Kit was already getting Lynn's clothes off, when her water broke. Even though she was told it would happen, a look of horror crossed her face, as she moaned, "Oh, Miss. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be silly," Victoria said, as she moved the girl towards the little room off the surgery where the bed was. "Just let Kit help you undress, while I wash up."
Lynn stood still, looking at the mess she'd already caused. So Kit put an arm around her, and said, "Don't worry about that. It's all right. Once I get you into bed, I'll have that cleaned up in a minute."
Kit soon had her undressed, into one of Meg's hospital nightdresses, and in bed. And, while she left to set things up for the doctor, Victoria was already examining Lynn.
"This is excellent, Lynn," she told the soon-to-be mother. "You're coming along very nicely." Then she eyed the girl and asked, "Have you been having contractions all day?"
"Well," Lynn admitted, "yes. But, at first I wasn't sure that's what they were. I mean, Kathy told me that she'd had pains several times, even weeks before Jacob came."
"Yes, I'd forgotten that. But, really dear, you should have told us at once."
"But this way," Lynn argued, "you two haven't spent the day worrying about me, or fussing over me."
Victoria smiled at her. "Very true. Very true, indeed."
Things progressed throughout the night. At one point, Neil stuck his head in the door and asked if he needed to send for anyone. After he was told no, he announced he'd get a room at the hotel for the rest of the night, made them promise to come for him if they needed him and disappeared.
For being so young, Lynn did very well. She did just as Victoria said to do when she said to do it. And, she was surprisingly quiet, considering, the baby was so large.
"All right, Lynn," the doctor said. "I want you to push with the next contraction. Push just as hard as you can."
"Yes, ma'am. I... I think it's starting," the girl began, and then she let out a yowl.
"It's all right, dear. Make as much noise as you want. You be as loud as you want. Just keep pushing with the contractions."
This continued for hours. Victoria could see that even Kit was wearing down. But she kept quietly encouraging Lynn. "I know, dear. I know. But, don't stop. Just keep imagining holding your baby. All right?"
"Yes, ma'am. But—"
"I know, Lynn."
Kit spoke up, "Remember what the doctor said, just picture yourself holding your baby, Lynn."
"Yes... all right."
"You're doing so well, Lynn. Just keep pushing."
"Yes, ma'am."
The sun was peeping through the windows of the outer room of the surgery, and Victoria was getting worried. As much as she hated risking getting the child addicted to morphine again, she knew Lynn couldn't go through much more.
But she decided to hold off just little longer. She looked the child in the eyes, and said, "One more good push, and the head will be out, Lynn. And, then things should go much faster and easier.
"Keep concentrating," the doctor told her.
She watched Kit grimace, as Lynn crushed her hand, as she bore down again, grinding her teeth from the pain. She let out a blood curdling scream before she sucked in a breath and relaxed a bit. And, then everything came to a grinding halt.
"What's happened?" Lynn asked.
"Well," Kit said, "the baby's head is out, but... but—"
"What Kit is trying to say is that one of the baby's shoulders appear to be stuck," Victoria said, in as relaxed and 'matter of fact' tone she could manage.
" Stuck? Stuck!" Lynn cried out.
"Don't panic, dear. I'm going to have to ease the shoulder out. Then, the baby should just slip right out. And, you'll be holding him in a few minutes."
Kit wrung out a cloth and wiped the young girl's forehead, as she whispered, "Just trust the doctor, Lynn. You know she'd never let anything happen to you or your baby."
"Yes, I suppose so..." Lynn acknowledged then she let out a cry of both surprise and pain, as the doctor eased her hand in, passed the infant's head and into the birth canal, until she could twist the baby's shoulder.
"Ahhh..." Lynn screamed, as she fell back against pillows, exhausted.
"I'm sorry, dear. I know that hurt. But, the good news is, the shoulder is free and the next contraction should have the baby out."
"Are you sure, ma'am? Because, I'm... getting... very tired," she said weakly, then her eyes closed.
