“I’m already on my way,” Ron’s calm voice came from the saddle of a horse a few paces away on the trail toward town.
Jason tossed a glance over his shoulder as he jerked open the gate. “You knew!?”
“I had a feeling when she started gasping and snapping those catchy little Spanish phrases.”
Jason heard the slap of reins against haunch as the man called, “Gid’up, now,” but he was already through the gate and leaping over tomato vines on the shortest route to the corn patch.
“I’m coming, Nick!” He burst through a row of corn and almost stomped on her. She was lying on the ground, her head resting right in the dirt by his feet. He squatted beside her and reached for her arm to pull her to her feet. “Come on. Let’s get you to the house. Jed’s gone for the doc.”
She brushed him away. “I’m having this baby, right now!”
“Oh, no you’re not! Doc isn’t here yet. How long have you been in labor?” He scooped her up into his arms with a grunt.
She cried out in pain, but her arms wrapped around his neck as she rested her cheek against his shoulder. He was thankful for that, because he didn’t know if he could carry her dead-weight all the way to the house. Of course he didn’t dare tell her that. He still wanted to marry her next month.
She cried out and one hand dropped to clutch her stomach.
“How long?” he demanded.
“About three hours.”
“Three hours?! You stubborn—! Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“I’m soooorrry! Ooohhh!” She stiffened and squeezed his neck so hard he thought he might be suffering from blocked blood flow. “It was so much longer with Sawyer. I don’t think I can do this.”
It was the fact that she whispered those last words that sent his heart plummeting to his toes and then jolting back into place to pump like a locomotive. “Come on, Nick. You can do this, now. You’ve done this before remember. And look at what a blessing Sawyer has been to you.” He hefted her over the last tomato plant and pushed open the gate with his shoulder.
“I don’t want to remember. And I certainly don’t want to do this again!” She smacked him with a balled up fist. He grunted. That was more like his Nick, but he’d be feeling that spot for a few days.
He rounded the corner of the barn and that’s when he felt the warm wash of liquid spread down his arm and onto his chest. “Whoa! Nick you have to slow this down! Take deep breaths or something.”
She was already huffing like a freight train and the glare she leveled at him could have set fire to a stack of green cord wood.
Her eyes widened and she pressed one hand to her stomach again. “Jason! You have to put me down. Now!”
“No,no,no,no! The house is just there. See?”
She groaned and huffed, huffed, huffed. The hand that still clung to his neck clenched tighter than a sprung bear trap and he wanted to groan right along with her.
Instead he ground out, “We’re almost there, Hon. Come on, just a few more steps.” His breathing was coming hard too and the stretch of yard from the barn to the door of the soddy seemed miles long. He adjusted his grip on her and she cried out in pain once more. “Sorry… we’re… almost… there…” Finally he reached the door of the house and pushed it open.
He rushed over to the bed and laid her down as gently as he could, prying her rigored fingers from the back of his neck. What in the world was he going to do if Doc didn’t get here? He needed to get water on to boil. He remembered that much. But what he was supposed to do with it, was another matter altogether.
She clutched at his arm as he started to pull away, her eyes round and wild. “Don’t. You. Dare. Leave. Me. Here!”
He leaned over her and adjusted the pillow behind her head then framed her sweat soaked face between his palms. “Nick, I’m not leaving you. Ever. I promise. I just need to get some water on to boil so that when Doc gets here it will all be ready.”
She pulled a long breath in through her nose and pushed it out between pursed lips, shaking her head back and forth her fingers sinking like talons into his arms. “There isn’t going to be time for Doc.” She tugged him closer. “You are going to have to deliver this baby!”
His heart about pounded a hole in the wall of his chest. Surely Doc would get here on time. All he needed to do was reassure her. “Okay, Hon, okay. We’re going to be fine. Just let me go get some water to put on.”
She seemed to relax a bit after that. At least her claws retracted enough for him to get free.
He dashed out the door, snagging the water bucket on his way by.
