He scowled at her. She didn’t seem intimidated in the least. Come to think of it, the sassy woman had a habit of ignoring his scowls. He’d have to work on that flaw of hers. With Jenny laboring, this wasn’t the right time though. He announced, “If you need help, you just shout. I’ll be here in an instant.”
Walking back across the rutted road, Duncan muttered, “You do surgery in the clinic. You stitch up wounds and set broken bones. Just what do you have against bringing a bairn into the world there when you’ve every modern medical convenience at your fingertips?”
“Bairns have a way of entering the world without a lot of fanfare. Mothers labor best where they’re comfortable.”
“You’re daft, Rob.”
Rob had the nerve to chuckle.
A minute later, Duncan repeated, “You’re daft! Daft, I tell you. I am not gallivanting off to fetch a bairn and take him to the Heims. Not when Jenny’s baby’s about to arrive right here!”
“Do you need my help, Rob?” Mercy called out.
“Not for a long while yet, my love. Catch a wee bit more sleep if you can.”
Rob turned back to Duncan. His face hardened. “You’ll do no good here. You canna stand to be with anyone who’s sick or bleeding.”
“Chris will do it.”
“Stubborn, hardheaded Scot,” Rob growled.
“Aye, Chris is those things, but he’ll help you.” Duncan nodded. “If he’s hesitant, tell him I’ll not pester him with a single piece of gingerbread for a whole week.”
“E’er again,” Chris demanded at the breakfast table. “If I fetch this babe and take it to the Heims, Duncan canna e’er again bedevil me with those benighted wooden frills.”
“A week is as good as you’ll get from me,” Duncan snarled. He’d not gone back to sleep, and his nerves were on edge.
“A year,” Chris barked back.
“You’re fetching a baby, not a wife. And you’re giving it away this afternoon, anyway.” Duncan gave him a sour look. “One month. ’Tis the best you’ll get out of me, and there’s not a reason in the world why you shouldn’t have gone in the first place.”
“What,” Mercy said in a frosty tone as she thumped the coffeepot onto the table, “is wrong with having a wife?”
“Nothing.” Duncan gave her an affronted look. “ ’Tis the wooing and getting one that’s so aggravating.”
“Just when did you make any effort to—“ Chris snickered. “Jenny or Carmen?”
“Carmen, you dolt!”
Chris hooted. “All this time she’s been thinking you were sweeping her walk, and you were tryin’ to sweep her off her feet!”
“You’ve no room to tease him, Chris. You’re the eldest, and you’ve yet to court a lass.” Rob spooned a bite of egg into Elspeth.
“I’m in no hurry.” Chris cracked his knuckles.
“Yes, you are.” Mercy laughed. “You have to be on the eight o’clock train for Austin.”
Chris wolfed down his breakfast and accepted a slip of paper from Rob. As he rose from the table, he groused, “I’ve spent my life watching out for my baby brothers. How’d I get saddled with another bairn?”
“I thought you didn’t mind watching Elspeth every now and then,” Mercy said quietly.
“Of course I dinna! She’s not a bairn. She’s a beauty!” Chris bent down, planted a kiss atop Elspeth’s downy head and strode out.
Mercy waited until he was long gone and then dissolved into giggles.
“What’s so funny?” Rob asked.
She looked at both of them. “Mrs. Kunstler is going to find out that Chris took that little baby boy to her cousin. The woman has her flaws, but she sure tries hard to take care of those she loves. Your brother is going to be her hero.”
Rob choked on his coffee.
“I dinna care how great a doctor you are, Rob. There’s no cure for the agonies our brother will suffer once that woman takes a shine to him.”
“By this evening, there’s going to be a foot-deep rut in the road going from my house to yours.”
Carmen smiled at Mercy’s comment as she watched Rob cross the street and go back to the clinic.
“Duncan’s been here twice as often as your husband.” Jenny pressed both hands to her lower back and winced as she rubbed.
Carmen brushed aside Jenny’s hands and massaged her. “He cares about you. We all do.”
As if to prove that point, Duncan thumped on the door and barged in. “Traditions are important.”
“What prompted that announcement?” Carmen gave him an exasperated look.
