by Bonnie Leon
“Oh,” Rebecca groaned and gripped the bedsheets as another contraction moved through her. When it finally let go, she asked, “Did I hear the doctor? Please look.”
“Right, dear,” Willa said, “I’ll check.” She stepped to the window and looked down on the yard. “No. There’s no one.”
“I think you ought to get Lily,” Rebecca said.
Willa walked to the door and opened it. “Lily,” she called, “please come right away.”
A few moments later Lily stepped into the room. She moved to the bed. “Ya feelin’ worse, mum?”
“Yes.”
“And ya feel like pushin’?”
“No, but the pain is very bad.”
“How often they comin’ now?”
“Every couple of minutes,” Mildred said.
“That’s good.” Lily rested her hand on Rebecca’s abdomen. “Feels like a big bybie,” she said with a grin. Another contraction hit Rebecca. “That’s a good one for sure, eh?” She winked at Rebecca. “Ya’ll ’ave this bybie soon, I think.” She pulled the sheets down. “I ’ave ta check ya, mum.”
Rebecca nodded and closed her eyes, humiliated at the examination.
Lily probed. “This one’s goin’ ta need a bit of help.”
“Is something wrong?” Mildred asked.
“The bybie’s not comin’ down. He’s faceup. I’ll ’ave ta turn ’im.” Lily grasped Rebecca’s hand. “It’s goin’ ta be all roight, but it’s gonna hurt, mum.” Her dark eyes were filled with compassion.
“Must you do it right away?” Mildred asked.
“No. We can wait a bit. See if it turns on its own.”
“I think that’s best,” Mildred said.
“Someone’s comin’ up the drive,” Callie said from the doorway.
Willa went to the window. “Go down and get the door. It must be the doctor.”
A few moments later footsteps were heard in the corridor and Cambria peeked into the room. “I had no idea,” Cambria said. “Are ya all right, Rebecca?”
Rebecca couldn’t answer. She was in the midst of a contraction. And she wasn’t at all certain that everything was all right. Lord, please keep my baby safe. Help me.
“She’s just fine,” Lily said. “But she’s got business ta take care of and there’s no time for visitin’. This bybie needs help gettin’ ’ere.”
“I’ll be praying,” Cambria said before moving away.
A few minutes later Rebecca heard the rattle of harnesses and the bang of the front door swinging closed. Footsteps clumped down the hall.
“Sorry I took so long getting here,” Dr. Walker said, striding into the room. “Woodman had a bit of trouble with the locals. Seems a couple of blokes got tanked up at the pub and decided they didn’t want him in my office.”
“Well, why in heaven’s name couldn’t he go into your office?” Mildred asked, her voice high-pitched.
“Blackfellas aren’t always welcome in town. Some folks ’round here give them a hard time of it.” Dr. Walker grinned. “Woodman gave no quarter though. He laid ’em low.”
A new wave of pain rolled through Rebecca. She closed her eyes and gripped the bedsheets. “Oh,” she groaned, feeling an uncontrollable urge to push. “I have to push, Doctor.”
“The bybie’s turned faceup, Doctor,” Lily said.
Dr. Walker checked Rebecca. “True, all right. I can turn him. I’ll need you ladies to help.”
Rebecca took Willa’s and Lily’s hands and braced for more pain.
“Once I’ve got him turned, it shouldn’t take long, Rebecca. Hold on, then.”
Rebecca could feel his hands move inside her. At the same time a powerful contraction tore through her, and the pressure in her back and pelvis seemed unbearable. She screamed.
Mildred stood back, clutching her hands tightly together. She was pale and trembling.
“Mildred dear,” Willa said calmly, “perhaps you should join Cambria downstairs?”
“Yes. I do believe that would be wise.” She caught Rebecca’s eyes. “I’ll be praying.”
“Almost there,” the doctor said. “All right. I’ve got him. Now push, Rebecca. Push.”
Moving her grip to the headboard, Rebecca bore down. Desperate, she cried out, “Doctor, help me! Help me!”
“You’re almost there,” Dr. Walker said, guiding the child as it came down the birth canal. “Couple more pushes ought to do it.”
