They’d finally figured out nursing after a while of trying. When Sarah's efforts became more frantic, that seemed to be the key that showed them both what was needed. And now that she was content again, this was the chance for both of them to sleep.
Aaron moved over by the wagon, sorting through crates for one that would be the right size for Sarah's bed. He'd been remarkable through it all. Not talking overmuch or asking silly questions that would only frustrate her. He'd simply been there. Rubbing her back, wiping a cold cloth across her brow, everything she needed. And he'd known exactly what to do with Sarah. He must have studied the book intently while she was caught up in her pains.
In truth, he'd seemed comfortable with her from the first moment he took the babe in his hands. Maybe he had a younger sister who gave him practice.
He turned toward her now, carrying an empty crate. He looked tired—he'd been up all night too.
He bent low beside her, his gaze roaming over Sarah's sleeping form with a softness that made her chest ache. Then his focus lifted to Katie, and that softness remained. "I'll put a blanket in here for a mattress. Do you want her to sleep here now or stay with you?"
She tried for a smile, but her weary muscles didn't manage much. "I don't want to let her go yet."
He nodded. "I wouldn't either." He glanced back toward the fire. "I'll make some warm food you can eat when you're ready. You should sleep if you can though. You need to recover your strength."
She gave a small nod. "I will."
He gave her a look. "Make sure you do. If you want me to hold her so you can rest, just say the word."
Now the smile came of its own accord. "I'll let you know."
And she would. At this point, Aaron Long had more than earned both her trust and the chance to dote over this precious daughter.
For now, though, she snuggled the bundle closer and closed her eyes, letting the exhaustion take over.
* * *
Katie awoke to something warm beside her, but it wasn't the right warm. Nor in the right place.
She forced her eyelids open through the grogginess and lifted her head. Camp. The fire leapt not far away, but that wasn't the warmth she felt.
The baby.
She came fully awake and reached for the place Sarah had been tucked in the crook of her arm.
Her hand found only an empty blanket.
She twisted to see the source of the warmth pressed against her back. Surely she hadn't moved around so much that she'd pushed her daughter off the blankets onto the cold ground.
Her hand found fur. Not Sarah. The dog.
She nearly slapped him in her urgency, and he yelped and jumped to his feet.
A chuckle drifted from behind her, and she turned to find its source.
Aaron sat propped against a crate, a wad of blanket tucked in the crook of his arm. The pink of Sarah's cheek poked out. The two of them looked so comfortable there, as though this was a familiar position to both of them.
Aaron nodded toward the dog. "I've never seen him get so close to anyone of his own accord. You had the babe snuggled on one side, and he just came over and laid down on the other." He glanced down at the bundle in his arms, his voice a low murmur. "She started to wiggle around, and I didn't want her to wake you, so I thought I'd hold her a while. She must've thought my talk was a bit dull though, because it didn't take her long to go back to sleep."
The burn of tears stung Katie’s eyes. He'd taken Sarah just to make her more comfortable. That fact shouldn't make her cry, but layered on top of everything else he’d done… How he’d been there through it all, a silent presence whenever she’d needed him. He'd helped in ways she never expected but appreciated more than she could express.
To cover up her emotion, she turned back to the dog and held out a hand. He stood warily, just out of reach but watching her. "Here, boy. Sorry I disturbed you. You can come back."
She glanced at Aaron. "What's his name?"
His expression turned sheepish. "I call him Barney. Short for Barnacle. He joined up with me not long after I started my last trip. He's never let me touch him, but he stays just out of reach. Never leaves, just like a barnacle on a ship."
She grinned and turned back to the dog. "Barney, huh?" She pulled her hand back to her side. It seemed him eating from her hand the other night might have been a bit more of a wonder than she’d thought. "You can come back and lay down when you're ready."
She snuggled under the blanket again, turning so she could see Aaron and Sarah. A yawn forced its way out of her mouth, but she did her best to cover it.
