He smiled. “You just did.”
She closed her eyes and tucked in her chin. “I need to push.”
“Push! Already?” Jo wrung her hands then faced Gabe. “You’d better get your neighbor. I had a baby but I’ve never delivered someone else’s.”
Gabe looked at his wife a final time. “I’ll be praying—for a son.”
Lara shook her head. “Girl.”
Smiling, Gabe hurried down the hall. He didn’t care what the baby was as long as it was healthy—and had Lara’s eyes.
Chapter 9
Jack reached the place where the trail dipped into a wide but shallow creek. He guided the buggy off the trail and pulled back on the reins. After setting the brake, he turned toward Cora. “Mr. Beatty never said exactly where by the creek his kids were.”
“I can go one way if you want to go the other.”
Jack shook his head. “We don’t know what we’re facing. That oldest boy might have a rifle. I think it’s best if you stay here until I find out.”
Cora shot to her feet. “I didn’t come clear out here on my day of rest to sit alone in the wagon. I’m going with you.”
Sighing, Jack jumped down then helped the stubborn woman to the ground. “Just make sure you stay behind me until I assess the situation.”
“All right, Jack.”
Praying they’d have no trouble with the boys, he turned left, walking along the trail that paralleled the river. How was he going to tell those kids that their pa was dead?
You’ve gotta help me here, Lord.
They walked several minutes with Cora fighting the tall grass and shrubs on either side of the faint path. Her breathing became more labored. Why couldn’t she have waited at the wagon like most women would have been content to do?
Cora grabbed Jack’s arm, stopping him. “Did you hear that? It sounded like a big cat’s cry.”
He heard it, although he wasn’t quite sure what to make of the noise. “Not likely a cougar would venture this close to town. Too many people around.” Jack touched his hip, wishing for the first time in a long while that he had his gun, but he put it away when he started pastoring the church in town.
An eerie howl raised the hairs on his arms. “That sounds more like a person than a cat.” He grabbed Cora’s hand and tugged her along with him. The wail could be that of the younger boy. Had something happened to him—or his brother?
A low-hanging branch slapped his cheek, causing a burning sting. He lifted the branch so Cora’s bonnet wouldn’t snag on it then proceeded forward, his gaze searching in all directions. He spotted a flash of red near the creek and started toward it.
“Stop wailing, Lee, and hand me a branch.”
Jack rushed forward at the frantic tone of the boy’s voice. At a bend in the creek, he saw the boy called Lee standing near the bank, facing the water. The boy was far too close for his liking. Jack hurried toward him and lifted him.
The boy stiffened and cried out.
“Shh … you’re all right. I don’t mean to hurt you. Where’s your brother?”
“Help! Down here!”
Jack’s heart somersaulted. “The boy’s in the water!”
He passed Lee to Cora. “You two stand back,” he ordered; then he held on to a cottonwood trunk as he slid down the bank. He worked his way along the creek’s edge toward the older boy, who had clung to the branch of a downed tree. Most of the creek was shallow, but here in the bend, a small lake had formed from the fast-moving waters of flash floods that often came after a bad thunderstorm.
“My name’s Jack, and I’m here to help. My friend is watching your brother.”
Relief flashed in the boy’s eyes. “I was so afraid L–Lee would f–fall in. He c–cain’t swim.” His teeth chattered.
“What’s your name?”
“Nick.”
The temperature wasn’t overly cool for early spring—he was only wearing his suit that he preached in—but being in the water was something different. Jack surveyed the scene. Nick held on to the end of the tree, about fifteen feet away from the bank. Jack eyed the trunk. If he stepped out onto it, would it hold his weight? If only he had a rope.
“Can you swim, Nick?”
“A l–little.”
There was no way to get the boy without getting wet. “Stay where you are, and I’ll come to you.”
The boy nodded.
Jack removed his frock coat and vest, laying them across a shrub, and yanked off his boots. He searched the bank and found a four-foot-long branch, grabbed it, and waded into the chilly water. He sucked in a sharp breath. In spite of a week of sunny weather, the water was colder than he’d expected.
