“To be on the safe side, I think we should have a plan. Where are we going to put her, for one thing? We can’t have her near Ira for fear of catching what he has.”
“We’ll have to make a place in here for her. Maybe we can rig some blankets around a section so she’ll have some privacy at least. I’m sure we can make do with something. I’ll pick Rollins’s brain. He might think of something.”
“I feel better now that we’ve talked about it.” She glanced around the car, her gaze landing on Deacon and little Martha. Tess cocked a questioning brow at Sloan.
After Sloan filled her in on the doll playing, she clasped her hand over her mouth to stifle the laughter. Her pale amber eyes glittered like precious stones. He was glad to have eased her worry for even a little while.
“Have you looked out lately?” she asked.
“Yes. The snow has almost stopped.”
“When do you think the townsfolk can get to us?”
“The snow is really deep. A horse will have trouble pulling a sled through the high drifts.” He ran a hand over his tired eyes, wishing he could soften the blow. “It’ll take a miracle to get to us before Christmas Day.”
“That’s about what I figured.” Her calm acceptance surprised him. But then the woman was full of surprises. She gave him a weary smile. “I’ve got to go check on a pot of potato soup I have cooking and relieve Omie for a spell. The woman has been at Ira’s bedside nonstop since she woke.”
“I don’t think any of us are getting much sleep. I hope you at least managed to catch a few winks last night.”
“Some. I dozed between taking care of Ira. I’m fine.”
“I have a feeling you’d say that even if it weren’t so.”
“We do what we must. Our days are as long as they need to be. Do me a favor and keep an eye on Maryellen.” Tess turned and strolled for the connecting door.
Sloan watched her go. He’d break his neck doing whatever she asked of him.
If only he could forget his promise to his mother.
He was seeing that having money didn’t play a part in making a person who she really was deep inside. Tess had shown her big heart in so many ways since he’d boarded the train.
Still, there were huge differences between them that he couldn’t overlook. He couldn’t see her being content living in his small ranch house that always needed repairs. She deserved fine things. Things Sloan would never be able to give her.
And he couldn’t see himself living in a mansion like the banker’s and being comfortable.
He was kidding himself to entertain the notion for more than half a second.
All this thinking was premature though. For God’s sake, he’d only kissed the woman twice. But he’d raised her dander umpteen times over the last two days. Was that a sign she was warming to him?
Sloan would give anything if he could share the tragic events that had led to him walking away from his U.S. Marshal job. But if she knew, she’d want nothing else to do with him.
A deep sigh filled the air. As he lifted his coffee cup to his mouth to finish it off, his gaze landed on Maryellen Langtry. Her eyes were large in her pale face and she had a death grip on the arm of her seat.
Chapter 8
They were just finishing the evening meal, such as it was, when Maryellen clutched her swollen stomach and moaned. Tess quickly put down her plate and sprinted for the woman. She was the first one to reach Maryellen.
Fear crowded her throat and threatened to choke her.
How were they going to save the woman and her infant? Tess had never been present during a birthing, not even her sister’s. She wished she’d paid more attention to her mother’s wisdom about the subject.
Sloan, evidently seeing the commotion, set his plate aside and came toward them as fast as his limp could carry him. Tess’s gaze sought his. There was calm strength about the rancher. Probably of all the people on the train, Sloan would best know what to do, him being a cattleman and all. He must’ve helped some of his mama cows birth their calves when they couldn’t do it alone.
That in itself didn’t make him an expert on human births, but he was all they had.
“Let’s get you lying down and as comfortable as we can make you,” Tess said low.
“I’m scared.” Maryellen gripped Tess’s arm.
“I know. But we’re right here, and we’re not going to let anything happen to you . . . or the baby.” Tess prayed she didn’t live to regret that vow.
“I was supposed to be back home in Kasota Springs before this happened. With Doc Mitchell close by.”