Rebecca pushed with three more contractions.
“All right, then. One more and I think we’ll have him.”
Pushing through burning pain, Rebecca grasped Willa’s hand. She couldn’t hold back a shriek. The agony seemed unending. All of a sudden the pain let go.
“Here he is!” Dr. Walker lifted the infant and cleared its mouth.
He wasn’t crying, and Rebecca felt a moment of panic. Then a tiny, gurgling wail emerged, then another, and finally a lusty cry burst from the infant’s lips. His face was blotchy red, and his eyes looked nearly swollen shut, but Rebecca had never seen anything more beautiful. Tears spilled from her eyes.
Dr. Walker cut the umbilical cord and handed the baby to Lily. She wrapped the newborn in a blanket. “He’s outraged, and roightly so, I’d say. Nothin’ like bein’ born.” She settled the infant in his mother’s arms.
Rebecca gazed at her son’s pudgy red face. Wonderment and joy filled her. An intense love like none she’d ever known engulfed her. She ran her hand over the little one’s nearly bald head and kissed him. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”
“That he is,” Willa said, leaning in close. “He looks just like Daniel did when he was born.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “And even a bit like Elton. Bertram would have been so proud.”
After Dr. Walker had declared Rebecca fit and had gone on his way, the new mother rested between fresh, clean linens. Propped up on pillows, she gazed at her infant son, who suckled contentedly. She felt a fierce, deep love. It was a bit frightening. She understood that for the remainder of her life she would be tied to this child, that this tremendous love could never be severed. Even so, she was afraid, wondering if she would be a good mother. She had no experience.
She looked about the darkened room. Mildred slept in a chair, and Willa arranged diapers into a stack. “Has anyone heard from Daniel?”
“No, luv, he’s not here yet,” Willa said gently.
“He should be here.” Rebecca felt like crying. “I wanted him here.”
“And what would he have done? Daniel would have been downstairs pacing and no help at all.” Willa sat on the edge of the bed and peeked at the infant. “I’m sure he would have been here if he could. But this is a very large station. It’s not easy to find someone in a hurry.”
“Daniel knew my time was near. He shouldn’t have traveled so far.” Rebecca blinked back tears. She knew she was being unreasonable. Daniel couldn’t choose where he worked. The station told him where he was needed.
I have a son! Daniel thought, running down the upstairs hallway. He stopped at the bedroom door, and rather than immediately going in, he stared at the doorknob. Thinking of his son, he smiled. Me, a dad. Imagine that. His delight lasted only a moment as the weight of responsibility registered. Would he be a good father? He wasn’t even certain what that meant.
His mind traveled back to his own childhood. When Daniel was quite young, Bertram had been affectionate with his boys and even fun. Memories of riding together, fishing, and working side by side filtered through his thoughts. But those days hadn’t lasted. Why?
I’ll do it right, he told himself, opening the door and stepping into the room.
Willa sat in a chair near an open window. Her eyes glowed with delight as she stood and went to him. “Did you hear? You have a son,” she whispered.
He nodded.
Taking Daniel’s hand, she led him to a cradle beside the bed, then stood with him, gazing at the newborn.
Daniel knelt beside the cradle and studied the infant. He slept, his lips
in a soft pucker. Blond tufts of hair stood out from his head, and he held tiny fisted hands against his chest. Joy and pride coursed through Daniel.
“He looks like you did when you were first born,” Willa whispered.
“You think so?”
“Uh-huh.” She smiled. “Would you like to hold him?”
“Hold him?” Daniel straightened, feeling insecure. He’d never held an infant before.
Willa picked up the baby and gently placed him in Daniel’s arms. “Make sure to support his head,” she said, moving his hand so it cupped the child’s head. She dropped a kiss on her grandson’s cheek, then looked at Daniel, her eyes brimming with tears. “I remember when you were brand-new. It was a lovely time.”
Daniel held him stiffly. The baby stretched his arms over his head and opened his eyes. He struggled to hold his father’s gaze. “He’s got blue eyes,” he said with a grin.
“Just like yours.”
“Daniel?” Rebecca asked, pushing up on one elbow.
“Yes, luv, it’s me.”
