39

Grace yanked back the bedcovers, then loosened Ginny’s skirt and blouse—just then noticing a puddle of liquid by the bed. “Good heavens, Ginny, what’s that?”

Ginny looked numbly at the floor. “My water broke. Could you please get a nightgown from the bureau for me?” she muttered through clenched teeth, then closed her eyes in pain.

For a moment, Grace couldn’t move. Lord, please don’t let anything happen until Doc Avery arrives! She found a nightgown and was pulling it over Ginny’s head when Nell opened the door.

“Nell, her labor’s started, I think, but I’ve never had a baby, so—”

Nell walked over to help Grace get Ginny into the bed. “I’m not surprised. The baby’s right on time, if not a wee bit early.”

“Have you ever deliver—?”

Grace’s question was cut short by a scream that shattered the afternoon silence. Her heart gripped her. Oh, Lord, what can I do? She felt totally unprepared and inadequate.

“I’m sure the doc will be here any moment. Stay with her and I’ll get clean linens and hot water—things I know he’ll need.” Nell hurried out and down the stairs.

Grace wanted to ask Nell to please stay, but that was being silly. There was time.

She walked over to the pitcher on the washstand and poured water over a washcloth, then wrung it out. The room was stifling hot, so she rolled up her sleeves and opened a window. Ginny was fretting more and breathing hard as Grace applied the washcloth to her forehead, then her face.

“Ooh, Grace . . . my contractions are hard and getting closer.” Suddenly her abdomen tightened in a hard ball. “Oh my, oh my . . . I think the baby’s coming.”

There was nothing else Grace could do but pull back the cover exposing Ginny’s lower half. Modestly peeking, Grace confirmed it with a gasp.

“VIRGINIA! I think I see the baby’s head!” Grace spouted with excitement. “Where’s the doctor?”

She looked around, then opened the door and scanned down the stairs. No one was in sight. Oh Lord, please don’t let me have to do this alone. “Nell!” she yelled.

But Grace couldn’t wait as Ginny hollered again. “Please, Grace . . . help!” Ginny thrashed and strained in the bed.

Instinctively, Grace did the only thing she knew to do. “Ginny, listen to me. Take a deep breath, then pull your legs up so I can help you,” she ordered. She ran to the pitcher and washed her hands, quickly returning to checking the baby’s progress.

“Oh, Ginny, your baby’s coming! PUSH!”

It was all over in a matter of minutes. Grace witnessed the most incredible sight—the miracle of birth. Ginny cried out one last time, half-sitting, and with one big push brought her baby into the world. Grace cried with happiness as she held the tiny, slippery baby in her hands, its umbilical cord still attached. “It’s a little girl, Ginny! A perfect little girl.”

The baby began to wail, so she held her up for Ginny to see, and Ginny burst out sobbing without saying a word. Nell ran in with the hot water and linen, pure shock on her face. “In all my years, I’ve never seen a birthing happen that fast. A sweet baby girl, Miss Ginny.” Nell fawned over the baby as she tied off the cord. “Here, you want to cut the umbilical cord, Grace? You deserve the honor.”

“I can’t do—”

Nell roared with laughter. “Honey, you just delivered a live baby. That’s a miracle in itself, so I think you can cut the cord.” She handed Grace the clean scissors. “Go ahead.”

Reluctantly, Grace neared the baby and with shaking hands, snipped the cord, separating the little one from her mother. She blew out a sigh of relief, suddenly tired. Nell took the baby and began cleaning her up while cooing to her. Grace glanced at Ginny, who lay spent on the pillows, but smiling as she watched Nell.

“I’m naming her Grace,” Ginny choked out through her tears, looking at Grace.

Grace took her hand. “Are you sure?”

“I’m perfectly sure. Frank and I decided on that long ago if the baby was a girl.”

Grace squeezed her hand. “Then I’m proud to have a namesake. Very proud. Thank you so much.” Her heart swelled with love.

There was a knock at the open door, and Dr. Avery entered. “I see I’m about five minutes too late. First babies can come very quickly sometimes.” He walked over and checked out the baby with his stethoscope, then went over to Ginny’s side. He nodded. “Mother and daughter are fine. You can go down, Nell, and let Frank know. I’ll finish up here.”

“Is there anything more I can do?” Grace asked the doctor.

“You did a good job, but from the look on your face, I’d say it was your first time to deliver a baby?” The doctor arched a brow at her.

She nodded. “That’s true.”

“Then I’m happy there were no complications. Not all births are this easy,” he whispered.

They both looked over at Ginny, content to be holding her first child to her breast. If ever her heart felt fuller, Grace couldn’t recall.

Once Frank had come back downstairs beaming with pride and shared his thanks, Grace told him she must go pick up her father, who by this time would be wondering what happened to her.

“Frank, I’m so proud the two of you decided to name the baby after me. I don’t know what to say, really.”

Frank kissed her cheek. “It was the right decision. Ginny loves you like the sister she never had.”

Grace nodded, unable to speak, then shooed the girls toward the door to leave.

“Let me know if there’s anything at all I can do to help out.”

“We will, but I’m sure Nell will stay right by her side. Thank you again for being here, and for the quilt. Becky showed it to me. It’s quite beautiful.”

“You’re both welcome. I’ll come back and check on her once she’s had a chance to rest.”

With the sale of the potato crop behind them, Robert and Tom walked the streets looking for a place to get something to eat. Tomorrow they’d head back to the Gallatin Valley with empty wagons to haul. The potatoes had sold for thirteen cents a pound—a good price. Grace would be pleased.

