But as if reading Mercy’s mind, Beth smiled. “We’re going to be married just after Christmas. Won’t that be wonderful? I’m so excited, and Grandmother is going to make me a special dress. It’s going to be lavender.”
“Why rush this, Beth? Christmas is just a month away. That doesn’t give you and Toby much time to really get to know each other.”
Beth laughed. “It gives us plenty of time.”
“But you need to be certain that he’s the one God intends for you.”
Her protest fell on deaf ears and only irritated Beth. “I thought you were my friend, Mercy Flanagan.”
“I am.” Mercy frowned. There was no way to help Beth see the truth. She was completely over the moon.
“My family approves, and everyone else is so happy. Why can’t you be?”
Mercy gave a heavy sigh. “I just want you to be sure this is the right thing to do. What about school?”
“I wasn’t going to attend past this year, anyway. I would have had to get some kind of job to help at home. Now I’ll have a home of my own. Maybe when you’re more mature, you’ll understand.” Beth flounced off, a defiant child with her nose in the air.
“Well, that was certainly less than pleasant,” Hope said, coming to stand beside Mercy.
“Yes, it was. I tried to dissuade her from marrying Toby, but she just thought I was jealous.”
Hope continued to glance in the direction Beth had gone. “Does she realize Toby asked you to marry him first?”
“No. That seemed cruel. I just pointed out that she’s terribly young and they hardly know each other.” Mercy shook her head. “I wish she wouldn’t do this.”
“She has to make her own choices, Mercy. Just as you do.” Hope looped her arm through Mercy’s. “But just so you know, I’m very proud of you. You could have created quite a scene by telling her about Toby’s proposal, but I doubt it would have changed her mind.”
They made their way outside, where Lance sat in the driver’s seat of the wagon, collar turned up on his wool coat and hat pulled low. Mercy thought it amusing how he chose to be in the damp cold rather than endure the wedding plans going on inside the church.
As they approached, he jumped down and helped Hope up first, then Mercy. Mercy climbed into the bed and pulled back the duck canvas from where she’d placed it to keep her seat dry. She breathed a sigh as she caught sight of Toby and Beth talking to Pastor Masterson.
Well, Lord, I pray that you make them happy and keep them from harm. It isn’t how I would see things done, but I know that it isn’t my place to interfere.
Chapter
27
November thirtieth dawned overcast, and by eight o’clock, it was raining. Hope looked out the window of her bedroom and sighed. She would have loved for the day to be sunny and dry, but it was November, and the rain was expected. Thankfully there was no threat of flooding—at least not yet.
She looked at the new dress she and her sisters had made. It was a lovely creation, prettier than anything Hope had ever owned. She went to where it lay on the bed and touched the soft barege material. The pale blue silk-wool had come as a gift from the McLoughlins. From drawings of the new styles back east, Grace had helped Hope create a bodice that went from shoulder to waist in a dramatic V. The lines of the V had been trimmed in a darker blue pleating, and a lighter blue material filled the bodice to the neck. It was fancier than Hope’s day-to-day dresses and would become her Sunday best after the wedding.
A knock at her bedroom door revealed Mercy. “Why aren’t you dressed? There are quite a few people here already, and the ceremony starts in an hour.”
Hope nodded. “I just wanted to wait until the last minute so I didn’t do anything to damage the dress.”
“Well, it’s the last minute, so let me help you get into it.” Mercy picked up the gown.
Hope cast aside her robe and let Mercy assist her. She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. Everyone was there to see her, and the idea of being the center of attention was unnerving.
“It’s funny,” she said as Mercy did up her buttons in back, “I used to love having all eyes on me, but now I’d just as soon get married in private.”
“You’re going to be the most beautiful bride ever and you deserve the attention. However, I bet once you descend the stairs and join Lance, you’ll completely forget about everyone else.”
“I hope that’s true and I don’t throw up.”
