Her eyes met his. “I had to sell it before I left Beckham. There just wasn’t enough money from the eggs I sold, so I sold the ring and the horse who killed Charlie for the things I needed.”
“I’m sorry.” Thomas was surprised that he was sorry she’d had to sell the ring. It would have been special to her. “I’m glad you kept the pendant.”
“For some reason this was always more special to me anyway. The ring was something he felt like he had to give me, but this pendant was something he saw and it made him think of me. That made it so much more special.”
“Would you rather wait and open presents on Christmas morning?” he asked, not wanting to mess up her normal Christmas traditions.
She shook her head. “Christmas morning is for children. We don’t have any. I’d rather open our presents for each other tonight, and then tomorrow morning, watch as your nephews and nieces open theirs.”
“Okay. I just want your Christmas to be perfect.”
She smiled and took his hand. “My Christmas will be perfect because I’m with you. You make every day very special.”
He stared at her, a lump forming in his throat. Did she really feel that way, or was she just saying it to make him feel better? Surely she knew he loved her, but he’d never had the courage to say the words. What would she do if he said them, then? He brought her fingers to his lips, but didn’t say the words. How could he? She was too pretty to love a man like him. He was just glad that she was so affectionate toward him.
When they opened their presents that evening, her eyes grew wide at the shelf he’d built. She’d expected a gift for the baby, but instead, he’d made her a shelf to keep books and special mementos on. It was a corner shelf that would go perfectly in their main room. Tears sprang to her eyes as she touched it.
She gave him his gift, a new scarf and hat for the cold winter months when he was checking on his wheat. He pulled them on and exclaimed over how much he loved them, and how warm they’d keep him. “It’s the perfect gift for a farmer growing winter wheat.” He glanced at her, sitting in her rocking chair. “Wait right there now. I have one more gift.”
“But I only got you one!” she protested.
His brown eyes twinkled as he headed for the door. “That’s okay. Wait.”
She sat waiting patiently for the second gift whatever it was. She couldn’t imagine what else he would get her after the beautiful shelf. They didn’t need any more furniture, but if he kept it in the barn, that’s what it must be. Her brow furrowed as she tried to guess.
The door opened and he brought in a huge package wrapped in brown paper with a pretty red ribbon tying it on tightly. He brought it to her and set it on the floor at her feet. She smiled up at him as she carefully untied the pretty red bow, folding the paper as she removed it, automatically thinking about how she could use it.
Under the paper was a rocking horse, complete with a mane and tail made of yarn. He’d used the stain he’d told her he had left over from the rocking chairs and her hand stroked over the beautiful wood. “It’s perfect.” Her eyes met his and she had tears in hers. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t supposed to make you cry!”
She sniffled. “It just means so much to me that you’ve accepted the baby as your own.”
He knelt beside her, holding her hand in his. “How could I not accept the baby as my own when I love its mother so much?”
Her eyes met his and the tears flowed faster. “Do you mean it?”
He nodded. He hadn’t meant to tell her, but he meant it with all his heart. “I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.”
Her face lit up. “I love you, too. So much.”
He shook his head. “You can’t love me. You’re much too pretty to love a man like me.”
She shook her head violently. “I do love you. I’ve known it for a long time. At first, I felt guilty for loving you, like I was betraying Charlie somehow, but then I realized that Charlie would have wanted me to find love again. He would have wanted his baby to grow up with a father who loved him. You’re giving him everything he would have wanted for me and our child by taking us in and loving us.”
Thomas stared into her eyes. “You mean it, don’t you?”
She nodded. “Of course I mean it! How could I not love you? You’re a good, loving man. I’m so happy I answered your advertisement and decided to spend forever with you.”
He gathered her close, feeling an outpouring of love for her. How could someone so precious love him? He wasn’t sure, but he could only hope she never stopped.