At the pump, he ripped off his soaked shirt and tossed it on the ground then set to pumping the handle with a fury. The water shot out so fast that when it hit the side of the bucket it toppled over. With a grunt of frustration, he set it upright and pumped the water more slowly.
When it contained an adequate amount, he snatched it up and spun back toward the house. He almost barreled into Conner.
“Jason?” Conner gripped his shoulders and gave him a worried look. Sawyer, who was by Conner’s side, looked up with wide eyes.
Jason forced a calming breath and crouched down before Nicki’s son, setting the bucket down for a moment. “Hey buddy.” He tousled the dark mop of curly hair. “Listen, Mama is going to have a surprise for you sometime tomorrow, but for tonight she needs you to go with Conner to the Snow’s place, okay?”
The little tyke clapped his hands. “Tiwwy make good cookies!”
Jason grinned. “That she does, buddy. You eat one for me, okay?”
Sawyer stepped forward and wrapped pudgy arms around Jason’s neck, pressing a soft little cheek to his face. “’Kay.”
Jason raised a glance to Conner one eyebrow lifted in silent question as he gave the boy a squeeze. Can you please take him over to the Snow’s?
Conner nodded his assurance. “Did Ron already head into town?”
Jason set Sawyer away from him, stood and lifted the bucket. “Yeah.”
“Everything under control here?”
Jason started for the house. “I hope so. And thanks.” His gesture encompassed the little boy by Conner’s side.
Conner grinned. “Oh, it’s such a chore to have to go over to the Snow’s.”
Jason chuckled. “Enjoy Tilly’s cookies.” And with that he lurched into a jog back to the soddy.
“Where have you been?” Nicki greeted as he opened the door.
Nicki still lay on the bed, but her knees were bent and both hands pressed flat against her belly.
Whoa! “I’m right here, Hon. Everything is going to be alright.” Jason sloshed some water into a large pot and plunked it down on the stove top. “Just hang in there for a few more minutes and Doc should be here.” He jerked open the stove and tossed two logs inside.
“This baby is coming NOW!” She lifted her head, chin tucked to her chest and grunted long and hard.
Oh, Lord! A little help here?! His eyes darted around the room searching for any answer other than the obvious.
12
Sharyah followed Cade into the yard of a little ranch with a new barn and an old soddy house just after noon. A bunkhouse stood on the edge of the yard and Cade pulled up before it.
Exhaustion coated her eyes with grit and when she swung down from her horse she hung onto it for a moment to ensure she had her balance. Her arm throbbed relentlessly but she was thankful that they’d made their escape from town without further incident.
Sliding down, Cade pulled Brandon into his arms. The boy lolled like a rag doll, sound asleep. He’d shared Cade’s horse and stayed awake for most of the trip – only just an hour ago falling asleep.
Cade nodded to the bunkhouse and she hurried ahead of him and opened the door. The room was empty. All the hands were probably out working the cattle. Cade chose the nearest bunk and tucked Brandon under the blanket. The boy didn’t even stir.
Cade looked as bad as she felt. His eyes were red rimmed and shot throug
h with scarlet veins. His hat pushed back on his head had loosed a hank of tousled hair that splayed across his forehead making her want to brush it back.
She curled her fingers into her palms and held her hands to her sides.
His gaze dropped to the tear in her sleeve that revealed the bandage on her arm. “You doing alright?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
They stepped back outside and looked around the yard. “Jason’s done a lot with the place. You should have seen it six months ago.” He nodded toward the soddy. “Nicki must still be living in the soddy, though.” Striding across the yard he knocked on the door.
“Doc! That you?” a man called from inside the house and it was only a moment before the door jerked open. “Sharyah? Oh thank God!” The cry was nearly a screech as Jason pulled her into a quick embrace.
Pain squirmed up her arm and she caught her breath as she blinked and took a step back. She pressed away the pulsing reminder of her own close call. Her cousin was normally calm and… sane. What could be happening?