Kit shook the hand that still gripped her own and said, "Wake up! Don't give up now. You're nearly there holding that baby."
"But, I'm so tired. Please ma'am, can't I take a little rest."
"No! Don't give up yet! One more push will have the baby out. I promise."
"And, can I go to sleep then?"
"No, sweetheart. Not quite yet," Victoria told her. "But soon."
"It's coming, I think," Lynn cried out.
"Good. Now, when it hits, push as hard as you can."
"Come on, Lynn," Kit added, encouragingly. "You'll be holding your baby in another minute or so."
"All rig—" Lynn began to cry out. But in the end, she let out a shriek, before she collapsed again, sinking into the pillows.
Then, the doctor lifted up a large, squirming infant by its feet until it let out an indignant wail. "It's a girl, Lynn. And, she's perfect. Big, but perfect," she said, as she stepped to the side of the bed, and laid the child across Lynn's belly, before she accepted the scissors and string from Kit.
Meanwhile, Lynn gasped in horror. "You aren't going to use the scissors on her, are you?"
"Yes. Just as soon as I tie off two places on the cord. But, she won't feel it. You won't feel it. I promise."
Lynn went silent, but watched intently, as Victoria cut the baby's umbilical cord, and then handed her to Kit, who quickly cleaned the child and swaddled the infant before handing her to her mother, when the younger girl gave the doctor a meaningful look. And when Victoria asked "What?" she pointed to the baby's collar bone. The doctor felt it gently, as Lynn exclaimed, "What? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing for you to worry about. The baby's collar bone is broken. Probably because she was stuck by that shoulder."
"Broken?" Lynn repeated, looking as if she was about to burst into tears.
"It will be fine, Lynn. It will heal perfectly all by itself. We just need to be extra careful with her when we bathe or dress her.
"Here, why don't you get to know your daughter," Victoria said.
After a moment, Kit massaged Lynn's belly as the doctor told her, "Now, I need you to push with the next contraction. All right?"
"Is there another? I mean, am I having twins?"
"No," Victoria answered, smiling. "You need to expel the afterbirth, but, I promise, it will pass easily. Then, you can let your daughter suckle for a few minutes. And after that you two can both get some much needed rest."
"Well, I'm going to want to change her into a clean nightgown, and remake the bed first," Kit argued, sounding almost wounded.
"Yes," Victoria conceded, smiling as Lynn took her first look at her daughter. "Well, what do you think?"
"I think she's beautiful," Lynn answered, as the child wrapped her hand around one of her mother's fingers.
"Have you thought of a name?" the doctor asked. "I don't remember you talking about names, like Kathy did."
"Oh, yes," Lynn told her. "I decided months ago. If I had a boy, he would have been Andrew Robert. But this," she said, as she held the baby up, "is Margaret Rose."
Victoria looked at the child, no longer a child, but a mother in her own right, and asked, "Are you sure about the name? While I'm very honored, just as I'm sure Meg will be, what about Miranda? She's done so much for you. And, she loves you all very much."
"I know she does. We know that you all love us. You wouldn't have gone through so much if you didn't. Even before you met us, you loved us.
"But, Miranda knows about the name," Lynn continued. "We spoke about it a long time ag
o."
The doctor took the infant from Lynn's arms, and said, "Well then, it's settled. Welcome to the world, Margaret Rose."
*****
Moira sighed to herself, as she washed the last of the dishes, carried the dishpan out to the back porch and tossed the wash water out. She had to figure out a way to provide more for her children. God knows, Sean wasn't about to.
The girls who worked in town tried not to interact with many people. When they were home, they worked in the garden, helped with the housework, and cared for the younger girls. What kind of life was that for her girls?
They'd all learned at a very early age never to bring attention to themselves or the money they might bring into the house. It wasn't right. But, it was what they had to do to get by.
In fact, it was not unknown for them all to scurry into bed, even if they were still half dressed, when they heard their father come home.
