A Valley Ridge Christmas

“I definitely don’t mind. What’s a bit of cornmeal?”

Josie went to stand, and then grimaced.

Maeve hurried to her side. “Josie?”

Josie was silent and her expression grew more serious. Slowly she relaxed and looked at Maeve. “I had a twinge about an hour ago, and now this one.”

Maeve had been a bookworm her whole life, which meant she knew a little about a lot of things, but other than understanding the basic mechanics of birth, she knew very little about the process. “Could you be in labor?”

“No.” Josie seemed panicked at the thought. “It’s too soon. He has at least another month to go. I’m sure it’s only Braxton Hicks contractions.”

Maeve didn’t know Braxton Hicks from Adam, but she knew that she did not like the situation. And she was equally sure that Boyd wouldn’t like it, either. “Sit down and let me make a call. I have a friend who’s a nurse. I’ll see if she can come over.”

“In this weather?” Josie asked.

“The snow’s stopped and your husband’s out there personally clearing my half of Valley Ridge, as well. Plus, Lily lives close enough to walk if need be.”

Josie shook her head. “I won’t have anyone walking—”

“Shh,” Maeve interrupted. “Don’t argue or I’ll think you’re as stubborn as your husband.”

Josie laughed, which had been Maeve’s intent.

“You tell your friend it’s not an emergency,” Josie warned her. “I don’t want her hurrying over here and inconveniencing herself more than she already will have to.”

“I’ll tell her that we don’t think it’s anything, but want to be sure.” Maeve got her cell phone from the window ledge. Thank goodness it still had a charge. She went out to the front room and dialed Lily’s number.

“Hello?” the almost–Mrs. Bennington answered.

“Getting pre-wedding jitters yet?” Maeve asked by way of a greeting, though she already knew the answer.

“As long as Sophie’s Tori doesn’t speak up at my wedding, there’s nothing to worry about. I have everything planned to the nth degree,” Lily assured her.

Their friend Sophie had been about to marry this summer when a stranger stood up and objected. The entire community was shocked to discover the girl, Tori, was Sophie’s biological daughter.

“How’s Mattie handling everything?” Maeve had listened to Mattie complain about Lily’s bridal ways in the past. The two friends couldn’t be more different. Mattie would have gotten married in jeans if Lily hadn’t pitched a fit. While Lily had definite ideas on what a wedding should entail and jeans weren’t in the picture.

Maeve wished she had friends who were as close as family.

She had friends, but nothing like them.

“Mattie’s calling me Bridezilla now. That’s an upgrade from Bridesmaidzilla.” Lily had been a bridesmaid in Sophie’s wedding, as well as Mattie’s. “And Sophie keeps joking that if the baby gets any bigger, she’s renting a scooter to ride down the aisle.”

“Speaking of pregnant women,” Maeve said, “that’s why I’m calling.”

“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” Lily said slowly.

Maeve chuckled. “I know it’s the season for immaculate conceptions, but no, not me. I’ve got a pregnant woman in my kitchen. And I hate to ask, but I’m hoping you’ll run over and check on her. She’s got about a month until she’s due. She’s had a couple pains. She had a name for them and tried to tell me they’re nothing to worry about, but I’m worried.”

“Braxton Hicks?” Lily asked.

“Yes, that’s what she said.”

“She’s probably right, but I’ll come over and check her out.”

Maeve released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Thanks, Lily. Her family spent last night camped out in an RV that ran out of propane this morning. I’m worried. Can you get out, because if not, I can come get you.”

“That’s not necessary. I have four-wheel drive for work and you’re only a few blocks away.”

“I hate to make you—”

“You’re not making me do anything. I told Sebastian I’d give him a hand at the diner this morning and I have a few house calls to make this afternoon, so I have to go out, anyway.”

Maeve felt a flood of relief. “Thanks, Lily.”

“See you soon.”

Maeve hung up and walked back into the kitchen. Carl dumped a cup full of cornmeal into a bigger cup, while Josie sat, eyes closed, in the rocker, her hands over her protruding stomach.

Maeve glanced at Mrs. Anderson’s cross-stitch.

No, she couldn’t save the world, but she was going to do her best to help this one small family.

CHAPTER TWO

MAEVE HAD ALWAYS wanted dark, mysterious looks like Lily Paul’s. Lily tended to wear a lot of Bohemian clothes that would be considered suspect by the locals if anyone other than Lily wore them. Lily had a fondness for a lot of clunky jewelry and bold colors.

None of that was evident today as she came into the kitchen bundled up in a hat, parka and knee-high boots. Her scarf was wrapped around her face so many times, only her eyes were visible.

“Come in, Lily,” Maeve said, and then teased, “I mean, I’m assuming you’re Lily. It’s hard to tell under all those clothes.”

Lily began unwinding the scarf and shucked off most of the layers. “Seriously,” she grumbled, “Sebastian had some very firm opinions on what I should wear today. Most of the time, he doesn’t say a word about my clothing choices.”

“He probably wanted to be sure you stayed warm,” Maeve said. She wouldn’t say it out loud, but it was endearing. No one worried about her dressing warmly enough except her mother. That thought made her feel lonely, despite the fact that her house was currently overflowing with people.

“Yeah. Sebastian also wanted to drive me. I put my foot down on that notion. However, he insisted I wear two pairs of socks inside my boots, so there was no satisfying stomp when I put my foot down, only a very wimpy smooshing. Still, he got the picture.” Lily turned and smiled at Josie. “Hi, I’m Lily. And this handsome man is?”

“Carl. And I’m Josie. Thank you so much for coming out in this mess. I’m sure I’m fine and I hate to be a bother.”

“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we let Carl sit with Maeve, and you and I will borrow her bedroom for a quick checkup.”

Josie hesitated long enough to make Maeve wonder if she’d agree, but Lily said, “I did come all the way over here in the snow. The very deep, frigid snow.”

“Wow, way to lay on the guilt.” Maeve laughed.

Lily laughed, too. “I have to wheedle a certain feisty patient on a regular basis. Guilt is a first foray. I do have a trump card I can pull out and use if necessary.”

“A quick game of one-handed basketball?” Maeve asked. Everyone in town had talked about Lily and Sebastian’s one-handed basketball game this past summer. If talk were to be believed, half the town had witnessed the game. That’s how things went in Valley Ridge. People told stories so often that after a while they felt as if they were there, even if they weren’t.