The Love Comes Softly Collection

by Janette Oke

  Marty nodded her head against him, indicating that, yes, she thought there was.

  “Have ya already been to the doc?”

  Marty shook her head no.

  “Then yer guessin’.”

  “I . . . I . . . don’t think so,” she sniffed.

  There were a few minutes of silence.

  “An’ what are ya expectin’ . . . ?” Clark didn’t finish.

  Marty waited for only a moment before she spoke through renewed sobs. “A . . . a . . . baby.”

  Clark pushed her back to arm’s length, perplexity showing in his face. “A what?”

  “A baby,” she cried, her face crumpled with weeping.

  “A baby?”

  She nodded, wishing she could bury her head against his shoulder again so she wouldn’t need to look into his eyes.

  “A baby?” Clark repeated with only a shade less shock in his voice.

  Marty just let the tears run down her cheeks. She closed her eyes. She wished to see neither reproach nor pity in his eyes. She stood silent and mute.

  “Oh, Marty,” Clark said, giving her a little shake.

  Marty opened her eyes and looked directly and deeply into the eyes of her husband. There was no worry there. There was no pity. But there was love. Lots of love. Marty answered his look, and then she flung her arms tightly about his neck and wept again, tears of relief.

  Clark held her for a long time, then pushed her gently from him. There was the trace of a smile on his lips.

  “Thet’s a bit of a wonder, ain’t it?”

  “A wonder?” repeated Marty, puzzled.

  “Yeah, a wonder. Here I was a worryin’. Arnie’s gittin’ married soon an’ movin’. Luke is goin’ off to become a doctor, an’ we both know there’s no way we can hang on to Ellie fer long. An’ here now, as I was hatin’ to lose the last one, God is sendin’ us another!”

  Marty hadn’t been giving God much credit for the whole event. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea, even yet. She was a little old to be a mother again, and what in the world would her family and all of the neighbors think?

  “I’d still like ya to keep the appointment,” Clark was saying. “We wanta be sure thet everythin’ is all right.”

  “Iffen ya want me to,” Marty agreed, but she dreaded to face even the kindly doctor. She wished there was some way to keep her news to herself indefinitely.

  “All of the family will be relieved,” Clark went on. “We’ve all been worried thet somethin’ might be wrong. It’ll be a real relief—”

  “A real embarrassment, ya mean,” Marty interjected.

  “What d’ya mean—an embarrassment? Yer simply bein’ a woman the way the good Lord made ya. Nothin’ wrong or embarrassin’ ’bout thet.”

  Marty argued no further. She knew it would do no good. She also knew she was extremely tired. It was not difficult for her to agree to go to bed at Clark’s gentle prompting.

  Six

  Announcement

  Clark pulled the team up before the house and helped Marty into the wagon. He drove to town more slowly than usual. Marty knew it was out of concern for her—and their unborn baby. She could feel her cheeks warm slightly as she wondered what Clark would think if he knew of the many times she had secretly hoped she would lose the child. Clark certainly wouldn’t be having any such thoughts, she was sure.

  It was a beautiful summer day. A rain shower had freshened their whole world just before dawn, and everything smelled green and growing. Marty pushed back her bonnet so she might get a better look at the familiar countryside. It had been a while since she had made this trip to town.

  They passed the Grahams’, and Marty waved to Ma, who was out in the garden, hoe in hand. Marty thought again of how very little of the hoeing in this year’s garden she had done. Poor Ellie! She certainly had been carrying the load.

  When they arrived at the doctor’s, Clark helped Marty down over the wheel and gently steadied her on her feet. “I’ll be in as soon as I tie the team,” he promised.

  Marty nodded and moved on to enter the small office. Three others were waiting, and Marty was glad to postpone her visit with the doctor for even a little while.

  Clark soon joined her. The time went by too quickly, and before she was emotionally ready, it was her turn to step into the inner office. The doc began with a few preliminary questions. Marty prepared herself for the shocked look on his face when she told him what she had concluded, but it did not come. He seemed to feel it was quite the most ordinary thing in the world for a woman of forty-three, with a number of grandchildren, to be sitting in his office chair quietly informing him that she believed another child was on the way.

