Love's Unending Legacy

by Janette Oke

  She did, falling exhausted back against her pillows.

  “Listen, Mama,” Ellie pleaded. “Can ya talk to me?”

  Marty nodded her head.

  “Can ya think straight?”

  “I … I think so,” panted Marty.

  “You’ve been at birthin’s. Now, the doc will be here soon … I’m countin’ on thet. But, just in case … just in case … ya gotta tell me what to do.”

  Marty nodded.

  “Okay,” she said, her face showing her deep concentration. “Here’s what ya do.”

  Clark had never pushed his horse like he pushed Stomper that night. The moon aided him on occasion, but often he had to travel on his own instinct and that of his horse. The moon seemed to be playing games. It would bob out from a cloud just long enough for Clark to be relieved because of its light, and then it would slip behind a cloud again, leaving Clark totally on his own, traveling a rutted and snow-covered wintry road. Clark, pushing his steed as fast as he dared, learned to pace himself, riding hard by the moonlight and slowing down when he had to feel his way.

  It seemed forever before he was pulling up to the doc’s hitching rail. Clark prayed that he would be home and not out on some other call. Why was it that youngsters always insisted on arriving in the middle of the night?

  Doc was home and quickly answered Clark’s persistent knock on the door. He was not long in pulling on his clothes and grabbing his black bag.

  “One thing we can be thankful for,” he said, throwing the saddle on his mount, “yer wife has never had a speck of trouble with any of her deliveries.”

  Clark did take some assurance from the doctor’s statement, but still he was feverishly anxious to get back home to Marty.

  The moon again was uncooperative. Clark’s horse was headed home while the doc’s horse was leaving a warm stall, so Clark found himself often out in front of the doctor.

  That was fine, Clark told himself. His horse knew the road better and it was good that it should lead the way.

  Before they had reached the Davis farmyard, the moon had decided to disappear altogether. They were used to it by now and urged their horses on at a fast pace in spite of the darkness.

  When they arrived, Doc dismounted and threw Clark the reins to his horse. Without a word, they parted company—Clark going toward the barn, riding his horse and leading the doctor’s, and Doc hastening toward the house.

  There was a light in the kitchen. Through the window, Doc could see Ellie moving about.

  “Good,” he said to himself, “she has a fire going and the kettle on.”

  He entered the house without knocking and threw off his heavy mittens and coat, tossing them on a nearby chair. He was halfway across the kitchen floor before he remembered his hat. He turned to throw it on the top of the pile of outdoor clothing.

  “How’s yer ma?” asked the doctor before starting upstairs.

  “She seems to be fine,” answered Ellie. “She’s asked me fer some tea.”

  The doctor slowed midstep. If Marty was asking for tea, there was no need for him to be in such a hurry.

  He stepped to the fire to warm his chilled hands.

  Ellie went on with her task of pouring hot water into the teapot and setting out a cup.

  It wasn’t long until Clark flung open the door and burst in upon them. His eyes quickly swept across the room. Ellie and the doc were both standing in the kitchen as though nothing of importance was going on in the rest of the house. Clark was perplexed … and a little annoyed.

  “How is she?” he asked. Why are they both down here? he wondered.

  Doc turned to him. “She’s fine. She just asked Ellie to fix her some tea.”

  “Tea?” echoed Clark. “At a time like this?”

  He started for the stairway, the doc close behind him, and Ellie bringing up the rear with the tea tray in her hands. They entered the room together. Clark was very relieved to see that Marty was no longer tossing. She seemed quite relaxed as she lay against the pillow. A false alarm! Clark thought. The false labor passed already.

  Marty looked up at the three of them. “Yer a little late,” she said lightly.

  “Late?” Clark responded. “Well, it weren’t easy travelin’. The road was rutted, and the moon wouldn’t—”

  Marty interrupted him. “We won,” she said complacently.

  “What ya meanin’?” Clark demanded.

  “Me an’ Ellie. Didn’t she tell ya?” and Marty pushed back the covers to reveal a little wrapped bundle on the bed beside her. “It’s a girl.”

