Angel of the Cove (8 page)

Anna picked up the pan containing the drained clover blooms and headed to the back door. “If it's time to eat, then it must be Simon. He shows up a lot at mealtime.”

Granny grinned at her. “He does seem to be findin' a reason to visit 'bout ev'ry day.”

When Anna stepped back in the kitchen after dumping the pan outside, Granny rushed in, untied the apron she wore, and draped it over the back of a kitchen chair. “We got a baby a-comin'. Laura Ferguson done started havin' pains and looks like it ain't gonna be long 'fore that child gets here. Pete, her husband, is a-waitin' at the wagon for us.”

“A baby?” Anna set the pan on the table and swallowed hard. It was about to happen, the moment she'd waited for while dreading its arrival. She was going to assist Granny with her first birthing.

Granny looked at her and her eyes softened. She stepped in front of Anna, placed her hands on her shoulders, and smiled. “Now remember what I told you. This first time you jist gonna be watchin'. I ain't gonna ask you to do nothing but try to keep Laura comfortable. I'll do all the work, but I want you to see how it's done.”

Anna raised her chin and took a deep breath. “All right. I'm ready.”

Granny released her. “Good. Then go git your things together and we'll head on out.”

Anna hurried toward her room. But just before she entered she stopped and turned back to Granny. “What kind of things am I supposed to be getting together?”

Granny grabbed a basket from the peg on the wall and headed to the front room, where her medical supplies were stored. “Oh, some clothes for a few days.”

Anna's eyes grew wide. “A few days? I thought you said the baby would be here before long.”

Granny glanced over her shoulder. “Laura's sister is a-comin' to stay while she's confined, but it'll take Pete a few days to go git her and git back. I'm gonna leave you there to take care of Laura and her family till then. That's part of bein' a midwife. Your work's not done when the baby's born. The others have to be taken care of, and I reckon there's no time like the present for you to find out how to do it.”

Anna's heart thudded in her chest, and she struggled to find breath. “But they don't know me. Will they feel all right with me staying there and taking care of their family?”

Granny stopped and turned to face her. “One thing you gonna have to learn, Anna, is what nursin' is all about. It's more than just takin' care of somebody's pain. It means givin' service to those who depend on you and forgettin' about what's convenient for you. You need to understand that, or you ain't never gonna make a nurse. So, do you think you can take care of Laura and her young'uns for a few days?”

Anna couldn't tear her gaze away from the challenge that blazed in Granny's eyes. She swallowed back her uncertainty and nodded. “I…I can.”

A smile replaced the stern expression on Granny's face. “Good. Then I reckon we better git goin' if we gonna bring this baby into the world.”

The warmth of Granny's smile melted the fear Anna had felt moments before. Excitement flowed through her at the thought of seeing her first birthing attended by Cades Cove's legendary granny woman.

“I reckon you're right.”

Anna smothered the giggle rising in her throat. She'd been here less than a week, but these mountains were having an effect on her. She was even beginning to talk like a mountain woman! With a laugh she ran to get her clothes for however long the Ferguson family needed her.

Even with the window open the temperature in the room had been rising all afternoon. Anna grabbed the corner of her apron and wiped at the perspiration on her forehead. No matter how hot she was, though, her discomfort couldn't compare to what the woman on the bed was experiencing.

A soft moan escaped Laura Ferguson's mouth, and she turned her face into the pillow. Anna glanced at Granny, who stood at the foot
of the bed. “Won't be long, Laura,” Granny's voice crooned. “You a-doin' real good.”

As she had done for the past four hours, Anna pressed a wet cloth to the woman's forehead. Laura opened her eyes and stared up at Anna. Gone was the suspicion Anna had seen on Laura's face when she first entered the room with Granny. Over the last few hours, it had been replaced with gratitude.

A weak smile pulled at Laura's lips. “Thank you kindly,” she whispered.

Anna picked up the hand fan Granny had brought and swished it back and forth in front of Laura's face. “Just try to relax, Laura. Relax and breathe. Before long, you're going to be holding that sweet baby.”

Laura started to respond, but her eyes darkened. She raised her head from the pillow, gritted her teeth and grabbed the side of the bed as a violent contraction seized her body. Anna gasped and looked at Granny. She motioned Anna to the foot of the bed. “The baby's comin'.”

Anna swallowed hard and tried to put out of her mind the memory of watching the animals back at home give birth. “Granny needs me to help her. I'll be back in a minute.”

With the contraction past, Laura collapsed back onto the pillow. “I…I'm fine.”

Anna squeezed her arm before she joined Granny. She took a deep breath and directed her gaze to Granny's hands.

“It's almost over, Laura. You a-doin' real good,” Granny said.

Granny glanced up at Anna and smiled. “Ain't nothing gives me more pleasure than watchin' a baby come into this world.”

