“Who isn’t worried? I know Bao is young and everything will be fine, but I’d just feel better if Dr. Thorn was here. Violet seems so distracted. And even unsure at times. It scares me.”
Dalton gently took Adaline’s shoulders and turned her toward him. “Women have been having babies since the dawn of time. And most of the time, on their own. Don’t go looking for trouble, Adaline. Things’ll work out.”
She nodded but didn’t reply. He was being kind again, brotherly. Why couldn’t she just tell him how she felt? Why must she play silly, flirtatious games? Was she wasting her time? Getting her hopes up for nothing? She wished she could just be honest.
His brow tilted. “It’s been quiet, I have to ask. Is anything at all happening in there? I haven’t heard one scream or cry.”
See? She was thinking of Dalton again, and Dalton was considering the situation at hand. Any chance of a romance with him was no use. “She’s having contractions and labor is moving along, but she stays quiet. Violet says she thinks we’re more than halfway there.”
She could barely breathe at the tenderness blatant in Dalton’s gaze. Did he still think of her as just Jake’s little sister? Or had his thoughts gone other places, grown and blossomed into something else entirely, like her own?
“It’s you who’s valiant, Adaline. First breaking me out of a dangerous prison camp and now assisting in a birthing for the first time. I respect your fearlessness.”
Her heart dropped like a stone. Respect? That’s all she’d get from Dalton Babcock—respect and broken dreams.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Feeling trapped, Courtney paced the length of her bedroom for the fiftieth time, her mind numb with fear. The pretty quilted bed and the cheerful curtains brought her no peace. What in the name of heaven would she do about Wil? His ultimatum rang loudly in her head over and over. One hundred dollars! Acquiring that sum of money would be impossible. He hadn’t been fooling. Was there any way out of this mess besides running away? When she’d discovered she wasn’t with child, she’d been so relieved. She’d made a hundred promises to God on how she’d live her life from that instant forward. She’d be grateful for every single day. She’d never take another moment for granted. But now this! Wil had followed her. Once, she’d dreamed of being in his arms for love, now she contemplated going there again just so he’d return to Newport and leave her alone.
A soft tapping on her door made her turn. “Yes?”
“It’s me, Jessie. I saw the light under your door.”
Courtney had retired soon after the supper dishes were washed and put away, claiming a slight headache. Darkness had fallen and the house had grown still. She’d thought the children were already abed, and Chase and Jessie were quietly reading in the large room by a crackling fire.
Taking a calming breath, she went to the door. A moment of panic seized her when she realized she hadn’t even changed into her nightgown and robe. She opened the door.
Jessie’s eyes widened and then she smiled. “How’re you feeling? Any better?”
She nodded. “I am, thank you.” She remembered the sheet of paper on the desk listing the pros and cons of running away. “I was just, well…”
Uninvited, Jessie came into the room and softly closed the door. “If something is bothering you, Courtney, you needn’t be frightened. You’re safe here. And you’re welcome for as long as you like. If you tell me, I might be able to help.”
A moment of weakness descended. How nice sharing the burden of Wil’s ultimatum would feel. If only she could pour out her troubles to Jessie. “I’m just tired,” she replied weakly, hating herself for nurturing the ability to think up falsehoods in the blink of the eye. In that regard, she was becoming more like Wil every day. Perhaps the two of them were the same. He always said so. “Before long, school will start. I was almost finished in Newport, and I don’t want to go back. I don’t see the need to get my grade school certificate.” Irritation at Adaline and Jake for insisting she complete her studies curled in her stomach. Why did they maintain her need of an education? She felt so different from other children. She was a woman now.
Jessie’s face softened, and the worry lines on her forehead and around her eyes eased away. “Is that all? I thought something serious had happened. You barely touched your supper and hardly said a word. You need to slow your pace a little and quiet your mind. You’ve lost your father recently and moved to a new town. Do nothing more than sit in front of a nice fire with a cup of cocoa.” Jessie glanced around the room.
