by JoAnn Durgin
“Sarah! I think you’d better get in here now!” Her eyes widened at Danny’s call, and her pulse raced.
“Go,” Sam said. “I hope to hear a baby’s cries soon.”
Without another word, Sarah darted from the room.
Chapter 33
♥
What was taking so long? Sam had no point of reference for these things, but he’d thought—being Jewell’s third baby—he would have heard a baby’s cries by now. Why was he so nervous? Anyone would think he was the expectant father by the way he paced the living room floor. He couldn’t remember the last time he chewed on his fingernails, and he forced himself to stop. He tried sitting on the couch and reading a fishing magazine. Didn’t work. Finding a deck of cards on the coffee table, he played Solitaire. That didn’t work either. After pacing the floor some more, he wandered into the kitchen and tried to call Doc. No answer.
Shaking his head, he replaced the receiver, careful not to vent his frustrations on an inanimate object. The new physician, Dr. Hastings, couldn’t get to town soon enough. The citizens of Rockbridge didn’t have many emergencies, mostly general practitioner stuff and routine checkups. But in times like now, they needed a reliable doctor who’d at least answer his phone.
Leaning against the kitchen wall, Sam wrapped his arms over his middle. “Lord, please be with Sarah. Be with Jewell and Danny. Calm my nerves. Help me get through to Doc. And, if there’s a way you can use me in all this, please let me know what it is. I feel useless.” He darted a glance at the clock on the wall. A little more than an hour had passed since Sarah had been called back into the bedroom. He could hear Sarah speaking in low tones, and Danny was coaching Jewell. From where he stood, he could take heart that everything seemed to be taking its natural course. Whatever that meant. He had no knowledge of labor and delivery, and he was more than happy not to know. How did men go through the endless waiting? How did women go through nine months carrying a child? And then deliver the baby? Awesome as it was, he considered the entire process one of God’s biggest miracles.
Crossing the kitchen, Sam opened an upper cabinet and then pulled out a glass. After filling it with tap water, he slumped into a chair by the table and lowered his head. Not knowing what else to do, he prayed. For now, that was the best thing he could do. And he’d keep on praying. As long as it took.
♥
Sarah bit her lower lip. Sweat trickled a quick path down her forehead. She swiped it away with the back of her hand and pursed her lips.
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
“What is it?” Jewell said, her voice cracking. “What’s wrong? Why can’t I get my baby out?”
“Honey, relax.” Sarah kept her voice steady. “Your baby doesn’t want to come out quite yet. Don’t you worry about a thing. We’re going to get this done, but I need you to take some more deep breaths, okay?”
“Sure. Just tell me what to do.” Jewell’s face twisted with pain.
From what Sarah could tell, this baby was larger than Jewell’s other two children. Above all, she didn’t want to worry Jewell or Danny.
Lord, help me. Help this child. She’d lost track of how many times she’d repeated the same prayer, over and over. If ever she needed the Lord by her side, it was now. She hadn’t heard anything from Sam in a while, but he must be worried, too.
Danny had been so patient and loving, bless his heart. He’d wiped his wife’s brow until Jewell barked at him not to touch her anymore. Irritable and frustrated, she’d swatted his hand. He’d put the washcloth back in the bowl and sat quietly by her side. When Sarah glanced at him, he’d given her a slight nod of his head. He knew best, and his assurance gave her comfort.
“Oh, I feel another contraction. This one’s coming a lot harder and faster.”
“Okay, then, here we go.” Sarah did a quick check, and Jewell’s cervix appeared fully dilated. “I can see the baby’s head!” Thank you, Jesus. A rush of adrenaline ran through her. “It shouldn’t be too much longer now.” The baby had a lot of hair. Wow. Somewhere in the background, she heard the phone ringing.
“Do you want me to answer it? It might be Doc Meriweather,” Sam called.
“Thanks. The phone in the kitchen has the longest cord.” Danny rose to his feet and took hold of Jewell’s hand again. Although his brow was furrowed, he appeared calm. This time Jewell didn’t push her husband away but grabbed on tight. “Come on, honey, you can do this,” he said. “Just a few more pushes and you’ll get that little one out.”
