Victoria

by Cheryl Wright

  As she stepped back, the older woman wiped tears from her own eyes. “You are very welcome,” she said quietly, then quickly headed for the kitchen.

  That caused Victoria’s tears to begin once more, and Jesse stood, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned her head against his chest and thought about the first time he’d held her. She never wanted him to let her go, and now he didn’t have to.

  They were about to get their forever.

  ~*~

  Two Weeks Later…

  Victoria stood outside the entrance to the church. Mrs Baker stood by her side, and had agreed to give her away. Joe Harkley, the town’s tailor, had agreed to make a gown for her wedding, and had done it in record time.

  The children had been ecstatic when she’d told them she was marrying Dr Pendleberry and she would still be their teacher. Johnny ran up and hugged her, he’d been so happy. “I knew it,” he whispered, then grinned at her. She couldn’t help but smile back at him.

  Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d be waiting to walk down the aisle into the arms of her soon-to-be husband. Jesse was right – it was something out of a fairytale. She’d never believed in fairytales until now.

  The organ music began to play and Mrs Baker tightened her grip. “That’s our cue,” she said, and they began to move slowly inside.

  Jesse turned to face them; he looked so handsome in his new suit Joe had made for him. His smile lit up the entire church, and her heart fluttered.

  “Oh!” She hadn’t noticed before, but her students stood either side of the aisle and formed a guard of honor. A stray tear trickled down her face. “What a beautiful thing to do,” she whispered as they continued walking.

  As they got closer, Victoria hugged each one of her students. The boys stood tall and tried to pretend it hadn’t affected them, but the girls were all crying and sobbing. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said gently. “School is still on next week!”

  They reached the front of the church, and Preacher Devon said, “Who gives this woman away?”

  “I do,” Mrs Baker said, tears in her eyes. Until recently, Victoria had no idea how emotional the woman could be. She’d always presented as a person of strength, but even strong people were allowed to have their moments.

  Jesse reached out and took both her hands, guiding her to stand beside him.

  “Dearly Beloved,” the preacher began.

  When it was all over, Jesse pulled her close and kissed her. Then they began their trek down the aisle and outside. Victoria hadn’t noticed how many people were there when she entered. Practically the entire town had come to witness their nuptials.

  Her students beat them outside, and threw rice at them as they left. Then the rest of the congregation joined them, and she wriggled as rice slid down her back.

  Victoria glanced about, taking in every person there, every face. She wanted to have that memory for all time. Today would be one of the most memorable days of her life.

  Epilogue

  One year later…

  Victoria stood out the front of the room, teaching her students. Johnny had been an enormous help over the past year or so, and continued to be. He was doing so well, Jesse had promised him that apprenticeship, and he’d already learned a lot at the Apothecary. On his fifteenth birthday he would begin his apprenticeship. He was beyond excited.

  She was so proud of him, and knew Johnny would do wonderfully. He had the passion to do it, and Jesse would make sure he studied hard once he began.

  “Please pull out your workbooks, then turn to page twenty of…” She clutched at her stomach, then abruptly sat.

  Johnny was instantly by her side. “Mrs Pendleberry? Are you alright?” He looked more than a little concerned.

  She nodded, but he saw through her. “I’ll go get Doc Pendleberry, then Doc Spencer.” He gripped her hand. “You stay right here.” He turned to his fellow students. “Walter, you take over the class while I’m gone.” The boy agreed, and Johnny was gone.

  People said she couldn’t do it, but Victoria had managed to continue teaching during her confinement. She hadn’t intended to work until the birth, and Jesse had tried to convince her to stop, but she’d resisted. So now here she was, her contractions coming fast and furious.

  The door flung open and there he stood – her wonderful husband. He rushed toward her and held her tight. “Do you think you can walk home?” he whispered. Walter glanced back over his shoulder, but continued with the planned lesson.

  “Honestly, I don’t know,” she whispered back, then tried to stand. “Oh no!” She looked down in despair at the puddle at her feet. “My waters just broke,” she said quietly, not wanting the children to hear.