  After the examination, Doc calmly assured Marty that she was right and that everything seemed fine. He made a few suggestions about what she might do to assure proper progress for the baby and renewed energy for herself. Marty solemnly promised to eat right and get plenty of rest.

  Doc Watkins then called Clark into the room and offered his congratulations to the father-to-be. Both of the men seemed rather pleased with the fact of the coming baby, and for a moment Marty felt a trace of exasperation with them. She pushed it aside. They were right and she was wrong. There should be joy over the coming of a new life into the world. She must get her thinking into proper perspective.

  When the Davises left the office, they did their needed shopping—not really all that much. In fact, it was Ellie who had prepared the list for Clark.

  As they left the general store, Clark wouldn’t allow Marty to carry even a small bundle. Instead, he insisted on making two trips himself, his crutch beating a rhythm on the wooden sidewalk. Marty waited rather impatiently in the shade until the groceries were carefully stored away.

  “Why don’t we git ya some tea?” Clark offered, and Marty agreed that it would pick her up a bit.

  They headed slowly for the hotel dining room.

  “Been wonderin’,” Clark said as they walked, “iffen you’d like to git some things fer the new young’un while we’re here. Seems to me there couldn’t be much left from our previous babies.”

  Marty looked up at him in shock. She hadn’t even thought about starting all over with the sewing of baby clothes and the making of diapers! Here Kate was as busy as could be, and their babies were due about the same time—and Marty didn’t have one thing. But she took a breath and put a check on her thoughts. She just wasn’t ready for that yet.

  “There’ll be plenty of time” was all she said.

  Clark nodded and held the door for her.

  All the way home, Marty’s head spun. Her family knew she had been to the doctor today and were worried there might be something seriously wrong. They would need to know. She couldn’t possibly continue to let them worry when nothing at all was “wrong” with her. It just wouldn’t be fair. They would need to know the truth. Marty thought of asking to go to her room to lie down and letting Clark share the preposterous news. That really wasn’t fair, she knew, and was the cowardly way out. Oh, how she dreaded it! How did one say it? What did you tell fully grown children? It used to be so easy. One gathered the little ones around and informed them joyfully, “We’re gonna git ya a new baby. Only God knows whether it will be a new brother or a sister.” And there was great rejoicing, and they would take sides as to who wanted it to be what. It was sort of like casting votes. On the day of the actual arrival, there were always winners and losers—but that was soon forgotten in the excitement of the new baby. After the initial announcement and a viewing of the new little one, everyone realized God had sent just what each one had really wanted.

  Only this time, thought Marty, we don’t all want this baby. Maybe nobody really does. Oh, I know Clark will accept the new arrival all right, but is this what he really wants? Will the family really want a new baby? I know I don’t. Not really.

  Marty was ashamed at the direction of her thoughts. But it was true. She hadn’t planned on this baby. As much as she had enjoyed raising their fami
ly, she didn’t want to start all over again with night feedings and diapers and round-the-clock care of a little one. It would not be happening had the choice been hers.

  She pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on the lazily drifting clouds overhead. It looked as though they might get a bit more rain. Well, she supposed they could use it. It seemed they never really got too much.

  They passed the Grahams’ again, and Marty was glad Ma was no longer in her yard. Somehow she felt that even in driving by and waving, her secret would be revealed. Oh, what will Ma think? And then Marty remembered that Ma had been her age when her last child was born.

  But that was different, she argued with herself. There wasn’t a big gap between children, and she didn’t have a whole passel of grandchildren by then, either.

  Marty’s inner self quickly countered, No, and you don’t have a grandchild yet from any of the family you have actually given birth to. Nandry and Clae are both Tina’s girls, and Missie is Ellen’s girl. True enough now, though, you seem to be running a race with your firstborn son.

  In spite of herself, Marty smiled at the humor of it. It was rather funny. Why, she and Clare’s Kate could well be confined at the same time. Imagine a child sharing a birthday with an aunt or uncle! She was sure there would be plenty of teasing ahead for both the little ones.