Courtney feared she’d see her list on the desk and go to investigate.
“School will be fun. I was raised in an orphanage and never had much schooling. I wish I’d had a better opportunity. If you don’t take the time now, you might regret your decision. As you grow older, other responsibilities take all your time.” She gave a knowing look. “A husband and family.”
Heat scalded Courtney’s face. She knew Jessie had her best interest at heart, but her mentioning a family to her, after what she’d done, felt odd. No decent man would want to marry her now. Not if he knew her past. “You read and write so well.”
“Thank the heavens we were taught our letters and the barest of numbers. Most of what I know now came from the reading I’ve done. I’d hate to live in a world without books. When I open the cover to a new story, a magic carpet appears to take me to some faraway land or different time.”
“I already read and write well. And I’m good at math.”
“All true. But Mr. Hutton’s class covers history, geography, and how our nation is run. The laws. The Constitution. There’s so much more to school than reading and doing sums. You only need one term to finish. Think long and hard before you decide not to go back. As you get older, you’ll learn time seems to speed up. The months you have left probably look like an eternity to you now, but to me, I hardly lift my head from the pillow and soon the day is past and it’s time to go to bed again.” Jessie ran a hand down Courtney’s arm. “Take the little time and graduate. You’ll be glad you did.”
Courtney listened carefully, all the while thinking she wished her only problem was whether or not to return to school. Even though she didn’t fancy the idea, if the problem of Wil was removed, she’d happily sit through days of lessons without complaint. “I know you’re right,” she heard herself saying. “My father felt the same way. I’ve decided to go, Jessie. I don’t want to let my family down.”
“I’m so happy to hear that! Sarah would be very disappointed if you didn’t. She’s looking forward to sitting with you. Tonight, she said you’re her big sister and wants to be just like you when she grows up.” Jessie laughed softly. “She doesn’t realize you’re just a girl, too.”
I am grown up, Jessie. And if you knew to what extent, you’d not want Sarah around me. Or any of the children of Logan Meadows.
“I won’t keep you up any longer,” Jessie went on. “Go to bed and get some rest. You have your whole life ahead of you—and whether or not to finish your schooling is just the beginning of all the decisions you’ll have. Your future will look much brighter in the morning. My own mother, before she left me at the orphanage, used to remind me all the time: when the dark of night has your mind circling around itself, just think up something that makes you happy, something that makes you smile. In the sunshine of the new day, you’ll feel better.” Jessie smiled and quietly closed the door.
The click of the lock stabbed like a lance to Courtney’s heart. If only Jessie’s words were true. A bright, sunny day without Wil to threaten her. Facts were facts. She needed to come up with one hundred dollars or pack her bag and run off with him. Those were her options. How horrified Jessie would be when she learned the truth.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Bao’s intensified panting signaled another contraction was imminent. Hours had crawled by painfully slow. Adaline didn’t know how the slight woman kept on. Was something wrong?
With a length of lea
ther between her teeth, Bao clamped down, her eyes squeezed tight. She moaned and writhed back and forth on the damp bedsheet darkened with sweat and blood.
Violet reached forward and gently swabbed the sweat from Bao’s forehead.
“Should you check her again, Violet?” Adaline asked, exhausted and beyond frightened. The baby should have already come.
“Ain’t no use. Ya’ll know when she has ta push. I hope it’s soon. This baby is taking his sweet time for being a second delivery. Not much can be done until the head crowns. Then jist put out yer arms and hope for steady hands ta catch the slippery little cub.”
Bao gasped and then reached out a hand. “I must push.”
Violet winked at Adaline. “Now I’ll give her a little checksie. See what this youn’un has in mind.” She went to the side of the bed, lifted the sheet, and leaned in close. A few seconds later, she lowered the drape and turned to her medicines on the dresser at the back of the room.
Adaline couldn’t miss the tremble in her hands. She rushed to Violet’s side and whispered, “What’s wrong? What’s happening?”
“That obstinate babe wants ta be born butt first. Must be a boy! Only other time I delivered a breech was a boy.”
