“It’s almost over, Laura. You a-doin’ real good,” Granny said.
Granny glanced up at Anna and smiled. “Ain’t nothing gives me more pleasure than watchin’ a baby come into this world.”
Anna leaned closer to get a better look, and the baby’s head emerged facedown. Granny’s hands probed around the tiny throat and down the chest and back. “What are you doing?” Anna asked.
“Checkin’ to make sure the cord’s not wrapped around the neck.” Granny smiled. “It’s not.” She nodded toward Laura. “Now give me a push so’s I can let you see this young’un.”
Laura obeyed, and the baby slipped out into Granny’s hands. A loud wail filled the room, and Granny chuckled. Tears filled Anna’s eyes at the wonder of what she had just witnessed. She reached out and touched a tiny hand. “Laura, it’s a beautiful boy.”
“I got me another boy?” Laura whispered.
“You have, and he’s perfect.” She smiled at Granny. “I’ll never forget this.”
Granny grinned back, her eyes bright. “Help me cut the cord so’s we can let Laura see her baby.”
When the cord had been cut, Granny reached across the bed, grabbed a man’s shirt, and wrapped the baby in it. Then she handed the bundle to Anna. “Let this boy’s mama hold him. I know she’s a-wantin’ to.”
Cradling the baby in her arms, Anna walked back to Laura and laid her newborn son in her arms. Laura pulled the shirt away from the child’s face and smiled down at him. Then she looked up at Anna. “Thank you for helpin’ me git this baby here.”
Anna reached out and caressed the baby’s head. The feel of him sent ripples of happiness through her. “He’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”
She watched the mother with her child for a few moments more before she turned and rejoined Granny. She’d known since she was a little girl that she wanted to be a nurse, but today that desire had been forged into her soul. Now she was more determined than ever to get to New York.
An hour after the safe delivery of his son, Pete Ferguson helped Granny climb into the wagon for her trip home. When Granny had settled herself on the wagon seat, she glanced down at Anna on the ground.
“Now do you remember what I told you ’bout what needs to be done for Laura? We don’t want her gittin’ no infection.”
Anna nodded. “I do. Don’t worry. I’ll make it fine with Laura.”
Pete, a wiry little man who had spoken less than three words to her since she’d arrived at his house, glanced at his two older children sitting on the front porch. “Hope you have good luck with them two over there. They’s a bit ornery at times.”
Anna glanced over her shoulder at the boy and girl who eyed her with hostility. A lump of fear formed in her throat, but she managed a smile. “We’ll make it fine, Mr. Ferguson.”
He stepped around her and pointed his finger at the children. “Now you two mind what Miss Anna says while I’s gone to git your aunt. If’n you don’t act right, you gonna have to deal with me when I get home.”
“Yes, Pa,” the children said together.
Anna smiled at them, but her lips froze when Pete turned his back to climb in the wagon and the boy stuck his tongue out at her. Anna whirled to see if Pete had witnessed the exchange, but he was already guiding the horse out into the road. Granny smiled and waved to her as the wagon pulled from the yard.
Anna took a step toward the wagon and waved before she turned and faced the children. Ignoring their sullen expressions, she walked toward them and pointed to the door. “I have to go check on your mother. I want both of you to go inside and sit down until I get through. Then we’ll see what we’re going to have for supper.”
Without speaking, the children followed her into the house. She cast a glance over her shoulder as she entered Laura’s room, but they had sat down at the kitchen table and appeared to be deep in conversation. She only hoped they weren’t dreaming up some horrible surprise for her, like a spider in her bed or a frog in the water bucket. If they were, she’d deal with them later—after she’d checked on Laura. With a sigh she directed her attention to the exhausted woman lying in the bed. Wispy brown hair plastered to Laura’s pale forehead served as a reminder of the pain she’d endured a short time before. Now a contented smile lay on her lips.
Anna stopped beside Laura Ferguson’s bed and watched the mother snuggle her newborn son close to her breast. The baby nuzzled her, then opened his mouth and began to nurse.