Tom pointed out a nearby establishment. “This place looks good and I’m starving to death.”

“Fine with me, son. I could eat the biggest steak this side of the Gallatin River.”

Service was quick, and they soon shoveled in their supper. “Tom, thanks for coming along with me. This was a job for a man, but you stepped up to the challenge.”

Tom sat up a little straighter with pride. “Told you I was growing up.” He grinned, taking in another mouthful of potatoes. “Funny, I didn’t think I wanted to lay my eyes on another potato until I got hungry.” He laughed.

“I felt the same way after digging and hauling them, but they sure taste better than they look.” Robert hesitated a moment, then added, “I’m glad things are square between us. If you keep working this hard, I’ll help you in every way I can to go to medical school. You may even get a scholarship. Won’t know until you’re old enough to apply.”

Tom put his fork down. “I know I was a rotten kid before and gave you a hard time. Reckon I was just mad at the world.”

“And I understand that. It’s okay. You were struggling and trying to find your place after your mother died. I’m really sorry that we started out on the wrong foot. But look at us now.”

“Do you think you’ll ever marry again? My sisters need a mama,” he said matter-of-factly.

“I’m not sure. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m a little gun-shy after your mother.”

“No hard feelings. I guess she didn’t tell you about us because she thought you wouldn’t want her.”

“That’s understandable. But I loved her, and she didn’t trust my love enough to believe that I would’ve accepted anything she told me—not until she was dying. I guess my reaction was not very gentlemanly either, and I apologize for that.” Robert wiped his mouth, then laid his napkin aside. “I’m as full as a tick on a dog’s back.”

Tom laughed, then belched. “Oops, sorry.”

Robert tried to cover a chuckle. “We’ll work on those manners too while we’re at it. Let me pay the bill, then we’ll go help ourselves to a bath and a good night’s sleep before heading back.”

“I’m all for that,” Tom responded.

Nearly a week had passed since Robert left, and every time she passed a window Grace looked for him and Tom. She was like a child looking for Christmas. She wasn’t sure when they’d return, but it should be nearing that time. Everyday farm chores had kept her and the girls busy, and she realized how much she’d come to rely on Robert. Tom had been an enormous help with the harvest too.

It was well after lunch. The dishes were done, and Becky was reading but taking the time to help Sarah with unfamiliar words in her book. Grace smiled watching them. Such sweet girls, and what a blessing they’d turned out to be in her life and her father’s.

Grace was mending and Owen was reading a week-old newspaper when she heard the wagons rumbling into the yard. Grace and the girls jumped at the sound and hurried out to meet Robert and Tom. Owen took his time with his cane, but stood on the porch and waved across the yard to them in greeting.

Grace and the girls walked over to the barn when Robert stopped the wagon. “I’m glad you’re both back,” she said. Tom was right behind him, driving the second wagon like a pro. Robert needed a shave but was still ruggedly handsome, and his tan was deeper. Tom looked tired but different somehow. She knew when you don’t see someone every day when they’re in the growing stage, it could appear that suddenly their facial features were rearranged or changed somehow. Had he grown? She hoped the trip wasn’t too hard on him. He was tall, but not too muscular. Guiding the horse and wagon loaded down had to be a big change for him.

“Me too,” Robert answered. “It was a pretty long haul, but we got thirteen cents a pound, and that’s good in this market.”

She smiled up at him. “Yes, I agree. Any trouble along the way?”

“Not a bit. The weather was good too.” Robert climbed down a little stiffly, watching while Tom did the same.

Sarah rushed over and hugged Robert about the legs and he kissed the top of her head. “Sweet little Sarah. I’ve missed you and Becky.”

Becky looked over at her brother, her arms crossed. “Believe it or not, I’ve missed you, even though you can be aggravating to me most of the time.”

Tom poked his tongue out at her, then yanked one of her braids. “I take that as a compliment then.”

“We’ll get the horses rubbed down, then head on back to town if you don’t mind. I think we’re about out of steam for the rest of the day. Guess I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“Not at all. Both of you deserve to get some rest,” she answered. “I can feed and rub the horses down so you don’t have to stay and do that.”

“I’m not that tired.” Robert flashed her a grin. “Do you have anything you can make sandwiches with? We had a beef jerky snack earlier, but other than breakfast that’s all. We’ll take care of the horses if you can get us something to eat.”

“If you insist. Come on, girls, let’s rustle up something to feed these hungry men.”

While they ate, everyone sat with them in the kitchen, listening to tales about the trip. Grace poured coffee for her and Owen, then related how she came to deliver Ginny’s baby.

“My, but that must’ve been quite an event. I’m proud of you. I’m assuming Ginny and the baby are doing fine?” Robert gazed at Grace.

Grace had a hard time looking away when he locked eyes with her like that. “Yes, everyone is well. Tomorrow, I’ll go check on her again and hold the baby awhile.”

“She named the baby Grace,” Becky inserted. “Wasn’t that sweet? I love babies.”

Robert’s gaze softened. “Now that is wonderful, and I’m not surprised one bit.”

Owen chuckled. “Trouble is, now Grace won’t be able to name her own child after herself.”

Grace felt her face burn. “It doesn’t look as though that’s a concern anytime soon.”

Robert glanced at Owen, then Grace. “You never know . . .”

“I’d love to help you with your baby when it comes,” Becky said.

“If I ever marry again, I would be happy to have your help, and you too, Sarah,” Grace answered, not wanting to leave her out. She avoided Robert’s eyes, though she could feel them on her.