“Breech?” she whispered to Violet. “You can deliver a breech, can’t you? Violet, you look frightened. Please tell me Mrs. Ling and her baby aren’t in danger!”
Violet glanced up at the ceiling with a scowl. “Ya think this is some kinda joke ta play on ol’ Mrs. Hollyhock, Lord?” she hissed out. “I’m not appreciatin’ yer humor a’tall!”
Adaline grasped Violet’s arm, fear clogging her throat. “What should we do?” she asked in a panicked voice.
Bao was bearing down.
Perhaps she wasn’t supposed to just yet?
“Too many years have passed. I need hilp. I might have forgotten some things, but I do remember the noggin should come a’fore anything else. This way, the baby can get stuck. Doesn’t take long for ’em both ta perish. Send your deputy for Doc Thorn while I try ta hold things off. Tell him ta hurry! I have ta put pride aside in this case. He knows more than I do.”
With each word, the crinkly skin of Violet’s throat wriggled reminding Adaline of a snake. “What about Bao’s wishes? Mr. Ling said she didn’t want the doctor.”
“Got no choice! We have ta do what’s best.” She cast a secretive glance over her bony shoulder to the bed. “Look at her. She don’t care if the whole saloon came through right about now—drunks and all. Our aim is ta get the young’un into this world alive.”
Relief cascaded through Adaline. She’d be so thankful when the doctor took over. She turned and smiled briefly at Bao. “I’ll be right back, Mrs. Ling. You’re not to worry.”
Bao was too busy moaning to respond.
Adaline scooted out the door and ran straight into Dalton’s chest. He must have been listening through the door. His waiting arms closed around her. He held her for a few long seconds, allowing her to exhale the choking fear trapped in her lungs. He caressed her back, causing her to sink more fully into his embrace. His warm breath brushed her ear.
“What’s wrong, Adaline? Has something happened?”
His soothing voice was all she wanted to think about. She was transported back instantly to the stormy night at the lighthouse. Where they’d talked and been so close. He’d asked her about her family and she’d shared the painful fact her father had died. She’d lost her heart to him then, although she hadn’t realized until later. She drew back, gazing into his penetrating caramel-gold eyes, so unlike any other she’d ever seen. She glanced past him to see Mr. Ling at the table, his forehead resting on his forearm. “Yes,” she whispered, trying to keep the alarm out of her tone. “The baby is breech. Violet is rattled and wants Dr. Thorn. She’s asked you to fetch him as fast as you can. Their lives are at stake.”
Dalton cast his gaze at the floor.
“Dalton?”
He slowly found her face.
“You’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”
“Dr. Thorn is sick. Several cases of influenza have erupted in Logan Meadows. He’s one of them. Mr. Ford told me when I went to get the coffee mug. The doctor won’t be any help.”
She gasped quietly. “Maybe Violet’s been depending on him all along, knowing he was so close, waiting in the wings. I don’t know what she’ll do. She looks so old, Dalton, and confused, muttering to herself, and keeps going to her box of herbs as if she’ll find some answers there. What should we do?” She felt her panic rising.
Dalton steadied her, his expression resolute. “This is what we’re doing—first, stay calm. Second, make a plan. Third, act accordingly. Mr. Ford might be wrong about the doctor. You know how gossip gets around. I’ll go find out for myself. And if Thorn can’t come, he can give some instruction.”
“I won’t tell Violet yet. I don’t want her to panic.”
“Good thinking.” Dalton pulled her close one more time.
She thought she felt him kiss her head. Why? For luck, or something more? Time in life was fleeting. All too apparent, with poor Mrs. Ling facing more than the birth of her second child. Death could be near. And what about Violet, in her late eighties? No one lived forever. Not one second of precious life should be wasted on insecurities and doubts. If I’m sincere in my feelings, I should tell Dalton. He can’t read my mind. Maybe Violet and Marlene are from the old school, where one hides feelings and intentions. I don’t want to be like that. Do I? She clutched his arm as he turned to go.