  Two pairs of eyes turned to Ellie. Ellie set the tea tray carefully on the bedside table. Her eyes were wide, and she shook her head dumbly. “I … I guess I fergot,” she stammered, and then she flung herself into Clark’s arms and began to weep, trembling until he had to hold her close to keep her from shaking. “Oh, Pa,” she sobbed, “I was so scared … so scared.”

  The doctor took over then. Clark was patting Ellie’s back and murmuring encouragement to her. After she had cried for a moment, she got herself under control again. Clark talked her into sitting on a chair and having a cup of tea along with her mother. The doctor examined both baby and mother, telling Ellie over and over what a fine job she had done. At last Clark was able to hold his new daughter. She was a little beauty, in his estimation. He smiled as he rocked her in his arms and paid her a multitude of compliments.

  “Okay, you two,” Clark said, turning to Marty and Ellie. “Iffen yer so smart, I s’pose ya got her named already, too?”

  “No,” said Marty. “We waited on you fer thet.”

  “Any of the names thet you’ve been talkin’ of suits me.”

  “Well, it’s sure not gonna be one thet you picked,” countered Marty. “Henry or Isaac or Jeremiah.”

  Clark laughed. “Well, I won’t insist.”

  “I was thinkin’,” said Marty thoughtfully, “thet Ellie might wish to name her.”

  “Me?” said Ellie, both surprise and delight in her voice.

  “Kinda thought since ya did so much to git her safely into this world thet ya had more right than anyone.”

  “I think thet’s a great idea,” agreed Clark.

  “Well, then,” said Ellie, “I like Belinda.”

  “Belinda,” Clark and Marty both said at once.

  “Belinda May,” continued Ellie.

  “Belinda May. I like it,” said Clark. “Suits her just fine.”

  “I like it, too,” Marty said. “An’ now iffen her proud pa would just bring her on over here, I’d kinda like to git another look at our daughter.”

  Clark reluctantly laid the tiny baby down beside Marty again, then leaned over to kiss them both.

  Doc cleared his throat.

  “Well, seein’ as I won’t be needed here anymore tonight, I guess I’ll just be headin’ on home to my bed. I suspect that everyone in this house has had enough excitement for one night. Bed’s a good place for all of you. ’Sides, this here new mama could do with a good rest.”

  They all agreed. “See ya a little later,” Clark promised Marty and turned to usher all of them from her room.

  “Yer not gonna head off fer home without a little coffee to warm ya up,” he informed the doc.

  “I’ll make some,” volunteered Ellie. “I need to busy myself with somethin’ ordinary to unwind before going back to bed anyway.”

  “Coffee won’t be necessary. Ya already got out the teapot an’ more hot water a singin’ on the stove. I’ll just have me a cup of tea.”

  Ellie took charge in the kitchen. She was glad to be back to doing something so familiar. Looking back over the night hours she had just experienced, she decided that even though she had been frightened almost beyond herself, it had been exciting, too. To assist in the arrival of a new little life was an experience not given to many. Now that she was sure her mother and sister were just fine, she could relax and maybe even treasure the memory. One thing she was sure of: It was a night she would never forg
et.

  TWENTY - FIVE

  Sharing

  The next day the household awakened early, in spite of the lack of sleep the night before. There was too much excitement in the air for anyone to be able to sleep very long. Besides, the wee Belinda awoke to insist on an early breakfast, and not being used to the cries of a new baby in the house, the whole family got up with her.

  Ellie hurried across the yard over to Kate and Clare’s with the good news. The commotion of the night before had failed to waken them. They immediately headed for the big house with Ellie.

  Kate was the first to reach Marty’s bed. Little Belinda had just finished her nursing, had her diaper changed by her pa, and was snuggled down beside her mother again for a much-deserved nap. It was hard work being born, and she had some resting to do.

  Kate stood gazing at the baby, her eyes filled with love and tears.

  “She’s beautiful, Ma,” she whispered. “Just beautiful.”

  “Ya want to hold her?” asked Marty, seeing the longing in Kate’s eyes.

  “May I?”

