget, or simply stare at Spencer beside her.

On the ground floor, Erica exited first. She was way too aware of Spencer walking behind her. Before she reached the door, Spencer reached around her, and opened it for her. She was surprised at the small courtesy from the former Spike. The night air brought goose bumps to her bare arms, and she rubbed them. Or was it just her nerves caused by this man beside her who was so out of her sphere of acquaintances that his mere presence subjected her arms to goose flesh?

“It’s there.” Erica pointed across the side street towards a small diner that was lit up with
Tara’s Diner
in pink neon. They crossed the street together, now side-by-side. Tara, owner and operator greeted them. She smiled and asked how Erica was as she led them to a small, private booth near the window that looked back towards the hospital.

The entire time Spencer, was silently following behind her. Appraising. Watching. No comments. No smiles. No indication what he saw or thought. He managed to completely disconcert her. How could she so easily deliver a baby less than an hour ago, yet now she was tied up in knots just to have coffee with this man she once met?

(Zenith Trilogy, #3)- Release
Date: February 14, 2014

Rob Williams used to be the lead singer of his band,
Zenith
, before his alcoholism destroyed his career, his marriage and his life. Now, writer, Rebecca Randall wants to chronicle his recovery and in the process, establish herself as a successful author. What this mother of three young girls doesn’t realize is how well the tattooed, former rocker, Rob fits into her small town, country life. That is until Rebecca’s estranged husband comes home and wants to rebuild their relationship. As Rob leaves and attempts to make his dreams of
Zenith
come true, Rebecca’s life falls into a depression that nothing, short of divorce, will end. But how can Rob, now lead singer of
Zenith
, ever return to Rebecca’s ordinary life?

(Sister Series, #1) Buy Link:
http://
amzn.to/19cljDI

General Travis Bains has two daughters: one who is good, and one who is bad. Everyone knows Lindsey is the good one, and Jessie is the bad one. 

Jessie Bains is the other sister, the bad sister, which she has proven more often than not, until the day she gets kidnapped and brutally raped. Will Hendricks, one of her father’s soldiers, rescues her, and brings her home, but fears she may have been nearly emotionally destroyed by what was done to her. The most important thing to her father, however, is that no one can know what happened, per the general’s orders.

Jessie’s life was always far from normal as the daughter of one of the most revered generals in the world. No one would ever think or believe the general could abuse either of his daughters, except Will. When Will discovers the danger Jessie is living in at her father’s hand, he once again rescues her, but this time, only he can protect her. Will has survived the horrors of war, but is now engaged in a battle that has become far more personal and far more deadly. Will alone realizes what the general has done, and will do, to destroy his “other” daughter.

(Sister Series, #2) Release Date:
January 20, 2014

Lindsey Bains Johanson has spent her entire life perfecting the art of denial. She was always the obedient, perfect daughter of General Travis Bains, until she learned of the atrocities he committed against her own sister. Now, free of her father, she has become the perfect wife. A lifetime of training has kept her in line and willing to remain quiet about anything and everything, including the monster her husband becomes behind closed doors.

She escapes to her sister's house, and with the help of veterinarian, Noah Clark begins to see she doesn't have to be so good, or so obedient. Noah shows her a life she's never before imagined, and she begins her path to self-discovery. She starts to find a woman she has never know, but a woman who her husband will never accept or release.

When her husband comes for her she goes home, without telling anyone the secret she has kept at the expense of her mind and body. But this time... things go too far, and only then does Noah figure out what she has hidden all these years. But Lindsey knows that nothing will stop her husband; he will eventually come to destroy her, just as he always promised he'd do.