“Fetch your healer’s bag. I’ll hae Rob put the essentials in it. Then you can carry them o’er to the clinic.” Once she gave him the monstrosity, he left.
“Well, that hideous thing did serve a purpose.” Mercy smiled. “It kept him busy.”
“He’s going to have a conniption when he finds out you’ve decided to have the baby here, Jenny.” Carmen rubbed her back again. “When he finally figures it out, we’ll tell him how glad we are to have whatever he stuffs in that purse.”
Carmen exchanged a look with Mercy. They’d made plans for this day months ago. Keeping Jenny distracted would help a little.
“Jenny, has Carmen ever told you how she kept the men occupied when I was having Elspeth?”
“Noooo.” Jenny’s answer got swallowed up in another moan.
Carmen began telling Jenny of Mercy’s memorable labor.
Not five minutes later, Duncan tramped back in with Elspeth over one shoulder and the bag over the other. “She’s growing a mite cranky.”
Carmen grinned to herself. What baby wouldn’t when faced with the terrifying sight of that armadillo?
As Mercy took her daughter, Duncan decided, “I’ll wait on the veranda. Once you’re done, I’ll take the wee little lassie home.”
“Go use my bedroom,” Carmen murmured to Mercy. Since Jenny wouldn’t keep her baby, Mercy thoughtfully left her own babe at home when she came to help with the birth. After Mercy nursed and calmed Elspeth, Duncan carried his niece home.
“I spent a good part of my labor in the rocking chair.” Mercy nudged Jenny to sit down. “Try it.”
“Mercy tried to cook while she was in labor.” Carmen shuddered. “She tried to turn apple cider into gravy.”
“And I added a cup of sugar to the mashed potatoes.” Mercy laughed. “But Carmen’s the one who put it all together with apples and flan as dessert. Happenstance, she called it. You’ve never tasted anything half as good.”
“Good?” Carmen looked at her in disbelief.
Mercy headed for the kitchen. “I distinctly remember enjoying it. Maybe we could make some today.”
“Only if you’re planning to stuff that dead armadillo with it,” Carmen muttered.
Gunshots drowned out Jenny’s weak laughter.
Chapter 13
He’s dead.” Rob remained on his knees in the middle of the street as he turned to the next man.
“It’s Connant,” Duncan said in utter disbelief.
“Connant’s dead,” Rob rasped as he shoved at Duncan’s shoulder. “Give me your bandana.”
His brother’s command made no sense, but Duncan complied. He stared at their lifeless friend. A trio of other men lay bleeding in the street.
Mercy demanded, “Rob, what do you need me to do?”
“I’m putting a tourniquet on Rundsdorf’s leg. Stay with him while I check the others. Duncan.” Rob jostled him. “Duncan! Get some men to help you carry him to the clinic.”
Duncan ignored the order and lifted Mr. Rundsdorf by himself. Mercy scrambled alongside of him as he hastened to the clinic. Once he laid Mr. Rundsdorf on the examination table, he gawked as Mercy took a pair of shears to the hem of the man’s britches. “I’ll do that.”
“No, you won’t.” Mercy barely spared him a strained glance. “You’re already green. Get out of here before I have two of you to take care of.”
Others spilled into the clinic.
“Doc said Kondrad’s to go upstairs,” the preacher said.
“Duncan,” Mercy said sharply, “you know where the gutta-percha sheets are. Throw one on each of the beds up there.”
He dashed upstairs and threw the rubbery, waterproof sheets on the beds. Jorge grunted in pain as they laid him down. Duncan couldn’t understand a single word of the rapid-fire Spanish pouring out of the man’s wife. Is there anyone who could help? Chris is gone delivering that baby. Carmen—Carmen! She couldn’t possibly come translate. She has her hands full.
Duncan stood out of the way as they carried the third man up the stairs and put him to bed. He herded everyone back down the stairs and loudly announced Rob’s standard rule in times of trouble. “One family member can stay with each man. The rest of you, go on home.”
Rob promptly shouted, “Eliza Wagner, Harriet Brun, and Gertrude Besselmen, you stay. Each of you keep watch on one of the wounded. You know what to look for. The rest of you, go. Pray.”
