Love's unending legacy (Love Comes Softly #5) (24 page)

196

Clark chuckled in spite of himself. "Did ya--a mother many times over-fergit thet little one is gonna ask to be born eventually?"

Marty responded with a chuckle. "Guess I got kinda used to it ... just being' there."

Clark rolled out of bed and lit the lamp. Then he hopped to the window and pulled down the blind. The light being on might concern Kate and Clare if they were to spot it, he reasoned, and this could well be just a false alarm.

Clark crossed back to the bed.

"Now, tell me," he said, "how're ya feelin'?"

"I don't know. I just can't sleep right, an' somethin' seems different ... I don't know..."

"Think back," insisted Clark. "Can't ya remember what it was like with the other ones?"

"Clark," said Marty sounding a bit annoyed, "any mother will tell ya thet they can all seem different. Just 'cause one bears one baby don't mean thet ya can read all the signs."

"But there must be somethin'--" But Clark's words were cut short by a gasp from Marty.

"What is it?" he asked, his hand reaching out to her.

Marty took the offered hand and squeezed it tightly, but she was unable to answer his question.

Clark was sure he knew the answer. "I'll go git Ellie," he said and hurried to dress.

Ellie was soon there, sleepy eyed and anxious in her warm blue robe.

"Mama," she asked with concern, "Mama, are ya all right?" Marty settled back against her pillow, preparing herself for the next contraction, and assured her that she was.

Clark leaned over Marty. He was buttoning on a warm wool shirt, the one he always liked to wear when he was going out into the cold. Marty looked puzzled for a moment.

197

"Where ya goin'?" she asked through some kind of haze that seemed to hang about her.

"Fer the doc," he answered. "An' the sooner the better, I'm thinkin'."

Marty still didn't appear to understand.

"The baby's on the way." explained Ellie patiently as Clark left hurriedly, his crutch thumping on the wooden stairs. "Pa will be back with the doc 'fore we know it. Now, Mama, you've got to think ... think ..." Ellie commanded. "Is there anything I should do? I know nothin 'bout this."

But it looked as though Marty was still thinking about something else.

"The doc," she said slowly and then seemed to fully understand. "Oh, Ellie," she said, "tell Pa not to bother. I don't think there'll be any time fer the doc."

Ellie was terrified. "There's gotta be! Ya just started yer labor an' the doc ain't thet far away. You hang on, now."

Another contraction seized Marty and she groped for Ellie's hand. Ellie prayed, wondering if Marty was ever going to relax again.

She did, falling exhausted back against her pillows.

"Listen, Mama," Ellie pleaded. "Can ya talk to me?" Marty nodded her head.

"Can ya think straight?"

"I ... I think so," panted Marty.

"You've been at birthin's. Now, the doc will be here soon ... I'm countin' on thet. But, just in case ... just in case ... ya gotta tell me what to do."

Marty nodded.

"Okay," she said, her face showing her deep concentration. "Here's what ya do."

198

Clark had never pushed his horse like he pushed Stomper that night. The moon aided him on occasion, but often he had to travel on his own instinct and that of his horse. The moon seemed to be playing games. It would bob out from a cloud just long enough for Clark to be relieved because of its light, and then it would slip behind a cloud again, leaving Clark totally on his own, traveling a rutted and snow-covered wintry road. Clark, pushing his steed as fast as he dared, learned to pace himself, riding hard by the moonlight and slowing down when he had to feel his way.

It seemed forever before he was pulling up to the doc's hitching rail. Clark prayed that he would be home and not out on some other call. Why was it that youngsters always insisted on arriving in the middle of the night?

Doc was home and quickly answered Clark's persistent knock on the door. He was not long in pulling on his clothes and grabbing his black bag.

"One thing we can be thankful for," he said, throwing the saddle on his mount, "yer wife has never had a speck of trouble with any of her deliveries."

Clark did take some assurance from the doctor's statement, but still he was feverishly anxious to get back home to Marty.

