“Are you all right?” Franklin’s words, whispered into her ear, caused her to stiffen.
She nodded, then moved closer to Miriam. “How do you feel now? Are you rested?” She dropped into the rocking chair, and Franklin stood close beside her.
“I am.” Miriam smiled at both of them. “This morning must have tired me out more than I thought. I slept almost all day.”
Lorinda patted her on her clasped hands. “I know. I checked on you several times.”
“You’re so good to me...I don’t know that I would be if our roles were reversed.”
That idea hadn’t even entered Lorinda’s mind. Thank goodness, they weren’t.
Franklin cleared his throat. “You did say you wanted to talk to us again, didn’t you?”
Miriam gazed toward the window, and a faraway look came into her eyes. “I’ve had a lot of time to think.” She turned toward both of them. “I want you to promise me something.”
Franklin frowned, and Lorinda leaned toward the other woman. “What?” She knew she couldn’t make a promise unless she knew what it was.
“If anything happens to me, please promise you’ll keep my baby.”
Why would she even ask such a thing? Then another thought crept into Lorinda’s head. It could be a way for her to be a mother to more than one child and have someone else who could love her unconditionally as Michael did.
“Nothing’s going to happen to you.” She sounded as serious as she could. “We’re here, and the doctor will keep checking on you.”
Miriam started wringing her hands. “You don’t understand. I know I’m not going to make it, but I want a secure future for my baby. And I don’t want Marvin to have the child.”
“Why not?” Franklin sounded almost angry.
Lorinda glanced up at him. Something was really bothering him.
“Marvin never wanted me to have a baby. That’s why he deserted me when I told him. I’m afraid he’ll finally figure out where I’ve come for help. If he does, he’ll want the baby just to spite you, Franklin.” A single tear slid down one cheek. “I don’t want to even imagine how he would treat the baby. Please promise me. I would feel that my baby would be safe if you’ll do that.”
Lorinda’s heart went out to the woman. Maybe she was right. She didn’t seem strong enough to birth a child. Maybe it’s a girl, and she and Franklin would have one of each to raise.
Franklin hunkered down beside the bed. “Miriam, there are legalities to consider. We can’t just say the mother gave us the baby. We’ll need some kind of documentation. Would you like me to get a lawyer out here?”
A look of horror passed over Miriam’s face. “No. Marvin might find out sooner if you do that. Can’t I just write out my wishes, and you can have two trusted employees sign it as witnesses? Wouldn’t that work?”
Franklin stood back up and pondered her question. Miriam and Lorinda waited in silence. He paced to the other side of the room and back.
“I’ve known of wills being done that way. I don’t know why it wouldn’t work with this situation.”
“Thank you.” Miriam wilted deeper into the bed. “Let’s do it right now.”
Franklin left to get paper and the new Waterman fountain pen from his office. When he returned, Lorinda watched as he and Miriam worked out the wording for the document. Miriam wrote it out in her own handwriting, then signed it.
“I don’t want Lorinda and me to be the witnesses, because it might look as if we coerced you to write and sign this paper. I’ll go get Rusty and Mrs. Oleson to witness your signature. Both of them know when to keep a confidence.” He left the room.
Lorinda knelt beside the bed and took Miriam’s hands in her own. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Another tear made its way down Miriam’s cheek. She released one of Lorinda’s hands and brushed it away. “I have to. I can’t rest easy until I know my baby is safe from Marvin. That man is vile and unscrupulous.” Her voice broke on the last word. “Oh, I wish I’d never met him.”
Lorinda wished Miriam hadn’t either. But if all of that hadn’t happened, she might never have met Franklin.
Hopefully, all they had just done wouldn’t be needed. At least, she could pray for Miriam to be able to have her child and take care of him or her.
Chapter 31
An unfamiliar sound startled Lorinda awake before dawn’s light seeped between the curtains on her window. What is that? A foreign sound. Where had it come from? Another strange moan reached her ears.
