Judith’s neck muscles tightened. She had no idea what to do for a woman giving birth, and Doris was little better.
“We’ll get word to the midwife,” Judith said, her voice coming out a little breathy.
“I’d rather wait for the doc—” Mary’s words broke off, and she groaned, clutching her stomach.
“You don’t have a choice,” Doris said firmly. “If your baby is coming, you need someone besides myself and Judith to be here with you.”
The youngsters now huddled together, watching the women. A chill ran down Judith’s spine. Marshall’s first wife had never recovered from Lydia’s difficult childbirth and had died a few weeks later. What if something went wrong with Mary’s delivery? The children mustn’t be here.
Judith exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Doris. She would be the best with the children, but she would also be the most calming support for Mary. Judith realized that, as little as her experience was with children, it must fall on her. But what would she do?
“Perhaps the hotel?” Doris asked, squeezing out a cloth.
The hotel. Yes. They sold cookies there, and Florence and Lydia always looked forward to the treat.
“Children,” Judith said, “where are your outdoor things? We should make a visit to the hotel to see what kinds of cookies they might have.”
“Cookie,” the youngest child, a boy she guessed must be about two, repeated.
All the children but the oldest jumped to their feet and hurried over to where their coats hung near the door. Matthew glanced worriedly at his mother, but Doris took his hand.
“There’s nothing you can do here, and Miss Judith will need your help with the others. With your father gone today, you’re the man of the house. Are you up to it?”
Matthew stood a little taller, and Judith found her eyes prickling at the boy’s bravery. He ran to help the others get their coats on.
“Mary,” Judith asked, “where in Worland is your husband going? Perhaps I could send him a telegram with word to come home right away.”
“It’s such a long trip. If he has to return early, he’ll have to go again and could be gone over Christmas.”
Judith exchanged glances with Doris again. She shot the oldest boy a quick glance and then looked back at Judith, making a subtle motion like a salute. Was this a hint about a game Doris played with her scholars?
“All right, Captain Matthew,” Judith said, trying to sound like a general, “let’s get your troops in order and head to the hotel for those cookies.”
He gave her a crisp salute, and she did her best to return it. Judith picked up the youngest child and settled him on her hip, while Matthew took the hands of his other brother and sister. He led the way out the door, and she glanced over her shoulder to Doris and mouthedthank you.
As Judith was making her way with the children down the road to the hotel, she recognized one of the Lucky L sleighs coming toward them with Luke at the reins. A sense of relief hit her powerful enough to bring tears to her eyes. She waved him over, though he was already slowing the team.
“Well, what have we here?” he asked. “I was disappointed to find I missed you when you stopped by the house.”
“I’m leading the troops to the hotel, sir,” Matthew said, his chest puffed with importance.
“Would you like a ride?” Luke asked, already jumping down. The children all cried out in the affirmative, and he took the little boy from Judith. “Look how much you’ve grown, Master Clarence.”
“As if you don’t see him every week at church,” Judith whispered to Luke as she helped little Ruth into the sleigh.
“But they grow so fast.” Luke winked but, looking at Judith more closely, he frowned. He didn’t say more until the children were settled. As he held out his hands to lift Judith into the sleigh, he whispered, “Is something wrong with Mary?”
“Her baby appears to be coming.” Judith explained the problems.
Luke turned thoughtful as he spread a blanket over Judith’s lap. Once he’d taken the reins, he said, “After I drop you all off, I’ll check with the sheriff. I remember him saying his sister has some experience with birthings.”
“Will you be able to collect her?” Judith asked. “Mary’s pains were coming pretty quickly, and I’m worried Doris might be there with her by herself when it happens.”
“Haven’t you noticed my sister is tougher than she seems?” Luke asked, as they drove down the long street.
“Yes, she is.” Once again, Judith’s inadequacies for the task weighed on her.
“Oh, look. There’s Abe.” Luke shouted, “Hey, sheriff.”
