Unseen Excerpt: Following Through

Wade motioned. “She’s ready for you.”
Jennifer reluctantly went that way. This is it.
Kyle started to sit down in the reception area to wait for her.
“Get in here, Reece.”
Jennifer’s lips thinned at Angela’s rough call.
Kyle hurried, hating how weak Angela sounded. It was obvious that she wasn’t out of the woods yet.
Jennifer and Kyle entered Angela’s room and moved over to the emptied area where some of the other beds had been. The area was full of activity as workers got things ready for Angela to be moved to the descendant deck. None of the medics were happy about that, but Angela had insisted.
Dog was laying on Angela’s feet. Duke was on the floor under Angela’s bed. They both studied Kyle and Jennifer.
“Make sure you pick a cabin that has a balcony. I’m tired of this shitty view.” Angela didn’t care if she sounded grumpy. She was miserable again. She pushed further onto the mound of pillows behind her, searching for a place that didn’t make her guts feel like they were going through a sausage grinder.
“I’ll handle it, Boss.” Wade hesitated and then pushed on. “Should I let Marc know he can move his things into your new cabin?”
Angela’s pale face iced over. “Absolutely not.”
A tense silence filled the air. Workers hurried out with their loads, eager to spread the story.
“You look like shit.”
Angela smiled. “That’s why I like you, Reece. You always know how to charm a girl with your mouth.”
Kyle chuckled, but he meant it. She needed a long shower and a week’s worth of sleep.
“I need my soulmate.” Angela didn’t elaborate.
“Who do you want on guard duty today?” Wade expected to be given that slot even though he had a large list of other things that had to be covered to get them ready for Tilly’s arrival.
“My guard just arrived.” Angela regarded Kyle.
Wade wrote it down, assuming she’d picked Kyle so he wouldn’t feel left out now that he wasn’t an Eagle anymore.
“Kyle is always an Eagle.”
Kyle beamed.
Angela smiled weakly.
Jennifer didn’t. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to have him on duty right now?”
“He’s safer with me than he is with you.” Angela eyed Jennifer’s large stomach. “You should be on your maternity break now.”
Jennifer’s anger was forgotten. “I can’t sit in my cabin and wait for the delivery. You have to keep me busy!”
Angela studied her thoughtfully, trying to make the choice.
Little Karleen was laying next to Angela’s leg. Her hand was tangled in Dog’s thick fur.
Sarah was tolerating it because the baby seemed to enjoy the feeling. Just don’t goo on her.
Dog whimpered lowly.
Sarah felt bad for him. Is the dog okay?
Dog groaned. I’m not a dog. We’ve been over this.
You like being called a dog. I remember.
Dog lifted his head. I’ll be back in a bit. I’m going to check on the cats.
Sarah smiled. Yes, your friends. Be sure to shit on them.
Dog chuffed in distracted amusement. He jumped off of Angela’s bed, jarring it.
Angela let out a small moan at the wave of pain from the motion.
“Please.” Jennifer hated to beg anyone for anything. She only did it when there was no other choice.
“Fine. Keep the peace, walk a lot, and stop stressing about your family line. I never once considered replacing you because of who you’re related to.”
Jennifer caught the wording. “But you have considered replacing me.”
Angela didn’t lie. “You made some dangerous deals. If things had turned out differently, I would have.”
Not sure if she should be offended, Jennifer went toward the reception area.
Angela’s voice followed her. “Escort Lisa to her cabin and spend a few minutes with Erin. Find out if I need to move her to the brig until after the council makes a decision about the vaccine.”
Jennifer went that way, leaving Kyle to frown.
“You were a little rough on her.”
Angela didn’t tell him that was required. Jennifer’s hormones were all stirred up anyway with the pregnancy, but the fear of the delivery was causing her to be moody and a little unreliable. The reminder that she could have been replaced might keep the girl from doing anything reckless until after her son was born.
“She’s not sure the baby’s going to live.” Kyle had picked that up from her months ago.
“I am sure the baby’s going to live.” Angela had already told Jennifer that, but losing her first son had traumatized the girl. She wasn’t going to believe it until it happened.
“Someone bring the little monster out of there so she’ll stop using Angela’s energy.”
Tonya’s call was met with reluctance. Almost everyone was leery of Angela’s new daughter.
Wade rolled his eyes. He went to Angela and gently picked up the swaddled newborn who was drowsing contentedly after being fed and burped. “Come on, little bit. Uncle Wade has rounds. You can keep me safe.”
Sarah took him seriously. No one will harm you while we’re along.
Wade shrugged at the surprised witnesses. “What? I’m good with females. It’s not like that’s a secret.”

Following Through
https://www.authorangelawhite.website/book-24.html

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