Authors: Karen Baney
Nickels (50 page)
Niki sighed, tempted to snuggle further into the warm
covers. Instead, she pushed them back, staring at the big mound protecting
their sweet child. He moved around to her side of the bed. Sitting on the edge,
he placed his hand on her belly.
“How are you treating your mama this morning, baby Jack?” he
asked. Turning his head to the side, he placed his ear against her stomach and
smiled. “He says he’s ready to get out of there. It’s kind of dark and all.”
He stood. “I’ll go start some breakfast. Take your time.”
She forced herself from the bed. As she started to get
dressed, a sharp pain cut across her abdomen, shortening her breath. A minute
later, another similar pain stopped her short.
“Niki, breakfast is ready.” Kyle stopped at the sight of
her. “Are you okay?”
“Fi—ne,” she elongated the word as another pain hit.
Waiting for it to pass, she took a deep breath. “I think your son was serious
when he said he was ready.” She tried to smile, but another pain interrupted.
“I can see that. Do you want me to roll the bike out? Or
will the truck be fine?” he asked, grabbing their filled overnight bag.
Niki glared. How could he be so calm?
“I take it you want the truck?”
“Yes!”
Kyle helped her into the truck. Once he pulled out, Niki
thought he took his sweet time getting her to the hospital. Dropping her at
the hospital entrance, he hurried to park the truck. It was only a minute or
two, but it seemed like forever to her.
“Come on, Nickels. Let’s get you to bed,” he said, teasing.
She rolled her eyes.
Two hours later, she was still in labor, waiting on their
son to make his entrance. She was grateful the doctor said her son was
healthy, despite his attempt to arrive a few weeks early.
Hours went on. She wasn’t sure how many. Kyle stood by her
side the entire time, whispering words of love and encouragement. Finally, the
doctor said Jack was on his way. A few more good pushes and he’d be here.
Following every word of instruction, Niki pushed.
When a baby’s cry pierced the air, tears streamed down her
face. Her baby Jack.
The nurses cleaned her son, then placed him in her eager
arms. He was finally here. Kyle climbed onto the bed next to her and placed
his arms around both her and Jack. He kissed her forehead, her lips, and her
cheeks.
Once home from the hospital, Niki stood over Jack’s crib in
the nursery—the room that once belonged to her brother Jack—Kyle at her side.
Leaning over, she kissed her sleeping son’s chubby cheek, filled with such
overwhelming love.
“Someday, little one, we’ll tell you the story of your
namesake,” she whispered. “How he finished raising your mama. How he died for
his country. And how he would have loved you had he met you.”
A tear trickled down her cheek, as she quietly backed out of
the room behind Kyle.
Pulling the door closed to just a crack, he pulled Niki into
his arms. “You know what I thank Jack for the most?” he whispered, brushing
her tear away.
She shook her head.
“That he got stationed in Germany while my family was
there. Because, that’s where I first got to meet the most precious woman I
would ever know.”
“You mean the one you tortured in high school?” she teased,
remembering how he created so much trouble for her then.
“Yeah, that’s the one. Little did I know, I’d get to
torture her for the rest of my life,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.
“You forget one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“That I get just as long to tease you back.”
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed Niki’s story and the glimpse into the
world of software engineers (or computer programmers or coders or developers or
whatever you want to call us). We’re a snarky, funny, unique breed.
There were many scenes or phrases inspired by people I’ve
worked with as a software engineer over the years. My shout out to Jason–or
Spike or whatever name you told the Starbucks person today when you ordered your
coffee (and no, I won’t put your last name cause I know how paranoid you
are)—was with the “bucket o’ popcorn”. Sorry, no bacon or bacon wallets.
Rick, Ricky, Jamie, and Collin – remember the screeching monkeys we had in the
office, oh, and the code monkey song? Yeah, I loosely worked in a reference to
a monkey. It just had to be done. To my current co-workers, sometimes we have
a blast don’t we? But, did you remember to enter your Planview? (Take that
Scottie. This is the ultimate Planview reminder).
Every book I write, I am humbled with the wonderful people I
get to work with. Thanks Fae and De for working hard to edit this thing and for
making sure my tech speak didn’t go overboard. Thanks to my hubby for always
listening to me about the ups and downs of writing and for your steadying
calmness. You know I love you more than anything. Thanks to my dad – I love
you and am so grateful for your constant support and love. Thanks to my three
closest friends, Sherri, Marnie, and Lori. I couldn’t do this without your
prayers and support. Thanks for sharing in the joys and the sorrows with me.
Most of all, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Without You, I am nothing and I have no words. Use this book for your glory.
Book Club Questions
1. Why do you think Niki had such a hard time letting go of
the image of Kyle from high school?
2. Have you had a similar experience where you hung onto
something you knew you should let go of?
3. Todd was the epitome of a difficult co-worker. Have you
had a similar experience, working with someone who just seemed to have
something against you? How did you handle the situation?
4. Do you think Kyle was wrong to let his heart get
entangled with Niki before she was saved?
5. In what ways did the new Kyle exhibit a changed heart?
6. In what ways did Niki exhibit a changed heart?
7. What did you like the most about the group of friends (Matt,
Joe, Chad, Marcy, Niki, and Kyle)?
8. What assumptions did Niki and Kyle make about each other
that got them into trouble? What could they have done differently to keep the
rift from forming between them?
Karen Baney
,
in addition to writing Christian historical fiction and contemporary novels,
works as a Software Engineer. Spending over twenty years as an avid fan of
both genres, Karen loves writing stories set in Arizona.
Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in
her writing. She is active in various Bible studies throughout the year.
Karen and her husband make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two
dogs. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State
University.
For more information about other books written by Karen
Baney, please visit
www.karenbaney.com
.
Prescott Pioneers Series:
Contemporary Novel: