Montana Dawn (19 page)

Luke knocked softly on Matt’s door. Swinging it open, he let Faith step in before him.

Charity was the first to greet them. She blanched when she
saw Luke’s face and hid her mouth behind her hand. “What happened to you?”

Matt gave a long whistle, stepping out from his bedroom. His brows shot up in question.

Luke answered with a knowing look. A moment later he asked, “Find out anything more about the bull?”

“No. Nobody saw anything, and the one you’re wondering about has an alibi of sorts. Said he was playing cards with that Cheyenne scout who lives in the area, Eagle Gray. I wasn’t able to find Eagle this morning, but I have word out for him to report in.”

Luke nodded toward the bedroom. “How’s Rachel?”

“Just getting started. I’m going to ride out and inform Mark.” At Luke’s surprised look, Matt laughed. “Don’t worry, little brother, he’s not far. Besides, if the delivery goes like the other two, I’ve got lots of time.”

After Matt’s departure, Amy came hurrying out of the bedroom. “I thought I heard your voice!” She gave Faith a hug. “How are you?”

“Fine. How are
you
?” Faith replied.

Amy smiled and turned, pulling her off to the side. “I’m just fine…No,” Luke heard her whisper, strangely excited. “I’m better than fine.”

“I’m just going to poke my head in and say hello,” he said to no one in particular. Neither Faith nor Amy answered; they were too busy chatting, so he took Dawn from Faith and went into Rachel’s bedroom.

“Luke,” Rachel said breathlessly on the tail end of a contraction. “Your poor, handsome face. What happened?”

“Got into a fracas, but I’ll live.”

“I thought you gave up your fighting ways.” She smiled affectionately and patted the side of her bed. “Is that Dawn you have there?”

He nodded.

“Bring her here so I can see her.”

Next to the bed Luke bent down so Rachel could see the child. The baby stared back, blue eyes shining.

Rachel held her breath. “Isn’t she beautiful? Like a little angel.”

Luke laughed. “You’re just used to boys.”

“May I hold her?”

Luke handed the baby over. Within moments Dawn started to fuss and Rachel said, “Here, take her back. I don’t want to upset her.”

Oddly, as soon as Dawn was back in his arms, she quieted. Her eyes were brimming with tears ready to fall, and her little lower lip was shaking. As silly as it felt, Luke was moved that she seemed to want to be held by him.

Faith watched from the doorway as Rachel handed her crying child back to Luke. Tenderness shone from his one good eye, an expression which you’d only expect to see from a new father.

She rapped gently on the doorjamb. “May I come in?”

“Of course,” Rachel said.

Approaching the bed, Faith stopped next to Luke. She suddenly felt a little foolish for gathering the bouquet she held behind her back. “I brought these for you,” she admitted, producing the scraggily bunch of greenery.

“You’re sweet. Thank you.”

“How’re you feeling?”

“I’m fine. My pains are coming about every ten minutes or so, and Matt’s going to send one of the men to town to fetch Dr. Handerhoosen.”

Faith eyed Luke. “A doctor? How wonderful. I’m glad to hear you’re going to have plenty of help.”

“He was here to help with Billy,” Rachel informed her, “though I had Adam on my own, with the help of Claire and Charity. The doc was tied up and came out the following day.” She lay back on her pillow, a smile on her lips. Soon her
smile faded and she closed her eyes, a contraction rippling through her body and making her stomach stretch taut. After a few tense seconds, though, her smile reappeared.

“She’s so good at this,” Faith exclaimed. “I was so out of control.”

“You weren’t out of control,” Luke replied, rocking Dawn. “As a matter of fact, I was quite impressed at how in control you seemed to be. Particularly considering that you were alone apart from Colton in the most hellish downpour I’ve seen in fifteen years.”

“Well, I’m just glad it’s over,” Faith said. “It’s one experience I don’t—”

Rachel interrupted before she could finish. “Yes, you will. Because what you get in the end more than outweighs the pain and worry you have to go through.”

“Come on, Faith,” Luke said. “Let’s let Rachel get a little sleep before her labor sets in.” He touched her arm while giving Rachel an encouraging smile. “We’ll be waiting in the front room.”

I
T
was well past six o’clock. Luke had taken Dawn back to the main house so Faith could stay and help with Rachel, whose labor was now very active. Both he and Rachel had assured Faith that Esperanza had plenty of experience looking after infants, and that Dawn would be in expert hands.

