“Mmmm. Of what?”
“Of the importance of making sure you have made it clear what you want done with your children if something happens to you.”
“We can sort that out in the morning.”
She could tell he was close to going to sleep. “Unless we die in our sleep.” She felt him jerk with surprise then squeaked when he slapped her on the backside. “Wretch.”
* * *
In the morning, Abigail woke with a need to rush into the washroom. She was heartily sick. By the time she cleaned up and went downstairs, the kitchen showed signs that Matthew had already fed the boys. It puzzled her that she was so tired, but she had been a lot lately.
Once she had eaten some toasted bread and had a cup of coffee she was feeling better so went out to plant her lavender seeds. When they grew, she would be sure to send Maude a picture even if she had to draw it herself. She stood up then staggered to the house and braced herself against it until the spinning in her head went away.
Once her head cleared she thought over the morning and tensed. Carefully she tried to recall when she had had her last woman’s time and felt her heart beat faster. She grabbed the bonnet Matthew still frowned at and started walking toward the big house, as they had begun to call it. She was almost certain she was with child but wanted to hear another woman give her opinion.
Finding Matthew and the boys there made it a little awkward to have a moment or two alone with the women, but she finally got Emily and Mrs. O’Neal cornered in the kitchen. They both stared at her expectantly as they sat around the table. Abigail suddenly had no idea how to start the conversation.
“Spit it out, child,” said Mrs. O’Neal.
“I think I might be with child.”
“All the signs are there?”
“Yes, no bleeding times, sick this morning, had to eat plain toasted bread this morning, and nearly fainted in the garden.”
“Certainly sounds like it. Have you told Matthew?”
“No, I needed to be sure. I know he wanted a child but he never, well, pestered for one.”
“Well, tell him carefully. Even men who really want a child can get a little crazy when their woman says one is on its way.”
Abigail kept that in mind as she went back home, linked arm in arm with Matthew as the two boys skipped along beside them. The puppy flopped on the grass the moment they reached the front yard of the house. Abbie felt sick as she realized how warm she was. She let go of Matthew and raced for the washroom.
Matthew quietly went in and held her hair back as she was wretchedly ill. He then handed her a cloth wet with cool water and waited as she washed her face and rinsed out her mouth. She glanced at him and he wondered why she looked a bit guilty. She had to know he would be delighted.
“I guess it will be no surprise when I tell you I am with child.”
“Nay, but I do wonder why ye suddenly realized it. I have suspected it for two months.”
“How?”
“I sleep with ye. I ken the time every month that ye dinnae really appreciate any attention.”
“Oh. Are you happy?”
He laughed. “How can ye even ask? Of course I am.” He pulled her into his arms. “I just need to ken that ye are all right.”
“I am. It was the vomiting that clued me in and I nearly swooned in the garden.”
“Ye will have to be careful then. It is only going to get hotter.”
Abigail sighed. “I know. I guess gardening will be kept to a minimum.”
“There is always next year.”
“True.”
“I love ye, Abbie.”
