He stood staring down at the tiny human in his arms. He was never one for talking much, but now words failed him. He’d helped bring this baby into the world. In his house, and on his bed, no less.
For a tough Sheriff, he sure was feeling right soppy about now. His eyes even leaked a little, and that hadn’t happened since he was a little kid.
“Is the baby alright,” Pearl asked. “It’s not crying.”
She was right, it wasn’t. And he’d been too busy getting all mushy to notice it wasn’t breathing. He grabbed it by the legs and held it upside down, then slapped its behind. Not too hard, mind you. It was a baby after all.
He watched and listened. Nothing. He slapped the baby’s behind again.
There was a knock at the door. “Come,” he screamed, and the door flew open. “In the bedroom,” he shouted.
He glanced up to see Deputy Jefferson Cauldry standing there staring. He was surely in shock, just like Alex. “Don’t just stand there, get the doc!”
Cauldry was off like a shot.
Alex stared at the baby. He could see tiny movement on its chest. There was a glimmer of hope. He put the baby to his shoulder as he sat on the edge of the bed, and began to pat it on the back, silently praying at the same time.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the baby began to cry. “Praise the Lord,” he said, tears streaming down his face.
He pulled a towel up over the baby to keep it warm. It was about then the doc arrived. “Thank God you’re here, Doc. The kid wasn’t breathing.”
He wiped the tears away from his face with the back of his hand, hoping no one would notice them. Doc took the baby and did what had to be done. “Get up there and wake up the mother. Keep her awake,” he said.
“Pearl,” he said, sitting next to her on the bed. “Pearl, it’s a girl,” he said. “She has fiery red hair, just like yours.”
Her eyes fluttered open. “Is she...alive?”
He swallowed – hard. He was filled with emotion. “She’s alive. The doc is here now, so everything will be alright.”
She reached out a hand and grabbed his. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
He savored the feel of her hand on his. Her touch, and the emotion in her voice.
It was about then the doc came over and handed him the tiny bundle, wrapped in a clean towel. “The mother is too weak to hold the child, so it’s up to you,” he said, then winked. Did he think Alex was the father?
Doc propped an extra pillow behind Pearl’s head, then checked her over. “She’s going to need some rest, but she should recover nicely.”
Alex stared down at his new family. When he sent away for a mail order bride, he hadn’t expected anything like this.
More than anything, he was relieved he had made the decision to come home today and not camp out another night. He didn’t even want to think about the outcome if he had.
Chapter Four
ALEX COLLAPSED ON THE spare bed.
He was already beyond exhausted before he’d arrived home, and now there was no name for it. He kicked off his boots and lay his head on the pillow.
He didn’t even bother to throw back the covers. Besides, he wasn’t going to sleep, just rest his eyes for a minute. At least that’s what he told himself.
He’d cut up one of his better towels into diapers, then emptied out a drawer and lay the baby there after padding it out.
That was the best he could do tonight. Tomorrow though, was another story entirely. If Cecil at the Mercantile had no cradles in stock, he would make one himself. Baby Pearl needed a proper place to sleep; a place of her own.
His eyes opened wide. He couldn’t call her Baby Pearl, even if she did look like her mother. Tomorrow he’d push Pearl to name her. That was just one of the important tasks he had to do tomorrow. The other was talk to Pearl about their future.
He hadn’t signed up for a mother/daughter duo, but to be fair, he had disappeared for far longer than he’d anticipated. Did she even bother to write and let him know? He certainly hoped so. Another task added for tomorrow’s list – check the post office.
Not that he didn’t trust her, because he did. At least he thought he did. On reflection, she must have trusted him, to come all the way out here without him even sending her the fare. Why hadn’t he done that before he left?
Because he’d been called out urgently and hadn’t expected to be gone more than a few days.
Anger flared in him. Why had he been so selfish and not let her know he’d had to leave? He could have at least sent a telegram and some money to tide her over. She put herself and her baby at risk traveling alone in that condition. He could have made arrangements for her.
If he was truthful with himself, would he have done that? Would he have accepted another man’s baby, without ever having known the mother?
His heart thudded. Hindsight was a wonderful thing, and even with it in play, he couldn’t say what he would have done. He was a decent man and liked to think he would have done the right thing.
Now he admonished himself for not getting home earlier. He had no idea how long Pearl had been in labor. If he hadn’t arrived when he did, it could have ended in disaster for both mother and baby.
He swallowed hard. It would have been his fault.
The whole situation was his fault. If he’d known, arrangements would have been made for her to be looked after properly. As it was, that dear baby had nearly lost its life.
Alex felt suddenly overwhelmed. Perhaps he was still in shock about the whole situation? Yes, that had to be it – he didn’t normally have such rambling and devasting thoughts. Usually his head hit the pillow and he was dead to the world.
His belly rumbled, and Alex realized he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. He’d intended to be home in time for lunch, but his unplanned snooze by the stream had messed up his plans.
He dragged himself of the bed and headed to the kitchen, then did a double take. What about Pearl? Would she be hungry?
