Just a Little Christmas

by Janet Dailey

  “Ellie?”

  She clutched his arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve. “My water just broke. I need to get to the hospital.”

  Chapter 15

  Take it easy, this isn’t your first rodeo, Jubal reminded himself as he put a supportive arm around Ellie’s shoulders and walked her to the nearest chair. He’d managed fine eight years ago, getting Laura to the hospital for Gracie’s birth. So why was his heart pounding like a runaway steam locomotive now? This wasn’t even his baby.

  Ellie huddled in the chair shaking. Her hand clung to his sleeve. “Stay right here,” he said. “As soon as I tell your mother and make sure Gracie will be all right, we’ll be out of here. Are you hurting?”

  She shook her head. Her grip on his sleeve tightened. “Jubal, I’m scared,” she whispered. “What if something’s wrong?”

  “Don’t be scared.” He kissed her damp forehead and gently loosened her grip on his sleeve. “Sit tight while I tell somebody and get the truck. You’ll be fine.”

  Was that the right thing to say ? Ellie wouldn’t be afraid for herself. She’d be afraid for her baby. He had to get a grip on himself.

  Before he could leave her, he saw Jess hurrying toward them. Her worried expression told Jubal there was no need to explain what was happening.

  “I’m driving her to the hospital in Cottonwood Springs,” he said. “Let Clara and Gracie know. One of you will need to take Gracie for the night.”

  “No problem,” Jess said. “Gracie would probably love staying with Clara and the dog. But I can drive Ellie to the hospital if that’s easier.”

  “My truck will be safer in the snow.” That was only part of the reason Jubal wanted to drive. Right now, nothing mattered more than just being there for Ellie.

  Jess crouched by Ellie’s side and took her hands. “Can I get you anything? Some water?”

  Ellie gave her a nervous smile. “No water. I’m soaked under this dress.”

  “Any pain?”

  “Just a twinge now and then. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ve heard that first babies can take a while. You may be in for a long night.”

  “As long as the baby’s all right, I’ll be fine.” Ellie’s voice shook. She was trying to be brave, but Jubal sensed that she was terrified.

  “I’m going to pull the truck around front,” he told Jess. “Get Ellie’s coat and have her at the door in about five minutes.”

  “I’ll call the hospital and let them know you’re on your way,” Jess said. “And I’ll write down my cell number so you can let us know how she’s doing.”

  “Good idea. Thanks.” Jubal strode out of the gym, sprinted down the hall, and raced out into the parking lot. Snow was falling in thick, velvety flakes. By the time he reached the truck, his clothes and hair were coated with white. He’d left his sheepskin coat in the truck—a lucky oversight. Until the heater kicked in, Ellie would be shivering in her damp clothes. The heavy coat would help keep her warm.

  He climbed into the truck, started the engine, and backed out of the parking place. The snow was deep and getting deeper. The forty-mile drive to Cottonwood Springs usually took less than an hour. Tonight, in the storm, it might take twice as long. But Ellie’s labor had barely started. Laura’s contractions had lasted nine hours before Gracie was born. There should be plenty of time to get Ellie to the hospital.

  He thought briefly of Gracie. Too bad there’d been no time to find her and tell her he was going. But she’d be all right. Staying overnight at Clara’s would be a treat for her. He would give her a call after he got Ellie to the hospital.

  Ellie, wrapped in her quilted coat, was waiting with Jess under the overhang of the school entrance. Jubal left the engine running to warm up while he helped her down the steps and into the truck. With the doors closed and the heater on high, they headed out of the parking lot.

  The truck’s oversized tires gripped the snow-slicked road as they swung onto the highway that led out of town. The windshield wipers and the defroster barely kept the windshield clear. The headlights glared off a white wall of falling snow. If the clinic hadn’t been closed for the weekend, Jubal might have taken her there. But tonight the hospital was the only option.

  He glanced over at Ellie. She was huddled under his sheepskin coat. The truck was warming up but she was still shaking. Her eyes reminded him of a cornered doe’s. Reaching past the console, he squeezed her hand. “We’re all right,” he said. “The truck’s got good tires. We’ll make it okay.”

