"Aren't you going to have any?" Andrew asked when Elizabeth settled onto the bench beside Ben.
"Oh, no. You men enjoy your cake."
"You have to have a least a little slice," Ben said.
"Of course you do," James agreed, "You can't let that boy miss out on a taste of his papa's birthday cake, now can you?"
Elizabeth eyed James and then looked at Ben, who nodded at her as he took a bite of the slice of cake in front of him.
"James and I have a little bit of a disagreement going on. I've told him that I know for sure that there is a baby girl coming, but he says that you are carrying just like his wife was when she was carrying Andrew here, and that must mean that you are having a boy."
Elizabeth laughed and took Ben's fork from his hand, digging it into the cake so that she could enjoy a bite of the sweet vanilla layers and bright strawberry filling.
"Is there more than one way for a woman to carry a baby?" Elizabeth teased.
She knew from talking with the wives throughout town and from listening to her mother talk to the older women in Tennessee during her pregnancies that many people had old superstitions about babies. Many people had told her mother that she was having a boy for sure when she was pregnant with her third child and had been just as surprised as they could be when Maggie was born.
The men at the table laughed and they enjoyed the rest of the cake before heading back outside to do some more work on the extra room before night fell. It was nearly finished and Elizabeth knew that Ben was getting anxious about it. She would wait until he came in for the night to give him his gifts. She had hoped that he would take a little more time to rest, but it was his birthday after all, so she would have to just humor him by letting him get in a couple more hours of work.
She stared out of the kitchen window as she rinsed the dishes and then pushed the big wash bucket aside. Ben would have to carry it outside and pour it out later; she just wasn't able to manage with her round belly in the way. It had been a while since she received her letter from Carrie and hadn't heard anything else. Elizabeth remembered how difficult it was for her to mail her letters to Ben when they were traveling from Tennessee the first time. She had been so secretive about them that Carrie never knew she was sending them, which is likely why she was so worried about Elizabeth receiving her letters.
Elizabeth could only pray that they were traveling well and that their journey had been easy on them. She knew her father was adamant about preparation and making sure that they were as ready as they could be, so they would have what they needed. It was only a matter of getting through the obstacles that existed across the wide prairie, but they were strong and healthy now, and Elizabeth had faith that they would persevere.
****
Dear Elizabeth,
I am hiding behind the wagon as I write this, so I'll have to write as quickly as I can because there isn't much sunlight left and I don't think that the lantern on Papa's bench is bright enough for me to actually see. I don't want anyone seeing me writing this because I know that Mama would just be so upset with me and she is already dealing with enough with Johnny, and now Maggie is saying that she is feeling ill, but I think that that is just because she wants Mama to hold her like she does the baby.
There has been such excitement over the last few days. Three people were bitten by snakes! They had wandered out into the tall grasses looking for any vegetables that might have grown up out of stray seeds that travelers before us dropped, and suddenly we all heard just the biggest ruckus as they screamed and yelled and beat at the grass with their spades.
One man shot at it four times but never did manage to hit it. He said that it slithered away just as happy as you please. The three men who were bitten all stumbled out of the grass and tumbled down onto the ground. Some people pulled them up into their wagons and one man tried to suck the venom out of one of the wounds. I know that it was a kind and courageous thing for him to do, but I found it fairly disgusting.
Here is the really exciting part. Just when we thought that all hope was lost and there was no way that anyone was going to be able to save any of these men, two Indians came into the camp. Some of the little children said that it was like they had just appeared out of nowhere, but it was evening time so it really was that they just walked out of the shadows and startled everybody because we were all too busy paying attention to the bitten men to be watching the perimeter of the wagon for impending Indians.
Did you know that some people call them savages? I don't like that. Especially after meeting two of them. They were actually very kind and helpful people, even though they did look a little strange and one of them did not know a single word of English. I suppose, though, that we didn't know a single word of their language, either, and Papa says that they have been in these parts for far longer than any settlers have, so does that mean that we are actually the strange ones?
Anyway, I have to finish the story. So, the women were all screaming and crying and moaning about their poor bitten husbands, and these Indians came up and the one that did speak a bit of English asked what happened. A couple of the men were able to explain through some gesturing what happened, and the Indian men took a few leather pouches from their belts, mixed some things up with water, and covered up the bites.
Nobody has any idea what was in those pouches, but two of the men are already completely better except for a little bit of limping around because they say that the bites still hurt them some. The third man died this morning, but he was very, very old and hadn't been in good health for most of the trip, so I don't know really how much of his death had to do with the snake bite so much as just his body giving up on him.
Was that terrible of me to say that? That's why Mama can't see this. She would probably tell me that I was being rude and being disrespectful speaking ill of the dead, but it's the truth. It's also the truth that it is the most excitement we've seen in weeks. I have already read through all of the books that I brought along with me. All of them. Some of them I have even read twice since I have learned to read and walk at the same time without getting dizzy and wandering off the trail.
