Homespun Hearts (19 page)

Luke nodded toward the bedroom. “How’s Rachel?”

“Just getting started. I’m going to ride out and inform Mark.” At Luke’s surprised look, Matt laughed. “Don’t worry, little brother, he’s not far. Besides, if the delivery goes like the other two, I’ve got lots of time.”

After Matt’s departure, Amy came hurrying out of the bedroom. “I thought I heard your voice.” She gave Faith a hug. “How are you?”

“Fine. How are
you?
” Faith replied.

Amy smiled and turned, pulling her off to the side. “I’m just fine…No,” Luke heard her whisper, strangely excited. “I’m better than fine.”

“I’m just going to poke my head in and say hello,” he said to no one in particular. Neither Faith nor Amy answered; they were too busy chatting, so he took Dawn from Faith and went into Rachel’s bedroom.

“Luke,” Rachel said breathlessly on the tail end of a contraction. “Your poor, handsome face. What happened?”

“Got into a fracas, but I’ll live.”

“I thought you gave up your fighting ways.” She smiled affectionately and patted the side of her bed. “Is that Dawn you have there?”

He nodded.

“Bring her here so I can see her.”

Next to the bed Luke bent down so Rachel could see the child. The baby stared back, with blue eyes shining.

Rachel held her breath. “Isn’t she beautiful? Like a little angel.”

Luke laughed. “You’re just used to boys.”

“May I hold her?”

Luke handed the baby over. Within moments Dawn started to fuss. “Here, take her back. I don’t want to upset her.”

Oddly, as soon as Dawn was back in his arms, she quieted. As silly as it felt, Luke was moved that she seemed to want to be held by him.

F
aith watched
from the doorway as Rachel handed her daughter back to Luke. Tenderness shone from his one good eye, an expression one would only expect to see from a new father.

She rapped gently on the doorjamb. “May I come in?”

“Of course,” Rachel said.

Approaching the bed, Faith stopped next to Luke. She suddenly felt a little foolish for gathering the bouquet she held behind her back. “I brought these for you,” she admitted, producing the scraggily bunch of greenery.

“They’re pretty! Thank you.”

“How’re you feeling?”

“I’m fine. My pains are coming about every ten minutes or so, and Matt’s going to send one of the men to town to fetch Dr. Handerhoosen.”

Faith eyed Luke. “A doctor? How wonderful. I’m glad to hear you’re going to have plenty of help. I thought Luke was here to help,” she said in a teasing voice.

Rachel laughed and shook her head. “Oh, no. Not Luke. Dr. Handerhoosen delivered Billy, though I had Adam on my own, with Claire’s help. The doc was tied up and came out the following day.”

Rachel lay back on her pillow, a smile on her lips. Soon her smile faded and she closed her eyes. Furrows appeared between her brows, followed by several puffs of breath from her lips. After a few tense seconds, though, her smile reappeared.

“You’re so good at this,” Faith exclaimed. “I was out of control.”

“You weren’t out of control,” Luke replied, rocking Dawn. “As a matter of fact, I was quite impressed at how in control you seemed to be. Particularly considering that you were alone, apart from Colton, in the most hellish downpour I’ve seen in fifteen years.”

“Well, I’m just glad it’s over,” Faith said. “It’s one experience I don’t—”

Rachel interrupted before she could finish. “Yes, you will. Because what you get in exchange more than outweighs the pain and worry you go through.”

“Come on, Faith,” Luke said. “Let’s let Rachel rest before her labor sets in for real.” He touched her arm while giving Rachel an encouraging smile. “We’ll be waiting in the front room.”

I
t was well
past six o’clock. Luke had taken Dawn back to the main house so Faith could stay and help with Rachel, whose labor was now very active. Both he and Rachel had assured Faith that Esperanza had plenty of experience looking after infants, and that Dawn would be in expert hands.

“I’m warming some soup for the men,” Charity called from the kitchen. “Would you like some?”

Faith’s stomach knotted. Knowing what was about to happen had her walking on eggshells. She could no more eat than run naked through the house. Rachel’s contractions were powerful. Perspiration beaded on her forehead, and the bedsheets were damp.