*****
Christmas with Samuel and Victoria’s family was an adventure. The children were thrilled with every single gift they received. Thomas had made a set of ten tiny little soldiers for each of the four boys, painting them red, green, yellow, and blue so the boys would be able to tell them apart. Esther gave each of the girls drawstring purses with handkerchiefs she’d carefully tatted lace for.
Victoria had made each of them a new coat, and Samuel had given each child a shiny nickel to spend however they pleased. Being able to give each child that much was a mark of how well the harvest had gone for them that year.
For Esther, Victoria had knitted a special shawl to use while she nursed the baby at church to make it easier for her to do it while staying concealed. She had made Thomas a set of gloves matching the hat and scarf Esther had made him. The two women had worked out the gifts more than a month before.
Samuel had made Esther a small box to put the baby’s keepsakes into. Victoria had a similar box for each of her children that included things like the first pair of shoes each child had worn and the first dress for the girls and first outfit for the boys. Each of their baby teeth was included in the box. Esther smiled and thanked them both, treasuring the special things they’d made for her child.
Victoria had fixed a huge turkey dinner with all of the trimmings for their meal including mashed potatoes, a special sage dressing that her mother had taught her to make, dinner rolls and gravy.
Esther thanked her profusely for all her work to make a special meal. “I’m not certain I could have done it this late in my pregnancy.” She’d made an apple pie but that was her only contribution for the meal.
Victoria had waved away her thanks. “I’m sure there will be a time when you’ll need to be the one fixing special meals, and I know you’ll do it with a smile.”
After dinner the children played with their new toys, including a toboggan Samuel had made for them. Because the prairie was flat, the two men took turns pulling the children around, and the women watched from the window, enjoying the sounds of the high pitched squeals.
“I’m getting nervous about the birth,” Esther admitted to her friend.
“I’d be surprised if you weren’t, this being your first pregnancy and all.” Victoria smiled over her shoulder from where she was washing dishes and MaryAnn was drying them. Esther had tried to help, but they’d insisted she sit and rest to save her strength. “I’d attended fifteen births before MaryAnn was born, and I was shaking like a leaf in my last month.”
“It’s strange that I’m so nervous about it, but so anxious for it to be over at the same time. I think I’m losing my mind.”
“It makes sense, though. You’re nervous because you’ve never done it before so it’s an unknown, but you want it to be over because you’re so uncomfortable in the last month. It’ll be here soon, and then you’ll have a sweet baby to hold in your arms.” Victoria methodically washed the dishes handing them to MaryAnn one by one. “I’m sending MaryAnn home with you today.”
Esther was surprised. “Why?”
Victoria smiled. “I’ve arranged it with Thomas. I want her to be with you until your time comes. That way if you go into labor while Thomas is in the field, she can come and get me. We don’t want you to try to deliver on your own.”
Esther bit her lip, understanding the reasoning but hating the idea of taking MaryAnn from her mother for so long. “I
t could still be a month before I deliver, though. I don’t want her to have to stay with us for so long.”
Victoria shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m going to examine you before you leave, but I really think you’ll deliver within the week. I think it’s time. The baby has already dropped.”
Esther nodded, conceding. She was having a hard time getting the most basic chores done, and she knew that having MaryAnn with her would help her. “If you can spare her, she’d be a great help to me.”
MaryAnn smiled over her shoulder at Esther as she put the last dish on the shelves over the work table. “I’d love to come and help you, Aunt Esther.” MaryAnn had turned eleven during the time Esther was there, and she seemed to have become more mature before Esther’s very eyes.
“Well, I wish I’d known. I’d have changed the sheets in the nursery and gotten it all ready for you.”
Victoria laughed softly. “That’s why we didn’t tell you. We didn’t want you to do any extra work. MaryAnn will change the sheets when she gets there.”
Before they left for the day, Victoria examined Esther, and when she was finished, she nodded. “I was right. I’ll be surprised if you go another week. You’re already starting to dilate.”