I have used up a few of the pieces of paper I brought along with me writing my own story. I figure, if there are going to be more stories in the world, somebody has to write them, and since there is no one else around here writing them, I suppose I'll be the one to do it. I haven't gotten too far, but at least it's been something to pass a little of the time during breaks and mealtimes.
We have to be getting close now. We've been seeing more and more abandoned wagons and supplies, and Papa says that means that more people and animals were wearing out and trying to get ready for the big last push of the trip.
I am so looking forward to finally being there with you. We only ever saw the camp, so I am excited to see more of California. Mama says that you have your own house now and that it is close to town. Maybe you can show me around some. I miss our long talks.
Sending all of my love from the wagon,
Carrie
P.S. I never want to eat another piece of dried beef in my life. Mama brought so much that we have been eating it every single day. Please have something delicious ready for me. You are my only hope.
****
Elizabeth was still giggling about her sister's letter when she walked into the general store a few days later. From the date on the letter, she had figured that her family would arrive fairly soon, and she wanted to make sure that she was ready for them when they got there.
"How are you feeling, Elizabeth?" Julia asked from behind the counter.
Elizabeth smiled at her and patted her belly.
"I'm doing well, thank you. How are you, Julia?"
"Can't complain. Things have been busy like they always are around summertime. More people showing up in town every day and they always stop in here to get their supplies."
"Well that is certainly a blessing."
"Yes, it is. Is there something special I can help you find?"
The round, rosy-cheeked woman was one of Elizabeth's favorite people that she had met in her time in California. Julia had been there for several years already, setting up shop with Forty-Niners and being a central fixture of the town ever since. The town had all of the basic places for goods and supplies, including a couple of bakeries, a butcher, and even another small grocery store, but everyone knew if they wanted to get the best, they went to Julia's general store.
"My family is coming in on the wagon train for their first visit since Ben and I have been here."
"That's exciting! I know you are looking forward to seeing them."
"I am. I have missed them so much. I want to make sure that the home is ready for them, and I was hoping that you might have a few little special treats that I could have ready for them. We've missed so many birthdays and holidays, I want to spoil them a little. I even have a new brother to meet."
She knew she was gushing, but she couldn't help it. The excitement was building up so much that she felt like she couldn't hold it all in. Julia smiled at her and reached under the counter to pull out a basket of little paper-wrapped packages tied up in strings of red yarn. Elizabeth picked one up and held it to her nose, breathing in a wonderful, sweet smell.
"Goats' milk soap scented with lavender and chamomile," Julia said, "and I have some special sweets that I just made. Put them in a jar away from the windows and they will last just fine."
"These are perfect," Elizabeth said, "Thank you. I will just need a few basic things, too, and I will be all ready."
"Well, you just pick out what you need and I will have Jason deliver it to your house this evening," Julia told her, pulling a few of the wrapped bars of soap from the basket.
"That would be great."
Elizabeth roamed around the store picking out the grocery items she wanted in the house for when the family arrived, including a few ingredients she hoped would inspire her mother to make her favorite dinner for her. She was behind a shelf displaying loaves of bread looking at the pretty jars of preserves Julia was famous for when she heard Georgia come in.
"Julia!" Georgia exclaimed, "You will not believe what I heard."
Elizabeth shook her head at Georgia's favorite phrase. It seemed that the woman didn't think that anyone would ever believe anything. Since getting so upset by Georgia's gossip the last time, Elizabeth had been actively avoiding it, steering conversations away from her rumors and trying to keep her focus on other topics. Today, however, she didn't seem to have much choice. Not wanting to seem like she was eavesdropping, Elizabeth stepped out from behind the bread carrying a jar of plum preserves.
"What is it that I'm not going to believe, Georgia?" Julia asked.
"I heard that there is a wagon train that will be here very soon," Georgia said and Elizabeth's ears pricked up.
"Wagon trains come through here all the time," Julia said.
"I know, but this one is carrying men that survived snake bites thanks to a group of savages!"
Georgia's voice had dropped to a whisper as if she didn't want anyone but the women to hear what she said because it was just too scandalous. She nodded, looking at Julia and then at Elizabeth. Elizabeth sighed and placed the jar of preserves on the counter among the other things she had picked out from the store.
"Actually, Georgia," she said, "It was just two, not a group, and they are not savages. They are kind, gentle, and knowledgeable people who were able to save the lives of two men who almost certainly would have died had they not come along to help." She added an extra bag of coffee to the assortment of groceries on the counter and then turned back to Georgia, "And the third man was very old and sickly and he was probably going to die soon, anyway, so there was really no helping him." She turned to Julia, "Thank you, Julia. The soaps are wonderful. They are exactly what I was hoping to find. I look forward to trying the sweets."
With that, Elizabeth turned and walked out of the store, waiting until she was well away from the large windows at the front to allow herself a smile. She had bested the gossiper and left her, likely for the very first time in her life, speechless.