“None of us expected to be snowbound, that’s for sure. But we are and we have to make the best of it. You’ll do fine. Let me and Sloan do the worrying. All right? You just concentrate on that precious little baby who’s wanting to be born.”
Maryellen nodded her head.
“What’s going on here?” Mrs. Abner demanded around a mouth full of food.
“Mrs. Langtry is feeling a mite poorly,” Sloan answered in a firm but polite tone. “She’s just going to lie down for a spell. Nothing to cause concern.”
“I knew Ira Powell would give us the fever!” Mrs. Abner drew her collar snugly around her throat.
Tess watched Sloan’s gray eyes darken with fury. A good measure of steel in his voice spoke of his impatience with the prickly woman. “She’s having a baby, for your information. Last I heard that’s not contagious.”
“Hmph!” Mrs. Abner got in the last word.
When Maryellen stood, her waters broke, spilling around her feet. She gave a frightened whimper.
“It’s all right. Don’t worry about that,” Sloan gently reassured the woman. “It’s perfectly natural.”
Tess prayed he knew what he was talking about. He seemed confident enough though.
Sloan put his arm around her as a brace and helped her toward one of the bench seats at the rear. Tess quickly grabbed the quilt that Maryellen had been using to keep warm and hurried after the two. Thoughts of the panicky variety were running willy-nilly in her head like a flock of lost sheep. She was trying to recall what she’d heard the first steps should be.
Boil water came to mind. Someone had told her that was the first thing to do, although she wasn’t sure why. Maybe Sloan knew.
With tender care, Sloan eased the woman onto the bench seat.
Tess sat down next to their patient. “We need to get you out of those wet clothes. Do you have a nightgown in your bag, Maryellen?”
“Yes. My carpetbag is somewhere in the baggage car.”
“I’ll bring it to you,” Sloan quickly volunteered. “That way you can get out what you want.”
“We’ll need to gather up some things and have them ready.” Tess’s mind whirled. “A soft blanket for the baby. Something to make diapers out of.”
A voice behind interrupted her train of thought. “What can I do to help, Miss Whitgrove?” Roe Rollins was rocking back and forth on his toes, his thumbs anchored in his red suspenders. The man was clearly nervous. That made two of them.
“Maryellen needs some privacy. How about if you rig up something around this area to keep her from prying eyes?”
Seeming grateful to have something to do, the engineer surveyed the area. “Me and my crew should have something arranged in no time.”
“After that, would you mind sitting with Mr. Powell so Omie can take a breather? The dear woman must be exhausted.”
Tess meant to ask Omie what she knew of childbirth. Surely the sweet woman could give them some advice. Yes, Omie would know what to do. A measure of calm swept over her.
“Don’t you worry, we’ll handle things as best we can in the caboose. It’s stopped snowing, so with any luck help could arrive tomorrow.” The man turned and made his way up the aisle where the conductor and brakeman were.
Tess squeezed Maryellen’s hands. “Did you hear that? Rollins thinks help could come tomorrow. I’m sure the rescuers will bring a doctor with them.”
The woman’s smile wobbled and her eyes filled with tears. “That’s good news.”
“Can I get you anything?”
Maryellen shook her head. Then a pain gripped her and she stiffened in alarm.
“Please try to relax,” Tess coaxed. “Fighting the pain will make it worse.”
While she wasn’t sure that was right, it sounded logical.
Rollins and his men returned just then with an armful of blankets and a length of heavy cord. Within a short time they had the area closed off as a separate little room. Maryellen would be more at ease without the other passengers looking on, watching her every move.
The engineer, conductor, and brakeman left and a throat cleared outside the curtain. Tess recognized Sloan’s deep rumble and swept the blanket aside.
The rancher held out a carpetbag. “I had a devil of a time finding this, but I think this is Mrs. Langtry’s.”
Maryellen gave it a brief glance. “Yes, that’s it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.” Tess took it from him.
“I’ll leave you to your privacy. Holler if you need anything else.”