He waded out farther, gritting his teeth as the chilly water quickly reached his stomach. Holding on to a branch of the fallen tree, he stretched the shorter limb toward the boy. “Can you grab hold?”
Nick worked his way around the tree toward Jack and stretched out his arm. “No.”
Jack’s teeth chattered as a light breeze wafted across the water. He took another step, but the ground dropped off. He stretched out, holding the end of the limb. “Try to get it now.”
Face white and chin bouncing as he shivered, Nick lunged for the limb. His hand touched it, but then he slipped under the surface.
“Nick!”
The boy’s head bobbed up, and he was closer now. He reached up a hand and grabbed hold.
Jack’s knees nearly went weak from relief. “Hang on. I’ll have you out in a moment.”
Slowly, he pulled the lifeline his way, drawing the boy nearer. Finally, he reached out and snagged the child’s icy arm and drew him close. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”
Jack waded toward the bank then lifted the skinny, shivering kid into his arms. “Hold on to my neck until we’re back on level ground.”
Nick nodded, but the only sound he made was his teeth clacking together. Grabbing a sapling halfway up the bank, Jack hauled himself and the boy up. Doing the same thing again brought him to the top.
Cora’s relieved gaze heated his belly. He glanced at Lee, feeling awkward being in Cora’s presence with his clothes clinging to him. Nick loosened his chokehold on Jack’s neck, and he set him on the ground. The boy rushed to his brother, kneeling down and hugging him.
“You’re gettin’ me all wet.” Lee squirmed.
“We need to get you fellows back to town.” As her gaze wandered from Jack’s face to his torso, Cora’s cheeks turned red.
He spun around and found his boots, tugging them on even though his socks were soggy. It probably would have been smarter to remove them first, but the expression in Cora’s gaze flummoxed him. He glanced down, wondering if he had mud or something on his shirt. What had she been looking at?
Glancing at his frock coat and vest, he decided against donning them. It was the only coat he had good enough to wear on Sundays. He held them by the collar and turned around.
“Where’s our pa?” Nick asked, his arms clasped around him.
“Do you have any blankets at your camp?” Cora asked, obviously trying to change the subject.
Nick nodded. “It’s just over there.”
“Let’s get them so we can wrap you in them. We need to get you to town so Dr. Vance can look you over.”
“We ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Nick’s chin shot into the air. “Pa won’t know where to find us.”
Cora glanced at Jack, her gaze pleading.
He didn’t want to broach the topic of their pa now, but he could tell the boy wouldn’t budge. “Nick, come here. I need to tell you something.”
Jack nudged his chin at Cora in the direction of the boys’ camp.
She frowned for a moment; then her gaze lit up. “Lee, will you show me where your camp is? We need those blankets.”
The young boy looked at his brother, who nodded.
“All right. It’s this’a way.”
When the pair disappeared around a curve in the trail, Jack bent down. “I met your pa in t
own.”
Nick’s eyes brightened.
Hating to hurt the boy, Jack lowered his gaze to the ground. How much should he tell him about his pa’s death?
“What happened? Is he hurt? That why you came out to get us?”
Jack blew out a sigh, shaking his head. “There’s no easy way to tell you. Your pa was killed in town.”
Nick backed up a step; then his gaze hardened. “I don’t believe you.”
Jack held out his hands. “I’m the town preacher, son. I have no reason to tell you a falsehood.”
“I ain’t your son.”
Jack’s heart ached as he watched the boy struggling with his emotions and confusing thoughts.
“Where is he? I want to see him.”
He couldn’t blame the boy for that request. He’d felt the same when his own parents died, but with a raging fire, there was no chance of seeing their bodies. If not for him, they might still be alive. He cleared his tight throat and squatted on his toes, ignoring the squish in his boots. “I lost my folks before I was fully grown. I understand what you’re feeling.”
“No, you don’t. Me and Lee ain’t got nowhere to go.”
“I had two younger sisters to care for.” But he didn’t. He could only think of his own pain back then.
“What did you do?”