He headed into the master bedroom instead. It felt rather creepy standing there looking over her while she slept, but he wanted to ensure she was fine. He pulled the covers up around her shoulders, and she rolled over.
He couldn’t even begin to imagine how she had felt having a complete stranger deliver her baby. Even if that stranger was her betrothed.
A shudder went through him.
Tomorrow they had decisions to make. Did she still want to marry him? Indeed did he still want to marry her?
He stared down into her face. Worry lines surrounded her eyes. She wasn’t very old, mid-twenties at most he guessed, and already she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.
A tiny hiccup tore his attention away from Pearl. Warmth flooded him as he gazed at the tiny cherub in the bottom drawer of his cupboard. Did he really bring her into this world? Emotion threatened to overcome him.
No wonder he couldn’t sleep. His life took on a whole new meaning the moment he’d held her in his arms.
Bringing her back to life had been terrifying, but he was so glad he persevered. He had never been so glad to see another human being as he had when the deputy walked through his door.
Alex rubbed his hands over his face. He wanted to be this child’s father. Was Pearl going to let him? She could disappear as quickly as she arrived. He knew so little about her – she’d needed a safe place to stay to have her baby. Perhaps she would move on once she recovered.
His shoulders stiffened. He certainly hoped not.
Tomorrow was another day, and they could sit and talk about it. About everything.
Either way, Alex knew he was not the same man he was when he woke up this morning.
THE HIGH-PITCHED SCREAMING woke Alex up with a start.
He jumped out of bed and ran toward it, forgetting where he was. Pearl was wiping the sleep out of her eyes and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She reached down to pick up the baby.
He stared at her bare
legs, then forced himself to pull his eyes away. Leaning forward he covered her up with the bedding.
“I’ll change her. You rest.”
He lay a towel on the end of the bed and snatching up a clean makeshift diaper, began to change the precious child in front of him. “She’s wet through,” he said, pulling the baby’s nightgown over her head. “Do you have any extras?”
Pearl nodded toward the valise next to the bed. “In there,” she said quietly.
It was obvious she was still exhausted, but going by the persistent screaming, Pearl would have to stay awake long enough to feed her baby daughter.
“I’ll watch her,” she said, putting a gentle hand to the baby’s midriff.
He opened the case and found a small pile of baby clothes. There weren’t a lot there, but they could make do for now. Alex found a nightgown and put it on the baby. He lifted her against his chest, and she immediately stopped crying.
His heart did a little skip. Was this what it was like being a father? He shook himself mentally. He wasn’t the baby’s father. Would he like to be? He told himself he wasn’t sure, but he had a very special connection with this baby – he’d brought her into the world.
As quickly as she stopped, she began to cry again.
“I’ll have to feed her,” Pearl said quietly. “She’s obviously hungry.”
Alex stood rigid after handing her over. “Ahem.” Pearl glared at him. “A little privacy?”
He almost laughed out loud. After what he’d done just hours earlier, and she was worried about him watching her breastfeed. He managed to control his outward emotion. This time anyway.
“Would you like a cup of coffee? Something to eat?”
She glanced up and smiled at him. “A cup of tea would be nice, thank you.”
He left her to do what she had to do and headed toward the kitchen. It was then he realized he was wandering around in only his drawers. Embarrassment flooded him.
Well, he guessed neither of them got the privacy they wished for. A smile escaped him.
He stoked the fire and filled the kettle. It would be awhile before it was ready, so he got dressed while he was waiting. His stomach began to rumble.
He carried the lantern through the house, taking it into Pearl’s room. “Will this help?” he asked, trying to avert his eyes.
“It will, thank you,” she said, taking the baby from her breast and placing her on her shoulder. The moment the baby burped, she was placed on the other breast.
Alex stood there mesmerized. He’d never seen anything so special in his life, and he’d seen a lot. “Your tea will be ready soon,” he said shakily, backing out of the room.
He longed to hold the baby again and longed to hold her mother.
What was wrong with him, he admonished himself. He’d been deceived and possibly used. He rubbed at his eyes. He was beyond exhausted, and his mind was running away all over the place.
By the time he returned to the kitchen carrying another lamp, the kettle was almost boiled. He would kill for a coffee, but that would render him even less likely to sleep.
He poured two mugs of tea and took one into Pearl. “I forgot to ask how you have it.”
“Black, no sugar. Can you put it on the cupboard? I can’t risk holding it with the baby.”
He placed it on the cupboard, then reached out for the baby. “I’ll hold her for you.” He wrapped her in the tiny blanket she’d slept under, then cradled her to his chest again. The feeling that came over him was inexplicable.
They had important decisions to make, he and Pearl, and they involved this sweet baby girl. He glanced across at Pearl. She sipped on her tea and stared at him over the top of the mug.
“What are you thinking,” he asked quietly, trying not to disturb the baby who was drifting off to sleep.
She pulled the mug away from her beautiful lips. “I’m thinking I made a mess of everything. I dropped a bombshell on you, there’s no denying it.”