Sloan disappeared and Tess got Maryellen into some dry clothes and made her comfortable.
Omie stuck her head into the enclosure. “I hear the little mama is ready to have that wee one.”
Tess quickly turned to Maryellen. “I’m going to be right outside the curtain for a minute. I won’t be long. Try to get some rest between the pains.”
Wasting no time, Tess joined Omie and got right to the point. “I know nothing about birthing a babe. Tell me what I need to do, things to look for and that sort of thing.”
“Honey, it’s been many moons since I had my young’uns. Let me see.” Omie pursed her thin lips. “Kinda keep track of the pains. The closer together they are, the quicker the baby will be here. You’ll know when the time is here. You’ll do fine, dear.” Omie patted her hand.
“I hope so. I’m really nervous.”
“Just try to keep Maryellen calm. That’s the main thing. Panic makes a body tense up, and that won’t be good for the babe.”
Tess knew the kindly woman spoke the truth. A case of nerves wasn’t good for anyone whether they were in the family way or not. “How’s Ira? Any change?”
“He’s resting better. And he opened his eyes for a short while. I got some more water and a few spoonfuls of the thin oatmeal down him.”
“That’s wonderful news.” Tess hugged Omie. “I’m sorry I left his care totally up to you. I’m sure you’re exhausted. Why don’t you get some rest and let Rollins sit with him a bit?”
“I do appreciate everyone’s kindness.” Tears swam in Omie’s eyes and her lip quivered. “Now, get back to Maryellen.”
Before Tess returned to her patient, her gaze swept the dimly lit passenger car. The lanterns had been extinguished except for one or two that were turned low.
Her heart melted when she found Sloan. The littlest orphan girl, the baby of the bunch, was curled in his lap, one small hand clutching the rag doll and the other lying against his broad chest. Both man and child were fast asleep. For a second it was hard to breathe past the lump in her throat.
Sloan Sullivan had wiggled his way into her heart.
And what would happen once they were rescued? Would he revert back to his old ways of crossing the street to avoid her?
She stood with her hand on the curtain. Getting snowbound on the train with him had changed her life. And she didn’t want to lose the bond they’d forged. In fact, she’d fight to keep it. No one quite made her feel like a woman like this long, lean Texas cattleman.
Maryellen’s low moan interrupted her thoughts. She ducked into the curtained area and returned to her patient.
The long night dragged slowly. Maryellen’s pains were very erratic. At times they were at regular intervals and other times they were further apart. Tess wished she knew what that signified, if anything.
Toward morning footsteps paused outside the curtain and Sloan peeked inside. Tess rose and joined him where they could talk without disturbing Maryellen.
“How is she doing?” His hair looked like he’d run his fingers through it a jillion times. And the dark stubble on his square jaw lent a dangerous attraction. It had almost covered the cleft in his strong chin.
Flutters in her stomach made her weak. Tess had trouble remembering his question. “I’m sorry, my mind was elsewhere. What did you ask?”
“Mrs. Langtry. How is she?”
“She’s sleeping right now. The poor thing is exhausted. Birthing babies is hard work.”
“Did you get some sleep yourself?”
“A little.”
His hand rose as though he was going to caress her cheek. Evidently, he changed his mind, letting his hand fall to his side. Then she saw movement from the corner of her eye and knew someone was awake. It was the conductor. The man had gotten up to stir the fire. It touched her deeply that Sloan wanted to protect her reputation.
“You’ll probably sleep a month of Sundays when you get back home and into your bed.” A wry smile flitted, crinkling the corners of Sloan’s gray eyes.
“Speaking of that . . . do you have any idea when that will be?”
“It’s anyone’s guess. We’ll know more when daylight comes.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “By the way, it’s Christmas Eve.”
“It is, isn’t it? Have too many things on my mind.”
“Understandable. You’ve certainly had your hands full.”
“I saw the little toddler fast asleep in your arms last night. She looked so peaceful and innocent.”
