Jess would make a wonderful mother, with her soft manner and gentle ways. She was already pulling the hint of a smile from the babe, even with Ruby's hunger.
Grace took another step back. She had a few precious minutes to make herself presentable for the day ahead. She’d best use her time well.
As Grace unfastened her braid, Jess spoke up. "I heard Sampson came in near midnight with Dinah and Jericho."
Sampson.
A flutter slipped through her, but then worry took its place, clenching her gut. How badly was he injured? And if he was here, where was he staying? Was there a room here they used for a clinic? "Is he...how is he?"
Jess tugged the clean diaper into place. "I didn't see him myself. He's out in the bunkhouse. But Dinah said he's in rough shape. A broken arm near his shoulder. Several broken ribs. Lots of bruises and cuts."
Grace swallowed hard. She needed to see him. Needed to know exactly how dire his condition was. "May I go to him?"
Jess nodded as she swaddled Ruby again and picked her up. "I'm sure that would be fine. He might still be sleeping, but we could check with Dinah first."
Dinah. The woman everyone here spoke so highly of. A doctor and the wife of Sampson's eldest brother. What would she think of Grace coming into her home without permission?
By the time Jess had Ruby content and suckling the bottle, Grace had slipped into a dress, washed her face, and tidied her hair.
Jess smiled as she held the drinking babe, Ruby’s bottom resting on the swell of Jess’s own child. “Shall we go talk to Dinah?”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m ready.”
She followed Jess into the main room, scanning the space quickly to see who was here. She’d only heard the low murmur of voices.
A few women worked in the kitchen area. Patsy and Clara and…
A woman with striking blonde hair stood at the cookstove. She came toward them, a warm smile on her face. Grace's stomach twisted.
"You must be Grace." Dinah's voice was rich and kind. "We're so glad to have you here." She enfolded Grace in a warm, tight hug that wrapped all the way around her. So much like Mama’s had been.
Tears surged, pushing hard. She sucked in a breath to hold the grief back. She couldn’t think of Mama or she’d lose her composure fully.
Her vision blurred, and she tried to focus on the fact that this was Sampson’s sister-in-law. An important member of his family. Someone she needed to make a good impression on.
Dinah pulled back, but she surely saw Grace’s tears. She kept hold of Grace's hands, her blue eyes full of compassion. "You've been through so much in such a short time, haven’t you?"
How much had Sampson told them? Dinah’s words held a question, and an invitation to share. Maybe she wondered what part of her recent experience had brought on the tears. Hopefully she didn’t think marrying Sampson had contributed. She should tell this woman that the hug reminded her of her own mother. But speaking of Mama would send her into sobs, and she couldn’t do that. Not right now.
She sniffed and worked for a smile to push back the emotion. “I’m sorry for coming into your home when you weren’t here.”
Dinah gave her hands a squeeze. "Please, don't apologize. You're family now. This is your home too."
The kindness and sincerity in the woman’s clear blue eyes only made the tears threaten harder. Grace nodded, not trusting her voice.
Dinah seemed to sense her struggle and released her hands. "Sampson was quite stubborn about it, but he insisted on staying in the bunkhouse last night instead of in the house."
Fresh worry knotted in her middle. "How is he? Truly?"
"He looks worse than he is." Compassion lingered in her eyes, though her tone shifted to something more like a doctor would use to give a diagnosis. "None of his injuries should be life-threatening, praise God. He's in a great deal of pain. I'm giving him laudanum to help manage it for now, but he can’t stay on that for long."
A heaviness seemed to hang on those last words, and Dinah’s expression shadowed.
What would the laudanum do if Sampson took it too long? Was it dangerous even now?
She swallowed hard. "May I…go see him?"
"Of course. I’ll take you." Dinah smiled. "I'm sure he'll love to see you.” She turned toward the door. “Make sure you bundle up. It's a brisk walk to the bunkhouse."