“I’m warming some soup for the men,” Charity called from the kitchen. “Would you like some?”

Faith’s stomach knotted. She could no more eat than run naked through the house. Rachel’s contractions were powerful. Sweat was running down the sides of her face, and the
bedsheets were soaked. The woman’s eyes, clouded with pain, were dull with exhaustion.

Soon after Matt had ridden off to find Mark, Rachel had switched from calm and comfortable to full-blown labor, a reaction forceful enough to indicate the whole process was starting in earnest. Since then, Matt had returned, saying Roady was on his way to fetch Doc and would be back just as soon as possible. Amy had become withdrawn and nervous when Rachel’s labor became hard, and she had taken the children over to the big house. Luke had also returned.

Mopping a cool rag across Rachel’s forehead, Faith squelched the impulse to shiver. Soon it would be time for Rachel to push, and she’d feel better if Mrs. McCutcheon would hurry up and get back from town. Faith couldn’t shake a niggling feeling eating away at her insides.

Where was that darned doctor, anyway? Luke had said he would be arriving anytime. He was no doubt tied up with someone else, because he’d been expected long ago.

“Push,” Rachel gasped out. “I need to push.”

Faith was jarred from her thoughts. Adrenaline shot through her. She wiped Rachel’s face and smiled. “That’s good. Just wait for one minute. I’ll be right back.” She doubted Rachel even heard, for her eyes were closed and she was in the middle of another contraction.

Trying to calm herself, Faith hurried into the other room. The men were eating, discussing the possibilities of the new herd of cattle and what it was going to do for their existing breeding program. The lantern on the table cast a warm golden light and also the men’s shadows onto the rough log walls.

Mark ripped off a piece of bread and passed it to Luke. Both men were totally absorbed in their conversation, as if Faith and Rachel were just in the other room having a tea party. Faith suppressed the urge to kick them in the shins.

“She’s wanting to push now.” She knew her voice sounded
panicky, but that was the least of her concerns. “Where is the doctor?”

Matt smiled up from his seat at the table. “Relax, Faith, Rachel is an expert at this by now. She pops ’em out like kittens.”

Luke didn’t look quite as sure. He stood. “Anything you need me to do, Faith?”

Yes! Hold me and tell me everything is going to be fine.
But she couldn’t say that.

His very presence was enough to give her courage. She wished he could come in the other room with her; he was the one with the experience at delivering. She’d been something of a reluctant participant.

“Let me wash up and I’ll help,” Charity said. “I’m plenty old enough now.”

Faith couldn’t help taking the opportunity for a jibe. “If you do that, who will keep the men busy, so they won’t worry?” She directed her remark at Matt, who was clearly enjoying his bowl of soup.

Luke smiled.

Faith and Charity exchanged a knowing look, then returned in haste to Rachel’s side. Faith took her hand. The woman cried out and grasped her belly. Her eyes searched the room wildly. “Is Dr. Hander…?” She groaned and panted, leaving the name unfinished. “Is he here? I need to push.”

Faith stroked her face. “Not yet, Rachel, but he will be any minute. You just hang on, all right?”

Faith hurried back into the kitchen. “We’re going to have to deliver this baby on our own.”

Matt stood and wiped his hands on his pants, Mark and Luke following suit. “You sure?” he asked. The words were hard, his face a mask.

“Yes. She wants to start pushing. I can’t help but be worried. I’d feel better if the doctor were here.”

Mark crammed his hat on his head, heading for the door.
“I’ll go get that damn doctor myself. Do what you can till I get back.”

At Rachel’s moan, Faith returned to her bedside and brushed the woman’s hair from her face.

Matt followed, throwing all sensibilities to the wind. He came into the room to be with his wife, and upon seeing him, Rachel’s eyes widened; she was frightened what his presence might mean. Crying out softly, she reached for him, and he took her in his arms.

“Oh, Matt.” Her lips formed the words but her voice was barely a whisper.

“Shh, sweetheart. It’s going to be fine. I promise.” His agonized gaze met Faith’s over Rachel’s head. “It’s just like…the other times, with Billy and…” Matt’s voice cracked and he was unable to finish his sentence. Faith kept her eyes trained on Rachel’s limp hand that she held in her own.

Silence loomed between contractions like a big, ugly monster just waiting for Rachel to run out of energy and give up. Faith could hear Luke pacing from the front of the house to the back, stopping briefly each time Rachel cried out. And poor Charity was scared to death; Faith could tell the girl wanted to help but there was nothing she could do.

