How difficult was it for David to keep himself together? Wyatt, too, struggled.
Biting his lip, Wyatt nodded.
David looked to the toe of his boot as he shuffled his feet.
Would this thing between them remain? Could they return to the comfortable camaraderie they’d had? How?
“Let’s make a deal, you and I.” Wyatt took a step forward.
David peered at Wyatt, one eyebrow up. Was he so skeptical?
“You don’t expect me to be perfect. And I won’t expect you to be.”
Both of David’s brows rose. Was that interest?
“We won’t judge each other for not measuring up.” Wyatt unfolded his arms. “We’ll just be who we are and let that be that.”
David’s gaze held Wyatt’s. Was he thinking? Or did he not care to repair what had been lost?
Wyatt stuck out his hand.
It only took five seconds for David to take it.
* * *
All Katherine knew was this burning pain. She shut her eyes against it, but that did nothing to abate the sheer magnitude of it.
She sat on the floor now, on her right hip, struggling with every breath to simply pull air in and push it out.
Would anyone come? Or would she and her baby die here?
The pain intensified again. It originated in her abdomen now, but filled her whole being.
She screamed. As much to be heard as for the pain. But the church was set back, a bit away from town. Her only hope was that the pastor would return from his noon meal.
Please, do. And soon!
Where was Wyatt? Was he worried about her? She shouldn’t have stormed out of the clinic like she had this morning. He only wished to help her. And she had dismissed him and his words.
She had gained nothing for it. Nothing but pain.
Crying out again, she released herself to lay on the dirt-ridden floorboards. That was the least of her concerns.
The pain was so great. It would surely tear her apart. If only she could see Wyatt one more time…
Hinges squealed.
The door?
It must be her hopeful imaginings. Everything seemed hazy.
“Hello?” a deep voice called from the direction of the entrance.
She croaked out something, uncertain it made sense.
Footsteps, heavy, landed on the wooden floor.
“Mrs. Sullivan!”
A thud. Was something dropped? If only she could see through this cloud. Or sense anything through the pain.
She cried out as another wave ripped through her body.
“Lord help you, ma’am, that baby is comin’!” The voice was now above her. The masculine presence so near.
Lifting her head but the tiniest bit, she saw a dark-skinned man. She knew him.
Mr. Jeffries!
But how had he found her?
His hands hovered over her body. “I don’t know what to do. You need the doctor.”
“Please…” she managed.
“I’m afraid to move you. But I’m afraid to leave you.” She could almost feel the man’s panic.
Reaching for his hand, she squeezed it. Even she sensed it was a weak effort. “We go.”
He nodded. “All right.”
Arms moved under her, shifting her body.
She yelped.
“I’m awful sorry, ma’am.”
She shook her head. “We go.”
Once he lifted her, relief filled her.
There was hope.
* * *
Wyatt and David stepped out of the clinic.
“Katie and Mary sure have done a fine job of decorating the main square.” David tipped his head toward the large tree.
Wyatt nodded, but didn’t have anything to add. He was none too pleased with the whole thing. For it had cost Katie dearly. Had cost them dearly.
Still, it meant something to Katie. Should he have given that more consideration? Had he been too dismissive? Perhaps he should have another conversation with her about it.
“Doc!” a boy ran down the main road, headed straight for them. “Doc!” He came closer, stopping just short of where Wyatt and David stood.
“Slow down there.” Wyatt held out his hands. “What’s the matter?”
“That large, dark man is bringing your wife. She’s dead,” the boy declared and turned as if he would run off.
Wyatt’s heart stopped.
David caught the boy before he escaped. “Dead? What do you mean ‘dead’?”
“She ain’t movin’ and he’s got an awful mean look on his face.” The youngster scowled.
Wyatt grabbed a handful of David’s shirt at his shoulder as the large figure appeared at the edge of the street. Indeed he did carry Katie. And she wasn’t moving. She hung from the man’s outstretched arms. Lifeless. Was she?
Wyatt couldn’t bring in enough air all of a sudden.
David gripped his arm.
Would he have fallen if not for the support?
“We don’t know anything yet,” David said. Though he stood next to Wyatt, he seemed far away.
Wyatt wasn’t sure he could remain upright. But…
If she wasn’t dead.
If she needed him.
He had to be strong. Put on the doctor.
For her.
Taking in a ragged breath, he stood straighter and let the physician slide into place.
The dark-skinned man approached rapidly. And as he drew nearer, Wyatt became more and more uneasy about Katie’s limp form.
No.
He must do this. For her.
If he had to repeat that every minute, he would.
The large man was close enough that Wyatt saw the rise and fall of Katie’s chest.
Praise God!
He had never been so thankful.
As much as he wished to take her from the man and cradle her in his arms, he needed her on the exam table. So instead, he opened the door and ushered the man inside.
“I found her in the church, doctor. In a bad way.” The man laid her on the exam table.
Wyatt nodded. The words turned his stomach, but he remembered…he was the doctor now. For her.