Mercy finished and came around to face Hope. “You won’t throw up. Sit down, and I’ll help you with your hair.”
“Nothing fancy. This dress is more than elegant, and there’s no need to worry overmuch about my hair.”
“No matter what,” Mercy said, brushing through Hope’s long brown hair, “you’ll be beautiful. You’ve always been the prettiest of us all.”
“I have a feeling that will change. You’ve become quite pretty yourself. Now that you’ve grown a few inches taller and have started to fill out, I think there are going to be a bevy of men lining up to court you.”
“I don’t think I want to be courted. At least not for a long time. Does that sound terrible?”
Hope smiled. “Not at all. Since you have older sisters—both of whom are married, or will be in a matter of minutes—you needn’t worry about it. You’ll always have a home with one of us.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t know exactly what I want to do with my life other than continue my education, even though that’s frowned upon for women. Especially out here.”
“No matter what, Mercy, stay true to yourself. God will guide you. I never used to believe that or even think it important, but I do now. I know that prayer changes everything and that God really does care about the tiniest details.”
“How do you know that?” Mercy put down the brush and started braiding Hope’s hair.
“The Bible says He does, for one thing. It says He sees the little sparrows when they fall, and He knows the number of hairs on our head. I suppose that’s how it is with loving someone. You take time to know everything about them. You want to know all the things that relate to them.”
“That makes sense. I just don’t know what I think about anything anymore. What Toby did completely surprised me. I feel confused about everything now. I don’t know why.”
“Understanding will come in time. I’m sure a part of your heart feels hurt because he so easily transferred his affections to another.”
“I suppose so.”
When Mercy finished, she handed Hope a mirror. Surveying the work, Hope smiled. “You’ve done a very nice job. I couldn’t have asked for anything more lovely.” Mercy had woven braids around and through a rounded knot of hair. “Thank you.”
A knock sounded on the bedroom door, and Mercy went to answer it while Hope stepped into her new leather slippers. Now she was ready.
“I’ve come to escort the bride,” Uncle Edward said, stepping into the room. He grinned. “You look beautiful, Hope.”
“Thank you.” She drew a deep breath. “I guess I’m ready.”
Mercy led the way down the stairs, Hope and Uncle Edward following. When Mercy reached the bottom step, someone with a violin began to play. Hope didn’t recognize the song, but it was lovely.
She saw Lance when they first entered the large sitting room full of people. Mercy was right. Everyone else seemed to fade away, and all that remained was the man she would marry. Lance’s expression was full of reassurance and love, which gave Hope all the strength she needed. She had a feeling that for the rest of her life, it would be that way.
Uncle Edward handed her to Lance then stepped back as Pastor Masterson stepped forward. “Let us pray.”
“I’m glad to have this day over with,” Lance said, closing the door to the house he would share with Hope. “I hope you aren’t offended by me saying as much. I know women set great store by such things as weddings.”
Hope laughed and watched as her husband tossed his jacket aside and then unbuttoned
his vest coat. “Hardly. You and I share the same love of formal affairs.”
“It reminded me of being in the army.”
He shrugged out of the vest and then pulled off the burgundy cravat he’d borrowed from Dr. McLoughlin. Next he unbuttoned the high-necked collar of his shirt and gave a sigh of relief. Then, motivated by that bit of liberty, he pulled the starched white shirt from the waist of his pants and unbuttoned it the rest of the way, revealing his chest and well-muscled abdomen.
Hope had never seen him in this state of undress and felt embarrassed. She went to the fireplace, thankful that someone had seen fit to ready it for their arrival, and held out her hands to the warmth. Without warning she was taken back to the first time Tomahas had attacked her. She shivered. Surely her married life with Lance wouldn’t be that way. Surely when he touched her, she wouldn’t feel the same revulsion.
Lance came up behind her and pulled her back against him. Hope didn’t resist, but she couldn’t shake the memories of what had happened at the Whitman Mission.
“Are you all right?”
