by Ginny Dye
Sam shook his head with difficulty. “Don’t you be sorry, Carrie girl. I done led me a good life. I done know I couldn’t live forever, but I sure am glad I gots to have one more Christmas in the big house.”
Rose groaned and dropped down on her knees beside him, tears streaming down her face. “Sam…”
Sam laid his hand on her head and smiled. “It be okay, Rose girl. I’m gonna go see your mama,” he gasped, his face twisted with pain but his eyes peaceful. “I’m gonna tell her all about how you be living free with Moses and all about that fine baby boy named after her man. John gonna dance in heaven when he finds out,” he said. “And you’s about to have another fine baby.”
“But, Sam…” Rose cried brokenly.
“Shh… Rose girl, you don’t need me no more. You was just like a daughter to me, but my days of takin’ care of you be over. You’s all grown with a fine family.” He looked up with a trembling smile as Moses and Abby entered the room.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” Rose murmured, taking his hand as she leaned forward to kiss his leathery, wrinkled skin.
“You cry all the tears you need to, Rose girl, but don’t cry them for me,” Sam said slowly. “I reckon I been here as long as I needed to be, but now I’m ready to go on home.” A burning light appeared in his eyes as he gazed slowly around the room, imprinting all the people he loved in his mind and heart, and sending them a blessing with his loving eyes.
Then he closed his eyes and gave his last breath. Peace settled over his face like a veil.
Carrie sagged against her father but found there was too much peace in the room to shed tears.
Rose leaned forward and gathered Sam into her arms, holding him tenderly.
Silently, everyone filed from the room, leaving them alone.
Only Moses remained, standing quietly with his hand resting on Rose’s shoulder. He knew what Sam had meant to her. He knew losing Sam was almost as hard as losing her mama.
“He lived a full life,” Rose said quietly, finally breaking the silence. “He told me a long time ago that he was ready to go whenever God was ready to call him home.” A smile trembled on her lips. “I remember him telling me that death might end a life, but the memories of that life will never end.”
She reached up a hand. “Will you help me up?” she asked.
Moses grabbed her hand and pulled her up easily, surprised when she gasped. “Rose?”
Rose stared at him, stunned surprise in her eyes. “You should go get Carrie,” she said slowly, looking down as a puddle appeared on the floor. “I believe we’re going to have another baby.”
Moses froze. “Isn’t it too soon?
“Evidently not.” Rose smiled. She pushed at him. “Go get Carrie and then come back and help me upstairs.”
“Can you make it upstairs?” Moses asked, fear filling his eyes.
Rose laughed this time. “I’m an old hand at this now,” she said calmly. “We have plenty of time — that is, if you can quit staring at me and go get my midwife.”
“A baby!” Moses kissed her firmly and then turned and strode from the room.
Moments later Carrie rushed into the room, Abby on her heels. “It’s time?”
“It’s time,” Rose agreed, a strange look on her face as she looked down at Sam. “It’s so odd to have a new life right on the heels of death,” she murmured. “It’s almost as if God is giving me a new baby to fill the emptiness.” Suddenly her face twisted with pain.
“The first contraction?” Carrie asked.
Rose nodded, smiling reassurance as Moses rushed in with Thomas. “If you two fine gentlemen would help me upstairs, I would greatly appreciate it.”
When Rose was comfortable in her bed, Carrie turned to Moses and began to bark orders. “I want several basins of hot water and the pile of sheeting Annie has already cut up.” She turned to her father next. “Please bring me the extra blankets out of my and Robert’s room.”
“Oh…” Rose moaned as she clenched her fists and lay back against the bed rails.
Carrie turned to look compassionately at Moses. “Your wife will be fine,” she said firmly. “Now go get that water and the rags. You are no good to me standing in this room,” she said sternly.
“Yes, ma’am,” Moses said weakly, turning and almost running from the room. They heard his heavy footsteps receding down the hall.
Rose smiled weakly. “Men. It’s a good thing God didn’t make them the ones who had to bear children. I’m sure the earth would have been unpopulated a very long time ago!”
Abby laughed. “That’s the truth of it.” She stepped forward and took Rose’s hand. “Is there anyone else you want here?”
“June,” Rose said immediately. “She was there with John — when I almost didn’t make it.” The look on her face was peaceful and confident. “This time is going to be a breeze. Oh, and I want Jeremy waiting with Moses. My twin has to be one of the first to see his niece!”
“And you know this time is going to be a breeze because…?” Carrie asked, praying Rose was right. She had heard the terrifying story of John’s birth.
“I just know,” Rose said casually. Then her face grew serious. “God took Sam, but he’s sending this baby as his Christmas gift.”
Carrie smiled tenderly. “A Christmas baby. I can’t think of anything more wonderful.” She stepped back as Thomas appeared with the blankets. “Leave them on the chair,” she directed. “Please wait outside. Knock on the door when Moses arrives with the water, and then I would appreciate it if both of you would wait downstairs. And please go get June and Jeremy.”
“Banished to the living room once I’m done being an errand boy?” Thomas said with mock disgust.