Soon after Matt had ridden off to find Mark, Rachel had switched from calm and comfortable to full-blown labor. Since then, Matt had returned, saying Roady was on his way to fetch the doctor. Amy had become withdrawn and nervous, and she’d taken the children over to the big house. Luke had also returned.

Mopping a cool rag across Rachel’s forehead, Faith squelched the impulse to shiver. Soon it would be time for Rachel to push, and she’d feel better if Mrs. McCutcheon would hurry up and get back from town. Faith couldn’t shake a niggling feeling eating away at her insides.

“Push,” Rachel gasped out. “I need to push.”

Jarred from her thoughts, Faith wiped Rachel’s brow and smiled calmly into her face feeling anything but.
Not yet, Lord!
Where is that darned doctor, anyway?

“Try to hold off a little longer, Rachel,” she said softly. “If you can, that is. I’m going to step into the other room for just a moment, but I’ll be right back.” She doubted Rachel even heard, for her eyes were closed and she drew heavy breaths through her pursed lips.

Trying to stay composed, Faith hurried into the kitchen. The men sat around the table eating, and discussing the possibilities of the new herd of cattle and what it was going to do for their existing breeding program. The lantern on the table cast a warm golden light around the room and also the men’s shadows onto the rough log walls.
How on earth can they just sit there? Let one of them give birth!

Mark ripped off a piece of bread and passed the bread plate to Luke and Matt. They were totally absorbed in their conversation, as if Faith and Rachel were just in the other room having a tea party. Heat born of irritation prickled her already warm skin.

“Rachel needs to push!” She knew her voice sounded anxious, but that was the least of her concerns. “Where’s the doctor?”

Matt smiled up from his seat at the table. “Relax, Faith, Rachel is an expert at this by now. She pops ’em out like kittens.”

Luke didn’t look quite as sure. He stood. “Is there anything I can do?”

Yes! Hold me and tell me everything is going to be fine
. She wished he could come in the bedroom with her;
he
was the one with the experience delivering babies, not her.

“Let me wash up and I’ll help,” Charity said. “I’m plenty old enough now.”

“Thank you, Charity.” Annoyance seeped through her veins. She lifted a brow and

crossed her arms. “But if you do that, who will keep the men entertained, so they won’t
worry
?” She directed her clipped remark at Matt who totally missed it.

Luke smiled.

Faith and Charity exchanged a knowing look, and then returned to Rachel’s side. Faith took her hand.

The woman cried out and grasped her belly. Her eyes searched the room wildly. “Is Dr. Hander…?” She groaned and panted, leaving the name unfinished. “Is he here? I need to push with the next contraction. It’s time.”

Faith stroked her face. “Not yet, Rachel, but he will be any moment. You just hang on, all right?”

Faith returned to the kitchen. “We’re going to have to deliver this baby on our own. Rachel can’t wait any longer.”

Matt stood and wiped his hands on his pants, with Mark and Luke following suit. “You sure?” he asked.

“Yes. I’d feel better if the doctor were here. Or your mother. Someone with experience.”

Mark crammed his hat on his head, heading for the door. “I’ll go see what’s keeping the doctor! Do what you can till I get back.”

At Rachel’s moan, Faith returned to her bedside and brushed a moist lock of hair from her face. Silence loomed between contractions like a big, ugly monster just waiting for Rachel to run out of energy and give up. The clomp of the men’s boots pacing from the front of the house to the back was the only sound besides the ticking clock. And poor Charity was scared to death; Faith could tell the girl wanted to help but there was nothing she could do.

Figuring this was up to her, Faith lifted the sheet and looked underneath. A jolt of fear rocked her. Steeling her nerves, she gently eased the bedcoverings back over Rachel’s body.

“You’re doing fine,” she crooned to Rachel. “Just fine. See if you can hold off pushing just a tiny bit longer. I’ll bet you can if you try.”

When voices sounded on the porch Faith sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. “Thank heavens! He’s finally here, Rachel. The doctor has arrived,” she said, then hurried off to fetch him.

Faith stopped in her tracks as she entered the room. Roady and Luke stood face to face in a heated exchange—no doctor in sight.

“Where’s the doctor?” Matt barked.

