The front door burst open, and Daniel rushed out to meet them. Hail dropped from the sky, creating marbles of ice under his feet. Daniel held his coat over Millie’s head and herded her toward the house.
“I’ll put the horse and buggy in the barn,” Levi called after them.
Millie’s fearful voice called back, “Please hurry.”
He hated hearing the sound of trepidation that came from her and wished the little mare could take care of herself. Levi pulled the scared animal by its harness toward the barn.
Jeb met him halfway. “I’ll take care of her, Levi.” He grabbed the mare.
“Thanks.” Levi spun on his heels and raced to the house. He wanted to check on Millie. He’d never seen anyone that afraid of storms. It had broken his heart to see the terrible tenseness in her body and the anxious look on her face.
The rain and hail pelted him as he ran across the yard. He hurried to the kitchen, where he found Millie wrapped in a blanket, huddled in a chair. She shivered as if she’d taken cold, but he knew she’d only been in the rain for a couple of minutes.
Daniel stood beside her chair looking worried. “I need to get back upstairs with Hannah. She hasn’t been feeling good today.”
Levi waved him away. “Go on, I’ll take care of Millie.” If anyone had told him a year ago that both he and Daniel would have women who needed them, Levi felt sure he’d have laughed.
* * *
Take care of Millie. The words grated on Millie’s nerves. She didn’t want to be weak. She didn’t want someone to take care of her. Still, when the thunder shook the house, she cried out and grabbed Levi’s arm.
“Easy, Millie, it’s just thunder. It can’t hurt you in the house.” He scooted his chair close to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
Millie hated this weakness. She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I know, but storms have always scared me.”
The sound of boots bounding on the stairs sounded almost as loud as the thunder had earlier. A few seconds later, Daniel went past the doorway. They heard the front door slam and knew he’d run out into the rain.
Concern filled Levi’s voice. “I wonder where he’s going in such a hurry.”
Millie patted the arm that held her tight. “Maybe he forgot to do something in the barn.”
“Maybe.” Even to himself, Levi’s voice sounded doubtful.
The front door slammed open, then shut just as forcibly. Millie eased out of his arms, and he sat forward, both of them looking intently at the kitchen doorway.
Daniel appeared within seconds. His face ashen, his breaths came in ragged gasps. Levi experienced a dull ache of foreboding. He’d only seen that kind of fear in Daniel’s face once, the night their sister had died.
“What is it, Daniel? What’s wrong?”
Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came forth. He rubbed his hands down his pants, then tried again. In a low and tormented voice, he told them, “I think Hannah is losing the baby.”
Chapter Seventeen
Levi’s chair crashed behind him as he jumped to his feet, the noise shattering the last of Millie’s hard fought for calm. “I’ll go get the doctor.” His voice broke with huskiness.
Daniel shook his head. “I just sent Tucker after him. Boil water. We might need it.” He started toward the stairs then turned back to them. “And pray. Please.” His earnest eyes sought each of theirs and seemed to plead for help.
The blanket slipped from her fingers as Millie stood and started toward him. “Is there anything I can do?” she asked, knowing in her heart they were all helpless if God didn’t intervene.
“No, just help Levi.” Daniel left. His boots pounded up the stairs as he hurried back to Hannah’s side.
Levi pulled pans down and began filling them with water from the water bucket. Next, he added wood to the stove and started a fire within its belly.
Millie set Levi’s chair upright. “It will be hours before Doc arrives. It might be too early to start the hot water,” she advised. Her gaze moved up to the second floor where she knew Hannah was fighting to keep her baby.
Levi placed the pans on the stove top. “True, but we might need the water before he arrives.” He turned to face her.
Millie saw his hand shake as he put it in his pocket. Levi was scared. His eyes clung to hers, analyzing her reaction, uncertainty in their dark depths. She didn’t know if he was trying to see if she needed comforting or if he himself was looking to her for comfort. She dropped her gaze to the floor.
