Free Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire Page A

impossible to remember. The only thing that lingered was the shock of impact.
    When she looked up, she met Jocelyn’s gaze and gave her a look that she hoped, after fifteen years of friendship, could be interpreted correctly: Shut the hell up or die.
    If Jocelyn even mentioned the name of the only human on earth who knew their secret in front of Pasha, Zoe would scream. She had to tell Pasha herself, and in her own way, about Oliver’s arrival in their life.
    “We are not naming him after the doctor.” Surprising them all, Lacey stood in the kitchen, earning a cheer of greetings and “How are you feeling?” questions from everyone, which made little Elijah stir and shudder in Zoe’s arms.
    As Lacey came into the room to give Zoe a hug, Pasha asked, “Why not name the baby after this doctor? I think that would be a wonderful tribute to the hero who saved him.”
    Oh, Lord. “I wouldn’t go so far as saying he saved the baby,” Zoe said quickly.
    “Zoe, I was crowning. God only knows what would have happened if he hadn’t come.”
    “The paramedics were on the way,” Zoe countered.
    “Not fast enough. I can’t imagine what would have happened if that doctor hadn’t been there,” Lacey insisted. “I was freaking out.”
    “You were in labor,” Zoe said. “From what I saw, that’d freak anyone out.”
    “You’re wrong, Zoe,” Pasha said, her voice reed thin but still carrying the authority of age. “It would be extremely good karma to name the child after him.”
    “I don’t know.” Zoe fought to remain completely calm, and to keep the emotions welling up in her throat out of her voice. “There were no complications and he wasn’t Superman, just some guy who’s been through medical school. Anyone can deliver a baby; you don’t have to be a god or…” Her voice trailed off as she realized that everyone was silent, and staring at her.
    “Anyway,” she mumbled, looking down at the baby. “Elijah Clay is a beautiful name and that’s what his name is. Right, little man?”
    “Right,” Clay answered, following Lacey into the room wearing his own stained T-shirt. Elijah strikes again. “Plus I just talked to the doc and he told me he thinks we should stick to Elijah.”
    Zoe froze. “You talked to him?” Fortunately, three people asked the question at the same time, so no one heard Zoe’s voice crack.
    “Just hung up,” Clay said, holding up a cell phone as if that proved it.
    “What’s his name?” Tessa asked.
    “How did you find him?” Jocelyn wondered.
    “I bet he wants to see the baby,” Pasha said.
    Zoe clamped her mouth shut as Clay reached for his son, taking him out of Zoe’s arms with more assurance than she’d expect for a new papa. “He does want to see the baby. In fact, he and his son are on their way over here right now.”
    What? “Now?” Zoe asked.
    “Oh, and since we don’t want this boy to be called Ollie for short, we’re sticking with Elijah.”
    “The doctor’s name was Oliver?” Pasha asked.
    Please don’t say his last name. Please don’t—
    “Dr. Oliver Bradbury.” Clay cuddled his son, the tiny baby lost in his daddy’s broad chest.
    Pasha took in the slightest breath, so tiny that no one noticed but Zoe, who instantly swooped in. “You are looking so wiped out, Aunt P. Let’s get you home for an afternoon nap before…strangers invade the place.”
    But the color drained from Pasha’s face, leaving her pale. He’s not a stranger. Zoe could practically hear the other woman’s thoughts.
    “I’ll take her home,” Will offered quickly. “I’ve got my car and she shouldn’t walk all the way back to the bungalows.”
    “I’ll go with you,” Zoe said.
    “No.” Pasha’s command was harsh enough for the others to notice. She recovered quickly. “I want to nap, Zoe. You stay here. Please, you stay.”
    Unsure, Zoe tried to gauge what Pasha was thinking. “Are you sure?”
    Pasha stood when Will offered his hand. “I’ve never been