The moon again was uncooperative. Clark's horse was headed home while the doc's horse was leaving a warm stall, so Clark found himself often out in front of the doctor.

That was fine, Clark told himself. His horse knew the road better and it was good that it should lead the way.

Before they had reached the Davis farmyard, the moon had decided to disappear altogether. They were used to it by now and urged their horses on at a fast pace in spite of the darkness.

When they arrived, Doc dismounted and threw Clark the reins to his horse. Without a word, they parted company--Clark going toward the barn, riding his horse and leading the doctor's, and Doc hastening toward the house.

199

There was a light in the kitchen. Through the window, Doc could see Ellie moving about.

"Good," he said to himself, "she has a fire going and the kettle on."

He entered the house without knocking and threw off his heavy mittens and coat, tossing them on a nearby chair. He was halfway across the kitchen floor before he remembered his hat. He turned to throw it on the top of the pile of outdoor clothing.

"How's yer ma?" asked the doctor before starting upstairs.

"She seems to be fine," answered Ellie. "She's asked me fer some tea."

The doctor slowed midstep. If Marty was asking for tea, there was no need for him to be in such a hurry.

He stepped to the fire to warm his chilled hands.

Ellie went on with her task of pouring hot water into the teapot and setting out a cup.

It wasn't long until Clark flung open the door and burst in upon them. His eyes quickly swept across the room. Ellie and the doc were both standing in the kitchen as though nothing of importance was going on in the rest of the house. Clark was perplexed ... and a little annoyed.

"How is she?" he asked.
Why are they both down here?
he wondered.

Doc turned to him. "She's fine. She just asked Ellie to fix her some tea."

"Tea?" echoed Clark. "At a time like this?"

He started for the stairway, the doc close behind him, and Ellie bringing up the rear with the tea tray in her hands. They entered the room together. Clark was very relieved to see that Marty was no longer tossing. She seemed quite relaxed as she lay against the pillow.
A false alarm!
Clark thought.
The false labor passed already.

200

Marty looked up at the three of them. "Yer a little late," she said lightly.

"Late?" Clark responded. "Well, it weren't easy travelin'. The road was rutted, and the moon wouldn't--"

Marty interrupted him. "We won," she said complacently.

"What ya meanin'?" Clark demanded.

"Me an' Ellie. Didn't she tell ya?" and Marty pushed back the covers to reveal a little wrapped bundle on the bed beside her. "It's a girl."

Two pairs of eyes turned to Ellie. Ellie set the tea tray carefully on the bedside table. Her eyes were wide, and she shook her head dumbly. "I ... I guess I fergot," she stammered, and then she flung herself into Clark's arms and began to weep, trembling until he had to hold her close to keep her from shaking. "Oh, Pa," she sobbed, "I was so scared ... so scared."

The doctor took over then. Clark was patting Ellie's back and murmuring encouragement to her. After she had cried for a moment, she got herself under control again. Clark talked her into sitting on a chair and having a cup of tea along with her mother. The doctor examined both baby and mother, telling Ellie over and over what a fine job she had done. At last Clark was able to hold his new daughter. She was a little beauty, in his estimation. He smiled as he rocked her in his arms and paid her a multitude of compliments.

"Okay, you two," Clark said, turning to Marty and Ellie. "Iffen yer so smart, I s'pose ya got her named already, too?"

"No," said Marty, "We waited on you fer thet."

"Any of the names thet you've been talkin' of suits me."

"Well, it's sure not gonna be one thet you picked," countered Marty. "Henry or Isaac or Jeremiah."

Clark laughed. "Well, I won't insist."

"I was thinkin'," said Marty thoughtfully, "thet Ellie might wish to name her."

"Me?" said Ellie, both surprise and delight in her voice.

201

"Kinda thought since ya did so much to git her safely into this world thet ya had more right than anyone."

"I think thet's a great idea," agreed Clark.

"Well, then," said Ellie, "I like Belinda."

"Belinda," Clark and Marty both said at once.

"Belinda May," continued Ellie.

"Belinda May. I like it," said Clark. "Suits her just fine."