  “It’s not that, Jubal.” Her voice was a taut whisper. “It’s the baby. She’s been kicking up a storm for a couple of months. Now I can’t feel her moving. I can’t feel her at all.”

  * * *

  Ellie stared through the windshield. The motion of the wipers was hypnotic, the night outside a blur of flying snowflakes. She could hear the tires crunching their way over the snow that coated the road. The truck seemed to move at the pace of the minute hand on a clock. Going faster would be dangerous, she knew. But her baby could be in trouble. She needed to get to the hospital.

  “How are you doing?” Jubal kept both hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road. There wasn’t much traffic, but they’d already passed one wreck, an SUV that had slid off the road and landed on its side in the barrow pit. Two police cars were already there, lights flashing a garish red and blue against the snow. There’d been no ambulance to take her on board—and tonight, not even a police escort could have gotten Jubal’s truck up the road any faster. All they could do was drive on.

  “I’m doing fine . . . considering.” Ellie’s effort at a joke fell flat. She was anything but fine, and they both knew it.

  “Any pain?”

  “Some. Not too bad yet.” The contractions were happening, but so far she could stand them. She thought about timing them on the dashboard clock, but what good would that do? And the pains were nothing compared to the fear that something might be wrong with her baby.

  “Have you thought of a name?” Jubal asked, making conversation.

  “Not really,” Ellie said. “I’m thinking something simple and old-fashioned like Emma or Hannah, or Margaret. But I won’t know for sure until I see her.” If I see her. Please, God, let her be all right.

  “And her last name?”

  “Not her father’s name if that’s what you’re wondering. I’ll be taking my maiden name back as soon as I can wade through the paperwork. It’ll be her name, too.”

  “And you’re still not going to tell him?”

  “Brent doesn’t deserve to know. He doesn’t deserve to be her . . . father.” She gasped. The sudden pain was like being squeezed by a giant vise. Her teeth clenched. Her hands doubled into fists.

  “Bad?” he asked as the contraction ebbed.

  “Bad. How much longer before we’re there?”

  “We’re more than halfway. Twenty or thirty minutes, I’d say. Can you hang on?”

  “I’ll have to, won’t I?”

  He released his grip on the wheel long enough to reach over and squeeze her hand. “That’s my girl. Don’t worry, we’ll make it. You’re going to be fine.”

  “That’s easy for you to say, mister. You’re not the one having this baby.”

  “I love you, Ellie.”

  The words were the last thing Ellie had expected. She stared at him, wondering if she’d heard wrong.

  Jubal kept his eyes on the road. “I meant to say it earlier, at the dance. But we never did have great timing, did we? So I’m saying it now. I love you, Ellie. I guess, deep down, I never stopped.”

  Ellie could feel another contraction building, but she didn’t want him to stop talking. She needed to hear what he was telling her. She needed to know it was true.

  “If we can make this work—Lord, girl, I know this isn’t the best time. But when you get this baby into the world, know that I’ll be there for you. I’m not going any—”

  “Jubal!” The cry tore from her throat as the pain ripped through her.
Low in her body, she felt something move and shift. No—this couldn’t be happening. But every instinct told her it was. “The baby!” she gasped. “I think it’s coming now!”

  “Hang on!” Punching the hazard light button, Jubal swung the truck onto the shoulder of the road and yanked the parking brake. With the vehicle at a stop and Ellie writhing on her seat, he raced around to the passenger side and carefully opened the door. Ellie felt the icy breath of wind on her face. The brightness of the dome light made her squint.

  “Help me . . .” She forced the words through the pain.

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” He levered the seat as far back as it would go and lowered it into a reclining position.

  “You’re sure about that?” The contraction had eased some, but Ellie could still feel the pressure, as if she was being pushed apart.

  “You bet I’m sure.” His confidence sounded like pure fakery. “I’ve delivered more than a few calves. This can’t be much different.”

  “Oh, thanks a lot! Remind me to moo!” Ellie’s unsteady smile became a grimace as a new contraction seized her—a hard, clenching pain that went on and on. She could feel Jubal’s hands bunching up her long skirt.

