Chapter 82: Chapter 82

“Bella’s in trouble.”

“Nay. She’s just in the distress of birthing.” I brushed by him and saw the expectant mother lying on the bed writhing in the grip of pain. “Do you have hot water and clean toweling?”

“It’s heating now. And I have a clean cloth and a blanket to wrap the baby in.”

“Put Bella’s sewing scissors in a pan of boiling water until we need them.”

As Andre left, I dropped to my knees beside the bed and clasped one of Bella’s sweaty hands. She focused on me, recognition lighting her exhausted features.

“Otter! Glad to see—” She gasped and let out a grunt of pain.

“May I take a look?”

Beyond the point of modesty, she spread her legs and raised her knees. I lifted her nightdress.