“Yeah, the little darlin’ tugs at my heartstrings. Probably missing her pa. I make a poor substitute I’m afraid.”
Tess begged to differ. Sloan Sullivan seemed a natural.
The man in question laid a hand lightly on her arm. “Isn’t this birthing business taking too long?”
“No. I’ve heard tales of labor sometimes lasting two or three days, especially for a first-time pregnancy. It just takes a while.”
“On the ranch when a mama cow is having a difficult time, I tie a rope on the calf ’s leg and pull it out.”
“My word, Sloan! Maryellen isn’t having a calf. There’s a big difference between a cow and a woman.” She could just picture them tying a rope onto the baby and wrenching it free. “Besides, most babies come out headfirst. You’d hang the poor little thing.”
“Just trying to help.” Twinkles dancing in his eyes told her she’d been had.
“Another thing . . . my friends call me Sully. I’d like for you to do the same, Tess.”
Tess’s heart lurched, both at his familiar use of her name and the fact he evidently considered her a friend. Her voice was breathless when she replied. “Are we friends, Mr. Sullivan?”
“Sully. And yes, I’d surely like to be friends. Unless you have an objection?”
“None at all . . . Sully.”
He brushed back a strand of hair by her ear that had pulled free of the ribbon tying it back. The intimate touch released a swarm of tingles scurrying the length of her body. Though she’d been this near to other men, suitors who sought her favors, she’d never been lured by a single breath ruffling the tendrils at her temple or a hand carefully relishing the texture of her hair.
Not until now.
She’d stand neck-deep in an icy snowbank just to have Sully’s hand tenderly caressing her.
Chapter 9
Sloan took a step back from Tess when the conductor ambled toward them, although it took all his effort to break the magnetism of her curvaceous body. Tess Whitgrove had put some kind of hold on him. Strange how he didn’t feel a whole man unless he was near her.
And the reason why puzzled him. Before he’d come on the train he’d been unable to even speak to her. It had taken a blizzard to open his eyes. And his heart.
Truth of the matter, the pretty banker’s daughter had a way of making him take stock of life and love. He didn’t k
now if what he felt was love, but he wanted to be near her, wanted to do what he could to help her. And yes, he wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her until neither had breath left. His mother’s dire warning still sounded in his head, but it grew fainter by the hour.
Just before the conductor reached them, Tess disappeared behind the curtained-off section. He felt the loss acutely.
“Morning, Mr. Sullivan.” The conductor gave him a cheery smile. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“Too many things on my mind I reckon,” Sloan answered. He tried to be civil but it was hard to keep the annoyance from his tone. It rankled that the man had interrupted the precious little private time with Tess. “What’s your excuse?”
“I’m an early riser. Never catch more than five hours of shut-eye a night. Drives my wife plumb batty.” The conductor’s brown mustache wiggled when he talked. The man smoothed some of the wrinkles from his dark blue jacket. “I’m gonna make a pot of coffee. Want some?”
“It’d sure fit the bill.” Sloan glanced around the train car. He found Mrs. Powell right away. The old woman’s head was slumped onto her chest. That meant Rollins must be sitting with Ira. He’d not have wanted to disturb the sweet little woman if she’d been the one with her sick husband.
He followed the conductor toward the caboose, grateful to have something to do. All this sitting around was getting on his nerves, although his gimpy leg appreciated the rest he’d given it. He’d filled in the lulls between helping Tess by worrying about his cattle. He dreaded taking a tally of the dead cows after this storm was over and he could finally check on them. He just prayed the losses wouldn’t completely do him in. The ranch had been barely surviving as it was. His deep sigh filled the air. Nothing he could do about anything now.
Pulling the door shut to the caboose, he decided when daylight came he’d take Tess’s place on the cooking line. He could make the oatmeal. The children would be hungry when they woke up.
Rollins stood when they entered. From the haggard look on his face it didn’t appear the engineer had gotten much sleep.
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