  “There’s the head,” he muttered. “She’s on her way. Push now, as hard as you can . . . that’s it . . . harder.”

  Ellie pushed until her eyes bulged. Her teeth clenched with effort. Then there was a wet, sliding sensation as her baby slipped out into the world.

  Silence.

  Please . . . Her lips moved in prayer. Please let my baby be all right.

  She heard a slap and a tiny gasp, followed by the most beautiful sound in the world—a lusty, full-blown baby wail. Tears stung her eyes. She was a mother.

  For a reason she couldn’t fathom, Jubal seemed to be laughing. Ellie could feel him moving the baby but she couldn’t see beyond her skirt-covered knees.

  “Let me see her!” she pleaded. “Is she all right?”

  He chuckled. “Your baby’s fine. But I think you’d better brace yourself for a shock.”

  Her heart lurched. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

  “Nope. Take a look.” Blocking the cold wind with his body, Jubal held up her baby, revealing what the murky sonogram had failed to show.

  “Congratulations, Ellie,” he said. “You have a beautiful, healthy baby boy.”

  * * *

  As the truck roared toward Cottonwood Springs, Ellie held her newborn son close. Jubal had tied and cut the cord, wrapped the baby in his warm cotton flannel shirt, and covered them both with his sheepskin coat. It was the best that could be done until they reached the hospital and the medical team took over.

  She fingered her baby’s damp hair—thick and dark like her own. She loved the feel of him, the smell of him, the small, warm weight of him in her arms. When she thought of all the fluffy pink girly outfits she’d bought, she wanted to laugh. This tiny boy seemed so right, so perfect, as he was meant to be all along. Maybe Jess would be able to use the girl clothes.

  Outside, the snow was still falling. Wind buffeted the sides of the truck. Jubal, wearing his thermal undershirt, glanced at Ellie. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Never better.” It was true. Her body felt as if it had been cranked through an old-fashioned clothes wringer, but she couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier. “Turn on the radio,” she said. “I want to hear Christmas music.”

  Jubal punched the button. Tonight the station, which played Christmas pop songs during the day, had switched to more traditional music. The sounds of a choir, singing a selection from Handel’s Messiah, drifted out of the speakers.

  “Unto us a child is born . . . unto us a son is given.”

  It was perfect.

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later, the ER attendants were wheeling Ellie and the baby down the hall on a gurney. As the swinging doors closed behind them, Jubal settled onto a waiting room chair. It was still sinking in that he’d just delivered a baby.

  His cell phone was in his vest, which he’d grabbed from the truck. Finding the paper Jess had given him, he punched in her number and gave her the news. Her response was a happy squeal. “A boy? And you delivered him in the truck? Oh my gosh, wait till I tell Ben!”

  “Would you let Clara know? I don’t want to risk waking her.”

  “Something tells me she won’t be sleeping until she knows Ellie’s all right. Gracie’s at her house. Do you want me to tell her, too?”

  “I’ll call her myself. I need to make sure she’s okay with my leaving her the way I did.”

  “Fine. When you talk to Ellie, tell her we’ll come by and see her tomorrow.”

  “Will do. Thanks.” Jubal ended the call and dialed Gracie’s cell phone. She answered on the first ring.

  “Hi, Dad.” She sounded happy. “Guess where I am.”

  “I give up. Where?”

  “I’m in Ellie’s bed with Beau and all her stuffed animals. We’re having a slumber party. How’s Ellie?”

  “She’s fine. She’s got a brand-new baby boy.”

  “A boy? But she was supposed to have a girl!”

  “I know. We’re all surprised.”

  “What’s she going to name him?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe you can think of some good boy names to help her. I’m going to stay here for a while. I’ll pick you up in the morning after chores.”

  “Can I go see Ellie and her baby?”

  “Maybe in a day or two. We’ll see. Sleep tight.”

  Jubal ended the call and settled back in the chair. He knew there was no need for him to stay. It would take an hour or so to get Ellie and the baby checked over, cleaned up, and settled in a room. And after that she’d just want to rest. But he didn’t want to leave without seeing her one more time, and seeing the little boy he’d helped bring into the world.