Anna leaned closer to get a better look, and the baby's head emerged facedown. Granny's hands probed around the tiny throat and down the chest and back. “What are you doing?” Anna asked.

“Checkin' to make sure the cord's not wrapped around the neck.” Granny smiled. “It's not.” She nodded toward Laura. “Now give me a push so's I can let you see this young'un.”

Laura obeyed, and the baby slipped out into Granny's hands. A loud wail filled the room, and Granny chuckled. Tears filled Anna's
eyes at the wonder of what she had just witnessed. She reached out and touched a tiny hand. “Laura, it's a beautiful boy.”

“I got me another boy?” Laura whispered.

“You have, and he's perfect.” She smiled at Granny. “I'll never forget this.”

Granny grinned back, her eyes bright. “Help me cut the cord so's we can let Laura see her baby.”

When the cord had been cut, Granny reached across the bed, grabbed a man's shirt, and wrapped the baby in it. Then she handed the bundle to Anna. “Let this boy's mama hold him. I know she's a-wantin' to.”

Cradling the baby in her arms, Anna walked back to Laura and laid her newborn son in her arms. Laura pulled the shirt away from the child's face and smiled down at him. Then she looked up at Anna. “Thank you for helpin' me git this baby here.”

Anna reached out and caressed the baby's head. The feel of him sent ripples of happiness through her. “He's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.”

She watched the mother with her child for a few moments more before she turned and rejoined Granny. She'd known since she was a little girl that she wanted to be a nurse, but today that desire had been forged into her soul. Now she was more determined than ever to get to New York.

An hour after the safe delivery of his son, Pete Ferguson helped Granny climb into the wagon for her trip home. When Granny had settled herself on the wagon seat, she glanced down at Anna on the ground.

“Now do you remember what I told you 'bout what needs to be done for Laura? We don't want her gittin' no infection.”

Anna nodded. “I do. Don't worry. I'll make it fine with Laura.”

Pete, a wiry little man who had spoken less than three words to
her since she'd arrived at his house, glanced at his two older children sitting on the front porch. “Hope you have good luck with them two over there. They's a bit ornery at times.”

Anna glanced over her shoulder at the boy and girl who eyed her with hostility. A lump of fear formed in her throat, but she managed a smile. “We'll make it fine, Mr. Ferguson.”

He stepped around her and pointed his finger at the children. “Now you two mind what Miss Anna says while I's gone to git your aunt. If'n you don't act right, you gonna have to deal with me when I get home.”

“Yes, Pa,” the children said together.

Anna smiled at them, but her lips froze when Pete turned his back to climb in the wagon and the boy stuck his tongue out at her. Anna whirled to see if Pete had witnessed the exchange, but he was already guiding the horse out into the road. Granny smiled and waved to her as the wagon pulled from the yard.

Anna took a step toward the wagon and waved before she turned and faced the children. Ignoring their sullen expressions, she walked toward them and pointed to the door. “I have to go check on your mother. I want both of you to go inside and sit down until I get through. Then we'll see what we're going to have for supper.”

Without speaking, the children followed her into the house. She cast a glance over her shoulder as she entered Laura's room, but they had sat down at the kitchen table and appeared to be deep in conversation. She only hoped they weren't dreaming up some horrible surprise for her, like a spider in her bed or a frog in the water bucket. If they were, she'd deal with them later—after she'd checked on Laura. With a sigh she directed her attention to the exhausted woman lying in the bed. Wispy brown hair plastered to Laura's pale forehead served as a reminder of the pain she'd endured a short time before. Now a contented smile lay on her lips.

Anna stopped beside Laura Ferguson's bed and watched the mother snuggle her newborn son close to her breast. The baby nuzzled her, then opened his mouth and began to nurse.

A feeling of awe and wonder flowed through Anna's body at the
sight. She almost felt as if she were intruding on a reverent moment between mother and child. “Has your milk already come in, Laura?” she whispered.

Laura shook her head. “Naw, it'll be two or three days 'fore it does, but he don't know that. He's doin' what comes natural. For now, he's gittin' what he needs.”

Tears formed in Anna's eyes, and she stared in amazement at the child she thought to be the biggest miracle she had ever experienced. A sense of wonder filled her at God's plan for bringing new life into the world and how He provided what was needed to sustain His creations.

Uncle Charles had been right when he said Granny could show her things the teachers in New York never could. Today she had helped a mother give birth to her child in a small cabin under primitive conditions in a remote mountain valley, and God had opened her eyes to the miracle of birth. She doubted if she would have experienced the same feeling in a city hospital with all its modern conveniences.

One thing she did know, however. No matter how many children she would see come into the world, this first one would always be special. “Granny said as soon as your milk comes in we are to wash the baby's eyes with some of it. If you'll let me know, I can help you with it.”

Laura's tired eyes stared up at her. “I kin do it. I done it with the other two.”

Anna patted her arm. “You were so brave, Laura. I don't think I could have done what you did today.”