Levi moved to the window and stared out into the storm.
Thunder boomed, but it didn’t seem nearly as scary to Millie now. All she could think about was Hannah and her unborn child.
Hannah couldn’t be more than four months along, but Millie had seen the excitement and heard Hannah and Daniel discussing names. Hannah loved her baby as much right now as if it were already in her arms.
“Millie, will you join me in prayer for Hannah and the baby?” Levi turned from the window, his hand outstretched.
She crossed the room and stood in front of him. Levi took both her hands, his thumbs smoothing the backs of them in a comforting motion. He leaned forward until their foreheads touched, his warm breath against her face. He prayed for Hannah and the baby.
Millie forgot about the raging storm. She focused on God and Levi’s prayer to their Heavenly Father. In a voice that wavered once or twice, Levi asked that God’s will be done and that God protect Daniel’s heart should they lose the child. He finished, and Millie added a whispered amen. He didn’t move away, so Millie tilted her face toward his.
She saw the need, the anguish, and in an instinctive gesture of comfort she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against the taut smoothness of his shoulder. He pulled her close. She felt his chest heave a jagged breath. They stood together for a brief moment. Both received strength and comfort. Then he released her slowly, placing both hands back in his pockets.
Levi turned back to the window. He’d regained control of his emotions.
As the storm raged outside, Millie and Levi waited in silence. Feeling jumpy from both the storm and the waiting, she picked up the picnic basket Levi had set beside their chairs. “Would you like to eat something while we wait, Levi?” It wasn’t hunger that drove her to ask, but she felt it was something to do to keep their hands busy.
“No thanks. I’m not hungry.”
Millie pulled her sketch pad and pencils from the basket and then returned it to the floor. She placed her art supplies on the table. Still needing something more to do, she asked, “How about a cup of coffee? I could make a pot and you can take a cup up to Daniel, as well.”
He stared at her for a moment and then nodded his consent. He bowed his head and continued in a low voice, praying for Daniel and his small family.
Thankfully, the storm’s intensity had lessened and she began to feel useful again. Millie had never cooked in the Westland kitchen but soon had the coffee brewing. Its rich aroma filled the room. When it was ready, she poured two cups.
Levi hadn’t moved.
“It’s ready,” she said in a soft voice.
Levi turned from the window. He walked to her and took both of the cups from her hands, then leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” He left the room.
Millie touched where his lips had caressed her skin. Why had Levi kissed her? Didn’t he realize that by doing so he only made it harder for her to resist him?
She couldn’t quite put her finger on just when it had happened, but their relationship had shifted from friends to something a bit deeper.
* * *
After he’d given Daniel one of the cups of coffee, Levi stood outside his brother’s old bedroom door. Thankfully, Hannah had been visiting their mother when the labor pains had begun. Never in his life had he felt so helpless. Levi couldn’t even begin to imagine what Daniel must be going through. How could a man see his wife in pain and know that the life they
had made together was possibly dying right in front of them and they could do nothing to stop it?
His mind flashed back to the sermon on Job the preacher had preached earlier. How had Job lost it all and still been able to say, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord?” Levi didn’t know if he had that kind of faith or not.
The doctor and Levi’s mother arrived, and with their arrival, the storm ended. They immediately went upstairs and for the next hour Levi busied himself with feeding the animals, filling the wood box in the kitchen and carrying fresh water. Still there was no news.
Levi returned to the empty kitchen and began to pace the floor. He’d expected to find Millie waiting for him there. Where had she gone? He’d left her alone while he found things to keep him busy. Levi realized he’d been an insensitive oaf. After she had comforted him in the sweetest, most caring way she knew how.
Millie slipped quietly back into the room. She sat down at the kitchen table. Her eyes looked a bit puffy and tired. Had she been crying?
He needed to make amends and sought in his mind the best way to do just that. Levi studied her carefully. Her sketch pad rested in front of her, but she wasn’t working on anything. He pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.
