Apollo expelled a long sigh. “I told you not to lift anything today.”
“I didn’t.” When he arched a disbelieving brow at her, she amended her response. “Okay. But that box wasn’t heavy at all. It had paper products in it.”
“Maybe you were just on your feet too long.” He glanced around the room for a place for her to sit, but they’d emptied most of this bungalow, as well as all the other bungalows on the island.
He scanned the now empty living room. He’d tried to convince her to keep some of the furniture, but Popi had been insistent that she could manage for one night with bare bones. He wondered if she was now regretting that decision.
He walked to the master bedroom to retrieve an inflatable mattress from the closet. He returned to the living room with it, some pillows and a blanket. He put them all down in the middle of the floor.
Popi was pacing back and forth. Her hand was still pressed to the small of her back. “What are you doing?”
“You need to rest and take some strain off your back.”
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t look fine.”
“Well, aren’t you just full of compliments.” She sent him a teasing smile.
“I try.” At least she hadn’t lost her sense of humor. They were going to need it to get through this night.
It took a bit to pump up the full-size mattress. Once he detached the pump, he fixed the mattress up with pillows and blankets. But what he hadn’t counted on was trying to get a nine-month pregnant woman down to the floor. It took some maneuvering and cooperation, but at last Popi was off her feet.
She moved this way and that way, trying to get comfortable. And yet she continued to frown. She rolled onto her side and he placed a pillow behind her back.
“How’s that?” he asked.
“It’s good.” But the look on her face said that it was anything but good.
He knelt down beside her. “We need to get you to the mainland.”
He didn’t like taking chances where her pregnancy was concerned. He knew what could happen. His family had already sustained so many losses. He didn’t think he could bear another.
She smiled at him, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m good, really. You were right. I overdid it today. I should have listened to you.”
Had she just admitted that he was right about something? He smiled. “You’re sure?”
She nodded. “See. The pain is already lessening.”
He studied her for a moment, trying to figure out if she was telling him the truth. There was no way they were staying on this island if she was going into labor. Not a chance. She needed to be in the hospital with a full, knowledgeable staff and equipment for any emergency. But in the end, even that hadn’t been enough to save his mother.
Why exactly couldn’t he have stayed gone for just a little longer? Just until the baby was born—when the beautiful surrogate mother and little one were safe and sound. He wasn’t any good at this stuff. This waiting and wondering was taking its toll. But he didn’t want Popi to see how worried he was.
“Maybe I should call your doctor.” He straightened and reached for his phone. “Just to be sure.”
“Don’t.” Her eyes pleaded with him. “I already ran to the doctor when I thought I was in premature labor last week. They assured me it was just Braxton-Hicks contractions.”
“What’s that?” He didn’t like the sound of it.
“It’s the body’s way of preparing for the birth of the baby.”
His gut was knotted up. “And you’re sure that’s what this is?”
She nodded. “We’re good.”
He still wasn’t convinced that all was well. But what did he know about pregnant women? He could only trust that what Popi was saying was the truth.
His gaze searched hers. “You’ll tell me if anything changes?”
“I will.”
He released a pent-up breath. He needed something to do besides pace. “I suppose I should find us something to eat.”
Just then Shadow emerged from whatever hiding spot he’d been cowering in since the winds started beating on the bungalow. The kitten let out a tiny cry, as though letting them know that he was hungry too.