“He’s out in his buggy,” Roady replied. “But he’s drunk as all get-out.”

“He’s not a drinking man,” Matt quickly responded.

“He lost one of the Whipple girls two days ago. The family is taking it hard. So is he. I took him to the bathhouse and dipped him in a few times trying to sober him up. When that didn’t work , I forced a whole pot of coffee down his throat. That’s what took us so long.”

Matt swiped his hand across his face, desperation radiating from every inch of his body. “Bring him inside.”

Within moments, Luke and Roady returned with the doctor hanging between them. His head drooped forward and he stumbled over his feet. They set him in a chair in the kitchen, with Roady holding him steady by the back of his collar.

Luke briskly patted the man’s cheeks and gave him a shake. “Doc, wake up!”

Nothing.

“Dr. Handerhoosen!” he tried again. “Open your eyes!”

“Luke, zzzsat you?” he slurred.

Faith pushed past. She had to do something! The baby could die. “Please!” She shook his shoulders hard. “We need you!”

“It’s no use,” Matt said. “He won’t come around for hours. We’ll have to handle this—”

“We can’t.” Faith whirled around to face him. “We
need
the doctor!”

Luke took her by her shoulders. “Why?”

“I saw the baby’s cord. It’s coming out first. All I know is that time is of the essence and if we don’t—”

Rachel cried out, stopping her in midsentence, and Charity ran into the room.

Matt’s face was white with fear. “How? How do you know this, Faith?”

Dread gripped Faith. Her first impulse was to run to the main house to check on Dawn. Anything to keep from saying what she needed to say. “Because when my friend Beatrice gave birth I was there. The midwife told me about what happens if the cord comes out first. If the weight of the baby crushes it down, air and other things get cut off.” Luke was staring at her and she didn’t want to go on. “It can be very dangerous for the child.”

Luke tightened his grip, his warmth radiating into her skin. “Then we must act quickly. Do you remember what she said?”

Faith nodded. “Try to keep the baby from squishing the cord during the delivery. That’s all you can do.” That sounded impossible, and by the looks of everyone’s faces they all felt the same.

“Then let’s get you to it.”

“I can’t.”

“You can,” he said softly, then nodded. “You can.”

At the sink, Faith scrubbed her hands quickly. “Come with me,” she begged, looking over her shoulder at Luke.

Luke seemed to consider it. At last he sighed. “I suppose under the circumstances Rachel won’t mind.”

M
att didn’t even flinch
when Luke followed them into the bedroom, and for that Faith was grateful. He stood at the head of the bed, next to Matt, where Rachel’s privacy wouldn’t be compromised. Luke’s brother seemed beyond caring about anything except comforting his wife. With the next contraction Rachel’s face contorted in pain and she whimpered.

Steeling her nerves, Faith looked discreetly under the sheet and examined the situation. The baby was crowning; the little head covered with brown hair was easy to recognize. The cord, pulsating and pink, snaked out beside the baby’s head and protruded out about a quarter inch.

No more waiting.
This is it.
With a deep breath Faith shoved away her fear. Before she could think about what she was about to do, she carefully pushed on the birth canal, away from the baby, trying to make more space for the cord. The lifeline to the infant pulsed several times, and then stopped, changing from a light rose color to a deep purple hue over a matter of seconds. Alarmed, she looked up sharply at Luke.

“Go on. You can do it.” His voice was calm and steady.

When the contraction passed and Rachel relaxed back onto Matt, Faith gently pressed on the baby’s head to try to get it to recede a tiny bit. With trembling fingers she wiggled and pulled to bring the cord up, wanting to release any pressure. It looked as if the cord would have more room on the top of the baby. With a little more force she tried again. She needed to get this done before the next contraction.

“Good job, Faith, keep working.” Luke’s soft, encouraging words sounded a thousand miles away. She glanced up to find him watching her. He nodded, never taking his gaze from hers.

Please, Lord. Be with me now. I need your help!
As she worked, Faith kept in mind the next contraction was not long off. She needed to hurry, but she didn’t want to do anything that might hurt the baby. She moved the cord up, but it slipped back down. The baby rotated and the umbilical cord was flattened.