“Unless you would prefer the porch,” Carrie replied sweetly.
Thomas rolled his eyes and gave Rose an encouraging wink. “I’ll keep Moses sane until you have this baby,” he promised.
Rose nodded but immediately leaned forward as another rush of pain caused her to cry out. Suddenly fear pushed through her peace as she remembered the agonizing pain from before and just how close she had come to death. Was it going to happen again?
Carrie waved her father from the room and sprang into action. Moments later she looked up at Rose. “This little one is in a hurry. How long were you in labor with John?”
“Hours,” Rose whispered.
“Not this time,” Carrie promised her. “Relax. Everything is going perfectly.
Rose relaxed, knowing Carrie would never tell her anything but the truth.
A gentle tap sounded on the door.
Abby reached out to get the water basins, smiling encouragement when she saw Moses’s panicked eyes. “Go downstairs, Moses. Everything is fine here. It won’t be like the last time,” she promised.
Moses relaxed just a little. “Are you sure?”
Abby nodded firmly. “I’m sure.” Then she closed the door and carried the water to the bedside table to wait for Carrie’s orders.
A peaceful silence fell over the room. The wind picked up outside. The crackling of the fire as Abby fed it wood to keep the room warm was the only other sound. Carrie hummed as she made the preparations.
“This is so different,” Rose said suddenly. “When I had John I was in a tiny little cabin on a hard bed. I was terrified and so very exhausted.” She gazed around the room and then looked at Carrie and Abby. “I feel so peaceful and safe.”
“You should,” Carrie said calmly. “From what I can tell, you will have another child in about an hour.”
“An hour?” Rose asked with disbelief. She doubled over as another contraction gripped her. “Okay,” she gasped, when it finally ended. “Maybe an hour. That one was strong.”
Another light tap on the door announced June’s arrival. She chuckled when she entered the room and saw Rose sitting up in bed with a confident look on her face. “I guess Thomas was right — I really didn’t have to run all the way. You look good.” She sobered and took Rose’s han
d. “I’m so sorry about Sam.”
Tears glistened in Rose’s eyes, but she brushed them away. “My baby will know all about Sam,” she said quietly. “He treated me just like his daughter from the minute I moved into the big house when I was only five. He never let on that he knew I was taking books from the library, and he managed to hide the fact that I was taking candles so I could read at night.” A smile trembled on her lips. “I remember all the times he covered for me when I was out teaching school in the woods. I found out from Annie the other day that Sam was the one who arranged to have Mr. Jamison from the Underground Railroad come through here. He never told me. And he didn’t leave because he had promised my daddy he would look after me.”
“He loved it here,” Carrie said quietly. “He’s been so happy living here in the house with Opal and the kids for the last several years. He told me it was better than being free because he didn’t have to worry about anything. He figured he was too old to run away and start over. He wanted to die right here.”
“I know,” Rose whispered. “Mama used to talk to me a lot about the circle of life. She’d tell me that every time something died, something else was being born.” She patted her stomach. “My baby is the circle of life for Sam. He would be so happy to know that.”
Abby smiled tenderly. “Oh, I think he knows,” she replied, taking Rose’s hand. “He knows.”
Rose gasped as another contraction gripped her. “Ohhh!” she cried, sweat breaking out on her beautiful face. Her eyes were wide when she looked at Carrie.
Carrie bent down for another examination. “I was wrong,” she said lightly. “It will be less than an hour.” She looked up with a grin. “I can see this little one’s head already. She’s obviously in quite a hurry.”
“You can?” Rose gasped, bearing down as another contraction ripped through her. She clenched her teeth as she fought to control the scream.
Abby smiled. “You scream if you want to. It will terrify the men, but they should have to suffer some. You’re the one doing all the hard work. They can deal with a little terror.”
Rose relaxed, laughed, and then screamed loudly as another contraction hit.
“Push!” Carrie urged her. “Your baby is almost here.” She locked eyes with Rose and smiled. “Push!”
Rose, taking strength from Carrie’s eyes, pushed, and then collapsed back against the bed, knowing her work was over.
******
Carrie worked swiftly. She cut the umbilical cord, cleaned the baby gently, and wrapped it warmly in the soft blanket Annie had sent up. A brilliant smile on her face, she carried the baby to where Rose lay staring at her.
“You have a daughter,” she said gently, tears of joy streaming down her face.
Rose reached out her arms. “A daughter?” she asked with awe. “I have a daughter?”
Carrie nodded. “You have a beautiful, perfect daughter.”
Rose pulled the blanket back and stared down at the miracle gazing up at her. “Hello, daughter,” she crooned. “My beautiful, beautiful little girl.” She paused for a moment. “Will you get Moses and Jeremy?”
Carrie nodded at Abby.
Moments later, Moses was standing over the bed. Jeremy and Matthew hovered at the door. He reached down and took his daughter from Rose’s arms. He held her gently, gazing down tenderly. “Hello, little girl,” he whispered. “Welcome to life.”
