The Turning Tides (Marina's Tales) Read Online Free PDF

never heard before. I understood. I had a very good idea of the pain she must be experiencing and it made me feel completely helpless.
    “Hang in there,” was the only advice I could offer.
    We pulled up to the emergency entrance and Ethan jumped out to get help . B efore I knew it, Abby was being wheeled into a delivery room, her hand still clamped down on my arm.
    “Go get Dutch!” I called to Ethan as the door swung shut between us.
    The minutes dragged on like hours as nurses bustled around us, helping Abby onto a table and positioning her feet in the stirrups. The way she was writhing in pain made my examination earlier in the day seem like a walk in the park.
    “You’d best tell the doctor to hurry.” I heard one nurse mutter to another after she checked Abby’s condition between contractions. Within a few minutes the obstetrician arrived, cheerfully greeting Abby and taking a seat between her feet. I kept a hold of her hand and brushed the hair from her sweating brow, meeting her eyes.
    “Where’s Dutch?” she wailed.
    The doctor looked up at us, her face calm but serious, “Everything’s going to be just fine. It’s time for you to start pushing,” she told Abby. Just then Dutch burst through the door, and I was as relieved to see him as Abby was. He took my place at her side and I backed away, forgotten.
    “You’ll have to wait outside,” a nurse told me. I slipped out of the room to find Ethan just outside the door.
    I slumped into his arms with a sigh.
    “What’s going on?” he asked.
    “I think she’s having a baby,” I said, without a hint of sarcasm.
    Our eyes met and we laughed. We fell into some cushioned chairs in the hallway holding hands. It didn’t take long for Dutch to pop his head out the door like a crazy cuckoo clock . “It’s a girl!” he hollered, disappearing back into the room.
    After what seemed like a very long time the doctor bustled out and Dutch re-appeared to invite us in. Abby was propped up in bed, magically transformed back into her normal peaceful self. She held a squirming little red faced baby, bundled in a pink blanket.
    “We’re going to name her Adria,” she announced. “Do you think your father will mind?”
    I shook my head no as I fought back tears.
    ~
    When Ethan and I got back to Abby’s, I showed him the last kitten. We played with it a little, trying to get it to stand up on its weak hind legs. It was a spunky little fellow, and pulled itself back and forth between us until it was exhausted, its crooked little tail dragging along behind it.
    “Come here, little stumpy,” Ethan called.
    I looked at him sideways, “Did you just name that cat?”
    “I guess I did,” his eyes met mine with a smile. “So, are you coming home with me tonight?”
    “I’d better stay here with Stumpy,” I yawned. “I should get the house cleaned up for Abby when she brings your sister home tomorrow.”
    He sighed, “I have some studying to do anyway...  Is it just me, or is this taking forever?”
    “I’ll be there tomorrow, I promise,” I whispered, kissing his ear.
    Ethan smiled, squeezing me closer, “What a day. I can’t believe I officially have a little sister.”
    I snuggled into him, resting my head on his shoulder and stifling another yawn. Me too, I thought, and a new little cousin.
    “Dutch and Abby sure looked happy,” I mused.
    “Yeah,” said Ethan, “And now I know that they’re perfect for each other.”
    “How’s that?” I asked sleepily.
    He chuckled, “Because my dad’s a sailor… and Abby can sure curse like one.”

~
     
    C hapter T hree
    LANDMINE
     
    ~
     
    “That’s great news honey! Tell your aunt I’m looking forward to seeing her… and meeting Dutch too. I’ve had a few delays, but I promise we’ll have a big celebration when I get back.”
    Dad’s voice sounded very small and far away on the phone, and it made me miss him once more. I ’ d grown used to being without him, but it was high time he came