Miriam! Lorinda pulled on her dressing gown, crossing one side over the other. She cinched the belt tight and slipped out into the hallway. Was their patient in distress?
A strangled cry sounded through the door. Lorinda rushed into the bedroom. Miriam must’ve been restless, because her bed linens were a rumpled pile with her in the middle of it. She twisted again, and a louder moan filled the room. Lorinda dropped into the rocking chair beside the bed and felt Miriam’s forehead. She didn’t have a fever.
Miriam slowly opened her eyes and blinked several times. Then her gaze connected with Lorinda’s.
She leaned closer to Miriam. “Are you all right?”
For a moment, Lorinda didn’t think she was going to answer because Miriam continued her blank stare.
Then she murmured, “Pain...I’m having pains.”
“Where?”
At least, now the woman was alert enough to answer.
“Am I having my baby?” The words rushed from Miriam’s mouth. “Is it time?” Fear shot from her eyes.
Lorinda smoothed Miriam’s hair back off her face. “It’ll be all right. How long have you known you were expecting a baby?”
Miriam closed her eyes and looked as if she were in deep thought. “Since about a month before Marvin left me.”
That didn’t help any. “And how long has he been gone?” Lorinda figured Miriam’s time had arrived.
“At least six or seven months, maybe even eight.” Miriam turned away and wiped tears from her cheeks. “It’s hard to remember for sure. I didn’t have a calendar...and I thought he’d come back any day...and he didn’t.” A sob broke free from her, and she placed the fingers of one hand against her lips.
Lorinda’s instincts were right. Birth was about to begin.
Without hesitation, Lorinda gathered Miriam into her arms and held her close. “We’re here to help you.”
Miriam relaxed against her, and a sigh escaped through her lips. “Thank you.”
Lorinda had to strain to hear the soft words. “You’re welcome.”
Before she could ask how close the pains were, Miriam gave a convulsive movement and clutched her swollen belly. She gulped, then stopped breathing.
“It’ll hurt less if you’ll breathe out slowly during the pain.” She continued to hold the woman until she relaxed. “I need to go get some help. I’ll be back before the next pain arrives.”
Lorinda didn’t like leaving her alone, but she knew she’d need to have help delivering the baby. She checked on Michael. He still slept, so Lorinda hurried up the stairs and knocked on Mrs. Oleson’s door.
Their housekeeper must’ve heard the moans and cries, because when the door opened, she was fully dressed. “Has Miriam’s time arrived?”
“I believe so.” Lorinda started down the stairs. “We must send someone to get the doctor. She may need more help than we can give her.”
“I agree.” Mrs. Oleson headed toward the open doorway to the room where Miriam was waiting.
Lorinda went through her bedroom and into the dressing room. She’d never been in there when her husband was sleeping. She felt strange...as if she were going somewhere she didn’t belong. She never felt that way when she put his clean clothes in his bureau. It had to be because he was lying in the bed. The sound of his even breathing wove its way around her, and his very presence heated the room. With him in bed, a strong desire for everything marriage should mean clutched at her heart. Her body ached in places it hadn’
t for over a year.
She didn’t know what she should do to wake him up. Evidently, the noise Miriam had made didn’t affect his sleep. Finally, she reached out and touched his shoulder, shaking him gently.
“Franklin...please wake up. We need you.”
He leapt from the bed and stood staring at her, his hair mussed and the shadow of dark whiskers on his cheeks and chin, his union suit clinging to his body. “What’s wrong?” His voice was extra husky.
Here she stood in her nightshift and just a thin dressing gown. She felt almost naked in front of him. While she wanted to cover her private parts, heat rushed to her cheeks. She was sure they must be flaming red.
Oh, my goodness. The man was a handsome specimen when fully clothed, but standing here in his unmentionables? Every muscle and sinew outlined and defined in a way she’d never seen. No words came from her mouth. Her hand tingled from where she touched him, and the rest of her body burst alive in a new way she didn’t have time to explore. What was she going to do? She didn’t have room to breathe.