“Well, we were fortunate that we had grandparents to go live with.”
“We ain’t got none.”
“You’ve got me. I’ll make sure to find you a good home with a couple who’ll take good care of you.”
Nick studied him with watery eyes—eyes that had seen too much for a child his age. “You married to that pretty lady?”
Feeling his ears redden, he shook his head. “No.” But he had a feeling she’d like to be.
Nick dropped his head, sniffled, and then wiped his nose with his sleeves. “Lee will be sad.”
“It’s the nature of things when you lose someone you love, but I’m sure you’ll be a big comfort to him.”
“I’ll try.”
Jack stood, surprised that Nick didn’t cry over his pa. Maybe he would when he and his brother were alone. “Let’s get you two to town, cleaned up, and get a good meal down you.”
Nick nodded then looked up. “How am I going to tell Lee about Pa?”
Jack offered a somber smile and held out his hand. “I’ll help you.”
“Can we stay with you—at least for now?”
Jack’s heart clenched. He hadn’t thought much further than finding the boys. He wasn’t cut out to be a father. He’d abandoned his whole family—and killed his parents. Just being a pastor was really pushing the edge of what he was comfortable with. If God hadn’t saved him and changed him from a two-bit rustler and thief and given him a reason to live, he doubted he’d even be alive today. How could he refuse this soggy orphan? “I reckon I’ve got enough room. You and your brother can stay with me for now.”
Holding Jamie, Jo paced the hallway. She hoped to get him down for another nap, but he must have sensed the tension in the house, because he refused to let Sarah hold him, which was a rare occurrence. He fussed and she patted his back, murmuring softly.
Nearly an hour had passed since she left Lara’s bedroom. She thought for certain the baby would have arrived by now. Was her sister having trouble?
The pounding of someone rushing up the stairs drew her attention. Sarah appeared first, followed by the doctor. A gush of relief washed through her at seeing the man. Sleepy eyed, Jamie rose up and waved at Sarah, who showed the doctor to the door and then stepped back. Jo hurried to her side so that she could peek in.
The neighbor, Mrs. Eastman, bent over the end of the bed. “I see the head. Go ahead and push when you feel the urge.”
“Howdy, Mrs. Coulter. Looks like things are progressing well.” The doc turned to Gabe, who had tried to stay away but couldn’t. “I need to wash up, and I think it’s time for you to step out.”
“But—”
The doc raised one hand. “Ever since a husband took a knife to me, thinking I was hurting his wife, I’ve never let another one in the room during a birthing.”
Gabe glanced at Lara, whose sweaty hair stuck to her cheek. “I’m fine, dear. Please make sure Michael is all right.”
He nodded and turned toward the door, but Jo could tell he wasn’t happy about it. Gabe closed it and stood there a moment, breathing hard as if he’d been helping Lara. His hair was mussed, shoulders drooped. “I never knew birthing babies could be such hard work. It seems much easier when animals do it. Where’s Michael?”
Jo shrugged and glanced at Sarah.
“Luke took him to barn.”
Gabe rubbed the back of his neck. “I think a walk would do me good.”
“Just don’t be gone too long. Babies come quick at this point,” Jo said.
His hand froze in midair. “You think I should stay?”
“I would imagine the baby will be here within the next five or ten minutes.”
“I guess I’ll go freshen up a bit and then get a cup of coffee.”
“It is hot on stove,” Sarah offered then ducked her head. She still wasn’t comfortable near Gabe, even though he’d only been kind and courteous to them. “I fix you cup.”
“Thank you, Sarah. I would appreciate that. I prefer mine black.”
The girl nodded and rushed toward the stairs, as if eager to get away from Gabe, who turned and headed down the hall. He paused at the top of the stairs and turned, looking at her. “I’m glad you’re here, Jo. It means a lot to Lara to have you here when the baby is arriving. Thank you for the help you’ve been.”
She nodded, more stunned at his gratitude than she would have been if he’d walked up and slapped her. Thinking back to the rebellious days of her youth and how she hated Lara bossing her around, she probably deserved the latter. Gabe’s gratitude created a warm feeling in her chest that took hold and made her want to experience it again.
