“Oh, I think I can do that,” he said huskily, his arms tightening possessively around her waist. “And I’ll take care of you. We’ll go somewhere, way out there, and build our own place, make our own way, and you won’t have to work a day in your life. I’ll make it so that all you’ll have to worry ’bout is makin’ dinner and makin’ babies.” He smiled roguishly.
Kate blushed further at his words and nodded, unable to form a response past the swirling in her head. It was hard not to get swept up in his excitement. She had never seen him this animated. His wide smile softened his dark eyes, his ardor for her warming the crisp evening air between them. Deep down, she had always yearned for this, for someone to love her, for a home of her own, for children filling her arms. And here was Andrew offering exactly that.
He snatched his hat from the ground and grabbed her hand. “C’mon, let’s tell everyone the news!”
Kate let Andrew lead her down the hill, the cozy little cabin beckoning them closer, warm light spilling softly from its glowing windows. She let herself fall into the dream laid out before her, her excitement rising, her heart beating fast.
Chapter 27
Thesunhadsetan hour ago behind clouds that hinted at the first snow of the season, and though the cabin was full, it was quiet. Pa read with his well-worn Bible tilted to catch the light from the cheery fire crackling in the hearth. Ma sat beside him making adjustments to one of Kate’s skirts, and Ian leaned back in a chair, boots propped on a pail, eyes drifting closed.
Kate sat next to Andrew on the bench while he worked some tallow into a bridle. She was supposed to be embroidering her handkerchief with her future initials, but she sat staring at the half-finished project. Having finished theK, she’d moved on to the next letter, only to realize she had unknowingly started the downstroke too close, what one would expect foranM.
What to do? This was supposed to be for her trousseau. Maybe if she just crossed the downstroke to make aT, no one would notice that the letters were uncomfortably close. Or should she pick it out and start fresh? She glanced at Andrew. His head was bent low over the leather. Surely he would notice if she started ripping threads from the delicate linen. Would he be offended? Kate bit her lip. Perhaps he’d just assume she wasn’t very good at embroidery. That was fairly accurate anyway.
The door burst open and everyone jumped. A cold wind rushed through the house as James barreled inside.
“It’s happenin’!” he cried, his voice loud and excited. “The baby’s comin’!”
The room exploded with activity. Kate immediately started gathering supplies while Ian and Pa shrugged into their coats to hitch up the mules. Ma packed up her sewing and reached for her coat.
Kate eyed her, brows furrowed. “You sure, Ma?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” she replied resolutely, wrapping her shawl securely around her shoulders.
“It might be a long night. Can you manage?”
Ma lifted her chin. “With the Lord’s strength, I will.”
Kate nodded, inwardly relieved. Ma knew so much about childbirth. Kate grabbed their basket of supplies and wrapped up the remaining biscuits from supper to bring along.
“Here,” Andrew said, handing her the lit lantern. “So you don’t get lost.”
“Wouldn’t want that,” she replied, hurriedly pulling on her mittens.
“Wish I could do more.”
“You can pray.”
“Sure thing,” he said and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Stay safe out there.”
Within minutes they were out the door, Pa driving the wagon while James rode on ahead, eager to get back to his wife. Kate spent the ride praying that Maria’s labor hadn’t progressed too quickly, that they would make it in time to help her and deliver this baby. She shivered in the wind. The swinging lantern light glinted off the first snowflakes swirling from the dark sky, making it feel like they were suspended in time, frozen in place while the world whirled around them. It felt like an eternity to make it to the other side of the valley.
When they finally clattered up to the Leighton homestead, Kate jumped down and reached up to help her mother. Their eyes met as they heard Maria’s cries over the rising wind. Anxiety shuttered her mother’s face. Kate’s heart clenched.Please, Lord, keep them safe.
“Go on inside,” Pa said. “I’ll shelter with the team. And tell James I’ll see to his horse.”
They bustled inside the one-room sod house. Maria lay on the straw-stuffed mattress in the corner, her dark hair curling in damp tendrils around her face, her eyes clenched shut, a grimace of pain on her face. She clasped James’s hand so tightly her knuckles were white.
James glanced up at them, eyes filled with anxiety. “Thank the Lord you’re here.”
Ma immediately set into action. Taking off her shawl, she pointed at the fire. “Kate, boil some water. Make sure we have lots of rags. Did you bring the blankets? Good.” She crossed the room and knelt at Maria’s side, laying a gentle hand on James’s shoulder. “I’d like to take a look at her.”
He looked down at Maria, gently stroking her forehead, his eyes so full of love it nearly made Kate cry. “Maria, my love. Kate’s here, and her ma. They’re gonna help you. You’re gonna be all right.” Maria just nodded, breathing hard, still clinging to his hand. Kate hurriedly stoked the fire, pouring water into the kettle and hanging it in the hearth.
“Maria,” Ma said in a firm, calm voice, “you are doing so, so well. We’re going to meet this baby soon. We’re here. We’re going to help you.” She turned to James. “How far apart are the contractions?”
“I-I don’t know. A couple minutes maybe? They weren’t this close when I left to fetch you. She was doin’ fine, but when I got back, she was like this, just exhausted.”