Balancing the baby awkwardly in his arms, he moved closer to the bed. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t ’ere. I wanted to be, but there were some cattle that wandered too far afield and they had to be rounded up.” He tried to smile. “Jim had a time finding me.”
Rebecca gazed at the baby in Daniel’s arms, then looked at her husband. “I understand. We did miss you though.”
He looked down at the infant. “He’s a real beaut.”
Rebecca’s eyes returned to her son. “He is, isn’t he,” she said tenderly.
Daniel smoothed the child’s downy hair. “Can’t believe how soft he is.”
“All newborns are like that,” Willa interjected. “Nothing in the world has tarnished them yet.” Quietly she left the room.
Daniel sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes. Just tired.”
“I wanted to be ’ere, but I couldn’t let the mob stray. If the rain doesn’t come, we’ll be hard done by. Can’t afford to lose any animals.”
“Do you think we’re going to have a drought?”
“Looks that way.”
The baby yawned and blinked, then stared hard at his father. Finally he closed his eyes and a fleeting smile touched his lips. “Did I see right? He smiled?” Daniel was beginning to feel more comfortable with his son.
“Yes, but according to your mother all babies do that. He doesn’t know it was a smile.”
Rebecca’s eyes turned serious. “I thought droughts were fairly common here.”
“Right. But that doesn’t mean they’re not trouble. We never know how bad one’s gonna be.”
Rebecca’s brow creased with worry. “If it happens will it be dangerous? Will we manage?”
“Not to worry, luv. I’ll take care of any trouble.” He gazed at his sleeping son. “I’ve got a family to look after.”
“The rains will come. I’m sure of it.”
Daniel knew there was no certainty there would be adequate rain, and if not, they’d be hard-pressed to find enough water to see them through a bad season. He forced a smile. “No worries, then.” He caressed his son’s hand. “Everything will be grand, eh?”
“Of course it will.” Rebecca leaned against Daniel and tenderly ran a finger down the front of her son’s gown. “How could it be otherwise?”
Feeling a pang of panic, Daniel forced it aside and kissed Rebecca’s forehead. “Too right.” He looked at the baby in his arms. “Thank you for our son.”
“I’m still so overwhelmed by him. It’s a miracle.”
The baby stretched out an arm and opened his hand. Daniel touched his palm, and the newborn closed his fingers. “Look there, he’s holding my hand.”
“He knows his daddy.”
The baby whimpered and searched for a meal. Daniel chuckled. “I’m of no help to you, lad.” He handed the baby to Rebecca. “It’s you he needs.” He grinned. His grin softened, and so did his eyes. “Lily told me you were quite brave.”
“I had no choice. He was going to be born no matter what I did.” She put the infant to her breast, where he suckled contentedly. Rebecca caressed the baby’s cheek. “It’s so hard to believe he’s ours.”
“What should we name him?”
“I still like Joseph. We talked about it, remember?”
Daniel nodded.
“In the Bible Joseph was a man of great faith. I want him to be like that.”
Daniel smiled. “Joseph it is, then.”
“And I was thinking that we might give him your brother’s name as a middle name.”
“Mum would like that. So do I.” Daniel touched the infant’s clenched fist. “Joseph Elton Thornton.”
Joseph’s whimpers woke Rebecca. She opened her eyes and gazed at the ceiling. She didn’t feel right. Her body ached, especially her lower abdomen. The baby’s whimpers grew louder until he was crying full out.
Feeling groggy and unsteady, Rebecca started to rise. Pain cut into her abdomen, and she felt a surge of moisture flow between her thighs.
Fear spiked through her, and she lay back down. Oh, Lord. Something’s wrong. Joseph’s wails intensified. She tried to rise again, but the room whirled. Please, somebody come and help me.
The door opened. “I could hear him all the way down the hall,” Willa said brightly, stepping into the room and striding toward the cradle. She scooped up the two-day-old infant and held him close, rocking him. “There you are. Everything’s all right now.” Willa looked at Rebecca, and her smile faded. “Rebecca? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. Something. I’m not feeling well. Could you get Lily? I think it has to do with having the baby.”