“Millie, I’ll be happy to take you back to town if you’d like me to.” Levi took her hand that lay on top of the sketchbook and measured it against his, then entwined their fingers together. She made no effort to remove her hand from his.
She shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, but I can’t leave until I know that Hannah is all right.” Millie gently squeezed his hand and offered him a soft smile.
They sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts till Bonnie Westland entered her kitchen looking aged and tired. If she thought it strange that her son was holding hands with a female guest, she didn’t let on; she sat down at the head of the table and sighed. Levi hadn’t seen his mother look so drawn since the day his father had died.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” Millie asked, releasing Levi’s hand to stand.
“That would be nice.”
Millie went to get his mother a fresh cup. She filled it and then placed the hot coffee in front of Bonnie. “I’ll be right back with the cream and sugar.”
When she returned, Bonnie asked, “Millie, would you mind getting a cup for the doctor, too? He’ll be down in a moment.”
“Of course not.” Millie turned to do Bonnie’s bidding.
Levi watched his mother’s hand shake as she added sugar to her cup. He waited, knowing that she’d say what needed to be said once Millie was reseated.
Dread filled him. Somehow he knew what she was going to say. Levi tried to think positive for a moment. Daniel and Hannah could have more children. They would get to spend more alone time together before starting a family, get a few more things finished or caught up on.
He also was smart enough to know that they would grieve together and either grow closer or be torn apart. Having seen the love between them he felt certain they would work through this tragedy and come out stronger than ever. As it had with Job, time and the good Lord would heal all things.
He watched his mother take a sip from her coffee. A tear slid down her cheek. Levi felt a lump seize his throat. He could not stand to see a woman cry, especially one as tough as the one in front of him. Levi reached out and placed his hand over hers.
Just as he’d thought, when Millie rejoined them at the table, Bonnie said, “Hannah lost the baby.” She took several deep breaths and got her emotions under control, even though a few rebellious tears trickled past her defenses.
Levi released a pent-up breath he’d been holding. He patted her hand. She was handling things just fine; she wouldn’t need his help. His relief was short-lived when he looked at Millie.
Her elbows rested on the table, and both hands covered her eyes. Her shoulders shook, and he knew tears filled her hands, even if he couldn’t see them.
Deep pain twisted his gut. Uncertainty gnawed at him, making the sourness in the pit of his stomach worse. He didn’t know how she would feel about receiving comfort in front of his mother. Yet he longed to return the favor she had granted him earlier by taking her in his arms.
Levi returned his attention to his mother and asked the only thing that came to mind. “How is Daniel doing?”
“He’s being strong for Hannah.” His mother took a long drink from her coffee and then straightened her spine. “Millie, you are welcome to stay in Levi’s old room tonight. Levi, you’ll stay in the guest room.”
Millie removed her hands. Tears marred her pretty features, but unlike his mother she hadn’t bothered to wipe them away. She gathered her composure about her like an iron mantle. “Thank you. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Levi glanced between the two women. Though sorrow filled his mother’s eyes, when she looked at Millie he saw something else. If he wasn’t mistaken, there was a glimmer of respect in her eyes. “No, thank you, dear.”
The doctor chose that moment to enter the room. “I’ve done all I can for her, Bonnie. Make sure she takes the sleeping powders tonight. Tomorrow will be soon enough for her to face her sorrows.”
Millie picked up the additional coffee mug and stepped forward. “Sir, I’ve poured you a cup of coffee.” She handed the cup to him.
“Thank you. Miss Hamilton, right?”
She offered him a watery smile. “Yes, sir. I’m Millie Hamilton. But please call me Millie.”
He sighed tiredly. “Drop the sir, and I’ll call you Millie.”
“Yes...”
“Doc. Just call me Doc.”
A bittersweet smile filled her eyes. “Yes, Doc.”
He gulped the coffee then the doctor set his cup down. “I’ll be heading on out.”