“Honestly?”
He turned her in his arms. “Of course.”
“I can’t help remembering the massacre—or rather the aftermath.” She swallowed hard and looked into his eyes. “I suppose I’m afraid that . . . well . . . ”
He put his finger to her lips. “Don’t be afraid. I don’t ever want you to be afraid of me. I love you, and I will do whatever I need to in order to make you feel safe. I would never force you to do anything.”
“I love you very much,” Hope said, touched by his words.
“You’re not sorry you married me, are you?”
“No!” She shook her head. “I just hope you aren’t sorry you married me.”
“I’m not. And so you know, I had already considered the past and how hard our wedding night would be for you.”
“You did?” She shook her head. “I doubt most men would care.”
“I’m not most men.” His blue eyes twinkled in the glow of the firelight.
She shook her head again. “No, you certainly aren’t.”
He kissed her gently, without even taking hold of her. Hope wrapped her arms around his neck and held on to him even after the kiss ended. She buried her face in his neck and breathed in the sweet scent of the cologne he’d also borrowed from Dr. McLoughlin. There was no odor of sweat or bear grease, as there had been with Tomahas.
Lance put his arms around her and held her for several long minutes. Hope knew that if anyone were going to make the first move toward something more intimate, it would have to be her. He would never force himself upon her nor press her for more than she could give.
Pulling away, Hope turned her back to him. “Would you undo my buttons?”
He didn’t answer but began the task. When he’d finished, he stood back, and Hope turned to face him. Still he said nothing, just watched her.
Hope extended her hand and Lance took it. She gave him a slight smile and led him toward the bedroom.
Hope had barely fallen asleep in Lance’s arms when a loud pounding on the front door roused them. Lance shot out of bed and pulled on his trousers before leaving the room to see who had come calling in the middle of the night.
Rising from the bed, Hope yawned and reached for her robe. She startled to hear Alex’s voice and hurried from the room to see what was wrong.
No sooner had she joined them than Alex took hold of her shoulders. “It’s Grace. The baby’s coming.”
Lance went to stoke up the embers in the fireplace, and Hope drew Alex toward the hearth. “Is Mercy with her?”
“Yes.” His expression was full of agony. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Ride to town for Dr. McLoughlin, and I’ll get dressed and go to her.” She smiled and patted his arm. “Try not to worry. Women have been having babies for thousands of years.”
“But not my baby and not my woman.” Alex shook his head. “She’s in so much pain.”
Hope nodded. “I understand. Now go get the doctor. I really don’t want to deliver the baby by myself.”
This seemed to settle Alex a bit. “Yes. I’ll go right now.”
He left the house without another word, and Hope turned to smile at her husband. “You’d better come along and make coffee. I have a feeling it may be a long night.”
Lance looked almost as bad as Alex had. “Are you sure I wouldn’t just be in the way?”
She laughed. “It’s a very big house, Lance. Now come help me dress.”
They reached the main house ten minutes later, and Hope immediately hurried to Grace and Alex’s bedroom. She found her sister sitting on the mattress, bent in the throes of heavy labor. Mercy stood beside her, wiping her face with a damp cloth. She looked at Hope with relief.
“How are you doing?” Hope asked, sitting on the bed beside her sister.
Grace panted against the pain. “This is happening so much faster than I expected.”
“Has your water broken?”
“Yes, earlier. But I didn’t feel any real pains, and since it was so late, I didn’t want to alarm anyone. I figured there was plenty of time, but this little one doesn’t seem to want to wait.”
“Mercy, go make sure we have plenty of boiled water.”
“I already did that. Grace told me to earlier. I brought in the wash basins and vinegar as well. And there’s scissors and twine and plenty of clean towels.” Mercy motioned to the table across the room.
“Good. Then I imagine we’re fairly well set. I sent Alex for Dr. McLoughlin.”
“Oh, you didn’t need to bother that poor man,” Grace said. “I’m sure we can manage without him.”