“It’s Doc,” Sam said from the hallway.
“Tell him the baby’s head is crowning,” Sarah said. “Ask him if Jewell needs to stop pushing.”
“Are you sure about that?” Danny eyed her with a raised brow.
“No,” Sarah said through gritted teeth, “but I think she might tear something if she pushes too hard.”
“I don’t know if I can stop!” Jewell wailed. “Don’t make me stop! It’s burning, and I think my baby finally wants to come out.” She blinked hard, her eyes wide, imploring her for answers.
“Try your best to hold on just a minute.” Sarah squeezed Jewell’s hand. She couldn’t imagine what she was going through now, but hopefully her presence gave the other woman comfort.
“Doc says to stop pushing,” Sam said, his voice elevated, “or you might tear. . .something important. Hang on.”
Sarah breathed through her anxiety.
“Sorry for doubting you, Sarah.” Danny sounded apologetic.
“No worries,” she said, wiping her forehead and giving him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. A soft-spoken man, he’d worked at the town’s one gas station since he was a kid. She’d hated to ask, but she was thankful Danny had thoroughly scrubbed his hands before she and Sam had arrived at the house.
A few seconds later, Sam spoke again. “Doc wants to know if it’s still burning?”
When Jewell shook her head, Danny called out that information to Sam. “What’s Doc say we should do next?”
A few seconds later, she heard Sam’s response. “Is she feeling a numbness in the, um, general area?”
Sarah darted a quick glance in the direction of the hallway. Although she couldn’t see him, she assumed Sam was leaning against the wall with the phone against his ear. How thankful she was that he’d insisted on coming with her.
“Yes,” Jewell said, gasping and collapsing against the pillows.
“He says that means the baby’s head is stretching the tissue and blocking the nerves.”
“Right. It’s like a natural anesthetic,” Sarah said.
“Doc says to continue to fight the urge to push. Lean back and try to go limp as best you can.”
“Got that one covered,” Danny said. “What else?”
“Relax the muscles of the perry-knee-all floor or something like that. Sorry, I don’t know these words.”
Sarah bit her lip to stifle her smile. What an adorable man. “Jewell, just focus on your deep breathing,” she said in the most soothing tone she could muster.
“Allow the contractions to do the work for you.” Sam’s voice suddenly sounded stronger and more confident. “Straight from Doc.”
“Sweetie, remember when Scotty was born.” Still holding Jewell’s hand, Danny wiped her brow and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “You’re doing great. This part will probably happen pretty fast.”
“I sure hope you’re right.” Jewell let out a small cry and then squeezed Danny’s hand so tight his fingers turned white. “Love you, Sugarbun.”
Danny brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. “You, too, Dumpling.”
Sarah swallowed another smile.
“Doc’s over in Springhaven,” Sam said next. “He’ll be here in about twenty minutes, barring any bad traffic.”
“Guess that means we might be on our own,” Danny’s words seemed intended more for Jewell than for Sarah.
Thank you, Lord. In case of any complications, at least Doc would arrive soon. She�
��d keep going and hope for the best.
Rotating her aching neck, Sarah nodded. “We’ve gotten this far along. We’ll be just fine.”
“I’m holding down the fort with prayer out here,” Sam called.
“Thank you, Captain Lewis!” Jewell elevated her voice and then frowned as another contraction began. “Here we go again.”
A sense of calm rushed over Sarah and she breathed through another push with Jewell. Everything would be all right. She knew it. “That’s it, Jewell, honey. You’re doing great, and it won’t be long now.”
♥
Hearing a loud screech outside and then seeing Doc’s truck, Sam ran to the front door and swung it wide open.
“How is she?” Doc hobbled across the front yard with his medical bag.
“Almost there, I think. They’re back here.” Sam stopped in the hallway while Doc went into the bedroom.
A baby’s cry sounded. Healthy, loud and piercing.
Praise God.