A feeling of awe and wonder flowed through Anna’s body at the sight. She almost felt as if she were intruding on a reverent moment between mother and child. “Has your milk already come in, Laura?” she whispered.
Laura shook her head. “Naw, it’ll be two or three days ’fore it does, but he don’t know that. He’s doin’ what comes natural. For now, he’s gittin’ what he needs.”
Tears formed in Anna’s eyes, and she stared in amazement at the child she thought to be the biggest miracle she had ever experienced. A sense of wonder filled her at God’s plan for bringing new life into the world and how He provided what was needed to sustain His creations.
Uncle Charles had been right when he said Granny could show her things the teachers in New York never could. Today she had helped a mother give birth to her child in a small cabin under primitive conditions in a remote mountain valley, and God had opened her eyes to the miracle of birth. She doubted if she would have experienced the same feeling in a city hospital with all its modern conveniences.
One thing she did know, however. No matter how many children she would see come into the world, this first one would always be special. “Granny said as soon as your milk comes in we are to wash the baby’s eyes with some of it. If you’ll let me know, I can help you with it.”
Laura’s tired eyes stared up at her. “I kin do it. I done it with the other two.”
Anna patted her arm. “You were so brave, Laura. I don’t think I could have done what you did today.”
Laura hugged the baby tighter. “Most women think that ’fore it happens to them. But when the pains start, you gotta keep thinkin’ about how good it’s gonna be when it’s over.” The mother pulled the baby away from her and stared at him. A loud squall rang from the tiny mouth. “He’s gonna be a loud one, but he shore is a purty baby.”
“That he is. In fact he’s the best-looking baby I’ve ever helped deliver.”
“Is that right? And how many babies have you helped deliver?”
Anna giggled. “Just one, but he’s still the prettiest I’ve ever seen.”
A weak smile pulled at Laura’s lips. “Oh, Miss Anna, you shore do make me feel good.”
“I hope so. That’s what I’m here for.”
The baby squirmed in Laura’s arms, and she snuggled him closer. “You was so good helpin’ Granny, I thought you’d been doin’ it for years. I reckon I was wrong about you.”
“Wrong about me? What do you mean?”
“When I heared that Granny had a girl from outside the mountains comin’ to help her, I was scared. I thought you might be real uppity, and I didn’t want you to help me with my baby.” Laura paused. “But I was wrong, Miss Anna. You done proved that to me today. I don’t reckon nobody could have been kinder to me than you was. And I’m askin’ you to forgive me for settin’ my mind to something before I even met you. I hope you ain’t mad at me for doin’ it.”
Anna shook her head and smiled. “There’s no reason for me to be angry with you. After all, we hadn’t met. Now that we have, I hope we’re going to be great friends.”
“I hope so too. We’s lucky to have you here.”
“No, I’m the lucky one to be here with Granny. I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about treating people’s illnesses.” Anna helped Laura settle the baby back into its nursing position and pulled the shirt tight around the baby. “Laura, I meant to ask Granny, but I forgot. Why did she wrap the baby in your husband’s shirt?”
Laura ran her hand over the top of the baby’s he
ad. “It’s jest a mountain way of doin’ thangs. Been passed down for years. It’s ’sposed to bring good luck.”
A crash from the other room caught Anna’s attention. “Uh-oh, that sounded like something hit the floor. I guess I’d better see about your other two children.”
Laura reached out to Anna. “Watch out for them two. They can be a handful.”
Anna felt a twinge of fear at the thought of the two surly-faced children. She tucked the cover around Laura and the baby. “They’re such good-looking children. How old are they?”
“Lucy’s seven and Ted’s five.”
Anna smiled and hoped it looked sincere. “I’m sure we’ll be friends in no time,” she said. She hoped she sounded convincing.
Laura gazed up at Anna. “Thank you for stayin’ with us while Pete’s off to git my sister. I thank you kindly for that.”