Faith lifted the sheet and glanced underneath. She stifled a gasp in her throat. “You’re doing fine,” she encouraged Rachel. “But see if you can hold off pushing just a little longer. The doctor will be here soon.” Voices signaled someone’s arrival. Faith ran out with Matt following. Charity stayed with Rachel.

Roady stood talking with Luke. Their conversation was heated.

“Where’s the doctor?” Matt barked.

“He’s out in his buggy,” Roady replied. “But he’s drunk as all get-out.”

“He’s not a drinking man!” The fear in Matt’s voice stilled Faith’s heart.

“He lost one of the Whipple girls two days ago. The family’s taking it hard. So is he. I took him over to the bathhouse and dipped him in a few times trying to sober him up. That’s what took us so long.”

Matt swiped his hand across his face, desperation radiating from every inch of his body. “Bring him inside.”

Within moments, Luke and Roady returned with the doctor hanging between them, his head drooping forward and his feet stumbling. They set him in a chair in the kitchen, with Roady holding him steady by the back of his collar.

Luke patted the man’s cheeks briskly and gave him a shake. “Doc, wake up,” he demanded.

Nothing.

“Damn it, Doc,” he tried again. “Wake up!”

“Luke, zzzsat you?” he slurred.

Faith pushed past. She had to do something. The baby could die. “Doctor! Please!” She shook his shoulders hard. “We need you!”

“It’s no use,” Matt said. “He won’t come around for hours. We need to handle this—”

“We can’t,” Faith said in a panic. “We need the doctor!”

Luke took her by her shoulders. “Why?”

“I saw the baby’s cord. It’s coming out first. All I know is that time is of the essence and if we don’t—”

Rachel cried out, stopping her in midsentence, and Charity ran into the room.

Matt’s face was white with fear. “How? How do you know this, Faith?”

Dread gripped Faith. Her first impulse was to run to the main house to check on Dawn. Anything to keep from saying what she needed to say. “Because when my friend Beatrice gave birth I was there. The midwife told me about what happens if the cord comes out first. If the weight of the baby pushes on it, the oxygen and other things get cut off.” Luke
was staring at her and she didn’t want to go on. “It’s very dangerous for the child.”

Luke gripped her shoulders tightly. “Then we must act quickly. Do you remember what she said?”

Faith nodded. “Get the weight of the baby off the cord. Just keep it from getting squashed during the delivery.” That sounded impossible, and by the looks of everyone’s faces they all felt the same.

Luke turned her to the sink. “Then let’s get you to it.”

At the sink, Faith scrubbed her hands quickly. “Come with me,” she begged, taking a deep, unsteady breath and looking to Luke.

Luke seemed to consider. At last he sighed. “I suppose under the circumstances Rachel won’t mind.”

I
N
the bedroom, Rachel was barely conscious.

Faith looked under the sheet, which was now stained red with blood, and examined the situation closely. The baby was crowning, the little head covered with brown hair, slick with moisture, was easy to recognize. The cord, pulsating and pink, snaked out beside the baby’s head and protruded out about a quarter inch. Faith took a deep breath and tried to calm her fright.

Matt hadn’t even flinched when Luke came in, and for that she was grateful. Luke’s brother seemed beyond caring, and with the next contraction his wife’s face contorted in pain and she screamed.

Faith reached down and carefully pushed the birth canal away from the baby, trying to make space for the cord. It pulsed
several times, then stopped. “Oh!” she cried. She looked up at Luke. “It’s a little purple.”

“Go on. You can do it.” His voice was steady. Resolved.

When the contraction passed and Rachel relaxed back onto Matt, Faith gently pressed on the baby’s head to try to get it to recede a tiny bit. With trembling fingers she wiggled and pulled to bring the cord up, to release pressure. It looked like it would have more room on the top of the baby. With a little more force she tried again. She needed to get this done before the next contraction.

“Good job, Faith, keep working.” She heard Luke’s encouraging words, but they sounded a thousand miles away. She glanced up to find Luke watching her. He nodded, never taking his gaze from hers. It gave her a modicum of strength.

Oh, Lord. Be with me now,
Faith thought.
I need your help.

As she worked, Faith realized with horror it would soon be time for another contraction. She must hurry, but she didn’t want to do anything that might hurt the baby. Up she moved it, but it slipped back down. The baby rotated and the umbilical cord was flattened.