“I was walking by after delivering some firewood to the church and heard her.” The man stepped back and slid his hat off as Wyatt stumbled around Katie’s still form.
Oh, this leg.
Wyatt met the man’s eyes. “I thank you, sir. But I’m afraid I have to ask you to step out.”
The man nodded. “Can I do anything?”
“The Widow Johnson. Can you get her?” Wyatt stepped to his cabinet and grabbed out several utensils. Many he hoped he wouldn’t have to use.
“Yes, sir. Right away.” The man moved out of the clinic, shutting the door behind himself.
Wyatt glanced at his wife, unconscious. How long had she been in pain, and all alone, before she passed out?
David barged through the door. “Did you just ask that man to bring Widow Johnson here?”
Wyatt turned his back to David, his focus on his medicinals. “Yes, I did.”
“Timothy’s mother? As in, Timothy—the man who felt you betrayed him? The man who wanted to marry my sister? Who had to leave town because of you two?”
“The same one.” Wyatt closed the cabinet, certain he had pulled out everything he might need.
“Why?”
Wyatt shot him a look. “No one will reach Dr. Brown in time. I may have to do surgery and I’ll need help. Widow Johnson has been this town’s midwife since before I was born.”
“Do you trust her?” David said, exasperation in his voice. “You don’t think she might harbor resentment for you two? For Katie?”
Wyatt’s gaze fixed on his beloved. “I have to take that chance.”
For her.
Chapter 9
Merry Christmas to All
Katherine wasn’t certain which was worse—the darkness or the struggle against it. Something drew her to fight it, but she wasn’t su
re what it was.
How was she even aware she was in darkness? What manner of dream was this? Wasn’t it only when awaking that she determined she had slept? How, then, was she so aware of her own sleep now?
Or was this not sleep? But something else?
She pulled out of the thick darkness, jerking the tendrils of her thoughts free of it until nothing held her.
Crying. Someone cried.
For her?
Was she needed?
Her body told her it was so. A part of her ached for the tiny cry.
Mustering all her courage and energy, she gave one great push off from the nothingness.
And opened her eyes.
She lay in her and Wyatt’s bed in the clinic.
And there was pain. But it was more ache than the sharp pain she had known.
The cry was louder. Much louder.
A baby.
Her hand found her abdomen.
Though not completely flat, it was not round either.
Was the cry from her baby?
She pushed up with her arms. The ache became more deeply sore in her belly and she clenched her teeth against it.
“Wyatt?” She wished for him as much as she asked.
A shifting beside her alerted her that she was not alone.
Turning her head, she saw that Wyatt straightened himself in a chair. Had he fallen asleep watching over her?
“Wyatt!” She reached for him.
He caught her hand as he scooted the chair closer to the bed. “Yes, Katie darling?” His eyes shone bright.
Tears filled hers. “Am I…?”
He searched her face.
“Are we…?”
His fingers grazed the side of her face. “You are well, my love. We are well.”
“Our baby?” Her words were more mouthed than actually spoken.
He smiled. “Yes. Let me introduce you.” Turning toward the door, he called, “Aunt Mary!”
Mary? What part did she play in all of this?
Soon enough, but not as quickly as Katherine would have liked, Mary stepped through the door carrying a fussing bundle.
“I am so glad you are awake. As is this one. Someone’s hungry.” Mary smiled and handed the baby to Wyatt.
Katherine sat straighter. Was that squirming little thing her baby? He or she seemed so small. So helpless.
But the babe was no doubt hungry. How was she supposed to prepare to feed her baby? She’d never done so. Did she—?
“I would like you to meet…our daughter.” Wyatt held the little one at an angle so Katherine could see her face.
Her heart melted. As did her emotions. They poured out without any effort to stop them.
Wyatt sat on the bed next to Katherine.
She was captivated by her daughter, still crying. Someone would have to show her how to nourish the baby. And soon.
“I hope you don’t mind.” Wyatt looked at her.
Tearing her eyes from the child, who bore Katherine’s red-brown hair and Wyatt’s blue eyes, she caught his gaze.
“But I think she and I have settled on a name.”
“Oh?” Katherine furrowed her eyebrows. Why would Wyatt—?
“Ellie Mae.”
Katherine’s breath caught. Her childhood best friend. The friend who’s untimely death had affected her friendship with Wyatt, but also sealed their fate. “It’s perfect.”
“I think we should get her eating.” Wyatt maneuvered the small girl into Katherine’s arms.
She was so light. But Katherine’s heart became full, and so heavy.
“How do I do this?” Glancing up at Mary, Katherine found that her sister-in-law had vanished. So she turned to her husband. “Help me?”
“Of course.”
It took some work on both their parts, but Ellie Mae was nursing within several minutes.
“So…” Katherine leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. “Did you need Dr. Brown after all?”
“Yes,” Wyatt said simply.
“Oh?” Why couldn’t Wyatt deliver her? And where was Dr. Brown?
“But we would never have reached him in time.” Wyatt ran a hand along her arm.