“You look feverish.” Willa lay the back of her hand on Rebecca’s forehead. “You’re hot. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, but I’ll get Lily and send for the doctor.” With Joseph still cradled in her arms, she hurried out of the room.
A few moments later Willa, Lily, and Mildred stepped into Rebecca’s bedroom. Lily asked, “Ya not feelin’ good, mum?”
Rebecca shook her head. “My body aches, especially here.” She lay her hand on her lower abdomen. “And . . . I think I’m bleeding more heavily.”
Lily gently placed a hand on Rebecca’s face. “Ya’ve got a fever, all roight.” She lifted the bedding and checked Rebecca’s dressings. “Yer bleedin’ more than ya ought. But it’s not so bad.” She replaced the blankets. “We’ll fix it. Don’t worry, mum.” She smiled, but behind her eyes Rebecca could see apprehension.
Lily glanced at Willa and Mildred. “We’ll need some clean cloths, linens, and a clean gown.”
“I’ll get them,” Willa said, quickly leaving the room.
“Miss Williams, can ya stay with ’er? I’ll get some warm water for washin’.” Lily started for the door.
“Yes. I’ll stay right here.” Mildred sat on the chair beside the bed and took Rebecca’s hand. She smiled at Rebecca. “Everything will be all right.”
“Where’s Joseph? He was crying.”
“He’s with Callie. She said she’d see to it that he was fed. Annie’s baby is just two months old. Callie said she’s got more than enough milk for two.”
Rebecca closed her eyes. She’d heard of women who had gotten sick after having babies. Some died. Would she? Tears escaped and seeped from the corners of her eyes. Lord, I have a son. He needs me. And I have a life that I love. Please don’t take me now.
After Rebecca’s nightgown and undergarments had been changed and the bedding replaced, Rebecca settled down in her pillows. She was drained and needed to sleep.
“Ah, now ya look roight comfy.”
Rebecca strained to open her eyes.
Lily smiled. “I made some tea, mum. It ought ta help ya some. ’Ere ’ave a sip, eh?” Willa and Mildred helped Rebecca sit up while Lily offered the tea.
Rebecca caught a whiff of it. “Oh.” She turned her face away. “It smells awful. What is it?”
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br /> “Just eucalyptus, mum. It’s good to fight sickness. I seen people so sick they ought ta die, but they got well instead. Drink some.” She pushed the cup to Rebecca’s lips.
Rebecca allowed the warm brew past her lips and fought to keep the bitter tasting liquid in her mouth long enough to swallow it. Lily offered her more, and she took it. Finally, unable to tolerate even one additional drop, she pushed away the cup.
“That ought ta help,” Lily said, straightening. “Ya can ’ave more later, eh?”
“Where is Daniel?” Rebecca asked weakly.
“One of the roustabouts is looking for him,” Willa said. “They ought to be here straightaway.”
Rebecca closed her eyes. Sleep drew her down into its comfortable depths. If only the pain in her abdomen would go away.
The sound of a buggy approaching carried up from the yard and through the window. Mildred looked out. “Thank goodness. It’s the doctor. He’ll know what to do.”
A few moments later Callie ushered in Dr. Walker.
“Now, what is this I hear about your being sick?” He leaned over Rebecca and felt her forehead, then took a thermometer out of his bag, glanced at it and shook it hard before placing it in her mouth.
Rebecca was so weak she could barely hold it in place. Lord, what’s wrong with me?
Dr. Walker rested a stethoscope on her chest. “Can you take a breath for me?”
Rebecca breathed in. The doctor listened. “Once more.” Rebecca obeyed. Dr. Walker moved the stethoscope to her abdomen and listened. Allowing the stethoscope to hang freely from his neck, he placed his hands on Rebecca’s abdomen. “This might hurt a bit.” He pressed down, palpating her stomach.
Rebecca winced and moaned. The pain was severe.
Dr. Walker removed the thermometer, studied it, and then returned it to his bag. “You’re good and sick, all right. But you ought to be fine.” He smiled.
“What is it, Doctor?” Mildred asked.
“My best guess is childbed fever.”
“And just what is that?” Mildred asked, her tone suspicious.