Tonight was no different.
"Hurry up and get into bed, woman," Sean Gallagher snapped at his wife.
"I'll not be getting into bed, at least not with you. I told you I am not getting pregnant again."
"Woman, you'll do as you're told. Do you understand me?"
"Oh, yes. I understand you. But, I am not getting into bed with you."
"It's your duty!"
"Would you like me to point out a few of your duties?" Moira countered. "I could, you know."
"Woman... bed... now!"
"No!"
"Moira, is this the example you want to set for your girls? They need to learn that their husband's word is law."
"Some husbands, perhaps. But not yours. Go find yourself a willing chit and leave me alone."
"Woman! Don't make me tell you again! Bed! Now!"
"If you weren't so drunk, I might be worried. But, as it is, you can barely stand up. So, either crawl into a corner and sleep off the drink, or leave."
"I could divorce you, you know? For refusing me," her husband growled.
"You know, I wish you would. Truly. Go ahead and divorce me. Better yet, why don't you just pack up your things and leave. The girls and I can take care of ourselves. It's not as if we haven't being do it for years."
Gallagher sucked in a breath and for one awful second, Moira was really afraid he would hit her. And, while it wouldn't be the first time, she wasn't feeling strong enough to deal with it right then.
But, as she studied his face, something seemed to change inside of him. A smirk of a smile spread across his face, and he answered, "You know, that's the first good suggestion you've made in our entire marriage. I believe that's exactly what I'll do."
"Your children and I thank you." She shooed him towards the door, as she added, "Good bye." She slammed the door behind him and bolted it.
*****
Sean Gallagher made his way to the barn. Even though Moira's refusal had angered him, he didn't care. She was old and worn out. If it wasn't for him being so manly, he'd never go near her. But, since Harding's house was shut down, Moira was the only game in town. At least, with any regularity.
However, her suggestion about leaving gave him an idea, a brilliant idea. He'd sleep off the whiskey. But in the morning, he'd pack up the wagon with his hunting gear and whatever else he could get a hold of without drawing attention to himself and leave.
He'd leave his smart-mouthed wife and her pack of brats and move on.
But first, he had one little stop to make.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gallagher left his wagon behind the Hendriksen barn after reassuring himself it was shielded from view of the back door. With any luck, he'd find them at church, giving him time to establish himself in an optimal position to grab his son and the girl.
He seized his shotgun from below the wagon seat, moved from his hiding place, and crept around the corner of the barn. As he rounded the front corner, he was startled when Jake Kennedy stepped out of the large, double doors, leading the harnessed horse hitched to the wagon. Without bothering to pause and think, he smashed the butt of his shotgun into the side of Kennedy's head. And, once the younger man slumped to the ground, he stepped over him with no concern if he was even dead or alive.
He peered over, to observe Kathy taking clothes, mainly diapers, from a drying line running from the corner of the back porch to a tree and back. She had the baby tied on her hip with a shawl that ran over her left shoulder and under her right arm, as she roughly folded the clothes before dropping them into a large, wicker laundry basket.
"Bring that basket over here, gal," Gallagher called out to her, in a low voice. When she failed to responded, he hissed over to her again, this time more loudly, "I said, come here, girl! And bring that laundry basket with you."
The young mother looked up, her eyes growing wide with fear as she caught sight of Sean Gallagher. For a moment, she seemed frozen, but after he angrily gestured to her, she slowly made her way across the yard.
"There's a good girl!" he told her, caressing her cheek when she came within his reach. "You keep minding me and we'll get along just fine.
"Now, put the basket in the back of my wagon."
However, when she moved towards the Hendriksen wagon, he jabbed her with the gun barrel and pointed. "No, my wagon. It's around the barn, there."
It pleased and empowered him, the way she appeared to be unable to take her eyes from him. Yes, he was going to like this new life he was beginning with a young girl, so malleable, and a son. His son.