  “’Course.”

  “But she’s sleepin’.”

  “She’s got all day to sleep. ’Sides, she likely won’t even waken anyway.”

  Kate picked the wee baby up carefully. “Oh,” she squealed, “she’s so tiny.” She turned to show the little bundle to Clare. “Look here, Belinda May, this is yer big brother. Yer wonderful big brother. Yer gonna be so proud of ’im.”

  Clare reached out a big hand to the tiny one. Marty could see tears form in his eyes, but he blinked them away. “Hi there, ya little pun’kin,” Clare greeted the baby. “Yer a pretty little thing … fer a newborn.”

  “She’s beautiful,” argued Kate.

  Clare laughed. “Give her a few days … but then, my ma always had pretty babies.”

  At length, the baby had been inspected and fussed over enough for the present. Their attention turned back to Marty.

  “An’ how are you, Ma?”

  “Fine. I feel just fine. But then, I had me such good doctorin’.”

  All eyes turned back to Ellie.

  “I’m proud of ya, little sister,” Clare said, tousling her hair. “But why didn’t ya come fer some help?”

  “There wasn’t time. Not even time to think, let alone … but Mama was great. I woulda never been able to do it without her careful instructions. I had me no idea—”

  “You were wonderful,” said Marty, “never flustered or nothin’.”

  “Till afterward,” Ellie said, laughing. “Then I just seemed to fall apart.”

  They all laughed together.

  “Well, at least,” added Clark, “ya waited till after it was all over. Ya didn’t go collapsin’ when yer ma needed ya.”

  They left the room together. It was agreed that Clare would ride on over and take the news of the safe arrival of Belinda to Arnie and Nandry and Ma Graham. Ellie was going to saddle the other horse and go see Lane. Clark would take the team and go to town to get telegrams off to Missie, Clae, and Luke. Kate volunteered to stay close beside Marty. They all scattered in various directions, anxious to share the good news.

  Marty gained her strength back rapidly, in spite of her many visitors. The new baby was a good baby, demanding only a minimum of attention, much to the chagrin of the household. There were many pairs of willing arms that would have been more than happy to hold and fuss over her more, but she was content to be fed and changed and then tucked in once more to her bed for another nap. As the days passed by, she began to spend more time awake. Even then, she did not cry except when she was hungry. She didn’t need to. There was usually someone there to hold her anyway. Clark was spending more and more time in the house on the wintry days.

  “Little girl,” Marty overheard him say to the baby, “I sure am glad ya chose to arrive in the winter when a body can be in, ’stead of at plowin’ time.” Marty smiled to herself. Never had Clark had more time to enjoy one of his babies.

  Daily Marty felt her previous vigor return to her body. She was feeling much more like her old self and gradually took on the household duties. She felt Ellie’s questioning eyes on her at times, but as Ellie could see for herself, Marty was happiest when busy. And when Marty assured her she truly had the strength and was not merely pushing herself, Ellie did not protest. Marty told her to spend some time planning for her upcoming wedding. Ellie had been collecting and preparing the things she would need for her own house.

  Marty helped with the preparations, too. In the quiet of the long evenings, she pieced quilts and hemmed tea towels. Pillowcases were embroidered and rugs hooked. Marty quite enjoyed being involved and, before long, was nearly as excited as Ellie about the coming event. It didn’t make her as sad as it had when she first knew the inevitable was coming and Ellie would be leaving home. Especially with Belinda sleeping contentedly in her bed or rocking in her pa’s arms.

  A package came from Luke. To my new little sister, the note read. Bet you are really something special. I’ve been waiting for you for a long, long time. I finally am a big brother. We’re going to love one another. I can hardly wait to see you. I’ll be home just as soon as I can. In the meantime, take good care of Mother. She’s someone pretty special, too. Love, Luke.

  Marty wiped her eyes as she handed the letter to Clark. Then she kissed the tiny Belinda and showed her the packaged gift. “From yer big brother,” she said. “Big brother Luke. Ya wanta see what he sent?” The baby did not respond with as much as the flick of a tiny eyelash, so taken was she with sucking her fist, but Marty opened the package anyway. It was a pair of baby shoes. Marty had never seen them so small or so dainty. “Well, look at thet,” she said, holding the shoes out to Clark and Ellie. “Did ya ever see anythin’ like it?”