Rachel cried out. The sheet covering her belly moved, her muscles contorted and Rachel bore down. Moments seemed like hours. The cord turned dark, and Faith felt that must be a very bad sign.

“Luke? I’m not sure what to do.”

Then Rachel relaxed again, wheezing out a small sob that was barely audible.

“Breathe,” Luke whispered.

Faith looked up at him, realizing only then that he’d been speaking to her. It gave her courage. With a little more force she pushed back on the head and with determination finagled until the rubbery tube slipped up and turned pink.

“I think I’ve got it! Now we need to get Rachel to push for all she’s worth.”

As Faith spoke, Luke was sure she was unaware of the tears that coursed down her face. She was so beautiful, so strong. She had no idea what a wonderful and compassionate woman she was. His heart felt full to overflowing with want, and he knew then he’d never love anyone else.

With the next contraction they all encouraged Rachel to push. The baby slipped halfway out. Faith gasped. “Almost there, Rachel, almost there. Keep it up!”

The baby fell into Faith’s hands a few minutes later. It was blue. Luke reached for the infant and gave it a quick smack on its bottom. The babe sucked in a breath and let out a cry. It didn’t take but a moment before its face was as pink as a ripe tomato.

Luke grinned like everyone else. “A filly of your own,” he said, looking at Matt and Rachel.

Charity hopped up from her chair and threw her arms around Faith. “You were wonderful!” Her face showed nothing but delight.

Extracting Faith from his sister’s arms, Luke lifted her into his own. He carried her into the other room and laid her on the sofa. She struggled to sit up, but he captured her lips with his, tasting their sweetness. Desire flashed through his body.

Nibbling at her lips he whispered, “See? You
are
the bravest woman on this earth. I’m proud of you.”

Roady cleared his throat, making Faith struggle all the harder.

“You should have seen her, Roady…” Luke’s voice trailed off as he sought to hide the thunderous emotions rumbling around inside him. “She was truly a sight to see.”

Several days passed, and Luke couldn’t stop thinking of what had happened with his sister-in-law and Faith. Not until today. Now he relaxed in the saddle and surveyed the new herd. This rich Montana grassland had once been home to thousands
of buffalo, animals that had grazed just like his own were now.

Pride filled him as he watched the crimson-colored Herefords with their characteristic white faces. It had been a long time in coming, this addition to his family’s stock. It had taken months to locate and purchase a herd appropriate to crossbreed with their previous mild-mannered red shorthorns and rangy Texas longhorns. If things went as expected, breeders would soon be coming from all over the country to see the result.

Luke heard a shout. Turning, he saw Charity riding in his direction. He hid his surprise when he saw Faith following very slowly on Buttercup. Not two days earlier she’d told him she was frightened of horses and didn’t want to learn to ride.

Seeing Faith with his sister reminded him again of the episode with Rachel. His sister-in-law continued to grow stronger, though she was still confined to her bed by Dr. Handerhoosen. Thank God things had turned out well. When the doctor had sobered up and heard everything that had happened, he’d been sick with remorse. He was having a hard time forgiving himself.

Luke had visited several times and marveled over the tiny baby girl whom Faith had delivered. Still astounded by the turn of events, he shook his head and couldn’t keep a smile from forming.

The situation with Ward was at a standstill. Without the testimony of Eagle Gray, Luke’s hands were tied. He’d lost the debate with his family of running him off, but it wouldn’t be long before he was healed enough to be able to ride on. That’s what Luke was waiting for.

Charity had said nothing about him and had not been seen with Ward again, and Luke hoped his words had sunk into that thick skull of hers. She didn’t seem particularly interested anymore, but would she be more careful where her reputation was concerned? Only time would tell.

“Mornin’,” Luke greeted the women. “Nice day for a ride.”

“It’s beautiful.” Faith fairly beamed with pleasure. Her eyes sparkled as she looked his way, and Luke had the urge to snag her off the saddle and roll her in the soft grass.

Charity looked down at the cattle in the valley. “I thought Faith needed to get out and enjoy the beauty of the ranch. Do you like it, Faith?”

“It’s breathtaking. I had no idea.”

Her words warmed Luke’s heart, feeding the hope he fought to keep at bay. This land was part of him. A very big part. She couldn’t want him without wanting the land, too. Then Luke mentally chastised himself. She hadn’t said anything about wanting him. Other than the kisses they’d shared, he had no more idea of what she was thinking now than a week ago. Plus, she was purposely making sure that they were never anywhere alone together. Still, with each passing day Faith stayed and didn’t go off to Priest’s Crossing and her job waiting there, Luke was a little more hopeful.

