Read The Montana Rancher's Bride (New Montana Brides) Online
Authors: Susan Leigh Carlton
chapter Seventeen
Carrie awakened in an empty bed. She looked around. She was alone. She stood, stretched, and then pulled the cu
rtains back and looked outside. It was dark.
She pulled her robe on, and walked to the kitchen. It was warm, because Case had built a fire, and made coffee. She walked to the back door and looked out. She could see sha
dowy figures moving around outside,
Returning to the stove, she stoked the fire, and gathered the things she needed to fix her man’s breakfast
. She made biscuits, put them in the oven, and fried bacon on the stove top. She scrambled five eggs, but held off putting them on the stove to cook until Case returned forty minutes later. She heard him stomping the dirt off his boots before he opened the door and came in. He walked over and embraced her, and then kissed her.
“How long have you been up,” she asked.
“An hour or so,” he said.
Do you get up this early every day?” she asked.
“I do, a cowboy’s day starts early.”
“Well, this cowboy’s wife’s day is going to start e
arly too. Get me up before you leave,” she said.
“Mama and Papa did it this way,
Honey. Papa would get up and build a fire, and put coffee on to brew. Then we’d go do the morning chores. When we finished, and came back in, Mama would have breakfast ready, just like you did this morning. It worked all of their lives. Can we try it this way first?” he asked.
“Well, okay, if you insist, but I reserve the right to change my mind.”
“How are you this morning,” he asked.
“I’m a little sore… down there, but I slept like the dead and I feel great, and you?”
“Never felt better,” he said. “Must be the mountain air.”
Plopping in his lap, she said, “I’m sure that’s what it is.” And grinned.
It was two weeks later; they had just made love when Carrie said, “I’ve fallen completely in love with you, I wanted it to happen, and it did. I look up and see you, and just ache to be in your arms. I feel so safe and secure, and content too. I am such a lucky girl.”
“Honey, I’ve loved you since you stepped off the stag
ecoach The first time I touched your hand, I got goose bumps, and tingles ran all over me. They still do.”
“Why didn’t you tell
me, ” she asked. A girl likes to hear those things.”
“I don’t know, I just didn’t want to pressure you.”
* * *
The
ir morning routine did work well, so they continued it. They made love nearly every night, and when Case had time during the day, and during the rainy season, they took advantage of it.
* * *
Three months after their wedding, when Case came in from his early chores, he said, “You look a little off your feed, this morning. Are you all right?”
“Don’t mention food,” she said. “I don’t want to have to run for the back door again.”
“Are you sick, honey?” he asked, unable to mask his concern.
“She looked him squarely in the eye and said, “Are you ready to be a papa?”
When he realized what she said, he asked, “Are you sure?”
“
Not absolutely positive, but I’m late, and I’ve been sick the past few mornings, so, yes, I think I’m with child.”
He jumped up and went to the back of her chair and placed his hands on her shoulders. “That would be wonde
rful if it’s true.”
She pulled his hands down over her breasts, and covered them with her hands. He kissed her neck. Several times.
“Do you have to go back out right away?” she asked.
“Why? Is there something you need me to do?”
“You might say that,” she said, and led him down the hall to their bedroom. “And wipe that grin off your face,” she said without looking back.
Enter
ing The Third Month…
Carrie, Honey, I want to do
something, but I want to run it by you first.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I want to bring someone in to help during the last three months,”
“Who would she help?” she asked.
“Well, you, of course, she’s also a midwife. “She has been doing this for years, Her name is Maude Thomas.”.
“Can we afford her services,” Carrie asked.
“We can. If you think she can help out, it would be a load off my mind. Now I won’t have to worry so much when I’m out with the cattle,
I’ll
ask her to come over so you can meet her,
The next day…
Carrie heard a tapping on the door. She opened it to find a short, gray-haired woman. Carrie’s first impression was based on the kindness in her eyes. “You must be Maude,” she said. “Come in, please. I’m Carrie Jamison. I have some fresh made coffee, or I have tea.”
“Coffee would be fine, Miz Jamison.” I am Maude Thomas. I live down the road with my daughter and her hu
sband, Jasper. Mr. Jamison told Jasper you’re looking for someone to help you until your little one comes?”
“Case is a worrier. I’m fine, but he’s concerned som
ething might happen when he’s off with the herd,” Carrie said.
“Yessum. I understand. Jasper was the same way when my Dorothea was expecting. Ma’am, I could stay with you as long as you need me.”
“I’ll enjoy having you here, Maude. Maybe you can help me in learning the ways of a woman on a ranch. I’m from a town back in Ohio, and know little of what goes on.
“Let me show you the upstairs, where your bedroom will be.
” She led the way to the second of the two upstairs bedrooms.”
“You surely do have a nice home, Miz Jamison.”
“Thank you. Case’s father built it for his wife. It’s too large for us, but maybe we can fill it with children.”
Everything was satisfactory to both Carrie and Maude. It was arranged for her to move in the next week.
