They all stepped out of the room so the doctor could examine her in private. Jacob paced back and forth across the kitchen, pausing now and then to gaze toward the bedroom door. Beyond an initial look of recognition when he saw Morning Song, he withdrew into himself and said nothing to any of them.
Emmie finally took his arm. “Let’s pray.”
He gave her a startled look. “You’re right,” he groaned as he dropped to his knees beside a kitchen chair.
Emmie knelt on one side and Sarah and Morning Song on the other. They stayed on their knees for a few more moments, then rose as Dr. Horton came into the room.
“She’s in a bad way. She’s too weak to stand much of this and the baby is coming the wrong way. Have any of you ladies helped deliver babies before?”
Sarah and Emmie looked at each other and shook their heads.
Morning Song nodded. “I help many women in my village.”
Dr. Horton looked at her for a moment, then evidently satisfied with what he saw, nodded. “Wash your hands and come with me. You too,” he said to Emmie.
Morning Song and Emmie hurried to obey. They scrubbed their hands with lye soap and went into the bedroom.
“We’ve got to try to turn the baby,” the doctor said. “Emmie, I need you to hold her down while I push on her stomach. Do you know what to do?” he asked Morning Song.
She nodded and knelt by Amelia. Emmie thought she couldn’t stand it as Amelia thrashed and cried out while Morning Song bravely began to turn the baby as gently as she could. Emmie was trembling and dripping with perspiration by the time the doctor stood.
“You can let her go now,” he said. “Things should move along now. You did very well,” he told Morning Song. “Now both of you get out of here and try to calm Jacob down.”
Emmie closed the door behind her with a sense of relief. For a while there, she’d thought they’d lose both Amelia and the baby.
Jacob was beside her instantly. “How is she?” he demanded in a shaky voice.
“We got the baby turned. The doctor says it should be all right now.” Emmie washed her hands at the bucket, then went to the stove on shaky legs and poured a cup of coffee.
Amelia cried out behind the closed door and Jacob shuddered convulsively. He sank to a chair and buried his face in his hands. “I can’t stand it,” he muttered.
The entry door opened and Rand rushed in. “I heard the baby is coming.” He stared at Sarah who was crying. He went to embrace her. “She’s going to be all right, isn’t she?”
Sarah leaned against him and buried her face in his chest. “The doctor thinks so now. But she’s very weak.”
The afternoon dragged on as they paced outside the bedroom door. Finally Amelia cried out again, then they heard the weak, wavering cry of a newborn baby. Jacob shot to his feet and looked at the bedroom door wildly.
Rand stepped forward and gripped his arm. “Calm down, little brother. You won’t do Amelia any good in this state.”
Just then the door opened and Dr. Horton stepped through. He looked into Jacob’s agonized eyes and smiled reassuringly. “You have a beautiful daughter, Jacob.”
Jacob’s face was white. “How’s my wife?”
The doctor gestured toward the bedroom. “See for yourself.”
Jake jumped forward like he was shot out of a cannon. The rest of the family followed him eagerly. Amelia lay against the pillows with a little more color in her cheeks. A tiny face with a tuft of dark hair peeked out from under her arm. Jacob sank to his knees beside his wife and daughter and stared at them with awe on his face.
Amelia smiled up at them. “Isn’t she beautiful? I’m glad we decided to name her Gabrielle. ‘God’s messenger.’ She really is a wonderful message from God.”
“You’re beautiful.” Jacob kissed her gently on the forehead, then turned his attention to his daughter. His big hand took her tiny fingers. “She looks just like you.”
Amelia smiled. “Does she really?”
“Without a doubt,” Rand said.
Sarah stepped closer to the bed. “Aren’t you going to hold her, Jacob? First you, then it’s my turn.”
Amelia lifted the baby and Jacob took her awkwardly. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared down at his tiny daughter. After a few moments of mutual inspection, he handed the baby to Sarah.
She took her eagerly and snuggled her expertly. “Oh, Amelia, she’s adorable!”
Amelia smiled and her eyes closed wearily. Emmie saw her friend’s exhaustion and motioned them all out. She was just about to shut the door when Amelia opened her eyes and motioned to her to come back.
“What is it, Amelia?” she said gently. “You need to get some rest.”
Amelia clutched her hand. “Thank you. And thank Morning Song for me. You both saved my life. I was so surprised to see her. Tell her I want to have a long talk when I’m stronger.”
Emmie smiled and smoothed Amelia’s dark hair away from her forehead. “I’ll tell her. I told you there was nothing to worry about. You’re going to be here to take care of your own husband and baby.”
Amelia smiled, then her eyes closed again and Emmie tiptoed out.
NINE
Snow skittered across the walk. Isaac hovered outside the door. It wasn’t his place to go inside, but the entire fort had heard Amelia was in grave danger. His feet were lumps of ice, but he couldn’t go anywhere until he knew things were okay inside. The doctor had given him some information, but he wanted to make sure.
The door opened and Emmie, swathed in her cloak, stepped through the door. He caught a glimpse of Sarah and Rand sitting on the sofa with contented expressions. Relief loosened the tightness in his chest.