The parson managed to get the rest to leave. Duncan strode over to Mr. Rundsdorf. “I’d take it as a favor if you wouldn’t get in the habit of collecting bullets.”
“He didn’t collect it,” Rob declared. “It went straight through. Mercy, get the ether.”
Duncan’s nose twitched. The smell of ether invariably left him woozy and often made him puke.
“Duncan, go see to Elspeth.”
Glad for the reprieve, he left. In the midst of the excitement, he’d run to Carmen’s to protect the women. Once he made sure they were fine, he and Mercy left Elspeth in Carmen’s care so they could go help. It hadn’t been that long ago, but he’d forgotten Elspeth was at Carmen’s. Right on the heels of that realization, Duncan recalled Jenny being in labor. He decided he’d grab Elspeth and leave. It was a sound plan.
“Thank God, you’re here!” Carmen yanked Duncan inside and leaned against the door. She didn’t want to chance having him rush back out. The disturbance across the street following the gunshots told her the doctor and Mercy would both be busy for a long time.
“I just came to grab El—”
“You can’t leave!” She kept her voice as quiet as she could, but it cracked with terror. “I don’t know what to do!”
“Neither do I.” Duncan gave her an appalled look. “You’re a woman. You’re supposed to be able to tend to such matters.”
Jenny let out a long, guttural moan from the other room.
Duncan reached past Carmen for the doorknob. “I’ll go get some help.”
Carmen didn’t budge. “Mercy and Rob are saving lives. They’re not coming.”
“I’ll grab someone else!” He wiped the sweat from his brow on his sleeve.
“Who? Eliza Wagner?” From the way he swallowed hard, Carmen knew Doc had Eliza helping him. Frantically searching for any other possible prospect, Carmen asked, “What about Gertrude Besselmen or Harriet Brun?”
Even as he shook his head, he swiped across his brow again. “Think of someone else.”
“All of those women are busy?” The words came out in a strangled gasp.
“Three got shot, and Connant’s dead.” As she gasped, Duncan tried for the doorknob again.
Carmen slapped his hand away. “You’re not going anywhere, Duncan Gregor. So help me, if you try to walk out this door, your brother’s going to have another patient.”
Rushing over to the table, Duncan practically tripped over his own feet. He grabbed the armadillo bag. “Here. Whate’er you need, ’tis in here.”
Carmen shoved the bag back at him. “Your brother packed it. You know more about medical things than I do.”
He shoved the bag at her. “Go tell Jenny she’ll have to wait.”
“I’m not telling her that!” She forced the bag back into his keeping. After all, she’d never liked the stupid bag to begin with, and now it wasn’t just ugly, it was frightening.
“I know! I’ll prop up the foot of the bed. That way the bairn will be sliding toward her head. ’Twill buy us some time.”
I can’t come up with a better solution. “Do you think it’ll work?”
“It has to.” Putting an end to their demented game of hot potato, he shoved the armadillo bag into her keeping. “I’ll get something to do the propping.”
“Carmen!” Jenny sounded panicky.
“I’m coming!” Carmen gave Duncan a piercing look.
“We’re coming,” he said.
He’d given his word. Satisfied that he’d not leave, Carmen rushed to Jenny.
“Hurts,” Jenny cried out as she writhed on the bed. “Hurts. Hurts-hurts-hurts-hurts-hurts-hurts-hurts-hurts.”
“Pobrecita.” Carmen grabbed a damp cloth and blotted Jenny’s face. “It’ll be over soon.”
Duncan came in with an armload of thick books. He looked just as scared as Jenny. Just as quickly, his features altered into determination. “We’re here. Aye, we are.”
“Duncan!” Jenny reached for him.
Carmen blinked back tears as Duncan dropped the books. He strode to the bed and smoothed back Jenny’s hair. He didn’t say a word, but everything about him radiated loving strength.
Jenny grabbed his hand. “Can’t do this!” Her face twisted, and for the very first time since the day she’d arrived, Jenny began to cry.
“Ooch, lass, ’tis hard. But Carmen and I—we’ll pull you through.”
Carmen nodded. Frantic as she felt inside, she knew Jenny needed them to be calm. For the past half hour, her prayer had narrowed down to a desperate, “Dios, ayudame. God, help me. Dios, ayudame. Dios, ayudame.” He’d sent help in the form of a cobbler who didn’t know anything more than she did—but God was faithful.