  Ellie squealed with delight. “Oh, aren’t they darlin’?”

  Clark grinned and reached out to take one of the bits of leather in his hand.

  “Most senseless thing I ever saw,” he said. “But yer right—they are ’bout the cutest thing, too.”

  Clae also sent a letter and a package. Hers was more practical than Luke’s had been—and almost as pretty. It was a little handsewn gown. Marty knew that Clae had not had time for all of the fancy stitching since receiving the word of the baby’s birth. Her note explained it. I took a chance that it would be a girl, she said. It was our turn. If it had been a boy, I’d have sent him something else—though I still hadn’t figured out what—because he never would have been comfortable in all this ribbon and lace.

  In a later mail, a parcel came from Missie. Marty lifted out a carefully wrapped pale pink sweater. I know that I sent something before for the new little sister, but I just couldn’t resist doing something special just for her now that we know who she is. I’ve stayed up nights hurrying to get this done. I hope she gets it before she is already too big for it. It comes with love to Auntie Belinda from her nephews Nathan and Josiah, and her niece Melissa Joy.

  Marty was sure she had never seen a girl more excited about her wedding day than Ellie. Eyes glowing and cheeks flushed, she slipped into her wedding gown, her hands fairly trembling. “Oh, Mama,” she said, “I can scarce believe thet it is finally happenin’! It seems I’ve waited so long.”

  “But it hasn’t been long,” Marty reminded her. “Not long at all. It’s only been a couple of months since ya made yer plans.”

  “Well, it seems half of forever,” insisted Ellie.

  “Half of forever,” repeated Marty. “Yes, I s’pose so.” She gazed at her lovely daughter, wanting to hold this moment in her memory for all time. Ellie’s gown, white with tiny blue flowers and ruffles at the neck and sleeves, had been carefully and lovingly sewn by mother and daughter together. How blue her eyes are, thought Marty. Almost exactly the same cornflower blue as those flowers….

  The wedding would be in the little community church, with a dinner following at the Davis farm. Because of the time of year and the fact that none of the entertaining could be loc
ated in the yard, only the family and special friends were invited to the dinner. Even so, Marty would be hard put to accommodate them all.

  Willie’s brother’s family, the LaHayes, had already taken the stage to catch the train going west. They seemed almost as excited about the plans for their new home as Ellie was about her wedding day. Enough simple furniture had been left behind for Lane to be comfortable as a bachelor. Lane and Ellie had done some shopping on their own and bought a few more pieces. Ellie had hung curtains and scattered rugs and put her dishes in the cupboards. She was finally convinced that Marty was fully capable of caring for herself and the baby, so Ellie would not need to venture over every day to do the tasks for her. She looked forward to being a housewife rather than a housekeeper.

  “Wear a warm coat,” Marty reminded her daughter. “Thet sun ain’t near as warm as it looks.”

  Who could worry about a coat on such a day? Ellie’s expression said. But later she admitted she was glad she had listened to Marty, for indeed the sun was not as warm as it looked, and a cold wind was blowing. Ellie wondered if her carefully groomed hair would be all windblown on the ride to the church.

  Clark guided the team of blacks. They were feeling frisky after the long winter of little use, and it took a good horseman to hold them back. Marty was not worried. She had complete confidence in Clark’s ability to manage the horses. She held her wee daughter closely against her, making sure Belinda wasn’t wrapped so tightly that she would be short of good air to breathe.

  It was good to be out in the open and in the brisk air again. Marty wanted to pretend that she could smell spring coming, but in fact she could not. The air was still heavy with winter. But it won’t be long, Marty promised herself. Any day now and we will be feeling it.

  Marty could hear another team close behind them and turned to wave to Clare and Kate. Their horses seemed just as eager as Clark’s, and Marty couldn’t help but imagine what would result if the two menfolk were just to let them go.