Three Months later…
Fall roundup had started. Case and his ranch hands, save for the elderly one left behind as a guard, had been on the range for two days. Carrie woke in the middle of the night, with a backache. She climbed the stairs, one step at a time, holding on to the rail for support. Maude was in
bed, but hadn’t fallen asleep.
“I think it’s started, Maude. My back is hurting pretty bad right now.”
“Let’s get you back downstairs and have a look. Miz Jamison, I’ve helped deliver nigh on to fifty babies in my time, so I can take care of most things.”
She helped Carrie back to her bed. She felt the baby, and could feel the tension in Carrie’s body. “I’m going to send for Mr. Jamison. I know he’ll want to be here.”
She went to the bunk hand and asked the elderly man to find Case and to tell him the baby is coming.”
Case made it home three hours later. Carrie was still in labor,
without much progress. After five more hours, Maude told Case, “Mr Jamison, the baby is breech and I can’t turn him. We got to do something. She’s been at this since the middle of the night.”
As an experienced rancher, Case was familiar with the term
, breech. It happened with cows and in those cases, the calf had to be turned or cut out, or you stood to lose both.
Luke Haskins had ridden in with Case, and it was to him Case appealed. “Luke, I’m afraid Carrie’s in a bad way. The baby is
breech, and Maude can’t turn him. There’s a new doctor in town, I’ve seen him in church the past month or so. I think we better get him out here. Would you get him and tell him what’s going on, and tell him I’d take it as a personal favor if he could come help us.”
Noting the concern in Case’s face, Luke said, I’ll get him. He turned and left the room. In less than ten minutes, Case heard hoof beats pounding as Luke rode out at a gallop, in the direction of Helena.
chapter Eighteen
Doctor Carter Palmer was awakened by the poun
ding on his door. When he opened the door, a cowboy from one of the ranches outside of town, was standing there, hat in hand. “Doctor,” he began, “I’m Luke Haskins. I work for Mr. Jamison from the Lazy J. He asked me to tell you Miz Jamison is bad off. Her baby is breech and the midwife has been unable to turn her. It’s been going on since last night. They’re afraid both of them might die. The midwife needs help. Will you come, Doc? Case will take it as a personal favor if you can come.”
“
I’ll get dressed, Mr. Haskins, and I’ll get hitched up and follow you. I’ll be ready as fast as I can.”
“
Thank you, Doc, but while you’re dressing, could I be doing the hitching? It’ll make things go faster.”
“Good idea, I’ll be out
in less than ten minutes,” Carter said.
“Thank
ye, Doc. Case will appreciate it. They’re good people.” Ten minutes later, they were on the road, heading for the Lazy J Ranch. When they arrived, Luke Haskins dismounted and said, “Give me your reins and I’ll take care of the horse. You go on in and help Miz Jamison.”
“Thank you, Luke,” Carter said. He went
to the front door where he was met by a lanky man, his brow furrowed with worry.
“Thank you for coming Doctor. I’m Case Jamison. We
ain’t seen you yet, except in church, but I appreciate you coming to help. Carrie is in bad shape. Maude says the baby is breech and she can’t turn it, you gotta save Carrie, Doc. She’s my whole world.”
“I’ll do everything I can, Mr. Jamison. Before I e
xamine her, I’ll need to scrub my hands. Can you get some hot water for me?”
“
Yessir. I’ll do that. Carrie’s
in yonder.”
There were two women in the room; Mrs. Jamison was lying on her back, covered with a sheet her for
ehead beaded with sweat. Her face mirrored the pain she was experiencing. “I’m Doctor Palmer,” he said. He addressed the midwife, “What do we have going on?” he asked.
Maude, the midwife said, “The baby is breech, and I can’t turn her. It’s been like this for hours.” She turned
her head and said in a low voice, “I’m afraid they’re both going to die if we can’t do something soon.”
Jamison brought a pail of steaming water in and poured some of it into the washbasin on a side table. Carter took a bar of soap from his bag and began scru
bbing his hands furiously. When he was satisfied, he turned back to his patient, and said, “I apologize for the violation of your modesty, Mrs. Jamison, but I fear it is necessary.”
Her voice, barely a whisper, weakened from the hours of labor, said, “Do what you have to, Doctor. Save my baby.”
He slid his hands under the sheet and tried unsuccessfully to turn the baby. He turned to the husband and motioned him to an area of the room where they could talk. “Mr. Jamison, I agree with Maude, something has to be done. I cannot turn the baby. It will have to be taken by Caesarean section, or I fear we will lose them both.”
“What is this
Caesarean section, Doctor? I don’t understand,” he said.
“I would have to anesthetize her, and cut through her belly and get the baby out. I don’t believe it can be born in the normal way. If the mother’s uterus ruptures, they’ll both die.”
“Can you do it? Is it something you’ve done before?”
“I can do it. Truthfully, I haven’t done it in years, but I was a surgeon during the war, so I know how. Any time you cut into a body, it is a risk, but I will do ever
ything I can to save them both. If it comes to one or the other, you will have to make that choice. I can’t play God. You have to decide quickly, I fear we haven’t much time.”