Bonnie snapped out of her stupor. “You’ll do no such thing. It’s late and the road is pure mud. Unless you have patients waiting for you, you’ll be spending the night here.”
He raised a bushy eyebrow. “How can a man refuse such a sweet invitation?” He picked up his cup and took another drink.
His comment brought a grin to Bonnie’s sad face. “You’ll be bunking with Levi. Son, please show the doctor to his room. I’m sure he’s tired.”
Levi stood. He didn’t want to leave Millie. Just being in the same room with her made him feel better, but Levi knew it would be best for all involved to do as his mother said.
He turned to the doctor. “Sometimes it’s easier to simply surrender. I think this might be one of those times.”
The older man nodded. “Agreed. However, I want to check on my patient one more time before retiring.”
“I understand. Our room is across the hall from Daniel and Hannah’s,” Levi answered, walking to the door with the doctor.
Just before they left the kitchen, he turned to look at Millie. Her eyes were gentle and contemplative as she returned his gaze. She managed a tremulous smile and a softly whispered, “Good night, Levi.”
As he started up the stairs he heard her begin to hum one of the songs they’d sung during the storm. He didn’t know which of them she was trying to comfort right now, but he did know the moment was theirs alone. They had a story between them that bound them together. He liked it.
* * *
A little while later, Millie met the doctor at the top of the stairs as he left Hannah’s room. “Doc, do you think I could speak to Hannah? And if so, would you ask her if that would be all right? I don’t want to intrude if she doesn’t want to see me right now.”
“I think that’s a great idea. I’ll ask her.”
He disappeared a moment into Hannah and Daniel’s room, then reappeared and held open the door. “She’s just taken a sleeping powder so don’t be too long.”
Millie nodded and then entered the room. She took in the scene before her, her heart racing in her chest. Daniel lay on top of the covers with Hannah’s head on his chest. A tiny candle burned on the chest of d
rawers against the wall. An open window allowed cool air to stir across the covers. Millie had never felt more like an intruder in her life. She turned to leave.
“Millie?”
She twisted back around to find Hannah beckoning to her. Daniel slipped off the bed and offered Millie his place. “Stay with her till I get back, please.” At her nod, Daniel closed the door gently, leaving them alone.
Millie eased down on the bed beside Hannah and looked into eyes heavy with grief. “Oh, Hannah, I am so sorry.” She brushed Hannah’s hair back and wiped the tears that silently streamed down her face.
Hannah hooked her arms through Millie’s and they lay looking at each other. Millie sensed that Hannah needed her presence, not small talk.
“I must look a mess.” Hannah smiled. Her lips trembled, but the flow of tears had stopped.
“You look beautiful.” Millie waited, feeling inept, yet happy to be there. Hoping to help. “Are you going to be all right?”
Hannah gave a short laugh. “Health wise, yes. Doc says I’m healthy as an ox. That we should be able to have many more babies, Lord willing.” She looked at Millie and whispered, “Heart wise, I’m not so sure.”
Millie was at a loss for words. She wanted to help her friend but didn’t know how.
Hannah swallowed then smiled ruefully. “I dreamed of holding this baby, of nursing him. I was getting used to the idea of three of us instead of two.”
Millie teased gently, “Of sewing booties and washing out stinky diapers?”
Hannah chuckled. “Yes, even stinky diapers.”
“How is Daniel?”
Hannah sighed. “He’s a wreck. He prayed for God to save the baby and then was angry at God when He took the baby home. I told him it was dangerous to be that way so he apologized to God. Then he apologized to me, and then he told Doc he was sorry. Doc had no idea what he was talking about because he hadn’t even arrived when all this took place. So then Daniel was mad at Doc.”
Millie couldn’t help it. She laughed out loud and was rewarded by Hannah’s soft chuckle. When they stopped laughing, Millie smiled at Hannah and said, “He loves you so much.”
His Chosen Bride (Love Inspired Historical) Page 18