“Go on,” Marybeth managed to say between clenched teeth.
Edward headed for the door. He paused only a moment to give her one more glance. “I’ll be here if you need me.”
Laura went to the door. “She’ll be just fine. Try to rest. Once this baby gets here, you’re both going to be busy.”
Edward left, and Laura returned to Marybeth, who was still breathing heavily. “When I helped with one of the deliveries, the mother said the Lord’s Prayer with each contraction. She said it helped with the pain. I don’t know if it really does, but I figure anything is worth trying.”
Perspiration beaded on Marybeth’s forehead, and Laura took up a wet cloth to wipe it away.
“I was ... with ... my stepmother ... when she had Carrie.” Marybeth writhed as if trying to escape the pain.
“I remember you telling me that Carrie was actually your little sister but had only ever known you as mother.”
“Yes ... my stepmother died shortly ... after her ... birth.” A moan escaped her lips. “I’m trying so hard ... to be ... quiet. Edward...”
“That’s all right, Marybeth. I understand. I know he’s very worried.”
Marybeth met Laura’s gaze and nodded. From her expression, Laura could tell the pain was worse than ever.
“Something is happening,” Marybeth said. “I feel like I must push.”
“Let me check and see.” Laura moved the covers away. The baby had indeed progressed much quicker than she or Granny had expected. “Yes, you are very close to delivering. Did Granny explain what we’re going to do?”
“Yes, she told me a great deal.” Another moan rose up, and Marybeth clasped her hands over her mouth.
“It’s all right. You moan or cry out if need be. Edward will be just fine.”
Thirty minutes later, no one was hearing anything but the cries of a healthy baby boy. Laura worked quickly to clear his mouth and nose before plopping him in Marybeth’s arms. She tied off the umbilical cord near the boy’s belly and put another tight tie a few inches from that before taking scissors to cut the cord.
With the baby free, Laura brought a towel to wrap him and took him to where Granny had pitchers of water waiting and a basin for washing the infant. Laura marveled at the way the water seemed to calm the child. He looked up at her with wide blue eyes.
Behind her, someone knocked on the door. No doubt it was Edward. “Give us a few minutes, and you can come in,” she called.
She hurried to finish the baby’s bath, then wrapped him up without bothering to dress him.
“You’ve a fine little son,” she told Marybeth. “You hold him while I get you finished up. I have a feeling Edward isn’t going to wait for long.”
Marybeth laughed and cried at the same time. “No. I think he’s more than ready to greet his boy.”
With everything done for Marybeth that could be done, Laura asked Will to take her to Melody and Charlie’s house. They arrived to the sound of a baby’s cries, and Laura realized she was too late to help with this infant’s delivery.
They were ushered inside by Charlie, who looked rather pale and uncertain. “I don’t know what the baby is, but the lungs sound good.”
Laura laughed. “We’ve just come from Edward and Marybeth’s, where I helped her deliver a fine son.”
“A boy for Edward?” Charlie’s mouth broke into a huge grin. “Well, isn’t that grand?”
Laura moved past Charlie. “I’ll see if I can be of help with the babe. Where are they?”
“Upstairs and to the right,” Charlie instructed.
Laura followed the sound of Granny’s voice as she went on and on about the size of the baby compared to Melody’s petite frame.
“Why, he’s half grown,” Granny said as Laura entered the room.
“Another boy, Granny?” Laura asked, looking to where Etta was gathering up towels.
Granny looked surprised to see her. “Another?”