He stared down into the face of the angel he was holding. “I should have been here. I was meant to be gone a day or two, and no longer.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Oh.”
She could have said far more, but that one word encompassed it all. “It’s far too late now, but I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have been here for you.”
Her eyes welled with tears, and she watched him gazing at her as she fought to stop them falling. “The government took my husband’s house soon after he died,” she said quietly. “I had nowhere else to go.”
The statement had him curious, but she looked as though she was ready to collapse. “Finish your tea,” he said gently. We can talk more tomorrow.”
“I’ve had enough,” she said, and placed the mug on the cupboard. Alex handed the baby back, but she was far too exhausted to hold her, so he lay Baby Pearl down to sleep.
“Can you promise me one thing,” he asked quietly.
She stared at him.
“Name this baby. I can’t keep calling her Baby Pearl.”
“Baby Pearl? I’ve never heard you say that.”
He grinned. “It’s what I call her in my head.”
She laughed out loud. “I will, I promise. Tomorrow,” she said as she lay back on the pillows. He watched as her eyes drifted closed; she was soon fast asleep.
PEARL GLANCED UP AT the table to see Alex staring at her.
He’d cooked her a wonderful breakfast of bacon, sausages, and eggs with toast on the side. A mug of hot tea stood in waiting for her.
She was very grateful for the pillow he’d slipped on the chair before she’d entered the kitchen. Sure, she felt embarrassed, but how much worse could it be than having a total stranger deliver your baby?
“Thank you,” she said quietly, then reached across the table for his hand. His head shot up as she startled him. “Shall we say grace, or am I presuming too much?”
He smiled. “It’s perfectly fine,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze.
“Dear Lord,” she said quietly. “Thank you for this food before us. Special thanks for sending the Alex to me in time, and for helping him save baby Maude’s life last night. Amen.”
“Amen.”
She tried to hide the emotion threatening to come to the surface, and quickly let go of his hand and grabbed up her mug of tea.
“Maude, eh?” he said with a grin. “I like it.”
Why did her heartbeat hitch up whenever he smiled at her? “It was my grandmother’s name. She would approve of the likes of you.” She couldn’t help but grin, but heat rose in his cheeks. Had she really embarrassed him?
She thought so.
“Eat up,” he said, indicating her food. “Before young Maude starts demanding her breakfast.” He winked at her and her heart skipped a beat.
“Later we’ll sit down and have a talk – work out a few things. Like whether you’re staying or not.”
Her heart thudded. Did he want them to leave? And so soon after she’d given birth? She hadn’t figured him to be a cruel man, he’d seemed so caring, so loving.
Pearl was crying inside, but she had no intention of letting him see her heart was breaking.
“Let me know when you’re ready,” she said firmly, and his head shot up. He frowned but said nothing and continued to eat.
He was a big man, far bigger than she’d realized the night before. But then again, she’d been rather preoccupied last night.
He would be every bit of six foot to her five foot six. His dirty blond hair made her wonder what color hair their own children would have. That is, if he even allowed her to stay.
She wouldn’t blame him if he sent them away. He had never agreed to accepting another man’s baby. Heck, he didn’t even know she was pregnant, despite her writing to let him know.
What a mess. Pearl had been convinced she could start her life over with a new husband.
She pushed her dishes aside as she began to stand, and he jumped up and raced around to the other side of the table. “Let me
help you back to bed,” he said gently, and placed his hand below her elbow.”
She glanced up at him and frowned. “I need to clean this mess up first,” she said. She would manage, she would find a way.
She stumbled as she began to shuffle toward the sink and Alex swooped her up. “Back to bed with you,” he said. “I’ll get the doc to come and check you over again today.”
“I, uh,”
“No arguments,” he said firmly. “I am more than capable of cleaning up.” He helped her remove her robe and placed her carefully back into bed. Maude was still sound asleep. “You rest up,” he whispered. “I’ll check in on you later.”
She nodded her agreement and was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
PEARL SAT OPPOSITE him in the sitting room. Maude had been fed and changed and was now sound asleep.
“I’m really sorry for forcing all this on you,” she said quietly, her eyes averted. “I didn’t know what else to do.” She twisted her hands in her lap, guilt overwhelming her.
“When did you arrive?”
She thought he’d be beyond angry with her, but he didn’t seem to be. She glanced up at him. He seemed a little tense, but not irritated or annoyed. “About two months ago. I waited for your next correspondence, but then it was too late. The house was seized, and I had nowhere to go.”
She stared at him briefly. “Except here.”
He nodded.
“When I arrived, I discovered you were away on assignment. I admit I was angry with you, but then found out it was an emergency.”
“I felt terrible leaving you in the lurch, but I had no choice.” He went to the window and stood there staring out. “I felt more than a little guilty leaving you hanging like that.” He spun around to face her.
He stared down at a pile of letters in his hands. “I’ve been to the post office this morning – while you slept. You were right, you let me know you were with child. Several times. Each letter sounded more desperate than the last.” He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
Mail Order Pearl (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies #12) Page 4