A loud cry sliced through the silence. Miriam!
“You need to go to town and get the doctor. We’re going to need him soon. I’m so afraid Miriam isn’t strong enough to deliver this baby.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn’t know if she could stand to watch the woman or the baby die...or both.
He reached toward the clothes he’d hung on the back of the straight chair beside his bureau, and she rushed out of the room. She was careful not to make any noise as she went through the bedroom where the baby still slept soundly.
Mrs. Oleson sat in the rocking chair where Lorinda had been only a few minutes before. Miriam’s pain must have been over, because she lay still.
“I sent Franklin to get the doctor.” Lorinda trembled from head to toe. Too much had happened in such a short time. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll go get dressed.”
The long night stretched into an eternity. Miriam’s labor continued, gradually increasing in frequency and intensity. With each new pain, Miriam looked as if more and more of her strength leached from her. Lorinda sat beside her, holding her hand. After a while, her fingers were numb from the pressure, but she wasn’t about to complain. Miriam needed her, so here she’d stay.
Mrs. Oleson took care of Miriam in other ways. Bathing her face with a cool wet washcloth, giving her sips of water, and trying to keep the bed linens fresh. At one lull in the pains, the housekeeper went to the kitchen to put pots of water on the stove to heat.
Between pains, Lorinda bowed her head and prayed for their patient. Why hadn’t Miriam come to them before she was so weak? If that scoundrel, Marvin Pratt, was here, Lorinda would be tempted to scratch his eyes out. What a sorry piece of humanity!
Franklin was thankful the doctor was home. The man dressed with amazing speed, and they headed out into the cold night. With the bright moon casting a silver sheen over the countryside, they made good time getting back to the ranch.
“You go on in. You know where she is.” Franklin held the reins from the doctor’s carriage. “I’ll take care of the horses and put them in the barn out of the cold.”
When he finished that task and headed inside, his wife sat in the parlor in front of a blazing fire.
“Lorinda, are you okay?” He moved to stand beside one end of the hearth, soaking up part of the heat.
Her gaze lifted from the flames to his face. “I’m so afraid for Miriam.”
He hunkered down beside her. “Why?”
“She’s not strong enough to deliver the baby.” She rubbed her knuckles while she talked. “She’s getting weaker all the time.”
He glanced at her hands. They didn’t look right. He took one into his palm. Bruises were beginning to form. “What happened?”
Her eyes met his. “You’ve never seen what a woman goes through having a baby. It hurts...a lot. I’ve been holding her hand while she’s going through her labor pains.”
Franklin lifted her fingers to his lips and gently kissed them. “I never wanted my past to hurt you, Lorinda.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks as she pulled her hand back. “It’s not your fault, Franklin. I wanted to be a comfort to her if I could.”
He stood. “You’re amazing. I don’t know why God gave you to me.”
Before she could think of anything to say to him, the loudest scream yet rent the air. Soon after, Michael’s whimpers could be heard.
“You stay here, Lorinda. I’ll take care of Michael. The doctor might need your help again.”
As he left the room, his thoughts turned to the situation he and Lorinda were in. How he wanted her to be his wife in every sense of the word, but he wouldn’t force her into anything. He wanted her to come to him of her own free will, because she loved him. What a dreamer I am.
Soon the soft cries of a newborn filled the house. Mrs. Oleson rushed into the parlor and thrust a flannel baby blanket at Lorinda. “Here. Warm this by the fire, then bring it back to me. We have another little boy.” With those words, she immediately returned to the new mother’s room.
Lorinda held the blanket as close to the fire as she could without scorching it, so it didn’t take much time to have the whole thing warm. She folded it and held it close to her chest to keep it from cooling off.
When Lorinda opened the bedroom door, Mrs. Oleson was just finishing cleaning up the baby and pinning the diaper on him, while Dr. Winston continued taking care of his mother. Lorinda unfolded the blanket, and Mrs. Oleson gently laid the baby in it. Lorinda swaddled the little boy and cuddled him close.