She froze when she saw him, then shut the door behind her. “Isaac, you startled me. Have you been out here long?”
“About an hour.” He offered her his arm, and after a brief hesitation, she took it. “Amelia and the baby okay?” He led her across the path toward the Campbell house.
“Yes, thank God. I thought we’d lose her.”
He pressed his right hand against her hand resting on his left arm. “I heard you and Morning Song were the heroines of the hour. You’re a gritty little thing.”
Her steps faltered as reveille sounded. “I didn’t do anything but hold her down. Morning Song and the doctor did it all.”
“Doc Horton said he had you help because he knew you wouldn’t faint. He was pretty sure Sarah would. He said you have a lot of backbone.”
“I didn’t think I could stand it, but I had to help her. It was awful.” Her voice trembled.
Isaac stopped as emotion swirled inside his chest. This feeling that gripped him all the time was more than attraction. He loved this brave little slip of a woman. His fingers tightened over her hand. They belonged together. He wanted to be there when her baby came. No one else could care for her and love her like he could.
He gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. Her violet eyes looked at him with such trust, and her expression emboldened him. “You’ve gotten a lot more confident in the past few weeks.” He grasped her chin and tilted her head up until he could look into her eyes. “I love you, Emmie. You’re all I think about.”
She went still, then her lashes shuttered her eyes. “You can’t possibly love me, Isaac. Not if you knew . . .”
“Nothing you could tell me would change how I feel.” He felt her resistance in the stiff stance of her shoulders and the tilt of her head. “Look at me.”
She bit her lip, then her long lashes swept up and emotion blazed in her eyes as he stared into her face. �
��I’m looking.”
“Can you look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love me?”
“I–I don’t know. I don’t want to love you. Love can hurt, Isaac. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”
He drew her into the shelter of his arms and rested his chin on her head. “I won’t hurt you, my love. From the first moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one I’d been waiting for. I want to be your baby’s father. I’ve seen the gentle, loving spirit you have. You may not want to love me, but I think you do.” He drew back and tilted her chin up again. “Don’t you?” He bent his head and kissed her.
Her hands went to his chest and started to push him away. He started to pull back, but her right hand crept around his neck and she kissed him back. She relaxed into his arms as if she’d always fit there.
The wind intensified and she shuddered. He broke off the embrace. “Let’s get you inside. You’re cold.”
She shook her head. “I do love you, Isaac. I love your goodness, your unwavering kindness to your friends, everything about you.” She gave a choked sob and wound her arms around his neck as she kissed him again.
Even the biting wind couldn’t chill him with her arms around him. When Isaac finally drew back, he was trembling. “Does this mean you’ll marry me?”
Fear fluttered through her eyes. “I must explain something to you.”
He tugged her cloak closer to her neck. “It can wait. I love you no matter what.” He put an arm around her and led her back toward Jacob’s quarters. “Let’s go tell everyone.”
Amelia’s kitchen bustled with activity when they arrived. Morning Song was cutting up venison while Sarah peeled potatoes. Rand and Joel were putting the bread and butter out and setting the table.
Hands clasped, Emmie and Isaac stood and watched for a few moments before Sarah looked up and saw them.
“Oh. What’s happened? You look so—” She broke off as she ran out of words.
“I’ve finally worn down Emmie’s resistance,” Isaac said. “She’s going to be Mrs. Lieutenant Liddle.”
Sarah shrieked and dropped her potatoes on the floor. She flung her arms around Emmie and danced her around the room. “I just knew you two were meant for each other,” she crowed.
Rand slapped Isaac on the back and grinned. “I told you to keep trying.”
Sarah gaped at her husband, then scowled at him. “You told me to stay out of it, and here I find you were the one doing the meddling.”
Isaac slipped his hand around Emmie’s waist. “He thought one meddling Campbell was enough.”
Morning Song kissed Emmie on the cheek. “I am happy for my sister. I pray the Lord’s blessings upon your life.”
Emmie was touched. “Thank you, Morning Song.”
Did she dare to be happy in this moment? Isaac still didn’t know the full truth. While she believed his love was strong, it would take a special man to overlook the circumstances of her pregnancy. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He really was most remarkable. If any man could forgive her, it would be Isaac.
Joel gave a disgusted shake of his head, then shook Isaac’s hand. “I guess that means another dumb wedding.”
Isaac ruffled his hair and grinned. “You won’t think it’s so dumb in a few years.”
Rand gestured to the table and chairs. “When’s the wedding?”
Emmie took a seat at the table and looked hesitantly at Isaac. “We haven’t discussed it yet.”
“Soon,” Isaac said. “I’ll talk to the chaplain. How long will it take you to get ready?”
Emmie bit her lip and raised a brow in Sarah’s direction. “How long?”
“A month, at least,” Sarah said. “We have to make you a dress and get the food ready.”
“How about we plan it for January seventeenth?”
“Make it the eleventh. That’s my birthday,” Rand interrupted. “I’ll give her away, and I’ll be giving you a gift on my birthday. You couldn’t ask for a better gift than a new wife.”
