Etta appeared just as Laura was undoing the buttons of her jacket. Laura motioned her to come help. “I’m going to see if I can help at the Vogels’ or Deckers’. Both women are in labor.”
“How wonderful.” Etta helped her out of the jacket. “I’d be happy to come too, if you think I’d be needed.”
“Yes, that would be good. I have no idea if they have anyone besides Granny Taylor. I need my old black skirt and the dark green calico blouse.”
Etta had her dressed in a flash. Laura hurried back down the main stairs while Etta raced down the back staircase to collect supplies.
“We need to wait for Etta,” Laura told Will. “She’s going along to see if she can help as well.”
They found Granny upstairs at the Vogel residence. “Granny, we’re here to help,” Laura announced. “Etta and I both have midwife experience.”
“Praise God! Jed’s been driving me back and forth to see to Melody and Marybeth, but Edward doesn’t fare as well as Charlie. When I leave Marybeth, he just about wears a hole in the rug by their bed. Poor Marybeth can hardly rest for his questions about whether she’s all right. If you’d stay here, Laura, I’ll take Etta and go check on Melody,” the older woman suggested. “That way both women will have a woman with them who knows what to do.”
“I’d be happy to do that,” Laura replied, and Etta nodded her approval.
Laura looked at Edward, who seemed fit to be tied. “Will can even keep Edward occupied.” She smiled at Will. “Maybe you two could play a game of checkers or something.”
“Granny, are you sure she’s doing all right?” Edward asked, not seeming to hear the mention of checkers.
“She’s doing very well. Better than many women I’ve tended,” Granny replied, giving Edward a pat on the shoulder. “Now, you go keep Will company, and, Laura, come with me.”
They went to the bedroom where Marybeth was laboring. “She’s still got a ways to go. Melody is progressing a little faster, and I need to get back to her,” Granny told Laura. She went to check Marybeth and show Laura the progress.
“I know exactly what to do. I helped attend a delivery when I was back at the college.”
Granny nodded and looked to Marybeth. “How are the pains?”
“Persistent. How’s Edward doing?”
“As expected. He’s terrified, and I’ve not been able to calm him much.”
“Poor man,” Marybeth said, shaking her head. “I know this is his worst nightmare, whereas it’s my happiest dream. I’m glad you suggested we send Carrie to play with the neighbors. Mrs. Greeley said she’d keep Carrie all night if need be. I know Carrie won’t mind that. They have a new litter of puppies to play with.”
Laura admired the woman for her concern about everyone else, even while enduring labor. She hoped one day the same could be said of her if she had a child.
“I’m going to go see Melody, but Laura is going to stay with you. She’s fully trained and probably better at this than I am,” Granny said. “She knows all the new and modern ways of dealing with childbirth.”
Laura moved closer to the head of the bed while Etta stayed by the door. “I think your old tried-and-true methods are perfect, Granny.”
The older woman covered Marybeth and nodded. “Well, they’ve served me well in over fifty deliveries through all these years. Now, you keep doing what you’re supposed to, Marybeth, and I’ll get back as soon as possible. Try to rest as much as you can in between contractions.”
“I will, Granny. Why don’t you send Edward in to see me? I want to reassure him as best I can.”
“I’ll do that.” Granny took up her bag and headed out the door. Etta followed after her.
It was only a matter of seconds before Edward was in the open doorway. “Are you all right?”
“I’m doing fine, my love. Please try not to fret so much. I know you’re worried, but my delivery is nothing like Janey’s, and everything is going very well.”
Edward moved to the bedside and took hold of her hand. “I can’t help my fears. I keep praying and asking the Lord to help me through, but I prayed when it was Janey in the bed too.”
Marybeth smiled. “All we can do is trust that God has this, Edward. Worrying won’t change a thing. Just know that I love you and am happier than I’ve ever been. I wouldn’t change a single thing.”
His worried expression softened. “I know. I love you too. I just don’t think I could bear losing you.”
“You aren’t going to lose me.” She grimaced and let go of his hand to grab her swollen abdomen. “Contraction.”
Edward frowned and looked to Laura. Laura smiled. “Everything is fine. Why don’t you go back out and keep Will company? He knows very little about these things and probably wonders what’s happening. We’ll be just fine here.”