Sam slumped against the wall, his heart full. He waited in the hallway, finally shifting from one foot to the other, impatient as anything. It wouldn’t be right for him to barge in on their private family moment. Doc spoke in low tones, and he heard Danny and then Sarah. None of them sounded panicked, and everything was apparently under control. The baby’s cries quieted and then Sam heard Jewell. When Sarah spoke again, she sounded breathless. After a few moments of silence, he heard something that sounded almost like a small sob. Had something happened?
Dear Lord, let everything be all right. Something squeezed his insides hard. He couldn’t take not knowing what was happening. “Sarah?” He moved closer to the doorway of the bedroom. “Everything okay in there?”
“Come on in, Sam.” The invitation came from Danny. “She’s perfectly fine. Everyone is.”
Rounding the corner and heading into the bedroom, Sam stopped short. Sarah sat on the floor, her knees raised and her hands clasped around them. Half laughing, half crying, tears streamed down her face. He moved his gaze to Doc and Danny. The baby was on Jewell’s stomach, and the young mother looked happy but exhausted. From what Sam could tell, Danny was preparing to cut the cord.
Sam averted his gaze and focused on Sarah. Falling to his knees on the floor beside her, he gathered her in his arms, rocking her back and forth. Then he noticed blood on Sarah’s hands, on her shirt. Everywhere. His head pounded and a wave of nausea washed over him.
“I don’t feel so hot. . .”
Slumping forward, Sam reached for the bedpost as the room spun out of control around him.
Chapter 34
♥
“What happened?” After Sam struggled to rise up on his elbows, he plopped back down on his back. He was lying on the bed in Jewell and Danny’s guest bedroom. Sarah sat in a chair beside the bed, her eyes closed. Had he actually fainted?
He groaned. “Don’t even tell me.”
“Okay, then.” Her eyes fluttered open. “I won’t.”
“First time that’s ever happened. You’d think a guy who’d spent time in the service would—”
“I happen to think it’s adorable.”
“You’re going to be a nurse and you think fainting is adorable? That’s a great bedside manner.” He moaned and scrubbed one hand over his face. “Still think Rockbridge is boring?”
She crossed her arms and surveyed him. “While you were passed out”—she grinned when he grunted—“I was thinking you deserve a reward for being so wonderful in coming. You didn’t have to stay, but I’m glad you did.”
“Right. Like I would drop you off in front of the house, wish you a nice home birth and take off down the street.” He caught her expression and needed to cut the sarcasm. “I don’t need any kind of reward. You’re the one who did all the work.” Sitting up on the bed, Sam swung his legs over the edge. Whoa. Maybe that was a little too fast. Closing his eyes for a second, he deep breathed. When he felt as though he could stand without fainting, he focused on Sarah.
“I was so proud of you today, Sarah. You were absolutely fantastic. Far out,” he said with a grin. “Are Jewell and the baby okay?” He rubbed the back of his neck, chastising himself for not remembering to ask about them first thing.
Oh, that smile of hers was a thing of rare beauty, like a slow-blooming rose.
“Let’s go find out.” Reaching for his hand, Sarah tugged until he reached a standing position. “You okay there, Captain?”
“Yeah. I think.” The room spun a bit, but he’d be fine. “Just need to get my sea legs.”
“Is it the Ménière’s Disease?”
“No, I don’t think so. To be honest, I hadn’t even thought about that. How did I get moved to the bed in here, anyway?”
“I picked you up and threw you over my shoulder. How do you think?” When he frowned, Sarah shrugged. “Danny did most of the work, but I picked up the rear. I mean,” she said, her cheeks flushed a deep pink, “I held your legs. You were out cold. Actually, I’ve never seen you so peaceful or quiet. It was rather nice for a change.”
Sam chuckled. “Don’t make me take back those compliments, but you can tuck me in anytime you want, Miss Jordan.”
“Flirt.”
“Only with you.”
Laughing softly, Sarah canvassed the room and picked up a red T-shirt from the top of the bureau. She returned to his side and handed it to him, her eyes skimming over his shirt. “Here. You should put this on.” When he hesitated, she practically shoved it in his hands. “Jewell told me to grab it for you.”
