The boys had been on their best behavior during her pregnancy. A few minor incidents, including an escaped calf in the dining room during calving season, but they were trying to help out more.

But she’d reached the stage of her pregnancy where nothing was clean enough. She’d been scouring the kitchen when the first contraction hit. As strong as it was, it wasn’t her first rodeo so she ignored it and finished scrubbing the refrigerator.

She’d made progress wiping down all of the cupboards when another contraction squeezed her midsection.

Okay. That one got her attention. As did the next two. But Carolyn was determined to cross every chore off her list today. Besides, the baby wasn’t due for two weeks and in five other pregnancies she’d never gone into labor early.

She alphabetized her spices and breathed through the contractions that were coming closer together.

Who knew this false labor stuff could feel like real labor?

With a small squeegee in one hand and the spray hose from the sink in the other, she contemplated cleaning the window above the sink, versus how much it’d bug her if she just let it stay dirty, when angry footsteps came up behind her.

“Carolyn, what in the hell do you think you’re doin’?”

“Trying to figure out the best way to wash the windows. I realize climbing on the counter and standing in the sink isn’t an option. So I figured I could spray the glass with hot water and squeegee it fast.”

“Huh-uh. Not happening. Step away from the cleaning supplies.”

Carolyn whirled around, aiming the hose at him. “Back off. I have a list to complete. Don’t you have chores of your own to finish without trying to tell me how to do mine?”

“Listen to yourself. And look around. The house sparkles from top to bottom. You’ve been nesting the past two weeks and, sugar, give it a rest.”

Carter’s head popped up beside Carson’s hip. His blue eyes were enormous. “Who’s mama makin’ a nest for?”

“The baby.”

“The baby sleeps in a nest?” Carter asked with interest.

Carolyn started to clarify the difference between nesting and a bird’s nest for her very literal child, because he’d asked how the baby got in her tummy and Carson muttered something lame about the birds and the bees and fertilized eggs. But she snapped her mouth shut when the next contraction doubled her over.

As soon as it ended, Carson was in her face. “How long have you been havin’ contractions?”

“Off and on.”

“Off and on in the last hour?” he pressed.

“Off and on all morning. But I think it’s false labor.”

“Guess we’ll see, won’t we?” Carson picked up the phone and dialed. “Kimi? It’s time. We’re leavin’ in five minutes.” He paused. “Thanks. I’ll tell Cord to expect you here in an hour.” He hung up. “Get your bag.”

“Carson, I’m not ready to have this baby so I haven’t even packed a bag.”

“Good. Then we can leave right now.” He told Carter, “Go get your brothers. Quickly.” Then he put his hand on her belly and kissed her forehead. “Let’s hope I don’t have to deliver this kid in the cab of my truck.”

“Oh pooh. Relax. I’m not close to popping this baby out yet.”

An hour later…

“Come on, sugar, you’re almost there.”

“I know,” Carolyn snapped. “I’ve done this a few times, remember?”

Carson curled his hands around her face. “Don’t snap at me, beautiful.”

Her hair was sweat-soaked; her skin was hot and bloated, and she smelled like cleaning supplies. “Don’t look at me. Don’t call me beautiful.” She hissed. “Oh crap, this one’s gonna be bad.”

“Look at me and breathe. That’s it. You’re doin’ good.”

Afterward Carolyn slumped against the pillows. “Can I push? I need to push.”

The nurse said, “I’m guessing about three more of those big contractions and you’ll be there.”

“Oh…here we go again.” She stayed focused on her husband. When the next contraction came on the heels of the last one, medical personnel scrambled to get ready.

Doctor Haskell, who’d delivered all their babies, ambled in, chomping on a piece of licorice. He suited up and scooted to the end of the bed. “You’ve done all the work, now I just gotta get out my catcher’s mitt.”

The nurse repositioned the bed and Carson moved in to brace Carolyn’s shoulders.

“All right, Carolyn, give that baby a big ol’ push.”

She grunted and squeezed the bed’s railings as she bore down.

“One more push and we’ll see if you cooked the stem on or the stem-less variety.”

Carolyn lifted her upper half up and bore down with gritted teeth. Then she fell back against Carson with a huge sigh of relief.

Then Doctor Haskell started laughing. “I’ll be damned. McKays, you have a daughter.”

“What?” Carolyn scrambled upright. “A girl? Let me see.”

“Doesn’t sound like you believe me.” The doctor laughed again. “You knew there was a fifty-fifty chance this would happen.”

“Didn’t even cross my mind after birthing five boys, my sister having twin boys, and my sisters-in-law only having sons.”

Carson stood and peeked over the edge, completely dumbfounded.