“It’s my pleasure. Your husband said for you not to worry. Some of the neighbors are going to check on your livestock while he’s gone, and I’ll take care of all of you here.” She reached down and touched the baby’s cheek. “Especially this little fellow.”
Laura inclined her head toward the kitchen. “Well, you ain’t tangled with them other two yet. Let me know if you need me to step in.”
Anna glanced over her shoulder at the other room and swallowed. She wished for a moment that Granny hadn’t left with Pete. Of course she needed to be at home in case someone else needed her, and Pete was going right by her house. With a sigh Anna squared her shoulders and headed to the kitchen.
Lucy and Ted sat at the kitchen table, their arms folded on its top. Anna stopped next to the table and stared at the two children. Their mouths were turned down in frowns. Her gaze drifted to the floor, where a pot lay on its side. She stooped, picked it up, and placed it back on the stove. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the children. “What’s the matter?”
Lucy’s eyes peered at her from underneath the auburn hair that hung across her forehead. Her lips protruded in a pout. “We’re hungry. When’s Mama gonna cook supper?”
Anna pasted a big smile on her face. “Your mother has to stay in bed with the new baby. I’ll fix you something to eat.”
They looked at each other and then back to her. Lucy crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “You know how to cook?”
Anna searched her mind for something to say. “Well, I’m sure I can’t cook like your mama can, but I’ll try.”
Both of them sighed and sank down, their chins resting on their hands. Ted stared up at her, his freckled face drawn into a frown, and wiped the sleeve of his shirt across his nose. “What you know how to cook?”
Anna glanced around the kitchen and sighed. “We’ll soon find out, but I think I’d better get a bucket of water first. We used most of what your Pa brought in from the well while your brother was being born.”
Her statement triggered no reaction. She might as well have been talking to her uncle’s horse Toby as these two. She waited a moment before she spoke again. “Would you like to help me draw the water?”
Neither child said anything. They stared at her without blinking.
Anna grabbed the oak bucket from the dry sink near the back door and stepped outside. The setting sun cast orange and red streaks across the sky, and Anna stopped for a moment to take in the beauty before she walked to the well behind the house.
A box-like wooden structure, perhaps two feet high and open at the top, rose out of the ground. A bucket dangled above it from a rope that looped around a crossbeam between two upright posts, and a handle for rotating the overhead beam lowered the bucket through a small opening to the water below. Anna wrapped her fingers around the handle and carefully lowered the bucket into the well. As she waited for it to fill, she thought about the two children in the kitchen. She had to think of some way to gain their friendship or her time at the Ferguson farm would prove unbearable.
Lost in thought, she pulled the bucket back to the surface and had just emptied it into the water pail she’d brought from the house when a man appeared at the entrance of the Fergusons’ barn. She had often thought her brother was tall, but this person would tower over Robert’s six feet. The man’s height wasn’t the only thing that caught her attention. The bulging muscles beneath his shirt gave evidence of great strength.
His unflinching gaze locked on her, and he plodded toward her. His eyes narrowing, he stopped a few feet away from the well and glanced at the water bucket, then back at her.
Anna tried to smile, but her lips wouldn’t cooperate. She tightened her grip on the water bucket and took a step backward. “Hello. I’m Anna Prentiss.” He didn’t respond. After a moment she took a deep breath and inched back another step. “You may know my Uncle Charles. Doctor Prentiss. He brought me here to help Granny Lawson.”
“I heared ’bout that.” His expression didn’t change, but he nodded. “The livestock’s taken care of.”
“Thank you, Mr.…” Anna paused, waiting for him to tell her his name.
“Davis.” He glanced at the cabin and nodded in its direction. “You takin’ care of Laura and her young’uns?’
“Y-yes.”
His large hands hanging at his sides reminded Anna of the hams her father used to hang in the smokehouse. He flexed his fingers and took a step toward her. Her eyes grew wide at the vision of his long fingers clasped around her throat. With a sharp intake of breath she backed away.
The man stopped and tilted his head to the side. “I was just gonna tote the water to the cabin for you.”