Glancing down at his shirt, Sam grimaced. Blood stains were smeared over much of his T-shirt. “You’re right.” He looked back at the bed. “I hope I didn’t get blood on the sheets.”
“Don’t worry about it. I offered to strip the sheets and do the laundry, but Jewell told me her mother’s coming in a couple of hours and she’d take care of them.”
Sarah had changed out of the T-shirt she’d worn earlier. The way the white cotton blouse hung on her, slipping off one shoulder to reveal her smooth, tanned skin, he figured Jewell had loaned it to her. He silently thanked Jewell. Although it wasn’t the best time to think of such things—highly improper, actually—that glimpse of Sarah’s slender shoulder was nothing short of alluring. Added to that, her cheeks were still flushed and her lips looked entirely kissable. His focus moved to that tiny mole on her neck.
Stop staring at her like a man who hasn’t dined in a month. Forcing his gaze away from Sarah, Sam took the shirt she offered.
“What?” Sarah tilted her head. She honestly hadn’t a clue as to the thoughts running through his mind. His very male mind.
“Are you going to watch me change?”
She gaped at him. “Does it matter? I’ve seen you without your shirt on at the creek a number of times, you realize.”
“Considering we’re in a bedroom, it seems sort of intimate in an awkward way.”
“Oh, good grief.” She turned her back to him, shaking her head.
“I just thought in case you’re having trouble keeping your hands off me.” He couldn’t believe he’d voiced that comment. What a dumb thing to say.
Her shoulders moved up and down. At least she found his idiocy amusing. Whipping the soiled shirt over his head, he held it in his hand, not knowing where to put it. He could ask her to hold it, but no. Stuffing it between his legs, he tugged on Danny’s shirt. After grabbing the stained shirt, he balled it between his hands.
“All done now. You can turn around.” Danny was a beefier guy than he was, and the T-shirt hung on him worse than Jewell’s top did on Sarah. He should tuck the shirt in his shorts, but what did it matter?
“You look great in red,” she said. “You should wear it more often. The color really brings out your eyes.” Gesturing for him to hand over his T-shirt, she retrieved a plastic bag from beside the chair and stuffed the shirt inside. When she started to leave, he stopped her with one hand on her arm.
Turning back toward him, Sarah dropped th
e bag as he pulled her into his arms. She inched her warm hands around his midsection and her teasing smile filled him with the need to kiss her. “This is getting to be a very nice habit with you.”
“I hold those in the medical profession in the highest esteem,” he said. “I don’t know how you can think about seeing blood on a daily basis.”
“Then we’re even.” Was that a giggle?
He cocked a brow. “I beg your pardon?”
“I don’t know how you can work around money all the livelong day.”
“Oh, it’s not so bad.”
“It’s dirty and full of germs for one thing.”
“Huh.” Moving his hands to the middle of her back, clasping his hands together in a tight hold preventing her escape, he leaned in for a kiss. Brushing his lips lightly over hers, he smiled and then settled in more fully.
“We’re in a bedroom, remember,” she said against his lips.
“All the better.” He started to deepen the kiss, but she stopped that soon enough when she pushed against his chest with both hands. Playfully, but with a firmness that told him he’d gotten out of line. She was right. Regrettably so.
“Sam, please. What’s gotten into you?” She didn’t seem upset.
You. That came out wrong in his own mind, so he’d definitely get his face slapped if he said it out loud. He’d deserve it, too. Still, it was true that this woman had settled in every part of him.
He lightly skimmed his thumb over her cheek and drank his fill of her. If he stared all day long, he would never get enough of her. “I’m sorry, Sarah. You’re just. . .” He smiled and ran a hand over her hair. “Completely irresistible.”
“Don’t be sorry,” she said, sounding slightly breathless as she smoothed down the front of his T-shirt. “To be continued another time. But, um, not in a bedroom.” When she winked with a grin—saucy and fiesty—Sam knew he’d do anything for this girl. Without a doubt, Sarah was his perfect match.