  He stared at her for what seemed forever, but was only a few seconds, then scooped her up and carried her toward the door. “Someone open the door please?” he called over his shoulder, and Walter came running.

  Johnny arrived about the same time. “Doc Spencer is out on a job up in the mountains. Mrs Spencer doesn’t know when he’ll be back.” The boy looked upset, but no more than Victoria was.

  “What are we going to do,” she wailed, her head close to her husband’s chest.

  He carefully carried her down the steps. “Mr Ambrewster, please call Mrs Baker to help. I can’t deliver this baby on my own.”

  Victoria’s eyes opened wide. “You’re going to deliver our baby?”

  “I am a doctor, Victoria. Besides, we have no choice.” He carried her all the way home and placed her on their marital bed after laying folded towels and sheets over it.

  Soon after Johnny arrived with Mrs Baker. “What can I do to help, Sir?”

  “I’ll need my medical bag from the store. Can you fetch it please?” Johnny was back in record time. “Now put on some water to boil, then go back to the school and take over.”

  “Yes, Sir.” He looked disappointed, and no doubt could have helped given he’d been brought up on a farm. But Victoria did not want one of her students helping to birth her baby. She’d never be able to face him again.

  Jesse scrubbed his hands clean and Mrs Baker did the same. Victoria screamed.

  “It’s coming,” she said, panting.

  Mrs Baker looked skeptical. “That’s far too quick, my dear. First babies usually take some hours.” She glanced at Jesse and he agreed.

  “Well this baby told me it was ready to come about midnight,” she said, continuing to pant.

  “Oh my Lord,” Jesse said. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  She screamed again. “Because I had lessons to deliver.”

  She could see he was frustrated, but why waste good hours of teaching if it could be avoided? “Arghhhhhhh!”

  “I can see the head,” Jesse said. “This baby really is coming.” He turned to his wife. “I want you to hold Mrs Baker’s hand as tight as you can, then push hard.”

  He glanced at her. “Can you do that?”

  She nodded, then pushed. “This is all your fault, Jesse,” she ground out.

  “Well, I surely hope so, darlin’.” He grinned at her but she didn’t find it funny.

  She pushed again.

  “Nearly there. One more big push and you should be done.”

  Then a thought struck her. “Have you delivered a baby before, Jesse?”

  He glanced up at her again, and then at Mrs Baker. “Come on, you can do it. One more push.”

  “Jesse?”

  “Push!” He looked down at the tiny creature in his arms and Mrs Baker joined him.

  “You have a beautiful baby girl,” she said, and Victoria watched as she held back tears. “Why don’t you close your eyes for just a moment, have a short rest while Dr Pendleberry does what he has to do?”

  As the baby screamed, she closed her eyes momentarily, waiting to receive her in her arms. Finally she was handed over and Victoria held her tight.

  “Can we call her Maisie, after my grandmother?” Victoria asked as the baby continued to scream.

&nb
sp; “Of course, whatever you want,” Jesse said gently as he continued to work.

  “She’s probably hungry,” Mrs Baker said. “Why don’t you feed her. I’ll leave you two alone for a while.” She quietly slipped out of the room.

  Jesse joined her and the baby. “She’s beautiful,” he said, then kissed her gently.

  “Yes, she is,” Victoria said. “You never did answer. Have you delivered a baby before?”

  “There’s a first time for everything,” he said winking at her. “I’m really pleased that it happened to be our own precious daughter.”

  Victoria agreed. She said a silent prayer of thanks for the miracle of her own precious family, and knew they would have more moments like this.

  The End

  From the Author

  Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.

  I would greatly appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon, even if it is only a one-liner. It helps to have my books more visible on Amazon!

  ~*~

  To read more books in the Brides of Montana series, click here.

  All my books can be seen on my Amazon Author Page.

  About the Author

  Multi-published, best selling and award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.

  She writes both contemporary and historical western romance, as well as contemporary romance and romantic suspense.

  She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren.

  When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.

  Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.

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