Safe in Her Arms

She blinked against the soft afternoon light filtering in through the hospital blinds. The room was quiet, too quiet. A second later, her body tensed. She turned her head sharply toward the cot beside the bed—but it was empty.

Her heart dropped.

She sat up quickly, panic rising in her chest. Her hand had barely reached for the call button when a light chuckle made her pause.

“Easy, mama,” Maxine s