Even though Ruth had gained a good 25 pounds due to the pregnancy, Kid was still able to lift her and hurry with her over the short distance they'd walked, ignoring her protests that she could walk.

"Get the midwife!" he shouted to Rosa as they burst through the door.

He laid her on the bed up in their room. "How are you feeling?"

"Still having pain, but it's nothing to worry about. Babies rarely come quick."

He alternately wrung his hands and smoothed her hair. "Where is that midwife?" he asked though it'd only been a couple minutes.

"On her way, I'm sure," she answered.

There was a knock on the door not too long after that. "It's about time," he said, running to answer it.

The midwife was a short, squat woman who seemed to wear a permanent frown, but she gave off the air of knowing what she was doing.

"I insist on looking at her alone," she said, waving a plump, wrinkled hand in his direction. "A birthing room is no place for a man."

Who did the lady think she was, Kid thought. He wasn't going anywhere. It was his wife and child and he intended on being there for the birth.

"It's okay, Kid," Ruth assured him. "I'll call if I need you."

He did want her looked at right away and arguing with the midwife right now was going to prolong that examination, so he reluctantly went out into the hallway. Kid paced outside the door, listening for the least little sign that Ruth wanted him in there. "Ridiculous," he muttered. "What is she going to look at that I haven't already seen?"

He didn't have to wait long though. About 5 minutes and the midwife was opening the door. "False alarm. It's very common thing for the mother to think she is going into labor when she gets her first pains, especially if it's her first child. I told your wife what to look for, but if either of you have any concerns at all, I'll be more than happy to come."

Ruth thanked her since Kid didn't and the woman left for home.

"She's nice," Ruth said with a tired sigh.

"Nice, my foot. I don't care what that midwife says. When you get ready to deliver, I'm going to be right by your side holding your hand."

"That's sweet," she said, reaching out for his hand.

He took it and a rap sounded on the door. "Can I come in?" Rosa asked.

"Go ahead," Kid answered.

Rosa came in, carrying a bowl of mutton with peppers and onions that smelled wonderful and a glass of milk. "I brought supper to you."

"I could've come down there," Ruth said, sitting up, so she could take it from her.

"Now none of that. The midwife said this is the best thing for you. Maybe a short little walk once a day, but you shouldn't be going up and down the stairs since your time is nearing."

Kid shot Ruth a look of disapproval since she hadn't shared that little tidbit. He wasn't too pleased with the midwife either, giving the instructions to Rosa instead of him.

Kid thanked Rosa for bringing it up and then settled into the lone wooden chair in the room after dragging it over to the bedside.

"Ain't you going to get something to eat?" Ruth wanted to know.

"I'll get something later. I'd rather stay with you."

When she was finished, he took her bowl and glass and set it on the dresser.

"I think the birth of our country is going to come before the birth of this baby," Ruth complained, easing back down against the pillows.

"Which reminds me I got a hold of some firecrackers. We definitely have to celebrate big this year now that Arkansas' a state."

"I reckon we'll be the only ones celebrating. I wonder if there are any other Americans here in Santa Fe who might like to get together on the fourth. Have a little picnic or something?"

"That's an idea, but I doubt you're going to be up to a picnic and I ain't going without you."

"Do you want a boy or a girl?" Ruth asked suddenly.

"I don't care."

"You don't care?" she asked, sounding more than a little annoyed.

He couldn't ever seem to say or do the right thing lately; she either burst into tears or got angry with him. He started to bring a hand toward her, intending to comfort her.

"Get your hands away from me! That's what got me in this condition to begin with."

His hand froze midair. He didn't know whether to laugh or not. The subject went back to the topic of gender.

"You want a boy, don't you?" she accused. "All men do, I guess. Somebody they can teach to be like them."

"Well, I don't. I know a lot of men say that, but I mean it. I'm just happy that the Lord decided to bless us with a child, boy or girl."

She calmed. "I'm sorry. I know I'm acting like a crazy person. It's not you. It's not even me. I just need this baby out already."

"I understand." And he did. He knew pregnant women's moods were as unpredictable as which way the wind was going to blow. "You want your shoes off?" he asked, seeking her permission before he touched her this time.

She smiled. "That would be mighty nice. Ain't no way I'm getting to my feet right now."

He smiled back at her and pulled her stockings off too. He picked up the bottom of her right foot and started with the top of her foot working his way down to her sole then he worked his way back up again.

"Mmm. That feels good."

He made small circles, using the gentlest of touches. Then started the whole process over with her left foot.

"If I wasn't in love with you already," she teased, eyes closed in a complete state of relaxation. "I'd be in love with you now."

"Is anything else bothering you?" he asked in a low, rumbly voice that served to relax her further.

"Well, now that you mention it, my back's bothering me a little bit."

She turned over onto her side. He started at the nape of her neck and worked his way down to her hips, rubbing her back as gently as he had her feet.

"Better?" he asked, kissing the back of her neck.

"Much. Thank you, honey. You're the miracle worker." She sighed as she turned back over. "I don't know how long I'm going to able to stand laying here like a beached whale. I've never been very good at doing nothing.".

"I'll keep you company," he promised. He puckered lips and she tilted her head upward for a quick peck. "Time'll pass quicker than you think."

"I hope so."

Rosa brought Kid his supper too. When he got finished, he read to Ruth from the Bible until the sun went down. Her eyes were shut, but her breathing wasn't deep. "You still awake, baby?" he asked in a whisper.

"Yeah. I can't sleep."

"You want me to leave you? Am I keeping you awake?"

"No. You know how I have trouble getting to sleep anyway with my mind feeling like it's constantly in a whirl most days, but since this pregnancy, it's practically impossible."

He went over and got his guitar and began a slow melody.

She looked at him tenderly. "You're the best husband in the world."

"It helps when you've got the best wife," he said, returning the sweet words before beginning the words to the song.

"Believe me if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Where to change tomorrow and fleet in my arms
Like fairy gifts fading away!
Then would'st still be ador'd as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will;
And around the dear ruin, each wish of my heart,
Would entwine itself verdantly still.

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheek unprofaned by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known
To which time will but make thee more dear!
Oh! the heart that has truly lov'd never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turn'd when he rose!"