Jason’s blond curly hair poked from his head in every direction and he was stripped bare to the waist, but he didn’t seem to even notice. He stretched out one arm toward the interior of the home. “Sharyah, whatever you’re doing here, God sent you! Come in! Please! It’s Nicki, you have to help her.” He grabbed her hand and dragged her into the dim little room.
A woman with dark damp curls groaned on the bed in the corner. Sharyah had never met the widow Jason had fallen in love with. But this was evidently her and she was quite obviously in labor. “Oh my!” Sharyah gulped. She was going to have to deliver this baby.
“Yeah.” Jason rushed to the bed and knelt by the woman’s head. “Nick, hon, this is my cousin Sharyah. She’s going to help you.”
The woman grunted out a string of unintelligible words.
Sharyah set to rolling up her sleeves and scrubbing her hands as Jason asked, “What was that, hon?”
The woman gritted her teeth. “Get your sorry self out of here this instant and take that man with you.” She fluttered a hand in Cade’s direction. He was standing in the doorway, eyebrows raised in surprise and looking like he’d rather be just about anywhere else on earth than right there.
Sharyah took over. She gave Cade a shooing motion and nodded her head toward Jason.
“What about your arm?”
“I’ll be fine. Just get him out of here.”
“Ah,” He stepped forward a half step. “Jason, come on outside. Sharyah will have everything under control in no time.”
Jason stood but it was plain that he didn’t want to leave the woman’s side. “Nicki, I’ll be just outside, just send Sharyah out if you need me.”
“Go!” Nicki gritted her teeth, all the tendons in her neck popping out like taut lasso lines.
Jason scurried out the door and Sharyah couldn’t help but share a grin with Cade as he pulled the door shut behind them.
Nicki moaned and flopped her head to one side.
Sharyah swallowed. She’d never done a birthing on her own before, but she’d assisted at plenty and the woman needed her.
Hot water steamed on the stove, she noticed. At least the man had thought of that.
She strode across the room. “Alright, Nicki. You can do this. I’m just going to check you out and see how soon we might expect this little one to arrive, alright?”
Puffing short breaths, the woman seemed to relax slightly but her eyes were snapping fire. “Don’t you dare look and then tell me it will still be hours yet.”
Sharyah chuckled. But after a quick check she knew the woman didn’t have much to worry about. This baby would be here any minute now. “Not hours. Do you feel like pushing?”
Nicki’s head flopped back onto the bed. “Si!” She let loose with another groan and her face paled till it almost matched the color of the sheet. Sweat glistened in the lamplight, a sheen on her forehead.
“Okay, good. I’m ready. With the next pain, I want you to push.”
A few minutes later when the baby slid into her hands, she thought her heart might stop from sheer amazement. “It’s a girl! You have a little girl!”
The baby gasped its first breath and whimpered a mewling wail, one tiny fist waving in the air. Sharyah watched in awe as the little body turned from pale grey to a healthy pink, and grinned like a crazy woman. “Look at all that black hair!” She cupped the baby in the crook of one arm and wiped her face clean with a warm damp cloth. “Hello there, sweetness,” she crooned.
Nicki collapsed back in utter exhaustion, her breaths still coming in great puffs, but a little easier now. A tired smile lit her face as Sharyah raised the baby so she could see her. “Gracias, Jesus!”
Yes. Thanks, Lord. Thank you for letting me be a part of this. Sharyah tied off and cut the cord, then nestled the baby into her mother’s arms.
A knock sounded on the door then. “Sharyah? The doctor’s here.”
Relief surged through her. “Come in!”
Sharyah turned everything over to the doctor and stepped out the door. Tilting her face to the sky, she came to a standstill near the pump in the yard. Sheer thankfulness, pleasure, joy and love swirled through her in a heady mix and she realized she was trembling from head to toe. But it was a good feeling this time, so different from the night before. One that made her want to raise her hands to the sky in sheer adoration of her creator. New life had just come into the world and she’d been a part of it.