“Let me talk to my wife, Doc,” Case asked.
Carter stepped aside and Jamison went to his wife. They spoke in low voices. He turned back, and said, “Do what you have to, but save my wife.”
Carter sat by the bed, planning his course of action. He had brought his bag, containing his instruments and medic
ations including ether, which he would be using as an anesthetic
.
Carter, you haven’t done this since before the war. Remember your landmarks and go carefully. You have the lives of this woman, her baby and her husband depending on you. “Guide my hands, Lord,” he prayed.
He put his instruments in the boiling water to ster
ilize them. I’m going to put you to sleep, Mrs. Jamison, and then I’m going to get your baby.
She managed a smile. “Good,” she said.
* * *
He told Maude,
“I have some gauze in my bag, but I will need some clean sheets. I will go ahead and put her to sleep using ether. No smoking or fire nearby. It is highly flammable.” He put several drops of ether on a pad and placed it over the patient’s nose and mouth. In less than fifteen minutes, her face was relaxed and she was unconscious.
He turned to Jamison and said, “I think it best if you leave the room
. You have my word; she will not feel anything. I will talk to you when it’s over.”
He
doused the gauze with ether and held it over her mouth and nose. When he was sure she was fully under, he retrieved a scalpel and began…
Carter worked quickly, made the necessary inc
isions, and removed the distressed baby. He clamped and cut the umbilical cord, and handed the baby to the midwife, turned and removed the placenta. Before closing, he sprinkled sulfur liberally in the wound. He then closed each incision with stitches, and watched closely for bleeding. Behind him, he heard the wail of the newborn, and smiled.
“There’s one life,”
he thought. He finished dressing the wound, listened to the rhythmic heartbeat of the mother, and that of the baby.
He opened the door to talk with her husband
. “Your wife is weak, but she tolerated the surgery well. She’s still asleep and will be for some time. She will be drowsy for the rest of the day and maybe even tomorrow. I’m going to stay until she’s awake and I’m sure she’s okay.
“
She will have to be careful for four to six weeks, no lifting, and no climbing. I will check on her here. A wagon ride might not be the best thing for her, unless it’s an emergency. She had a hard labor and is wrung out. And she needs rest. I have listened to the baby’s heartbeat. It sounds strong; I believe your boy is going to be fine.
I will come out and check on them daily for a few days, just to make sure
. She’s the first delivery I’ve done since the war and I want to make sure they’re all right. We have some tissues we need to get rid of but for now, at least, all seems well.
For the next five days, Carter made the trip to the Lazy J to check on Carrie and her son. He had to a
dmonish her about lifting the baby. He said, “Either Maude or Case should be bringing the baby to you.
“Did you decide on a name?” he asked Carrie.
“Yes, we did. We’ve given him your name. You saved his life, and mine. We never want to forget it. He’s Case Palmer Jamison.”
“I’m honored, Carrie, but are you sure you want to hang a name like that on him?”
“We are sure,” Case said, We would be pleased to call you friend, ourselves.”
“I’m doubly honored,
” Carter said. He extended his hand. “Friend.
“I need to get back to town. Carrie, no lifting. I’m proud of my sewing, so don’t you
go breaking any of the stitches. You can begin getting up when you feel like it. I want you to have Case or Maude there, though, until you get your strength back.
“You’re doing fine, but I’ll be back to check you and little Case in a few days.”
“Thank you, Doctor. For everything,” Carrie said.
Case took Carter’
s hand in a firm grip, his voice choked with emotion, and said, “Thank you for my wife and son. If ever you need anything, ask, and it’s yours.
As he rode back to town, Carter thought,
I wish they could all turn out as well as this did. It makes what I do worthwhile.
Sitting up in bed, Carrie was writing to tell her mother and father about their grandson.
Dear Mama and Papa,
I hope this day finds you in good health and spirits. I write to tell you about the birth of your grandson, Case Palmer Jamison.
Because of complications, he had to be delivered by Caeserean section. We are both well and are checked on by Doctor Palmer several times a week.
Mama, I am well and truly blessed. I have the most wonderful husband anyone could want, and now I have a son, born in good health.
Our ranch prospers, and I have made some true friends. I do wish you could come visit us, but I fear the trip would be too arduous for you. The stage coach po
rtion was extremely difficult. There is talk of the railroad coming to Helena. Perhaps then…
Think of us often, and know that I think of you daily. I hope God blesses you as he has us. I love and miss you both.
Your devoted daughter,
Carrie
* **
With the love of two doting parents, and a devoted housekeeper, Carter Palmer Jamison flourished. As soon as he began walking, he followed his father everywhere. To his father’s delight, the first word he uttered was “Papa”.
Carrie, Case and their son, Case were sitting in the porch swing when Carrie pointed to the sky. “Look, it’s a shooting star. It brought us luck before,
I wonder what is in store for us now?”
The End