Esther smiled as she sat up. “I don’t know if that makes me happy or nervous.”
Victoria slipped her arm around Esther shoulders. “I don’t know how it should make you feel either. I just know that we’ll be ready for it to happen when it’s time.” She led Esther out to the main room where Thomas was talking to Samuel and the children were playing around them. MaryAnn sat at the table with her small satchel by her side. “Here’s how I want things to go. When your pains start, I want you to send MaryAnn to Thomas, and then she’ll come back to you to stay with you. First babies usually come very slowly, but she’s assisted me in several births already and she can help you if it comes fast for any reason. Thomas will come get me.”
Esther nodded, taking a deep breath. “I think that sounds like a good plan.” She looked at Thomas. “Do you think you’ll be able to go for Victoria? Or will you get too nervous and ride your horse into a tree?”
Thomas laughed. “You never know.”
MaryAnn picked up her satchel and walked out the door with them. Esther hugged her sister-in-law. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”
The three of them went back to the homestead with MaryAnn sitting in the middle. Once they were back, Thomas milked the cows and MaryAnn went inside with Esther. “Ma sent leftovers so we don’t have to cook tonight. She sent some turkey and gravy, and said we could have turkey sandwiches.”
“That sounds good.” Esther set the table while MaryAnn made a fire and started heating up the turkey and gravy.
By the time Thomas finished unhitching the horses and milking the cows, dinner was ready. They ate their meal, talking about the fun day they’d had. MaryAnn had the glow about her that all children seem to have on Christmas. She did the dishes, refusing to let Esther help, and then excused herself to go to bed. Her mother had sent her schoolwork with her to do every evening, and she wanted to get started.
Thomas pulled Esther onto his lap after MaryAnn went up the stairs. “Did you have a good day?”
Esther nodded, snuggling close to him. “I did. It was the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
He stared down at her stunned. “Better than last year when you were married to Charlie?”
She let out a short laugh. “We spent the day with my in-laws, and my mother-in-law told me everything that was wrong with me and why I wasn’t good enough to be married to her son. Repeatedly.”
He stroked her hair. “I don’t know if you’ll ever get to meet my mother, but she’d love you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I do.”
She sighed contentedly and buried her face in his neck. “I’m too heavy to sit on your lap, but I like it too much to get up.”
He laughed. “You’re not too heavy.” He put his hand on her burgeoning stomach, stroking his hand over the baby. “He’s being quiet tonight.”
“He has been for the last few hours. I think he’s saving up all his energy for his arrival, or to kick me all night long so I can’t sleep. I’m not sure which.”
“He seems to be a stubborn little thing, so I’ll say it’s to kick you all night while you’re trying to sleep.”
She smiled into his neck. “Probably.” She sat for a moment, just enjoying his closeness. “I’m so tired. I don’t know why because I haven’t done anything today, but I need to go to bed.”
“You’re sleeping for two now.”
She struggled to her feet, her hand automatically going to her lower back to help her support the baby. “You say that about everything. I’m eating for two, sleeping for two, walking for two.”
He shrugged. “You are. Do you need me to carry you up?”
“No, I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” She walked up the stairs slowly, taking each step carefully, because she’d been a little off balance for the past month.
She stripped off her dress and put on a nightgown before slowly lowering herself to the mattress. He would have laughed if she hadn’t looked so miserable.
Thomas quickly stripped and pulled her back against him, his front to her back. It was the only way she felt comfortable sleeping, and he was happy to accommodate her.
She nestled back against him and sighed. “You really do make my back feel better when we lie this way.”
He stroked her hair. “Go to sleep. You need your rest.”
She nodded, her eyes already drifting closed.
Chapter Ten
Esther woke while it was still dark to a pain in the small of her back. She moaned softly, reaching behind her. Careful to not wake Thomas, she struggled to sit up on the side of the bed, and got to her feet. As soon as she stood, she felt the liquid pouring down her legs. For a moment, she thought she’d wet herself, and then she realized her water had broken.
