Ralph took Sassy and Starbright to the barn to unsaddle, feed, and water. Jesse had done a good job of watering and feeding the other animals, so Ralph returned to the house and took a seat on his porch chair. He didn't want to go back inside, but didn't want to get too far away either. Not a leaf stirred in the sultry late-morning air. The day promised to get hot and make Leann miserable while trying to deliver the baby. Surely, Polly would wash her with cool water.
The wheat needed harvesting, but could wait until his baby arrived safely into this world and his wife was okay. His thoughts turned to the things he needed to do around the farm, but he dismissed them all. He sat on the porch and prayed until his stomach growled, so he decided to go inside and find something to eat. Before going into the house, he went to the well and drew a bucket of fresh, cool water. Taking the dipper from the nail where it hung on the side of the well, he filled it and drank deeply. Then he poured several dippers full of water over his head and splashed the refreshing liquid on his face, where it ran down the front of his shirt.
When he went inside to the kitchen, he heard voices coming from the bedroom, so he decided to check on Leann. He stood in the doorway watching his wife. Polly stood beside the bed, wiping Leann's forehead and flushed face with a damp cloth. Her eyes rolled under closed lids, and she was unusually quiet. Dr. Reynolds, with glasses hanging on the end of a sweaty nose, busily checked the progress of the baby. Wet rings stained his white shirt under the arms and around the rolled up sleeves.
Speaking to Leann, the doctor said, "After the next contraction, I'm gonna try and turn the baby a little so the buttocks will be in a better position, and then I want you to push hard. But not 'til I say so." Dr. Reynolds looked up and noticed Ralph. "Why don't you wait in the kitchen, Ralph?"
He couldn't bring himself to leave. Instead, he knelt beside the bed and took Leann's hand. He jumped when she cried out, and jerked her hand out of his, clutching the sheet, knotting it in her fingers. He got up and went back to the porch with his stomach turned upside down and forgot about eating. He wished he could take Leann's pain on himself.
How long he sat on the porch listening to his wife's cries, he did not know, but suddenly a piercing scream came from her room. He jumped up and headed to the bedroom. He had to find out about her. Standing in the doorway, he watched the doctor hold a red, wrinkled baby by the feet and slap her on the behind. The baby cried.
Ralph rushed to Leann with tears of joy streaming unchecked down his face. Her eyes rolled under closed lids, and wet hair clung to a pale, motionless face. He brushed the hair to one side and kissed her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered.
Dr. Reynolds placed the baby in a blanket Polly held open. She wrapped the blanket snugly around the baby, and then placed her in Leann's arms. She opened her eyes to look at the little bundle.
"You have a girl," Polly said, glancing Ralph's way with a broad smile.
"I know." Ralph watched the tiny red, wrinkled face crowned with a tuft of wet, dark hair. "She's beautiful."
He bent over the bed and kissed his wife's dry lips. She smiled at him.
"What do you think of your daughter?" she whispered.
"She's beautiful like her mother." He could only stare at the tiny child.
Dr. Reynolds washed his hands in the basin of warm water and wiped them on the towel hanging beside it. "Leann's lost a lot of blood. Polly's gonna get her cleaned up. You and me need to leave the room."
Ralph followed the doctor out of the door into the kitchen, carrying a heart bursting with love for his wife and child. He felt like shouting for joy.
"I'll put some water on for coffee." Ralph walked toward the stove.
"Sounds good. I'm worn out." Dr. Reynolds sat down at the table. "Delivering babies gets harder every year. Leann had a real hard time, because the baby was breech. She's a month early and small, so that helped. If she develops jaundice, get her outside into the sunshine for a spell every day. The sun should take care of it. Her liver may not be fully developed."
"She's so small. Is she in danger?"
"I've delivered smaller babies. Leann needs to keep the baby close and warm, and when she's rested for a bit, try to feed her. Leann should stay in bed until she gets some strength back. Don't let her get up too soon. Polly knows all about what I'm saying. She'll be a big help to you."
Ralph poured the doctor and himself a cup of coffee. They talked about Leann's care and the baby's before the doctor rose to leave.
"I'll be checking on the two of them in a couple of days. Come get me if you need me before then." The doctor rose to leave.
Ralph walked outside with him. He handed the doctor some bills which the gentleman gladly took. Ralph knew few patients paid the doctor with cash money. Polly stood in the kitchen when he returned. She looked worn out too. They were all tired.
"Why don't you get some rest, Polly? Thank you for helping Leann," he said, truly grateful for the love and care this good woman gave his family.
"I wouldn't have it no other way. She's my daughter, and that's my granddaughter."
Ralph went to the lady and gave her a hug with a kiss on the forehead. "You're a sweet lady. We all love you very much."
Polly patted him on the back. "I love you too. Now, go see about your wife and child."
Ralph rushed to his wife. The baby lay quietly in the crook of her mother's arm making sucking movements with her tiny red mouth. He poured clean water into the basin and washed his hands and face. Removing his outer garments, he crawled into bed beside his exhausted wife and sat propped on the pillows for a long time watching her and the baby. His eyes began to close with fatigue, so he lay down to rest. Leann felt his presence and put her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair.
Before drifting into slumber, he prayed, "Thank You, Lord, thank You so much. Keep these two precious ones in Your hands."
Being aware of every move Leann or the baby made, Ralph didn't sleep much during the night. Polly came into the room twice to check on the mother and baby. She changed the baby's diaper, making her cry.
Leann hugged the little one closer, trying to feed her, but the baby wouldn't nurse. She whispered to Ralph, "I'm afraid for her. She refuses to nurse."
Ralph put his arm around both of his loved ones. He pushed his wife's hair out of her face so he could kiss her cheek. "She'll be alright. The Lord will see to it."