Middle River Murders Read Free

between my tears.
    “So are we,” Sarah said as she and Chief Sam walked into the
room. She walked over and hugged me and then Mom and Claire. “I can’t wait to
see my grandson. I bet he looks just like his daddy.”
    “Let me take you to the nursery,” Billy said smiling, his
pride showing. “I have many great plans for our child. Shall we go?”
    “Not until I give my special girl a big hug,” the chief said.
He walked over, leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “See, I told you.
Not as bad as you thought, huh? I knew you’d come through like the trooper that
you are. You are a fine daughter-in-law.”
    “It wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d expected,” I whispered.
“You’re always right, chief. My son will be proud to have you as a grandfather.
I just wish my father could’ve lived to see…”
    “Don’t be worrying about Mack not being here, honey,” Mom
said, reading my thoughts. “He’s in heaven right now, throwing a big party.”
    “I say we throw a big party, too,” Jonathan said as he and
Billy’s other two brothers, Daniel and Robert, walked into the room. “Isn’t
that the way of the Cherokee? We throw shindigs for everything under the
stars.”
    Billy’s two sisters, Jenny and Beth, followed their brothers
into the room, which was quickly becoming overcrowded.
    “We just stopped by to see how you’re doing and to see our
nephew,” Beth said. “Mom says you weren’t in labor very long. How lucky can you
get? Every woman I know says their labor felt like it was never going to end. I
never hear about the few who have it easy. Now I can brag about your short
labor to all my friends.”
    “I was stunned,” Mom interjected. “I thought for sure… well,
never mind. I’m just glad it was such an easy birth, because if it had been
bad, Jesse would never want to have another child.”
    “You’ve got that right,” I said as my eyelids became heavy.
    “You’re tired and need your rest,” Jenny said. “We brought
gifts for Ethan. I’ll put them over by the window. Let’s go see the new
addition to our family and let Jesse rest.”
    “Let me lead the way,” Mom beamed. “He’s the most…”
    After kisses and hugs everyone left the room except Billy. He
sat down on the edge of the bed and took my hand in his.
    “You’re the woman I’ve been waiting for my whole life,” Billy
said as he kissed me gently on the lips. “I knew it the minute I laid eyes on
you… but I think I told you that before.”
    “Yes, you did, and I think I told you the same thing.”
    “I called my boys and they want to come see their little
brother. I hope you don’t mind.”
    “Hey, you can invite Ruth if you want. You two still have a
decent relationship and I’d like for that to continue. What do you think?”
    “When I called the boys, they asked if their mother knew and
I told them no. They suggested that I call her, so I did. She wants to see
Ethan and said she hopes the two of you can be friends.”
    “Sure,” I said as I started to drift off. “I have my man and
I’m not afraid of losing him to his ex-wife. I’m the lucky one. Jealousy isn’t
in my bones.”
    “Bull,” Billy replied. “It seems to me that it took you a
while to get over being jealous of your own sister.”
    “That was sister stuff. I’m over that now. I have everything
I want. Invite Ruth for a visit and if she tries to take you away from me, I’ll
kick her butt.”
    We both laughed.
    “She’s put on a little weight and I think that might be
difficult. She was a strong woman before she gained the weight. My boys said
that she’s been depressed and that’s why she’s gained so much weight. Her
marriage is on the rocks.”
    “I guess I’d better keep a sharp eye on her then.”
    “You have nothing to worry about, `ge ya. I’m all yours.”
    “I sure hope so. We have two kids who need both their
parents. Speaking of which, where’s Maisy? I thought your mother was watching
her.”
    “She’s