What, then, did he mean? Had he delivered her alone? Or with help? Did Mary help?
“Widow Johnson assisted.” Wyatt turned and spoke into her hair. “Or maybe I should say I assisted her.”
“Widow Johnson? Timothy’s mother?” Had he taken such measures?
“Yes. I didn’t trust myself to be at my best with my injury. And you needed the best I could offer. In this case, that wasn’t me.”
“Hmmm.” It would take more than a moment for her to think through the events of the last day.
And pretty soon all would be upended again when they would introduce Jack and Susie to their new sister.
But for now, she found peace in what was. She was well. Wyatt was here. And Ellie Mae had arrived.
* * *
The climb up and down the clinic stairs had become second nature. Did Wyatt even need the cane anymore? Or did he use it to make himself feel better?
This was, indeed, a Christmas to remember.
But was it?
He paused to think on that, remembering how he had rejected Katherine’s desires for holiday festivities and merriment.
Had he even cared to discover just why it was so important for her?
No. His own concerns had been foremost in his mind. Perhaps he wasn’t wrong for that—her well-being had been his first priority.
But perhaps he should give a thought to her desires.
Was it too late?
What was it that made this holiday important to her?
A plan began to form in his mind.
Could he pull it off?
If everyone pitched in—and that meant everyone—they just might be able to.
Where was Mary?
* * *
Would Katherine ever tire of admiring her daughter? She didn’t think so. Ellie Mae was so perfect. Her little nose, and tiny lips, and sweet fingers. How could so much love be in one person? And as much as Katherine loved this little bundle, it did not diminish her love for Susie or Jack.
Wyatt had brought them in to meet their sister yesterday. Jack already adored the baby girl. Susie was much more interested in what Santa might bring her.
Katherine’s heart sank. What could she do about that? Nothing from her recovery bed. And she doubted Wyatt would see to it. He was a regular old Scrooge these days.
But they would all be together. No matter what.
She glanced out the window. Dusk had settled over the town and the streets had cleared. Where had everyone gone?
And Wyatt? Was he putting Susie to bed?
Laying down, she stilled her mind. It wouldn’t be long before Ellie Mae needed to nurse. Glancing at the babe once more in her makeshift bed nearby brought Katherine such sweet peace. She closed her eyes.
An angel chorus sang in the heavens above her.
What?
That couldn’t be.
She opened her eyes, lifting her head and shoulders off the bed.
It was there—the chorus of voices. What were they singing? And where did the sound come from?
As she listened, the words became clearer.
“What child is this, who lay to rest on Mary’s lap, is sleeping? Whom angels…”
The singing continued and became louder. Katherine sat up in the bed and peered at the window. It was closed, but the curtains were open. She caught a glimmer of candlelight. What was that?
A crowd of townsfolk came into view on the main street below. They approached slowly, each bearing a candle as they sang her favorite Christmas song.
They broke into the chorus, and the door to her room opened.
Wyatt, Jack, and Susie entered. Her husband and son held small candles and they joined the voices below. “This, this, is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.”<
br />
Her heart swelled and her eyes filled. Who had arranged this? Could it have been Wyatt? Why? For her?
Jack sat his and Wyatt’s candles on the side table and grabbed up Susie.
Wyatt helped Katherine to a chair, already set by the window. He wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and opened the small, glass panes.
The main square was lovely. How had she not noticed it had been finished and fully decorated?
As the carol came to an end, the townsfolk surrounded the tree and sang Silent Night.
Katherine couldn’t contain her tears. She reached for Wyatt and took his hand. Looking up, she met his gaze. “Thank you. So much.”
He smiled. “That’s not all.”
As that song ended, the door opened again. David entered carrying a large object covered in a blanket.
She glanced at Wyatt. What had he done?
Setting the oversized bundle in front of her, David put a hand to her shoulder and kissed the side of her face. “Merry Christmas, Katie. Your husband wanted it to be special.”
She grabbed her brother’s hand with her free one. “Merry Christmas.”
He slipped free and stepped away.
“Go ahead.” Wyatt waved at the covered object. “Open it.”
“Oh, Wyatt.” She fingered the blanket. “I…I didn’t get you anything.”
“Nonsense.” He leaned closer. “You gave me the best gift I could ask for.” His gaze flickered to the sleeping Ellie Mae.
She smiled. Turning back to the blanket, she pulled it from her Christmas present.
And gasped.
How did he know? It was the very thing she wanted most. The thing they now needed more than anything else—a cradle for Ellie Mae. And she knew somehow without asking that it had been hewn by her husband’s hands.
She clapped her hand over her heart. Would it burst from her chest?
“It was a labor of love,” Wyatt whispered, now closer to her ear. “And Jack helped with the final touches.”
Turning to Wyatt, already so close, she lifted her hands and framed his face. And brought his lips to hers.
As the crowd below broke out in a robust rendition of We Wish You A Merry Christmas, she knew there would never be a happier Christmas.
God had heard her prayer. He had been with her. All along. Just as He promised. Emmanuel.
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