“Hurts.” Jenny arched her back and began the heartrending chant again. “Hurts-hurts-hurts-hurts-hurts …”
Once the contraction ended, Duncan squatted at the foot of the bed and started to gather up the books. Carmen went to help, and he muttered, “Lord, give me stones for my slingshot.” He glanced at Carmen. “I’d rather face Goliath than this.”
“Propping up the foot of the bed won’t work,” Carmen whispered. “The pains—they’re starting to come hard and fast, just as they did for Mercy toward the very end.”
Duncan bolted to his feet.
Jenny let out a cry. This time she clutched Carmen’s arm with bruising force.
Duncan pried her free and let Jenny crush his hand. When the pain was over, he murmured something nonsensical and pushed Carmen back to Jenny’s side. He picked up the books, but instead of raising the bed with them, he set them aside.
He moved them so I wouldn’t trip.
The last one he lifted made his brows rise and the corners of his mouth lift. As he flipped through the pages, he nodded with great satisfaction. “Instructions!”
Whether hours or minutes passed, Carmen couldn’t say. Time seemed to stretch out for an eternity during a pain and then speed up in between. Then Jenny started to strain down.
Duncan pointed toward the bag. “You’ll be needing that soon, Carmen.” He cupped her face between his hands. “You can do this. Aye, you can. Not only do I have faith in God, but I believe in you, too.”
Warmth poured through Carmen. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She was. Even if he knew nothing more than she did, Carmen knew for certain nothing disastrous would happen. God and Duncan wouldn’t allow it.
“What—is—happening?” Jenny panted.
“Time’s short,” Duncan explained. “I’ve the instructions. I’ll read them to Carmen, and she can tend to matters.” He picked up the book and headed toward the door.
“Don’t go!” Carmen wasn’t sure whether she’d cried the words or if Jenny had.
“ ’Tisna proper, my being here.”
Jenny made a funny sound. “More than a hundred men have—”
“Nae, Jenny. You’re a new woman in Christ. Your past is forgiven and forgotten.”
Carmen fought the urge to weep at the poignancy and mercy of his words. There wasn
’t time to indulge in those feelings now. She pointed to a chair. “Pull that up by her shoulders, Duncan. I’ll need you to help with the baby.”
Jenny started to strain down again. “Something’s”—she gasped and strained—“wrong.” She panted and strained again. “I’m all wet!”
Duncan yanked the chair up by the bed and turned so he’d be facing the headboard. He flipped open the book and rifled through the pages as Carmen whipped back the sheet.
“Here.” Duncan cleared his throat. “The bag most often ruptures when birth is imminent.”
Jenny let out a low groan as she strained again.
Mercy dumped the contents of the armadillo bag onto the bed. The scissors and strips of gauze looked daunting. “Tell me what to do.”
Duncan pored over the book. “Hooves will appear first, with the muzzle between the forelegs.”
Thunderstruck, Carmen still knew she couldn’t yell at him. Besides, the baby was partway out. “What about the cord?”
Duncan turned the page. “If necessary, the mother will bi—“ His voice died out.
Chapter 14
Carmen and Jenny exhibited grace under this ordeal, and he was blithering. Duncan cleared his throat. He couldn’t let them down. He scanned farther down the page to give Carmen useful instructions. “We’re to dry the newborn off immediately. Blankets or straw. Um, blankets.” He slammed the book shut. “You have blankets, right?”
“Oh. Oh!” Jenny strained until she turned purple.
“Almost there. Almost.” Awe colored Carmen’s voice. A small gurgling noise was followed by a cry. “It’s a girl, Jenny. A perfect little girl.” A minute later, Carmen handed him a blanket-wrapped bundle. “Go dry her off and diaper her.”
Duncan took his cue from Carmen and left the bedroom. “Ooch, you wee little lassie. Dinna cry.” He gently jostled her and began to sing. “Jesus loves me, this I know …”
Duncan calmed the babe only to have Elspeth start squalling. Since Mercy allowed her food from the table, Duncan poked through Carmen’s cupboard and located molasses cookies. He ate one and gave another to Elspeth to gum.
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