Hope shook her head. “You may be sure, but I’m not. What experience I have with this kind of thing is limited.”
The pain appeared to pass, and Grace leaned back against a stack of pillows. “How was Alex doing when he came to you?”
“Not well. He looked absolutely terrified.”
The sound of something breaking came from the direction of the kitchen.
Hope looked at Mercy. “I believe that is my husband attempting to make coffee. Would you go help him?”
Mercy nodded and hurried from the room. Grace let out a heavy sigh. “She’s been so good to help me, but I can see that she’s afraid.”
“She’s never seen a baby born, has she?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Grace closed her eyes. “But you understand what has to be done. I take comfort in knowing that you’ve gone through this before and can help me.”
Hope heard something in her sister’s voice that made her offer reassurance. “I know exactly what you’re going through and what must take place. Try to rest between the pains and not worry.”
Grace opened her eyes again and met Hope’s gaze. “Thank you. I’m so glad you’re here. I wish I could have been there for you when you delivered Faith.”
Giving birth had been a terrifying experience for Hope, not so much because of the pain or risk of complications, but because she feared the child would be something hideous and deformed. Instead, a beautiful little girl had been born. This time, the baby was very much wanted by its mother, and things would be so different. Grace also knew about the processes of labor and birth. She wouldn’t face it with the same confusion and ignorance that had accompanied Hope with her delivery.
The pains started again, and Grace bent forward as best she could. Hope rubbed her sister’s back and, to calm herself more than Grace, began to sing a hymn. She felt Grace relax a bit, and for the next half hour, when she wasn’t asking Grace about her progression, Hope sang.
The mantel clock had chimed three when Alex returned with Dr. McLoughlin. Mercy joined them at Grace’s request. She felt it was important for Mercy to learn what to do in case she was ever called upon to deliver a baby.
“I hope I’m strong enough to endure it,” Mercy replied. Her face was filled with fear, but she remained nonetheless.
Hope knew
it wouldn’t be long until the baby was born. Already Grace was pushing against the pain and telling Hope that she felt the baby coming.
“Babies are no keepers of time,” Dr. McLoughlin said, washing his hands in the basin. “How is she doing?”
Hope joined him at the washstand. “I can see the top of the baby’s head.” She picked up a jug of vinegar. “She’ll want you to rinse your hands in this as well.”
The doctor looked at her oddly for a moment, then nodded. Hope poured the vinegar over his hands, and he smiled. Hope returned his smile.
Mercy nodded and held out a towel. “She makes us use it for everything from cleaning wounds to cleaning house.”
Dr. McLoughlin nodded in understanding and took the towel. He moved to the bed, where Grace lay writhing in pain, and began to check the position of the baby. “So, Grace, are you having a boy or a girl?”
“A boy,” she said through gritted teeth.
Hope stood by to assist however she could but was totally unprepared when Dr. McLoughlin ordered Grace to stop.
“The cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, so you must stop pushing.”
Grace’s eyes grew wide. She knew the dangers even better than Hope. The fear that spread across her face tore at Hope’s heart. She quickly sat down beside Grace and took her hand. Mercy, going to the opposite side of the bed, did likewise.
Hope wiped Grace’s brow. “It’s going to be fine. Dr. McLoughlin has done this hundreds of times, and he knows what to do.”
“Yes, but it won’t be all that pleasant for Grace,” the doctor replied. “Even so, you must not fight against me. I’m going to maneuver the babe so that I can release the cord. Whatever you do, do not bear down.”
There was perspiration on Grace’s upper lip and forehead. “I won’t.”
Hope felt Grace’s grip tighten as her eyes glazed over in pain. “Grace, do you remember when we were little girls and got hurt? Mama would make us recite the alphabet and the Lord’s Prayer and anything else that we knew by heart while she worked on the wound.”
Beloved Hope (Heart of the Frontier Book #2) Page 27