Ned opened the truck door. “Instead of discussing it, let’s go find out.”
A middle-aged woman approached as Linc got out of the truck. “You must be Mary Jo’s brothers,” she said. “I’m Grace Harding. Merry Christmas!”
The woman looked friendly, and Linc appreciated the pleasant greeting. “Merry Christmas to you, too. Sorry for the delay….”
“We got lost.”
How helpful of Mel to point out the obvious.
“Some guy named King gave us the wrong directions.”
“King’s Gas and Grocery?” A man came up to them, extending his hand. “Cliff Harding.”
“That’s the one,” Ned answered.
Cliff pinched his lips together, but didn’t speak.
Linc shook hands with Grace’s husband. “Linc Wyse,” he said, introducing himself. “My brothers, Ned and Mel.”
Hands were shaken and greetings exchanged all around.
“We were wondering if you were ever going to find the place,” Cliff told them.
“If it hadn’t been for the fireworks, we probably wouldn’t have,” Mel admitted.
Linc ignored him and glanced at the aid car. “Mary Jo?” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the question.
Grace nodded. “She had the baby.”
“A boy,” Mel said confidently. “Right?” His eyes lit up with expectation.
“A girl.”
“A girl?” Linc was shocked. “Mary Jo had a girl?”
“You sound disappointed,” Grace said, studying him closely.
“Not…disappointed. Surprised.”
Ned felt obliged to explain. “For some reason, we were all sure she was having a boy.”
“Well, she didn’t. You have a niece.”
“We have a niece,” Linc said to his brothers. Mel gave him a congratulatory slap on the back that nearly sent him reeling. He suddenly realized what this all meant. He was an
“The EMTs are bringing Mary Jo and the baby down now,” Grace was saying.
“Can we see the baby?” Linc asked.
“And talk to Mary Jo?” Mel added.
Grace warmed them with a smile. “I’m sure you can.”
A little boy raced up to her. “Grandma, Grandma, can I play my drum for the baby and Mary Jo?”
Grace crouched down so she was eye level with her grandson. “Of course, Tyler, but remember you have to play quietly so you won’t disturb the baby.”
“Okay!”
Two EMTs rolled Mary Jo toward the aid car on a gurney.
As soon as she saw her brothers, Mary Jo—holding the sleeping newborn in one arm—stretched out the other. “Linc, Mel, Ned…oh, my goodness, you’re here!”
They hurried over to her side.
“You had a girl,” Mel said, staring down at the bundle in her arms.
“She looks just like you,” Ned commented.
“No, she doesn’t,” Linc chimed in. “She looks like the Wyse family—like all of us.”
“And like herself,” Mary Jo said.
“I’m sorry we were so late,” Ned apologized.
“Yeah, we got lost.”
If Mel announced that to one more person, Linc might be tempted to slug him.
“Where are they taking you?” he asked.
“To the birthing center in Silverdale,” one of the EMTs answered.
“You won’t have any trouble finding it,” Cliff assured them. “I’ll draw you a map.”
“No, thanks.” Mel shuddered noticeably.
“We’d better follow the aid car,” Linc said.
“Mary Jo, we brought you gifts.”