The sheet covering Rachel’s belly rippled and she cried out in pain. Her muscles contorted and she bore down. Moments seemed like hours. The cord turned dark, and Faith felt that must be a very bad sign. Time had run out.

“Luke? I’m not sure what else to do!”

“Yes, you do,” he whispered. “Just keep trying.”

Faith looked up at him again and something powerful passed between them.
He’s right! I can help Rachel! I will help Rachel!

As soon as the contraction passed, and with a fortitude born of a deep desire and determination, she finagled until the rubbery tube slipped up. Within moments it turned pink.

“I think I’ve got it! Yes! It looks good. Now we need to get Rachel to push for all she’s worth.”

A
s Faith spoke
, Luke was sure she was unaware of the tears that coursed down her face. She was so beautiful, so strong. She had no idea what a wonderful and compassionate woman she was. His heart felt full to overflowing with want, and he knew then he’d never love anyone else.

With the next contraction they all encouraged Rachel to push. The baby slipped halfway out. Faith gasped. “Almost there, Rachel, almost there. Keep it up.”

With the following contraction, the baby fell into Faith’s hands. It was blue. Luke reached for the infant and gave it a quick smack on its bottom. The babe sucked in a breath and let out a cry. It didn’t take but a moment before its face was as pink as a ripe tomato.

Luke grinned like everyone else. “A filly of your own,” he said, looking at Matt and Rachel.

Charity threw her arms around Faith. “You were brilliant! I was so frightened, but you saved the day.” Her face showed nothing but delight.

Extracting Faith from his sister’s arms, Luke lifted her into his own and captured her lips with his, tasting their sweetness. Desire flashed through his body.

“See? You
are
the bravest woman on this earth,” he whispered. “I’m so proud of…” Luke’s voice trailed off as he sought to hide the thunderous emotions rumbling around inside him.

S
everal days passed
, and Luke couldn’t stop thinking of what had happened with his sister-in-law and Faith. Not until today. Now he relaxed in the saddle and surveyed the new herd. This rich Montana grassland had once been home to thousands of buffalo, animals that had grazed just like his own were now.

Pride filled him as he watched the crimson-colored Herefords with their characteristic white faces. It had been a long time in coming, this addition to his family’s stock. It had taken months to locate and purchase a herd appropriate to crossbreed with their previous mild-mannered red shorthorns and rangy Texas longhorns. If things went as expected, breeders would soon be coming from all over the country to see the result.

Luke heard a shout. Turning, he saw Charity riding in his direction. He hid his surprise when he saw Faith following very slowly on Buttercup. Not two days earlier she’d told him she was frightened of horses and didn’t want to learn to ride.

Seeing Faith with his sister reminded him again of the episode with Rachel. His sister-in-law continued to grow stronger, though she was still confined to her bed by Dr. Handerhoosen. Thank God things had turned out well. When the doctor had sobered up and heard everything that had happened, he’d been sick with remorse. He was having a hard time forgiving himself.

Luke had visited several times and marveled over the tiny baby girl whom Faith had delivered. Still astounded by the turn of events, he shook his head and couldn’t keep a smile from forming.

The situation with Ward was at a standstill. Without the testimony of Eagle Gray, Luke’s hands were tied. He’d lost the debate with his family of running him off, but it wouldn’t be long before he was healed enough to be able to ride on. That’s what Luke was waiting for.

Charity had said nothing about him and had not been seen with Ward again, and Luke hoped his words had sunk into that thick skull of hers. She didn’t seem particularly interested anymore, but would she be more careful where her reputation was concerned? Only time would tell.

“Mornin’,” Luke greeted the women. “Nice day for a ride.”

“It’s beautiful.” Faith fairly beamed with pleasure. Her eyes sparkled as she looked his way, and Luke had the urge to snag her off the saddle and roll her in the soft grass.

Charity looked down at the cattle in the valley. “Faith needed to get out and enjoy the beauty of the ranch. Do you like it, Faith?”

“It’s breathtaking. I had no idea.”