  Getting up, he walked to the hospital canteen, found the coffee machine, and filled a disposable cup. Someone had put up a bushy Christmas tree in the hospital’s front lobby. Lights twinkled and glittered, reflecting their glow in tinsel and shiny glass balls. The air smelled faintly of pine.

  He sat on a handy couch and sipped the hot, dark liquid. The caffeine sharpened his senses, but the fatigue he felt was more emotional than physical. Holding Ellie’s baby boy had brought tears to his eyes. Only now did he realize how deeply the loss of his own unborn son, and Laura’s, had affected him.

  Despite the coffee, he was drifting off. He didn’t realize he’d fallen asleep until an attendant in scrubs gave his shoulder a gentle shake.

  “Mr. McFarland?”

  Blinking himself awake, Jubal nodded.

  “Ms. Marsden’s in her room with the baby,” the young man said. “She asked me to find you.”

  “Can I go back and see her?”

  “Follow me. I’ll show you the way.”

  Minutes later, Jubal walked into Ellie’s room. She was sitting up in bed, exhausted but radiantly beautiful.

  “Motherhood becomes you.” He walked to her bedside and bent to kiss her lightly on the forehead. “How are you doing?”

  “Sore. Tired. Happy. The doctor says my blood pressure’s a little high. Nothing serious, but they want to keep me an extra day or two to monitor it. The baby was almost two weeks early, but they say he’s fine. Seven pounds, three ounces.” She lifted a fold of the flannel blanket that wrapped the baby. “Would you like to get acquainted with my son?”

  Heart pounding, Jubal lifted the precious bundle in his arms. A knit hat covered the baby’s hair, but he had Ellie’s dark eyes and generous mouth. He brushed the perfect little hand with his fingertip. His heart turned over when the tiny fingers closed around his. If Ellie married him, Jubal thought, he could be the one raising this boy. He imagined teaching him to ride and fish and shoot, to care for animals, to value honest work . . .

  But he was getting ahead of himself. Ellie hadn’t said yes. She hadn’t even said she loved him. He’d be a foo
l to start building dreams.

  “No name yet?” he asked.

  She laughed and shook her head. “I’m still in shock. Ask me in a few days.”

  “Gracie wants to come and see the baby.”

  “That’s fine. But let’s not rush it. Jess called. Ben’s bringing her and my mother for a visit tomorrow. Why not bring Gracie the next day? I’ll be better company when I’ve had some time to rest.”

  “The day after tomorrow is Monday. I’ll be meeting with Clive Huish and his wife in the morning. If we can sign the paperwork and transfer the deed without any trouble, I should be okay to bring Gracie in the afternoon.”

  “That would be great. I’ll be thinking about you and crossing my fingers that all goes well. Will it be a problem if I’m not there to sign the confidentiality agreement?”

  “Given your situation, I’m sure they’ll let you sign it later, or I can bring you a copy to sign here.” He lowered the baby into her arms. “I’ll go now. You need to get some sleep.”

  “So do you.” She paused, then reached out to squeeze his arm. “Thank you, Jubal. If you hadn’t been there to drive me and deliver my baby, anything could’ve happened. I owe you.”

  “You don’t owe me anything.” He bent down and gave her a light kiss. “The two of you are all right. That’s all that matters. Rest. I’ll see you on Monday.”

  Jubal walked outside to a diamond-clear sky. The storm had passed, cloaking the world below in pure, glistening white. He glanced at his watch. It was almost midnight. He would drive home, catch a few hours of sleep, do the morning chores, and pick up Gracie in time to have her ready for church.

  It would be hard tomorrow, not seeing Ellie or the baby, who’d already nestled into his heart. But Ellie needed to rest and see her own family. He had no claim on her, he reminded himself. True, he’d laid his heart on the line, told her he loved her, and asked for a second chance. But she’d gone into labor before she could respond. Until—and unless—her answer was a yes, she wasn’t his. Neither was the tiny boy he’d helped bring into the world. Easy as it might be to pretend otherwise, that was his reality.

  He scraped the snow off his truck and hauled his weary body into the cab. The radio came on when he started the engine. Silent night . . . Holy night . . . The old song crept around him, sweet and lonely, as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home.