Jamie grew heavy in her arms, and she glanced down, glad to see he’d finally fallen asleep. As she walked into her room to put him to bed, she thought about the men she’d known. Most of them had been nice to her—even charming—but few were courteous. Baron Hillborne had been considerate and polite, even though she noticed caution in his blue gaze.
She laid Jamie in bed and covered him then walked to the window. Why had Baron sought her out at church? He must have recognized her from when she visited the store, but what could he want? Had he learned her name somehow?
She needed to stay away from the man—and yet a part of her wanted to know more about Mark’s brother.
But getting to know him could be dangerous.
A quivering cry broke the quiet, and Jo spun toward the door. Lara’s baby had arrived.
Three days after the birth of Elizabeth May Coulter, Jo sat in Lara and Gabe’s bedroom, rocking her tiny niece. Lara had smoothed down the baby’s fuzzy blond hair with a bit of hair oil, and the baby’s long lashes rested against her rounded cheeks. Her pink lips moved in sleep as if she dreamed of nursing. “She’s beautiful, you know.”
A proud smile graced Lara’s lips as she sat on the end of the bed. “Gabe certainly thinks so. I’ve never seen him so proud.” Her smile faltered. “Tom was never this happy over Michael—and he got a son.”
“Your first husband was a louse.” Jo smiled, helping to soften the words even though they were true. “Does Gabe mind that you had a girl?”
Lara shook her head. “No. Not at all. He’s just thankful we’re both healthy.” She huffed out a laugh. “He said the next one could be a boy, but I’m not ready to journey down that path yet.”
“I should think not. I’m not ready to consider it, either.” Jo ducked her head, realizing how awful that must have sounded since she wasn’t married. But Lara didn’t know that.
Jamie crawled over to Lara’s ankle boots, which lay under her dresser, and tugged one out. He banged it on the wooden floor and grinned, revealing his new front teeth.
>
“He’s such a happy boy.” Lara rose slowly and went to rescue her shoes and handed him a rattle she’d taken off the dresser.
Jamie shook it and jabbered when it made a jingling sound; then he stuck the end in his mouth.
Lara reclaimed her spot on the bed and slipped one of her boots on and then tied it. Jo noted that her sister’s taste in shoes had changed—or maybe it was simply the fact that she had money to buy a nice pair now. After donning both shoes, Lara stared at the floor for a long while.
When her sister got thoughtful, often a lecture followed. Feeling the sudden need to flee, Jo attempted to rise, but her bulky skirts and the baby in her arms hampered her.
“Do you want me to take Beth?”
“I thought you were calling her Lizzie.”
A teasing smile lit her sister’s face. “That’s what Gabe says, but I prefer Beth.”
“This may be one confused little girl.” Jo flashed an ornery grin. “I think I’ll call her Liza—or Bess—just for the fun of it.”
“Don’t you dare.” Lara glanced at Jamie. “How did you come up with your son’s name?”
Jo shrugged. “It was hard. I finally remembered a boy back in grade school that I was sweet on—James ‘Jamie’ Roberts—and named him that.”
“And Mark didn’t mind?”
It was the first time her sister had mentioned him. How could she tell her sister that he had been long gone by the time Jamie arrived? “He didn’t really care what we named him.”
“That’s a shame. I thought Gabe and I would never settle on a name for Beth.”
Jo chuckled. “It doesn’t sound like you have.”
Jamie crawled out the bedroom door, and Lara hopped up and went after him. She hauled him back into the room and gave him the rattle again.
“You shouldn’t be lifting him.”
Her sister shrugged. “I feel fine except for being a little tired from waking up several times a night to feed Beth.”
“I remember those days.” Days when she was so alone and locked in a bordello, worrying about her future and Jamie’s. Life here was so much better, but she couldn’t afford to get settled. Badger might find her. She had to make plans for the future, and that included finding a job and making some money—and unfortunately, the only place she could think of to do that was in Guthrie.
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