She got a towel and cleaned the floor before changing to a clean nightgown. Once she was clean, she reached for Thomas’s arm, gently shaking him awake. He looked up at her by the light of the full moon and sat up straight in bed. “Is it time?”
She nodded. “I don’t think we’re in a hurry. My water just broke.”
He jumped up and tugged his pants on over his nightshirt, tucking it into his pants. “I’ll go saddle the horse and get Victoria.”
She smiled as she watched him rush down the stairs. She went to get the cotton and old newspapers she’d bought and covered the mattress, stopping when she needed to as the pains came. She didn’t bother waking MaryAnn, because there was no need.
When Victoria came running up the stairs, she was sitting on the edge of her bed, reading a book she’d purchased the last time she’d gone to town with Thomas. She’d saved it for her labor time, knowing it would help keep her mind off the pain.
“How are you feeling?” Victoria asked, her eyes sweeping the room and looking at how neatly the bed was made up and prepared for the delivery.
“I’m doing well. My water broke, so I sent Thomas for you, but the pains are still quite a ways apart.”
“Have you been timing them?”
Esther shook her head. “I think they’re about five minutes apart, though.”
“We’ll start timing them now.” Victoria sat down on the edge of the bed and took her pocket watch out of her bag she took to every delivery with her. “You didn’t wake MaryAnn?”
“No, there was no need yet. If the pains had been closer, I would have.”
Victoria removed her stethoscope and listened to the baby’s heartbeat. “He’s still going strong in there.”
Esther nodded. “I can tell.” She smiled at her sister-in-law, surprised that she was no longer afraid of what would happen. She knew she was in good hands and she was ready to let nature take its course.
When the next pain started, Victoria noted the time so she could keep track of
the time in between. “Go ahead and lie down so I can check and see how dilated you are.”
Esther moved down to the position Victoria wanted her in and closed her eyes while Victoria checked her. “Well? Hours yet, right?”
Victoria removed her hand and shook her head. “You’re almost there. Are you sure your water just broke?”
Esther nodded. “Yes. When it broke, I cleaned up the mess and changed nightgowns and then I woke Thomas to come get you.” She stopped for a moment as another pain gripped her.
Victoria checked the time. “Only a minute and a half apart.” She stood. “Excuse me. I’m going to wake MaryAnn.” She came back with MaryAnn in her nightgown.
It was less than forty-five minutes later that Victoria laid a tiny baby girl on Esther’s chest. Esther was laughing and crying at the same time. She counted the baby’s ten little fingers and ten toes. Her eyes met Victoria’s. “She’s so beautiful!”
Victoria smiled, her eyes pricking with tears. “She is. Do you have a name for her yet?” Victoria worked as she talked, cleaning up the last of the mess. It was just past dawn.
Esther stared at her, startled. “We hadn’t talked about a girl’s name. I was so certain it was a boy.”
Victoria laughed. “You need to come up with one. We can’t call her Baby Girl forever.” She rolled up the last of the cotton batting in the newspaper to be thrown away. “Are you ready for Thomas?”
Esther nodded. “I hope he’s not disappointed that it’s a girl.”
“He’s going to be so thrilled to be a daddy that nothing else is going to matter to him.” She waved MaryAnn out of the room to run and get her uncle. She sat on the edge of the bed, cooing to the baby until Thomas walked in. “I’ll leave you alone with your family.”
Esther stared at Thomas. “Did MaryAnn tell you?” When Thomas shook his head, she said, “It’s a girl. Are you disappointed?”
Thomas stared down at the tiny creature in his wife’s arms, stroking his finger along her tiny ear and watching her face scrunch up. “Of course not!” He sat down beside her in the spot Victoria had just vacated. “What should we call her?”
Mail Order Maternity (Brides of Beckham) Page 13
