Vivian managed a pained smile as another labor pain came. “Thank you. I would like to have you there with me.”
The wagon ride home took a little longer than usual with Micah taking extra care over bumps and dips in the road to not cause her discomfort. When they reached the cabin, Micah lifted Vivian into his arms and carried her toward the front door. “I can walk,” she commented with a faint chuckle between labor pains.
He nodded with a grin. “I know, but I didn’t have a chance to carry you over the threshold after we were married. Carrying you over it when you’re about to have our children is the least I can do.”
Micah paced outside the door as he heard Vivian’s cries from the bedroom. It was growing darker outside and it seemed like an eternity since the doctor had arrived. However, Caroline was in there with her, easing his mind a little.
“You’re making me anxious just watching you,” Emmett commented. “Come sit by the fire.”
Micah relaxed into one of the rockers and raked his fingers through his hair. “Does it usually take this long for labor? With Mary Ann it seemed pretty quick. Maybe I’m remembering it wrong. It was a long time ago.”
“It’s hard to tell. With our first child, the labor lasted almost a whole day, but with the second it only took a few hours. It just depends on the mom and baby.”
Micah nodded. “Everything will be fine. Vivian’s strong. I don’t know why I’m worrying so much.”
Emmett clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s perfectly normal. I was a nervous wreck both times, but everything turned out fine. Would you like me to pray with you?”
Micah agreed and he spent time pouring out his concerns to his Heavenly Father as Emmett led the prayer. It was comforting to know God was in control and peace swept over him.
Soon after the prayer, Vivian’s cries silenced and Micah stood up again. Emmett came beside him for support and they waited together. A few moments later, the cries of a baby echoed from the bedroom and Micah breathed a sigh of relief.
Caroline came out a few minutes later with the baby wrapped in one of the handmade star quilts. “Vivian’s doing wonderful and almost ready to have the second baby. She wanted me to introduce you to your daughter.”
Micah took the dainty little bundle in his arms as tears of joy and relief rolled down his face. She was a beautiful child with dark hair and a heart shaped face like Vivian’s. “Hello, sweetheart. I’m your papa.” He smiled when her tiny hand gripped his pinky finger. “You know my voice, don’t you?” He sat down in the rocker with his new daughter. It didn’t take long until he heard another baby crying.
Soon the doctor came back out with his medical bag. “You can go in now. Your wife is holding up beautifully and both babies are healthy and strong.”
He thanked him and entered the bedroom, pausing at the end of the bed. Vivian looked tired but happy, holding a second tiny bundle in her arms. “I have someone else who’s anxious to meet her pa.”
Micah grinned, walking closer. “Another girl?”
“Yes, the doctor said they’re identical.”
He kissed Vivian’s cheek and sat on the stool next to the bed, leaning over to steal a peek at their second daughter. “They’re both beautiful.”
She grinned over at him. “Yes, they are. Would you like to trade?” He nodded and they carefully transferred their little bundles around. He took a few moments to admire the second baby and then looked at Vivian again, brushing her cheek with his free hand. “I was thinking we could name them after their grandmothers and give them Lakota middle names. Lily Wichapi for my mother and Rose Hantaywee for yours.”
“I think the names suit them well. What do the Lakota names mean?”
Vivian smiled. “Star and Faithful.”
“I love them even more now. The perfect names for our new little blessings.” He swallowed a lump in his throat while gazing at his family all together in the same room.
Vivian studied him with concerned eyes. “What is it, Micah? Is something wrong?”
He shook his head and lifted her hand to kiss it. “No, my love. It’s the exact opposite. I never dreamed of finding love or having a family again. The night after receiving Ms. Milton’s letter, I couldn’t sleep. I felt God urging me to look around this cabin. It was then I realized for the first time how lonely I was…how much I wanted to see a family in this house, see the kitchen chairs filled with loved ones and the sound of laughter in the rooms. He gave me just that. He blessed me with a family.”
She smiled at him with happy tears rolling down her cheeks. “He blessed us both with one.”
Civil War Era Terms Used
Bully- terrific, hurrah
Bummer- someone who lagged behind to steal
Highfalutin- highbrow, fancy
Jawing (s)- talking
Let Drive- go ahead, do it
Skedaddle- leave, escape, run away
Author’s Note
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Vivian’s Morning Star. Of all the stories I’ve written, this time period has been one of the most fascinating. Researching Native American history and the morning star quilt pattern was a challenging, but interesting task and I also learned more of my own heritage in the process.
The morning star has long been an important symbol in Native American culture, the Lakota tribe in particular. It symbolizes a new beginning. The symbol was used on teepees, beaded patterns on moccasins, and other clothing.
The morning star quilt pattern originated in the mid to late 1800’s when missionaries introduced a larger array of fabrics to the Native American people. It eventually replaced the traditional red buffalo robes. These were used in ceremonies, such as funerals. They are also given at births, weddings and other special occasions.
My grandfather’s side of the family descended from the Penobscot people. They were a group from the Abenaki tribe who settled by the Penobscot River in Eastern Maine. They used white birch bark to weave baskets, cups and bowls. They also fashioned utensils, canoes, wigwams and mats. Their style of intricate weaving is still used to this day, passed down through the generations.
Both Pelican Rapids, Minnesota and Micah Russell’s hometown of Niangua, Missouri are real towns that existed since before the Civil War Era. The town of Niangua and the Niangua River hold a special place in my heart because of attending church camp there and canoeing trips with my family as a child. I did have to take some creative liberties to imagine what 19th century Niangua, Missouri may have looked like, since there is limited information about this area during that time, but I tried my best to be historically accurate. These days, the scenery around the Niangua River is still breathtaking, with views of the Ozark Mountains, tall cliffs, trees and wildlife. It is still a wonderful place to camp and enjoy weekend canoe trips with family. On a good day, it is common to see Bald Eagles soaring overhead and river turtles chirping as they dive off logs into the water. The river is also an angler’s dream, especially near Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Missouri, where fly fishing for trout is popular.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about Vivian’s story of faith and healing and hope you will continue reading more stories in the Brides of Pelican Rapids Series.
Blessings.
Rachel
Books by Rachel Skatvold
Historical Western Romance
Brides of Pelican Rapids
Caroline’s Quilt
Vivian’s Morning Star
Contemporary Western Romance
Hart Ranch
Escaping Reality
Chasing Embers
Growing Roots
Coming Winter 2020!
Whispers in Wyoming
Guardian of her Heart
A Forgetful Heart
Melodies of the Heart
A Searching Heart
Lessons from the Heart
Patient Hearts
Coming Summer 2020!
Contemporary Romance
Independenc
e Islands
Her Merriweather Hero
Coming Fall 2020!
Riley Family Legacy
Beauty Within
Beauty Unveiled
Beauty Restored
Medieval Romance
Ladies of Ardena
Lady Airell’s Choice
Lady Reagan’s Quest
Lady Fiona’s Refuge
Lady Gwyneth’s Hope
About the Author
Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness, and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming and Brides of Pelican Rapids Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading, and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Civil War Era Terms Used
Author’s Note
Books by Rachel Skatvold
About the Author
Vivian's Morning Star Page 11