Cade stepped up beside her and began to work the pump handle.
Without thought, she stretched out her hands and washed. The soap lathered and drained away and still she said not a word.
“Sharyah?”
Jason watched her, worry and tension tightening the lines of his face.
“It’s a girl.” She gave him a tired smile. “Everything is fine.”
Jason’s knees buckled and when they hit the ground he turned his face to the sky his lips moving in silent prayer. For the first time Sharyah noticed the damp crumpled shirt next to the pump.
An older man emerged from the bunkhouse with a clean shirt hanging from one hand just as the doctor opened the door of the house.
The doctor smiled and tipped his head back toward the house. “The baby looks healthy and Widow Trent appears to be doing just fine. You can go in and see them now.”
Jason scrambled to his feet but the old ranch hand touched his shoulder and pressed the shirt against his chest. “You want her to be speaking English when you see her.”
Jason grinned and slipped his arms into the sleeves and started on the buttons. “That I do.”
“Tell her I stopped by her parents place on the way back from getting Doc. They should be here shortly.”
“Thanks, Ron.” Jason fastened the last button and swung a gesture to include Sharyah and Cade toward the house. “Come on in. I’m so glad you two are here.”
Sharyah’s heart felt too full. She and Cade sat at the table sipping coffee as Jason knelt beside the woman he loved and stared at the little baby like she might be the most amazing thing he’d ever seen in his life.
Doc had washed the baby girl and wrapped her tightly in a soft square of cloth. She now lay snuggled securely in the crook of Nicki’s arm. Nicki set the rocker into motion with a little push of her foot.
Jason and Nicki’s eyes met, a softness settling into their depths and Sharyah smiled gently. She was so glad Jason had found a woman that plainly made him so happy. She thought of Sam. Could she ever see herself that smitten with him? She twisted her cup and studied the rim, knowing the answer, but afraid to give it root. The only man she could ever feel that way about sat right next to her. And last night he had seemed to… her gaze flickered his way, but his attention lay fixed on Jason and Nicki.
Sharyah worried her lip. Last night… well, what if she had misunderstood something? The memory of the humiliation she’d felt last summer coursed through her on a tremor. No. She renewed her resolve again. If he
really had changed his mind, he would have to prove it to her. She was certainly done throwing herself at the man. She forced the thoughts aside, turning her focus back on the couple.
Jason reached out and touched Nicki’s face. “You are amazing.”
Nicki blushed.
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he leaned forward ever so carefully and brushed a light kiss across her lips. He whispered, “If you ever wait so long to tell me you’re in labor again….”
She reddened in earnest and tossed a glance toward where they sat at the table. “You talk too much.” He chuckled and she reached up and brushed a damp curl off his forehead. “What would I have done without you?”
He grinned. “Given birth in the corn patch.”
Beside Sharyah, Cade shifted and she looked at him.
“Corn patch?” he mouthed with a wry grin.
She shrugged and returned her attention to the beautiful sight of the new little family in the corner.
Nicki dropped her head against the rocker and closed her eyes.
Jason turned his focus to the baby. “Beautiful.” His voice was soft and filled with wonder. He reached out one finger to touch a round little cheek.
Nicki held the baby girl out to him. “Here.”
Carefully, like a man picking up fragile china, he took the little one and settled her into the crook of his arm. “Hi there,” he whispered, bouncing her gently when she let out a tiny bleat of protest at the slight jostling. He bent forward and pressed a kiss to her wrinkly forehead his blond curls a sharp contrast to the baby’s thick black hair.
Sharyah felt the prick of tears. Had she ever been witness to something more beautiful?
“What are we going to call her?” Jason asked.
Nicki opened her eyes and tilted her head toward him. “I want to call her, Haven Jaycee.”
Jason blinked at Nicki, a look of total honor and awe on his face.
Sharyah swiped the flats of her fingers under her eyes and rested one cheek in her hand. This woman was perfect for Jason.
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