He turned back.
“Dalton, I have something I’d like to tell you.”
“Yes?” His gaze searched hers.
“I…” She faltered and began again, “I love you. Love you with all my heart. I have since the first night we met. You mean everything to me. My heart stumbles when you walk into a room. You’re my last thought before I fall asleep and the first when I awaken. No man can ever mean anything to me, for you have captured my heart for all time.”
His gaze widened. He blinked several times.
Her heart sank. She’d ruined any chance she had with him. What had she been thinking, to blurt out her heart? Especially at a moment like this. Feeling as if she was going to be sick, she held out a placating hand. “Please, you needn’t respond. I just wanted you to know...”
To her utter disappointment, he took her at her word and didn’t respond, just bolted out the door without even taking a moment to slip on his coat. A burning chunk of coal smoldered in her gut. Well, she’d gone and botched things now. Thinking she knew better, she’d done the exact opposite of what Marlene instructed. Feeling like the biggest fool on the face of the earth, she turned and reached for the bedroom doorknob.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Unable to sleep, Tyler leveled himself up on his elbow and glanced around the pitch-black bunkhouse, listening to somebody snoring in the dark. The sound wasn’t loud and seesawing like an old man would make, but a long snuffling and short sniff, enough to rouse Tyler and keep him awake. Chase and Jessie had been talking about expanding the building in the spring, so all the men could have their own small rooms. He’d be sure to remind them.
Falling back to sleep wasn’t in the cards tonight, so he sat up and pulled on his denims, socks, and boots, making as little noise as possible. Crossing the room to the coatrack, he wrapped a warm woolen scarf around his neck and shouldered into his coat.
Outside, the crisp night air bit at his face. The moon was bright and not a snow cloud was in sight. With his palms resting on the porch railing, he took a minute to let the cobwebs clear from his mind. Inside the ranch house, a small glimmer of light winked several times, drawing his attention.
Interesting, because in an offhand comment one day, Jake had mentioned Courtney’s bedroom had a side view of the bunkhouse, and she’d once waved a scarf out the window for fun. That small fact had played over and over in his mind, and especially so since he and Courtney had recent
ly taken a few buckboard rides to town. He liked her, finding himself thinking about her every so often. Like now…
The question was, why was a lantern glowing in Courtney’s room now? Was she sick? Or frightened of the dark? Had she been awakened by a dream? When the light blinked off, he straightened. Another window glimmered, as if she’d taken the lantern and was moving down the hall. His curiosity piqued, he stepped off the porch and walked closer to the house, being careful where he placed his feet. He’d not want to explain to Chase what he was doing creeping around the man’s home in the wee hours of morning. No one took kindly to that behavior.
The light had disappeared. Had he imagined the whole event? Maybe she’d gone downstairs to the kitchen for water and, for fear of falling, had taken her lamp.
More likely, she’d blown out the flame and gone to bed.
Carefully making his way around the end of the house, past the shed where Chase stored his firewood and then an outside well, he pulled up. Courtney stood in the living room, looking like an angel in the golden light of the lamp. She wore a long robe and her hair was free around her shoulders. She stared into the glass case Tyler knew well. The same place Chase and Jessie kept their most precious mementoes.
The first time he’d been invited to dinner with the family, Jessie had shown him every item, taking them out and telling a story about each. An empty perfume bottle she’d received on their first Christmas sat on the top shelf. A sterling silver frame which held the first portrait they’d procured. Four twenty-dollar gold eagle coins, a portion of the first profitable sale Chase had made selling off his two-year-old stock, put in the cabinet as a reminder of the hard work of building the ranch. The value of those stood out next to a single rumpled bootie Jessie said was more precious than all the money in the world. She’d knitted the piece and its mate for Sarah when the child was just a baby, and they’d both lived in a New Mexico orphanage. Her eyes had brimmed with tears in the telling, and Sarah came close to hear, too, wrapping her small arms around her mama. A few other items were present Tyler couldn’t exactly remember.
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