“These cattle look quite different from the others I’ve seen on the ranch,” Faith said.

“You’re right,” Luke answered, proud that she’d noticed. “This breed is entirely different from what we’ve bred in the past. They’re called Herefords.” He pointed. “See how that calf is strongly built at such an early age? This breed matures faster than the others. An animal that weighs the most at market time brings the most money.”

Charity smiled, too. “They are a sight, aren’t they? I especially love watching them graze.” Dramatically, she popped her forehead with the heel of her hand like she’d just remembered something important. “Silly me. I promised Rachel I’d help bathe the baby!” Then, wheeling her horse around, she loped off with the ease of an experienced horsewoman.

“Wait for me,” Faith called, fear crossing her face.

“Just ride home with Luke,” Charity shouted over her shoulder.

Luke could see Faith was gripping her saddle horn with white knuckles as Buttercup danced around. The horse tossed his head twice, then started off in the direction Charity had galloped.

“Pull the reins,” he told her.

Faith tried, but the reins were long and droopy and made no contact with the gelding’s mouth. Buttercup, sensing his rider had no control, was soon trotting after his companion as briskly as his old bones would go.

“Luke!” Faith screamed.

Luke loped up easily alongside her. He made no effort to stop her horse, just grinned.

“Stop him,” she begged.

She was in no danger of falling, not with him right there to grab her, so he continued riding alongside. “Promise me first.”

“What?”

“You’ll share the snack I have in my saddlebag.”

The old horse suddenly increased its pace, and Faith’s eyes grew as round as saucers. Luke grabbed her reins and brought both mounts to a stop.

Faith laughed, her eyes sparkling. “I never promised!”

“Darn it. I know. But, when you really got scared I couldn’t just let him keep going.”

She smiled. “All right. I’ll admit I am a bit hungry.”

Luke hid his feeling of good fortune. He’d have to thank Charity for bringing Faith out. Ever since Rachel’s difficult birth, she’d shown a new and friendly interest in the other woman. She was a good ally.

“How’s that spot look?” he asked, pointing back to where they’d first stood watching the herd. A cool breeze played with his hair and the sky was as blue as he pictured the endless ocean.

She shrugged. “Looks fine.”

Luke dismounted first and then helped Faith to the ground. They walked back in companionable silence until they
reached the grassy spot. After taking his canteen from the pommel and saddlebags from the saddle, Luke slipped the bridles free from both horses to let them graze.

“Won’t they run off?” Faith asked.

“They’re trained to stay put. At least mine is.” He gave her a wink. “If Buttercup decides to run home, I’ll let you ride with me.” He waggled his eyebrows, and Faith laughed.

Cross-legged on the ground, he waited for her to take a seat. He pretended to be looking around at the contents of his saddlebags, when truthfully his awareness of her was driving him loco. Sitting out here with Faith by his side, under the endless expanse of the sky, just the two of them, felt perfect. His blood fairly hummed through his body, making it difficult to concentrate.

“Here.” He handed Faith a strip of dried beef. Her expression was one of bewilderment as she looked at the withered morsel. “Go on. It’s good.”

Taking one himself, he ripped off a healthy portion and chewed with vigor. He smiled. She was trying to get a corner of the tough meet to rip off, but she wasn’t having much success. The harder she tried, the more he chuckled.

“Give it to me,” he finally said, purposely grazing her fingers with his own. He gripped her jerky with his teeth and ripped off a section, then placed it in her mouth. His fingers lingered a smidgen too long, and he watched as her eyes dilated.

“Tasty?”

She nodded, all the while chewing and looking out at the grazing cattle. The sight of her fueled his blood. She was his. Dawn was his. Why couldn’t she see it?

Taking his canteen, Luke unscrewed the cap and held it out to Faith. “Thirsty?”

“Yes, I guess I am.”

She took the canteen and enjoyed a small sip before handing it back. Luke held it to his mouth and took several long
gulps, all the while never taking his eyes from hers. He let his gaze drop to her lips and then lower.

He set the canteen in the grass next to him. Scooting closer to Faith, he tried to read her expression, her mood. As always, she was a mystery. Did she want him as much as he wanted her? Did the sight of him set her blood to coursing?

He had to know. Without words, he slowly laid her back in the soft, fragrant grass. He pulled free the pins that held her hair and let it flow around her shoulders.