  All too soon Clark was pulling the team up before the house and hopping down to help Marty. She dreaded it. Would they all storm her with questions the minute she entered the kitchen? She turned to go up the walk alone, but Clark was at her side.

  Ellie met them at the door. Her eyes held her questions. She looked right past Marty and sought the eyes of her father.

  Clark responded. “Ma’s fine,” he said with satisfaction, and the look of fear left Ellie’s face, though Marty could sense that questions still remained.

  Marty was surprised that Clark let it go at that, and she went on up to her room and changed into her housedress. Supper was almost ready.

  It wasn’t until the next morning at family worship that Clark brought up the subject. He had read a portion on the rich promises of God and the thankful response that His children should feel toward His loving-kindness. Each member of the family was invited to share something for which they were especially thankful. Clark stated that he was thankful for each family member that God, in His wisdom and love, had sent into the home, and then he led the family in prayer. After the prayer, he motioned for the little group to remain seated.

  “When ya were all little an’ we had a special announcement to make, we used to gather ya round us like this and share it together. Now, Luke here has never gotten in on any of those special announcements. Well, we are ’bout to correct thet. Lukey,” he said, using the pet name of years gone by, “yer ma an’ me got somethin’ to tell ya. All of ya.” Clark stopped to look around the circle. “We’re missin’ some of the family to be sure, but fer those of us here together, we want ya to know thet yer ma an’ me are gonna git ya a new baby. Boy or girl, we not be knowin’, but . . .”

  Three pairs of eyes turned in unison to look questioningly at Marty. She felt herself squirm under the intensity of it. Arnie was the first to catch his breath. He gave a whoop and leaped from his chair. Luke was next. “Finally!” was what he shouted. “Finally I git my turn.”

  Marty couldn’t believe her ears. She turned from her grown sons to Ellie, but she was crying. Oh no, did it really bother Ellie that much?

  Marty moved toward her in concern, but Ellie met her halfway. “Oh, Mama,” she wept, “I was so scared. So scared.” And then she began to laugh through her sobs. “An’ it’s just a baby! ’Magine thet. A baby.” Then she turned to her brothers. “I hope it’s a girl,” she stated emphatically.

  “A boy!” they shouted in unison.

  “A girl,” insisted Ellie. “We already got more boys than girls.”

  “Thet don’t matter,” said Luke. “I still don’t have a baby brother.”

  Clark held up his hand as a signal for silence. “Hold it,” he said into the commotion. “Hold it. What it will be is already determined, an’ no ’mount of yellin’ on yer part is gonna change it none. I suggest we just wait an’ see.”

  Marty looked around at her incredible family. They didn’t seem to mind. They didn’t seem to mind one bit. Of course, Arnie had always loved babies, and Ellie had always shown a tendency toward mothering. Luke maintained that he didn’t get the fair end of things in not being a big brother to someone.

  Marty shook her head. She might as well have purchased the materials for the making of the little garments. With a family like she had, there would be no peace until everything was prepared for the little one who was to bless their home.

  Seven

  Planning

  Marty and Ellie had been invited over to Kate’s for morning coffee. Marty was glad Kate was now feeling well enough to again think of serving them at a midmorning break. As yet, Marty still had no desire to eat until later in the day. She didn’t say that to Kate, though. But when Kate began pouring the coffee and cutting the coffee cake, Marty asked for only a part of a cup and then generously poured cream in the cup to soften the bitter taste. Even then she was only able to sip at it. She passed up the dessert, as well. She was glad the girls did not press her.

  Kate enthused about her coming baby. She seemed to expect Marty to be every bit as excited about her pregnancy as she was herself. Marty tried to show some enthusiasm. She hoped it came through as sincere. She was able to share in the joy that Kate’s face held as she showed them garment after garment she had stitched.

  “Clare insists it will be a boy,” she laughed. “But I told him it could just as well be a girl.”

  “Men!” said Ellie. “They scare ya half to death with their knowledge of things to come! I’m glad when it finally does arrive, they are just as pleased with one as the other.”

  Marty wondered momentarily where Ellie got all her understanding of the subject. Well, she certainly had lived in a community—and a family—where there were lots of babies.