Anna cast a quick glance over her shoulder. Lucy and Ted huddled together next to the open kitchen door. Fear raced through her. She didn’t know this man. If she let him in the house, she and the children might be at his mercy. She couldn’t take that chance.
She gripped the handle of the water bucket tighter and backed away. “Thank you. I can manage on my own.”
“Suit yourself.” Without another word, he turned and walked into the field next to the Ferguson house.
Anna whirled around and ran awkwardly into the house, the full bucket of water clanking and splashing against her knee. Closing the door behind her, she ran to the window and watched the retreating figure head toward the woods. He strode into the distance without a backward glance.
When he’d disappeared, Anna looked down at the children. Lucy and Ted clung to her apron, their bodies pressed against her. Fear etched their faces. “Do you know that man?” she asked.
Lucy gazed up at her and nodded. “He lives on the next farm. His name is Cecil Davis. He doesn’t smile like most folks. He scares me.”
Ted huddled closer to Anna and pressed his head against her arm. “I don’t like him either. You think he’ll come back tonight?”
The question sent chills racing up Anna’s spine. She set the water down and put one arm around Ted’s shoulders and the other around Lucy’s. She leaned over and smiled at them. “I think he’s gone home. Don’t worry. I’m here to take care of you.”
The children’s bodies relaxed, and for the first time since she’d come to the Ferguson cabin they smiled. Anna glanced out the window once more. She hoped she was right and the man wouldn’t come again. There was something strange about him. She’d never felt that fear from anyone else, but Cecil Davis didn’t look like anyone she’d ever known before. She certainly intended to keep a close lookout for him in the future.
Chapter 6
The sun had dipped below the horizon when Simon Martin, on his way home from visiting another family, tied his horse to the tree in Pete and Laura Ferguson’s yard. He’d almost ridden on by without stopping. Every time he came, he hoped he wouldn’t see Pete and Laura’s children. There was something about those two that rankled him. They seemed to always be up to some mischief. When he had his own children, if he ever had his own children, he was going to see to it they did as he said.
He looked around for Pete but didn’t see him anywhere. He stepped onto the front porch and was about to knock when
he stopped in amazement. Laughter drifted through the walls of the house. He didn’t remember ever hearing the Ferguson children laugh—not like they seemed to be doing now.
He knocked and the noise quieted. Slowly the door opened, and he caught his breath at the sight before him. Anna, a determined look on her face, clutched a rolling pin in her raised hand as if she was prepared for battle. Ted and Lucy peered at him from behind her.
Anna breathed what sounded like a sigh of relief before she lowered her arm and smiled. “Oh, Simon, it’s you. What are you doing here?”
He frowned at the children who peeped at him from behind Anna. “Were you expecting someone else?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Of course not.”
He stood there, drinking in the sight of her. Loose tendrils of hair hung over her forehead and smudges of flour dotted her cheeks and apron. Her hand went to her hair as she tucked a stray lock behind her ear.
His chest tightened as he tried to speak. “I…I didn’t expect to find you here, Anna. I came by to check on Laura.” He looked past her into the house. “Is she here?”
The children, flour spotting their clothes, suddenly seemed to come to life. They darted from behind Anna and grabbed at his hands. “Mama done had our baby brother this afternoon,” Lucy informed him. “Miss Anna’s helping us make a cake.”
Anna laughed and held out her hand to him. “Come on in, Simon, and you can help us too.”
He stopped just inside the door and inhaled. The sweet smell of something baking reminded him he hadn’t eaten since morning. His stomach growled, and he grinned. “That cake smells mighty good, Anna!”
Anna grabbed a cloth and rubbed the white smudges from the children’s faces. “I’m afraid I can’t take credit for what you smell,” she said. “Lucy and Ted have helped me make a molasses cake to welcome their baby brother into the world. It’s for his birthday.”
Simon looked down at the two children. Their faces beamed as they gazed up at Anna. He leaned forward and chucked each one under the chin. “It smells good. I hope you plan on letting the preacher have a piece.”
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