He turned and beckoned to Jeremy. “Come hold your niece.”
Jeremy moved forward, his face lit with wonder, and reached out his arms to gather his niece close. He smiled at Rose. “Well done, sister.”
Moses settled down on the edge of the bed and kissed Rose warmly. “Well done indeed,” he murmured.
Carrie watched all of them for a moment, her heart pounding with joy. “Do you have a name for her?” she asked.
Rose looked up, her smile as bright as the snow outside now that the clouds had cleared and the moon was gleaming down. “Samantha Hope Samuels,” she said softly. “Samantha because she is the circle of life for Sam. Hope because she is the symbol for the hope that keeps my people moving forward to a better life. And Samuels because freedom has allowed me to have a last name.”
Rose cuddled her baby. “Samantha Hope Samuels is proof God still has faith in humans,” she murmured as she looked at Abby. “It’s just like you told us.” She sighed as her daughter gurgled and pressed into her chest. “I believe it now more than ever. We will be carried forward by hope…”
~ The End
Keep reading for information on Book # 7 – Glimmers of Change
I’d love it if you would leave a review. Just click the Review button below!
The Bregdan Principle
Every life that has been lived until today is a part of the woven braid of life.
It takes every person’s story to create history.
Your life will help determine the course of history.
You may think you don’t have much of an impact.
You do.
Every action you take will reflect in someone else’s life.
Someone else’s decisions.
Someone else’s future.
Both good and bad.
The Bregdan Chronicles
Storm Clouds Rolling In
1860 – 1861
On To Richmond
1861 – 1862
Spring Will Come
1862 – 1863
Dark Chaos
1863 – 1864
The Long Last Night
1864 – 1865
April – December 1865
Many more coming as the Bregdan braid of history continues to be woven…
Other Books by Ginny Dye
PepperCrest High Series – Teen Fiction
Time For A Second Chance
It’s Really A Matter of Trust
A Lost & Found Friend
Time For A Change of Heart
When I Dream Series – Children’s Fiction
When I Dream, I Dream of Horses
When I Dream, I Dream of Puppies
When I Dream, I Dream of Snow
When I Dream, I Dream of Kittens
When I Dream, I Dream of Elephants
When I Dream, I Dream of the Ocean
Fly To Your Dreams Series
Dream Dragon
Born To Fly
Little Heart
101+ Ways to Promote Your Business Opportunity
If You Want To Be A Success, Learn From 100+ People Who Already Are!
All titles by Ginny Dye
www.AVoiceInTheWorld.com
Author Biography
Who am I? Just a normal person who happens to love to write. If I could do it all anonymously, I would. In fact, I did the first go round. I wrote under a pen name. On the off chance I would ever become famous - I didn't want to be! I don't like the limelight. I don't like living in a fishbowl. I especially don't like thinking I have to look good everywhere I go, just in case someone recognizes me! I finally decided none of that matters. If you don't like me in overalls and a baseball cap, too bad. If you don't like my haircut or think I should do something different than what I'm doing, too bad. I'll write books that you will hopefully like, and we'll both let that be enough! Fair?
But let's see what you might want to know. I spent many years as a Wanderer. My dream when I graduated from college was to experience the United States. I grew up in the South. There are many things I love about it, but I wanted to live in other places. So I did. I moved forty-two times, traveled extensively in forty-nine of the fifty states, and had more experiences than I will ever be able to recount. The only state I haven't been in is Alaska, simply because I refuse to visit such a vast, fabulous place until I have at least a month.
Along the way I had glorious adventures. I've canoed through the Everglade Swamps, snorkeled in the Florida Keys and windsurfed in the Gulf of Mexico. I've white-water rafted down the New River and Bungee jumped in the Wisconsin Dells. I've visited every nati
onal park (in the off-season when there is more freedom!) and many of the state parks. I've hiked thousands of miles of mountain trails and biked through Arizona deserts. I've canoed and biked through Upstate New York and Vermont, and I’ve polished off as much lobster as possible on the Maine Coast.
I had a glorious time and never thought I would find a place that would hold me until I came to the Pacific Northwest. I'd been here less than two weeks, and I knew I would never leave. My heart is so at home here with the towering firs, sparkling waters, soaring mountains and rocky beaches. I love the eagles and whales. In five minutes I can be hiking on 150 miles of trails in the mountains around my home or gliding across the lake in my rowing shell. I love it!
Have you figured out I'm kind of an outdoors gal? If it can be done outdoors, I love it! Hiking, biking, windsurfing, rock-climbing, roller-blading, snow-shoeing, skiing, rowing, canoeing, softball, tennis... the list could go on and on. I love to have fun and I love to stretch my body. This should give you a pretty good idea of what I do in my free time.
When I'm not writing or playing, I'm building Together We Can Change the World - a fabulous organization I founded in 2001 - along with 60 amazing people who poured their lives into creating resources to empower people to make a difference with their lives.
What else? I love to read, cook, sit for hours in solitude on my mountain, and also hang out with friends. I love barbeques and block parties. Basically - I just love LIFE!