  Kate showed them the nursery room, wallpapered in light green. The fluffy curtains at the windows were white, as was the painted trim. The yet-unfinished crib was quickly taking shape at the hands of Clare, who spent every available minute working on it. Kate herself was now sewing a crib quilt. To match the wallpaper, it was in a pale green calico print.

  “Clare tried to talk me into blue,” she laughed, “but I said I was gonna play it safe.”

  A small chest stood against the wall. As Kate opened the drawers, Marty saw many more already-completed baby items.

  My, thought Marty, it is still many months away. Whatever is she gonna do with all the extra time?

  Kate seemed to read her thoughts.

  “I know we’re gittin’ ready awfully early, but iffen I get the necessary things outta the way, I can spend the rest of the waitin’ time sewin’ some ’specially fancy things. I wanna knit up some sweaters, too, an’ I’m awfully slow at thet.”

  “Mama,” said Ellie as they walked the short distance back to the big house, “are ya feelin’ up to a trip to town?”

  “I guess so. Why?”

  “I’m a thinkin’ it’s ’bout time we got busy on this baby of ours. We don’t want her comin’ ’fore we’re all ready.”

  “Baby of ours?” Marty repeated the words under her breath. Yes, she supposed that was the way Ellie thought of it. It would belong to all of the family.

  “There’s still plenty of time—” began Marty, but Ellie cut her short.

  “Sure, there’s lots of time, but we want lots of things fer her. I want her to be the best-dressed baby thet ever—”

  “Now, hold on,” laughed Marty. “She’ll be properly cared fer, fer sure, but we ain’t gonna go overboard. ’Sides, how any baby could ever have more’n thet little one of Kate an’ Clare’s is beyond my knowin’.”

  “Aren’t they excited? Never seen a couple so eager fer a baby! Kate was an o
nly child, ya know. She wanted a baby of her own from her weddin’ day on. She’ll make a good mother, too—I know she will.”

  Marty agreed. Kate seemed to be cut out for motherhood. She rejoiced with everyone who had the joy of a baby. Even the announcement of Marty’s coming child had made her almost silly with happiness. Marty was glad. She didn’t want the fact that she was also expecting a baby to rob Kate of any of her own anticipation. It hadn’t. Kate seemed to bloom enough for them both.

  “Well,” insisted Ellie, “can we go shoppin’?”

  Marty still hedged. She hated going into town and looking for material for baby things. Everyone would know and whisper and . . . No, she just didn’t want to do that until there was simply no way of hiding it anymore.

  “I’ll buy it iffen ya want me to,” Ellie offered.

  “You?” Marty said, shocked. “Now why would I be wantin’ folks to think thet you had need of such things?”

  “Pshaw,” responded Ellie. “It might be fer Kate, fer all they need to know. Or we might be sewin’ fer Missie or Clae—they’ve each had a baby recently. An’ anyway, Nandry might even—”

  “Ya know somethin’ ’bout Nandry thet I don’t know?” asked Marty, half hoping she did. She wished with all of her heart that Nandry’s somber withdrawal could be traced to something as simple as a baby on the way—although having a baby had never seemed to bother Nandry any before.

  “Nope,” said Ellie, “but somethin’s strange, don’t ya think?”

  “Yeah,” replied Marty with a deep sigh. “I’ve noticed it, too. I was hopin’, though, thet I was imaginin’ it.”

  “Yer not imaginin’ it,” Ellie responded. “It’s there, all right. I haven’t yet been able to figure out why, though. Iffen it were a baby . . .” Ellie let her thoughts hang in the air between them.

  They reached the house, and Ellie continued around to the backyard to see if the wash on the line was dry. Marty went into the kitchen for a dry bread crust, in the hope that it might settle her queasy stomach. It didn’t seem to help, so she went on up to her room to lie down for a spell. She would be so thankful when this dreadful morning sickness had run its course. Why was she having problems with this child, when none of her others had ever bothered her in this way? Well, Kate seemed to be fine now. If she could just hang on, perhaps the day would come when she, too, would feel well again.