It was quite hot outside and she had gotten most of the way home when Elizabeth started feeling slightly breathless. She paused for a moment, wishing she had stopped to get a sip of water before leaving town. As she stood at the edge of the road, she felt a tightness form in her belly and then relax. She had had these tightening feelings for several days, so she rubbed it gently as she had each time she had experienced it and then started walking again.
A few moments later, she felt the tightening again, only this time it came with a pain that seemed to radiate from deep inside her and push toward her back. She kept moving this time, wanting to get home so that she could drink some water and rest. Every few steps the tight feeling returned, bringing with it more and more intense pain each time. By the time she got home, the pain was nearly taking her breath away.
"Elizabeth!" Ben cried as she walked into the yard, "We finished the room!"
Elizabeth looked up at him, one hand clutching the front of her belly and the other pressed into her back where the pain had settled at the base of her spine and was making it more difficult to stand straight.
"It seems that you finished not a moment too soon," she said.
Ben looked at her quizzically, glanced down at her belly, and then sharply back into her eyes.
"You mean…"
Elizabeth nodded.
"I think this baby of yours is eager to get out and meet you."
"You said that you still had another week or more."
"I don't think that the baby knows that," Elizabeth said, closing her eyes to ward off another of the pains that was rolling through her.
"What do I do?" Ben asked, starting to sound nervous.
Elizabeth shook her head at him, taking her hand away from her belly to stroke his arm soothingly.
"Babies can take a long time to come, especially a first baby. There's no need to get worked up right now. Just get me inside and get me a cup of water."
Ben wrapped his arm around her and guided her toward the door to the house. Elizabeth wanted to sit, but she remembered that her mother had always told her that the best way to keep the pain down and encourage the baby to come was to stay on her feet. It would help her body do what it was supposed to do and keep the baby safer.
Ben brought her a cup of water and pressed it into her palm. Elizabeth drank it down eagerly and handed the empty cup back to him.
"More?" he asked.
Elizabeth shook her head and reached up to loosen the pins in her hair. Her fingers worked quickly, moving down the dark strands until they formed a single thick braid down her back. She then twisted the braid and pinned the tight bun in place so that her hair was off her neck, keeping her cooler. The process had helped to distract her, but as soon as she finished she felt another, much more intense pain wash over her. She gasped and bent forward.
"I think I need the midwife," she said, reaching out to take Ben's hand.
Ben ran out the front door and Elizabeth could hear him yelling to James.
"Elizabeth is in labor. Please, send Andrew to get the midwife."
A moment later, Ben was back in the house and Elizabeth leaned on him, trying to force herself to keep walking even through the pain. She squeezed her eyes closed, crying out a prayer from her heart, asking for help and strength to get through the delivery, and for mercy to keep her and her baby safe.
She walked through several more contractions, relying on the warmth and strength of Ben's hand to keep her steady. Suddenly the pain turned into hard, almost dizzying pressure and she knew instinctively that there was no longer any time to wait for the midwife.
Elizabeth rushed into the bedroom, lying down on the bed as she felt the pressure intensify to the point that she didn't think she could tolerate another second. She cried out against a moment of blinding pain and then there was absolute relief. The room filled with the sound of crying and Elizabeth r
ealized it was the baby, Ben, and her. Tears streamed down her face and she gasped for breath, the pure joy inside her causing a laugh to bubble from her lips.
"My girl," Ben whispered, "My sweet baby girl."
Elizabeth smiled, resting back against the pillows. She heard the door to the house open and pounding footsteps come through the main room toward the bedroom. The midwife burst into the room and Ben turned to her, cradling the baby carefully.
"My goodness!" the grey-haired woman exclaimed. "That certainly was fast. It seems this little lady was a bit impatient to meet her grandparents."
Elizabeth lifted her head and stared at the midwife.
"Grandparents?" she asked.
"Elizabeth!"
Her mother's voice sounded through the house and Elizabeth's heart jumped. The midwife had closed the door to the bedroom, but she could hear Mary's voice right outside.
"Mama?" she called out to her.
The midwife took the baby from Ben's hands and nodded toward the door.
"You go on out there and let those good folks know that there is a beautiful new little girl in the family while I finish things up in here with your wife."
Everything after that moment seemed to happen in a blur, and suddenly Elizabeth was in a fresh nightgown sitting in bed, her newborn daughter tucked in her arms, and her family was swarmed around her. Ben perched on the bed beside her, one hand rested on the baby's head as he gazed down at her adoringly.
"You certainly know how to give a memorable welcome," her father said, trying to choke back the tears sparkling in his eyes.
"I can't believe you're here," Elizabeth said, looking at each of her parents, and then her siblings in turn.
"We picked up good progress and got here a bit earlier than anticipated," Mary said.
"I guess that runs in the family," Elizabeth said, looking down at her daughter and kissing her forehead softly.
Annie: A Bride For The Farmhand - A Clean Historical Western Romance (Stewart House Brides Book 3) Page 94