He was so tiny. Michael was so big now that it was hard to remember him being this small. He probably wasn’t quite this little. And her son was becoming independent. He didn’t want to be cuddled anymore. Automatically, Lorinda began to sway in the age-old method of quieting a baby. The boy’s eyes slid closed, and his breathing evened out.
When the doctor finished with all the cleanup work on Miriam, he turned to Lorinda. “Let’s introduce Miriam to her son.”
The new mother barely opened her eyes when Lorinda placed the precious bundle into her arms. “You have a little boy.” She forced excitement into her tone, hoping to gain the woman’s attention.
After a moment, the new mother looked down at the baby.
“I think he looks a lot like you.” Lorinda tried to engage her in what was happening.
Mrs. Oleson stopped on the other side of the bed, where the baby’s head was nestled in the crook of his mother’s arms. “We need to put the wee one to the breast, Miriam. It will be good for both you and him.”
She gently loosened the swaddling a little and helped hold his little mouth against his mother. It took a few times of encouraging him before he latched onto her. With the first tug, Miriam once again looked at the baby, and her arms settled him closer.
Lorinda almost rejoiced out loud. This is a good thing...but was it? Miriam continued to fade more and more.
Dr. Winston returned from cleaning up. He rolled his shirt sleeves down as he watched his patients. A frown quickly spread across his features, puckering his forehead. He motioned for Lorinda to accompany him into the hallway.
“Mrs. Vine, Miriam is not recovering the way she should. I’ll stay the night by her bedside. Is there somewhere that you can take the baby to sleep?”
“We have a large basket I can place near the fireplace. We can make a bed for him in that.” She left to get the container.
When she returned with the basket, a pillow, and some baby blankets, the doctor stood beside the fireplace holding the little boy. After Lorinda finished making the soft bed, he handed the precious bundle to her and went back to the bedroom with Miriam.
When the doctor reached Miriam’s bedside, Mrs. Oleson left and came into the parlor. She sat beside Lorinda, clasping her hands in her lap.
“I have a bad feeling about Miriam’s chances of survival. Will you be able to nurse our new little baby?”
Lorinda stared at him and sm
iled. “Of course.” Whatever happened, this little one needed to be loved and cared for. She had plenty of love in her heart for another child.
Chapter 32
Franklin stood beside the gaping maw of the open grave. Even in his sheepskin and suede coat, he was chilled to the bone...by more than just the icy wind. As he gazed down at the closed pine box that contained the remains of his former fiancée, he grieved more for what had happened to her than for what she’d done to him. He knew he hadn’t loved her enough, and he was sorry she’d made such poor choices. She shouldn’t have ended up in this cemetery at such an early age. And her son would never know his mother.
“Let’s pray.” Pastor Nelson bowed his head, pulling Franklin from his thoughts, and everyone around them followed suit.
When had he moved from pain to forgiveness? When Lorinda became my wife. His thoughts turned toward her. She’d wanted to come to the graveside service, but both of the babies needed her. He wished he could’ve stayed home with her, but he wanted to make sure Miriam’s body received the care she deserved. And he wanted to make sure that no one besides their pastor knew the circumstances of her last few years. He owed her that much.
Yesterday after he’d made arrangements with the undertaker and Pastor Brian, he’d had a talk with his lawyer. The man confirmed that the paper Miriam had written was legal enough to stand up in court. So he and Lorinda now had two sons, a surprise since he’d figured they’d only have the one.
Lorinda had seemed all right with what happened the night Miriam asked the question and wrote her desires about her son. But he wondered if she really was okay with the results. Had she believed the newborn would become theirs so soon?
At the end of the service, he quickly excused himself and set out toward the ranch, riding Major as fast as he could under the darkening clouds, heavy with snow. How should he approach Lorinda? He already felt he’d taken advantage of her in a way he never imagined. Brian had helped him see the error of his ways, and he’d started trying to court his wife. But was that even right? Would she feel beholden to him and only stay for that reason? He wanted more. For her to love him.
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