by Kay Edwards
Chapter Four
It had been three days since Misty had given birth. She was up and walking around the cabin in her own clothes now. She grinned as she watched Dalton nuzzle Rachel's little cheek. She was making breakfast and couldn't resist teasing him. "You are going to have her spoiled. I don't care what you say Mr. Doc."
Dalton looked up at her dancing eyes. "I told you before you can't spoil them at this age. All you can do is love on them. Isn't that right Rachel?" he cooed at the baby girl.
Rachel shook her head. "Do you want pancakes or French toast?"
Dalton noticed Rachel's little feet start to move. He walked out and stood beside Misty. "How about you tell me what you want and then go feed this little princess."
Misty chuckled as she took her squirmy baby. "I say pancakes. I love watching you try to flip them."
Dalton gave her a nudge with his hip. "With that mean streak, I'm surprised your family reported you missing."
Misty laughed. "You have no idea."
Dalton was curious. "What does that mean?"
Misty snickered. "I would like you to want to stay my friend. Some things are best found out on your own."
Dalton chuckled. "You can't be that bad."
Misty grinned. "The curiosity may have killed the cat, but it was also what kept it around."
Dalton watched her go and sit down. He reached for the pancake mix thinking that the woman was right. He was curious and had all intentions of sticking around to see what she was talking about.
Misty started to feed Rachel and was a bit surprised. "Did you say something about my milk changing?"
Dalton turned around from the stove. "It should start to be thinner and more abundant in the next twenty-four hours. I take it you see a difference."
Misty did. She wanted to make sure it was normal. She thought about how to do that and stay modest. She cleared her throat. "Everything seems a little different. Is there a way for me to know if this is normal?"
Dalton grimaced. He flipped the pancakes over and then washed his hands. "This being your doctor thing is starting to make me blush."
Misty chuckled. "You and me both…"
Dalton examined her as briefly as he could. His face was crimson as he started to explain things. "They are supposed to be a bit firmer and yup that is what her food is expected to look like."
Misty knew she was not comfortable but she started to laugh at the color Dalton had turned. He looked absolutely mortified to be a doctor at the moment. She couldn't resist tormenting him. "Those are some top notch medical terms you're using there, sir. Who would have thought? I bet you just make your momma proud."
Dalton shook his head at her lack of mercy. "Brat…" he said as he started for the stove.
Misty had to laugh at him and then at Rachel. It was more than obvious she was thrilled with her new food. She could hear her growling as she ate. "It is nice to see you like the new stuff." She whispered softly as she kissed her little brow.
Dalton finished breakfast. He brought her a plate of food and some juice. After setting it down, he took Rachel to burp her. He laughed as the little girl let out a hearty belch. "I guess you find the fare acceptable."
Misty nibbled at a piece of bacon. She smiled as she watched Dalton hold her daughter close. He was a very gentle man. She felt blessed to have met him. "You're good with her."
Dalton looked at Misty. "She has taken my heart and wrapped it around her little finger."
Misty watched as he cradled Rachel in the crook of his elbow and ate with the other hand. He seemed to be a natural. She was looking at them and feeling so content, and then without warning, she could feel it creeping up on her. It was trying to devour her, and she was suddenly afraid again.
Dalton looked at Misty. He had seen that look on her face many times during the last three days. Her absolute fear of being alone would creep up on her without warning. He got up and put Rachel into her little bed. By the time he got back to her, she was shaking. "It's ok."
Misty shook her head no. "It was so cold. Don't leave us ok? I don't want to be cold again. I'm so scared. I don't want to leave here."
Dalton pulled her against his chest. "I'm right here. You are going to be ok Misty."
Misty tried to breathe. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on Dalton's heartbeat. "I feel like it is swallowing me." She said softly.
Dalton spoke. "You can't let it do that. I know you are afraid but you need to know you are safe. You have to find a way to see that you are safe now."
Misty could feel herself calming. She closed her eyes. Dalton always made her feel safe. When she had been afraid and alone, he had come and helped her.
Dalton pulled away and looked down into Misty's face. He gently kissed her forehead. "Are you ok now?"
Misty nodded. "I think so. Dalton why is this happening? I have never felt like this."
Dalton could only guess. "You were faced with a very real life and death situation out in that cold. You understand fully that you and Rachel could have died. I can't imagine that not playing havoc on your mind."
Misty nodded as she eased herself out of his arms. "I'm glad we are in the second verse of Psalm 23 today. I have never felt more in need of green fields and a beautiful, gentle stream."
Dalton picked up the devotional and started to read. The two talked about what the verse meant to the author of the devotional as well as what it meant to them. They each opened up to the other about how some days it was hard to see that God was leading them daily. They prayed at the end of their talk. Each of them sought guidance from the Great Shephard. When Rachel stirred to be fed Misty felt refreshed and unafraid. She was not sure how long that feeling would last, but she embraced it.
Eight hours later Misty was once again in the kitchen. She was cutting up carrots potatoes and beef. She seasoned them with salt and pepper before chopping up some onion and garlic. After all the ingredients were in the cast iron pot, Misty put it in the oven. She turned and looked at Dalton as she smiled. "I have to say you bring great supplies."
Dalton laughed. "I like beef. I also like chicken and…"
Misty giggled. "I get it if it breathes you will try to eat it."
Dalton gave her a lopsided grin. "I'm a man, and we do like our meat."
Misty washed her hands at the sink and then joined him and Rachel on the sofa. She yawned. "I guess I'm a little tired."
Dalton smiled down at her. "Take a nap. The food won't be ready for a few hours."
Misty looked up at Dalton. Her eyes looked haunted. "I'm afraid you'll leave. Please don't leave me."
Dalton got up and put Rachel in her bed. He walked back over to the sofa and sat down. "I'll be right here. You need to rest. It will be ok. I'm not going to leave you."
Tears stung her eyes as she nodded. The day before she had taken a nap and woke up with only Rachel in the cabin. She had immediately gone into a full-blown panic attack. Dalton had only gone out to chop some wood, but she had thought he had left her. She had been crying uncontrollably when he had come back into the cabin. She was embarrassed as she remembered how long it had taken him to calm her down. "You'll stay?" she asked her voice shaking.
Dalton pulled her into his arms trying to ease her fear. He felt her tremble before he said softly. "I won't go out of the cabin again when you are sleeping. Your body needs to rest. It needs to heal. Close your eyes and go to sleep. I'm right here."
Misty could see he was telling her the truth. She snuggled into the safety of his chest and closed her eyes. She was asleep within minutes. He gently picked her up and laid her on her bed.
He looked at her as he gently pushed some hair out of her face. "I'll be right here." He whispered once more and then turned and walked back to the sofa. Picking up a book he settled in to read until she woke up.