"I like it, too," Marty said. "An' now iffen her proud pa would just bring her on over here, I'd kinda like to git another look at our daughter."

Clark reluctantly laid the tiny baby down beside Marty again, then leaned over to kiss them both.

Doc cleared his throat.

"Well, seein' as I won't be needed here anymore tonight, I guess I'll just be headin' on home to my bed. I suspect that everyone in this house has had enough excitement for one night. Bed's a good place for all of you. 'Sides, this here new mama could do with a good rest."

They all agreed. "See ya a little later," Clark promised Marty and turned to usher all of them from her room.

"Yer not gonna head off fer home without a little coffee to warm ya up," he informed the doc.

"I'll make some," volunteered Ellie. "I need to busy myself with somethin' ordinary to unwind before going back to bed anyway."

"Coffee won't be necessary. Ya already got out the teapot an' more hot water a singin' on the stove. I'll just have me a cup of tea."

Ellie took charge in the kitchen. She was glad to be back to doing something so familiar. Looking back over the night hours she had just experienced, she decided that even though she had been frightened almost beyond herself, it had been exciting, too.

202

To assist in the arrival of a new little life was an experience not given to many. Now that she was sure her mother and sister were just fine, she could relax and maybe even treasure the memory. One thing she was sure of: It was a night she would never forget.

203

TWENTY-FIVE
Sharing

The next day the household awakened early, in spite of the lack of sleep the night before. There was too much excitement in the air for anyone to be able to sleep very long. Besides, the wee Belinda awoke to insist on an early breakfast, and not being used to the cries of a new baby in the house, the whole family got up with her.

Ellie hurried across the yard over to Kate and Clare's with the good news. The commotion of the night before had failed to waken them. They immediately headed for the big house with Ellie.

Kate was the first to reach Marty's bed. Little Belinda had just finished her nursing, had her diaper changed by her pa, and was snuggled down beside her mother again for a much-deserved nap. It was hard work being born, and she had some resting to do.

Kate stood gazing at the baby, her eyes filled with love and tears.

"She's beautiful, Ma," she whispered. "Just beautiful."

"Ya want to hold her?" asked Marty, seeing the longing in Kate's eyes.

"May I?"

"'Course."

"But she's sleepin'."

"She's got all day to sleep. 'Sides, she likely won't even waken anyway."

204

Kate picked the wee baby up carefully. "Oh," she squealed, "she's so tiny." She turned to show the little bundle to Clare. "Look here, Belinda May, this is yer big brother. Yer wonderful big brother. Yer gonna be so proud of 'im."

Clare reached out a big hand to the tiny one. Marty could see tears form in his eyes, but he blinked them away. "Hi there, ya little punkin," Clare greeted the baby. "Yer a pretty little thing ... fer a newborn."

"She's beautiful," argued Kate.

Clare laughed. "Give her a few days ... but then, my ma always had pretty babies."

At length, the baby had been inspected and fussed over enough for the present. Their attention turned back to Marty.

"An' how are you, Ma?"

"Fine. I feel just fine. But then, I had me such good doctorin'." All eyes turned back to Ellie.

"I'm proud of ya, little sister," Clare said, tousling her hair. "But why didn't ya come fer some help?"

"There wasn't time. Not even time to think, let alone ... but Mama was great. I woulda never been able to do it without her careful instructions. I had me no idea--"

"You were wonderful," said Marty, "never flustered or nothin'." "Till afterward," Ellie said, laughing. "Then I just seemed to fall apart."

They all laughed together.

"Well, at least," added Clark, "ya waited till after it was all over. Ya didn't go collapsin' when yer ma needed ya."

They left the room together. It was agreed that Clare would ride on over and take the news of the safe arrival of Belinda to Arnie and Nandry and Ma Graham. Ellie was going to saddle the other horse and go see Lane. Clark would take the team and go to town to get telegrams off to Missie, Clae, and Luke. Kate volunteered to stay close beside Marty. They all scattered in various directions, anxious to share the good news.