Her words warmed Luke’s heart, feeding the hope he fought to keep at bay. This land was part of him. A very big part. She couldn’t want him without wanting the land, too. With an inward smirk, he mentally chastised himself. She hadn’t said anything about wanting him. Other than the kisses they’d shared, he had no more idea of what she was thinking now than a week ago. Plus, she was purposely making sure that they were never anywhere alone together. Still, with each passing day Faith stayed and didn’t go off to Priest’s Crossing and the job waiting there, Luke was a little more hopeful.

“These cattle look quite different from the others I’ve seen on the ranch,” Faith said.

“You’re right,” Luke answered, proud that she’d noticed. “This breed is entirely different from what we’ve bred in the past. They’re Herefords.” He pointed. “See how that calf is strongly built at such an early age? This breed matures faster than the others. An animal that weighs the most at market time brings the most money.”

Charity smiled, too. “They are a sight, aren’t they? I especially love watching them graze.” Dramatically, she popped her forehead with the heel of her hand like she’d just remembered something important. “Silly me. I promised Rachel I’d help bathe the baby.” Before anyone could object, she wheeled her horse around and galloped off with the ease of an experienced horsewoman.

“Wait for me,” Faith called, fear crossing her face.

“Just ride home with Luke,” Charity shouted over her shoulder.

Faith gripped the saddle horn as Buttercup danced around. The horse tossed his head twice, then started off in the direction Charity had gone.

“Pull the reins,” he told her.

Faith tried, but the reins were long and droopy and made no contact with the bit in the gelding’s mouth. Buttercup, sensing his rider had no control, was soon trotting after his companion as briskly as his old bones would go.

“Luke!” Faith screamed.

Luke loped up easily alongside her, but made no effort to stop her horse.

“Stop him, Luke,” she begged.

She was in no danger of falling, not with him right there to grab her, so he continued riding alongside. “Promise me first.”

“What?”

“That you’ll share the snack I have in my saddlebag.”

The old horse suddenly increased its pace, and Faith’s eyes grew as round as saucers. Luke grabbed her reins and brought both mounts to a stop.

With the danger over, Faith laughed, her eyes sparkling. “I never promised!”

“I know. But, when you really got scared I couldn’t just let him keep going.”

She smiled. “All right. I’ll admit I am a bit hungry.”

Luke hid his feeling of good fortune. He’d have to thank Charity for bringing Faith out. Ever since Rachel’s difficult birth, Charity had shown a new and friendly interest in Faith. She was a good ally.

Luke dismounted first and then helped Faith to the ground. He took his canteen from the pommel and saddlebags from the saddle, then slipped the bridles free from both horses to let them graze.

“Won’t they run off?” Faith asked.

“They’re trained to stay put. At least mine is.” He gave her a wink. “If Buttercup decides to run home, I’ll let you ride with me.” He waggled his eyebrows, and Faith laughed.

Cross-legged on the ground, he waited for her to take a seat. He pretended to be looking around at the contents of his saddlebags, when truthfully his awareness of her was driving him loco. Sitting out here with Faith by his side, under the endless expanse of blue sky, just the two of them, felt perfect. His blood fairly hummed through his body, making it difficult to concentrate.

“Here.” He handed Faith a strip of dried beef. Her expression was one of bewilderment as she looked at the withered morsel. “Go on. It’s good.”

Taking one himself, he ripped off a healthy portion and chewed with vigor. He smiled. She was trying to get a corner of the tough meat to rip off, but she wasn’t having much success. The harder she tried, the more he chuckled.

“Give it to me,” he finally said, purposely grazing her fingers with his own. He gripped her jerky with his teeth and ripped off a section, then placed it in her mouth.

“Tasty?”

She nodded, all the while chewing and looking out at the grazing cattle. The sight of her fueled his blood. She was his. Dawn was his. Why couldn’t she see it?

Luke unscrewed the cap to his canteen and held it out to Faith. “Thirsty?”

“Yes, I guess I am.”

She took a small sip before handing it back. Luke held it to his mouth and took several long gulps, all the while never taking his eyes from hers. Setting the canteen in the grass next to him, he scooted closer. He tried to read her expression, her mood. As always, she was a mystery.

This was it. He had to know. Without words, he slowly laid her back in the soft, fragrant grass. He pulled the pins from her hair, releasing it to flow around her shoulders.