But he suddenly realized he hadn't thought things through. For instance, he had given no real thought to how he would support them. But then, as he eyed her again, he tilted his head to the side, leered at the girl, and considered the possibility of letting her support him.
However, he'd have to establish complete control over her. Much better to whisk them away before he tried to do anything like that. Still, the thought made him smile again. He'd already decided that he'd leave the Hendriksen place, as if they were heading west, before he'd double back and make it to a deserted cabin and shed, well hidden in the woods to the east of the town.
He'd often stayed there while he hunted. And, in all those times, no one had ever come near it. It would be the perfect place to hunker down until they gave up searching for them. It would also give him time to explain the facts of life to Kathy. Then, he would take his new family wherever he wanted to.
At last, he'd be his own man again. But, best of all, he'd be rid of all those females that had nagged him for years.
He was roused from his daydreaming when Kathy let out a gasp and moved towards Kennedy's prone body.
"Ignore him and do as I say."
"I just want to check on him."
"Don't do it, gal."
"But he's hurt. Please, he might even be dying," she argued, if the soft, respectful way she spoke could be called 'arguing'.
"With any luck, he's already dead. Now, unfasten my boy and set him into the clothes basket." As he watched her, his shotgun poised over his arm, he asked, "Were you two alone?"
"What?" Kathy asked, in a distracted voice, as if she couldn't understand the question.
"Is there anyone else in the house or the barn?"
"Oh, no... no one. They're all at church," the girl answered. Unfortunately, she really wasn't a convincing liar. He could hear the lie in her voice.
"Who else is inside the house, girl? Tell me, and I won't hurt you or them."
"You wouldn't hurt Jacob," she told him. "You believe he's your child. So, you wouldn't do anything to hurt him," she insisted.
"Well, while it is true I believe the boy's mine, you've already proved yourself fertile and able to bear sons. So, I can always make another." Sneering at her, he continued, "In fact, I plan on making many more sons, an army of sons. So one, more or less, is of no great concern to me."
"But what about your family?" Kathy asked. "What about your wife and girls? You can't mean to turn your back on them. Would you really just walk away from them?"
"Girls!
" he said, in a disgusted tone. "What good are they? After you have one or two to help with the housework, what good are they? None, that's what. They only cost you money, a lot of money.
"Boys will help with the hard work, and while they might eat more, they don't need play pretties, or fancy clothes, or nothing like that.
"As for that wife of mine," he hissed, "she refused me. A wife cannot deny her husband. That's the law. And, she's the one who told me to leave. So, she'll have no cause to complain when she discovers I've done just what she asked, and left her. Left them all."
"What? You would really just walk away from your wife of twenty years, or more? And your daughters as well?" She scowled at him and then said, "You aren't a man! I'm not at all sure you're even a person—"
That was all he allowed her to say before he backhanded her across her mouth. He watched as a trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth, down her chin, before it continued down her neck and the opening of her dress, to disappear between her breasts. He gloated. "It would be best, girl, for you to learn right away just who is in charge from here on in. Understand?"
Wiping the blood away from her chin with the heel of her hand, she conceded, in a whisper, "Yes. Yes, I understand."
"Good. Now, I'll ask you one last time, who else is in the house?"
"Miranda, Mrs. Hendriksen. She wasn't feeling well and is upstairs in bed. I volunteered to stay at home with her because there was so much laundry to do."
"See, that wasn't so very hard, was it?" And, when she didn't answer immediately, he repeated in a harsh whisper, "Was it?"
"No! No, sir," she answered, in a terrified voice.
"Excellent. So you've realized, from here on, I'm 'Sir'. Now, tie this around your waist," he added, as he tossed a length of rope at her.
"Why?"
"You mean, aside from the fact I told you to?" he gloated. "I need you to ride in the wagon bed and tend the child. But, I have no intention of giving you the chance to jump out.
"Although, you probably wouldn't want to do that, would you? Because whatever would happen to your baby, should you get away?"
Miranda Takes a Stand Page 23
