“Well, at least I know there will never be a dull moment with the Holmeses,” he said as he handed it to her.
Indina couldn’t help but laugh. “Welcome to the family.”
Also by Farrah Rochon
The Holmes Brothers
Set in New Orleans, the original Holmes Brothers series follows the lives of Elijah, Tobias, and Alexander Holmes as they find love in one of the world’s most romantic cities.
Deliver Me
Release Me
Rescue Me
Coming this Spring!
Read the next brand new novel in the Holmes Brothers series, Trust Me! Ezra and Mackenna’s story!
Moments in Maplesville
Visit the sexy, sultry, small southern town of Maplesville in my Moments in Maplesville novella series.
A Perfect Holiday Fling (Callie & Stefan)
A Little Bit Naughty (Jada & Mason)
Just A Little Taste (Kiera & Trey)
I Dare You (Stefanie & Dustin)
All You Can Handle (Sonny & Ian)
Any Way You Want It (Nyree & Dale)
Any Time You Need Me (Aubrey & Sam)
Visit my BOOKS page to see my entire backlist!
Click to the next page to read an excerpt from Deliver Me, the very first story in the original Holmes Brothers series.
Deliver MeBook One of the original Holmes Brothers Series
Chapter One
“You’ll have to spread your legs wider,” Elijah softly encouraged. “Don’t be afraid. I do this several times a day. I’ve never had any complaints.”
Her breathing escalated, the hot breaths fanning his face. Eli tried to maneuver his shoulders into a more comfortable position. No easy feat in the backseat of the compact Nissan Sentra.
“Tell me your name again, sweetheart.”
“Cassandra,” the teenager let out in a rushed gasp. The hem of her sundress rolled down her thighs. Again.
“This is in the way.” Eli bunched up the material and pushed the dress over her head. “That’s better. Now just relax. I know it’s scary, but it’ll be easier if you stay calm.”
Eli ran his arm across his brow. It was hot, but the summer storm raging outside the car prevented him from opening the door. A rivulet of sweat followed a path from the matted hair at the girl’s temple, then sluiced down her jaw line. The valley between her breasts glistened. Eli captured her knees and spread her legs as far as the small space would allow.
He had to open the door. He couldn’t do anything cramped up like this.
Eli reached behind him and opened the back passenger door. The hot rain pelted his legs as soon as he stepped onto the slippery gravel. It wasn’t the most ideal environment, but he’d have to work with what he’d been given.
The young girl that lay before him cried out in pain.
“Shh.” Eli quieted her with calming words while his fingertips rubbed the area giving her the most pressure. Expertly, he soothed away the ache, but he knew at any moment it would return worse than before. He could no longer wait. Neither could she.
He reached down between her legs. “This is going to hurt.”
The girl gasped, her back arching. “Oh, God. I can’t take this.”
“A little more. That’s it. It won’t be too long.”
Her earth-shattering scream pierced the air.
“Okay, Cassandra, I need you to push. We’re almost there.”
Where in the hell was the ambulance?
Eli freed one hand and reached into the pocket of his khaki slacks, retrieving his cell phone. He speed dialed Methodist Memorial Hospital and waited impatiently for the operator.
As soon as he heard the click, he barked into the phone, “I requested EMS twenty minutes ago. Tell them to get to the 2700 block of Pine Street now,” then slammed the phone shut and shoved it back into his pocket.
“Why isn’t the ambulance here yet?” the girl asked between rushed breaths.
“They’ll be here soon.” He smoothed the damp hair back on her forehead. “I told you not to worry. I’ve delivered more babies than I can count. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Eli rubbed the base of her torso with gentle circles. He felt the muscles contorting underneath his palm.
“Okay, Cassandra, this is going to be a big one. Grab onto the headrest and push as hard as you can.”
She did as she was told, gripping the driver’s side headrest and nearly pulling herself off the seat with the force of her push.
“That’s perfect. Keep pushing until I tell you to stop.”
The tiny brown baby entered the world riding a wave of fluid. Eli caught him in the palm of his hand and turned him over, quickly wiping away the film from the baby’s mouth and nose. A sharp cry filled the car.
“You’ve got a son.”
He heard the high-pitched shrill of ambulance sirens coming down the street.
“Great timing,” Eli muttered under his breath. He made swift work of unbuttoning his shirt. He’d managed to keep his upper body out of the rain, but sweat still caused the shirt to stick to his back. He peeled his arms out of the sleeves, then wrapped the damp material around the newborn, placing the baby in the cradle of his mother’s arms.
Eli backed out of the car. He stretched his six-foot-one frame and sighed as the muscles in his back loosened. He’d maintained that crouched position for over a half-hour.
He closed his eyes, relief washing over him like the late summer storm beating down on his bare chest and shoulders. His pants were drenched, but it didn’t matter. He’d helped bring another life into the world. He’d done his job.
Eli raised his head to the heavens and let the warm rain hit his face, opening his eyes to stare at the darkened New Orleans sky.
The ambulance pulled into the alley, its blue and white lights illuminating the bricks of the dilapidated buildings they were sandwiched between. Two paramedics jumped out of the rig, one carrying a bright orange box, the other pushing a gurney.
“Dr. Holmes? I didn’t realize you were the one who’d called this in. Where’s the pregnant woman?”
“She’s not really a woman, and she’s not pregnant anymore, either. She just delivered a