Her head reeling from the speed of everything, Emmie nodded. As they cleaned up after supper and made plans, she felt as though it was all happening to someone else. She couldn’t be this happy. It wasn’t possible. She kept stealing glances at Isaac’s profile in the parlor, where he talked with Rand.
But what if Isaac didn’t believe her about Monroe? What if he thought she had deceived him? Her mouth went dry. She had to tell him soon. She suddenly remembered Jessica. What would her reaction be? Would she really tell Isaac her perverted version of the so-called marriage? She must tell him tomorrow.
But her heart quailed at the thought. Jessica was so believable. She’d put a nasty twist on everything. Emmie would fight for him if she had to. He wasn’t a man to break a promise the way Monroe had. He was worth fighting for.
ONE
DECEMBER 18, 1866, FORT PHIL KEARNY, WYOMING TERRITORY
The little fort in the wilderness bustled with activity outside the kitchen window. The distant sound of the post band practicing mingled with the sound of soldiers practicing maneuvers on the parade ground.
Emmie Croftner carefully slid a pie into the oven to bake. “I need to change. Isaac will be here any minute.” She felt like hugging herself. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be married.” She handed Sarah’s little brother, Joel, a cinnamon-crusted bit of raw pie dough.
At ten, he was a nearly bottomless pit. He grinned and wolfed it down. “Can I come eat at your place sometimes?”
Sarah laughed and cuffed his head. “Only if you want to insult your only sister.”
“Ow.” He grinned and rubbed his reddish-gold hair, very much like Sarah’s. “I like your cooking fine, but Emmie makes the best pie.”
Sarah rolled her green eyes. “Okay, you’re forgiven this time, but only because you’re right.”
A rap sounded at the door, and Emmie put her hands on her hot cheeks. “Oh dear, I’m not ready.” She hurried through the kitchen to the parlor and threw open the front door to stare up into Isaac Liddle’s dear face. A bit of snow covered the shoulders of his wool coat and dotted his auburn mustache with white.
“You’re early.” She touched a dark-brown lock that had fallen from atop her head. She rubbed floury hands on her apron. “Come in out of the cold.”
The scent of wet snow followed him inside. “Let me help you off with your coat.” She took his greatcoat over closer to the fire. “Sit down. Supper won’t be for a little while.”
He caught at her hand when she came back and pulled her down beside him on the sofa. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?” Melting snow dripped off his hair onto the shirt covering his broad shoulders.
“Never.” Isaac wasn’t the rogue Monroe, her so-called “husband,” had been. He was true and good.
His grin beamed. “I’m one lucky fellow.” His hand went to his pocket, and he drew out a folded paper. “I wanted to show you something. It’s going to be our home.”
Her pulse kicked at the thought of a real home, one with her and Isaac. Rand and Sarah had made her feel welcome, but having her own place would be so very different.
She unfolded the stiff paper and looked down at the pencil drawing. “You drew this?”
He shook his head and traced the outline of the roof with his finger. “A friend did it for me.”
She studied the sweet little house with its steep roof and windows. “It looks lovely.”
“He’s made it so we can easily add on as we have more children. See, here and here we can expand in both directions.”
She touched her belly
where the babe had yet to quicken. A houseful of children would suit her just fine. And she would love and care for them with all her heart. “You’ll be a good father, unlike my own.”
His blue eyes darkened. “I’ll give you a real home, Emmie. I promise.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I’m counting on that. Um, there’s something I want to tell you.” She opened her mouth to tell him the secret that weighed so heavily on her heart, but Sarah came to the doorway.
“The pie is ready.”
Emmie rose quickly. It could wait for another time.
Isaac couldn’t stop smiling as he tromped through the heavy snow to the corral to lead a woodcutting detail. The light in Emmie’s eyes as she’d looked at the home he planned to build her kept him warm.
Although the sky was clear, the trek was slow going, with huge drifts of snow left by the blizzard. Several lines of enlisted men tramped the snow down for the horses. Without their assistance, the animals would have been walking through chest-high snow in some places.
Isaac sat atop his horse and watched the surrounding hills for signs of trouble. The sun shone down on the plains and glimmered on the distant snow-topped hills. It was so different from Texas. The mountains and cool air spoke to him.
The men had only felled one tree and begun to cut it up when the whoops of a war band pierced the air as they charged over the hill to his right.
“Take cover!” He slid off his horse and flung himself down behind a rock outcropping. The soldiers were outnumbered by at least three to one. Even with the repeating rifles some of them had, they would soon be overwhelmed. He knew the lookout on Pilot Knob could see the battle, but Colonel Carrington would need at least fifteen minutes to muster the men and come to the rescue.
Emmie hummed as she washed the last of the breakfast dishes and cleaned up the pie-making mess. The wind howled around the eaves of the house, and snow clung to the outsides of the window, even sifting through the cracks to the inside sill. But the inclement weather didn’t stop the singing in her heart.
A Journey of the Heart Collection Page 28
