Chapter 7

The following few days were busy for both Susan and Adam. He involved with upgrading two of their line shacks and she working in the surgery.

Susan even went on a home visit with Paul, who was looking after a mother-to-be. He introduced her to Mary Donovan and they hit it off straight away. Paul could see that Mary seemed more relaxed with Susan around. And Susan was so good with her.

"When are you expecting your baby, Mrs Donovan?" She asked.

"In about three weeks."

"Oh, that's wonderful. You won't know yourself once baby is born. Any names ready yet?"

"Yes, if it's a boy, Thomas, after his father and Carol if it's a girl."

"Both such lovely names."

"How would you feel if Susan here came out next week to see you, instead of me," Paul said, "she is my assistant now, and any sign of a problem, she'll send for me."

"That sounds just fine. I'll look forward to your visit, Miss Susan."

"You're welcome. By the time I get here I know I'll be in need of a cup of coffee."

"Right, it's on order. See you soon."

As they left, Paul told Susan her presence really helped Mary relax. She had been so nervous for quite a while now. I'd appreciate it if you would be with her at the birth."

"I'd love to."

"Been at a delivery before?" He asked.

"Yes, Paul, quite a few."

"You've certainly gained a lot of experience."

"Yes I suppose so."

"Well, whatever, we sure make a good team."

….

Adam meanwhile, was working alongside Hoss, who was trying to get Adam to talk about things, especially now, as Adam was clearly not himself and he knew the reason why. SUSAN.

"So, how's Susan doin' in town?" He asked.

"How should I know? She avoids me if she sees me coming, but I hear Paul is happy with his 'assistant'."

"She's doin' well then, ain't she?"

"I believe so. Paul tells me she's a true asset. I'm glad for her. She's doing some good in the world."

"When did you see her last, Adam?"

"A while. She even avoided the dance last Saturday."

"Why aren't you askin' her out, say for dinner?"

"The last time I did just that, she told me she had a case to go to."

"Doesn't Paul give her time off?"

"Oh I'm sure he does, but she's keeping well away from me."

No wonder Adam was down, Hoss thought. I'll have to talk to Joe and sort something out.

Two weeks later Susan was once again at the Donovan Farm, having coffee with Mary. Mary was complaining of being uncomfortable sitting down and kept standing up and walking around, then sitting down again.

"I don't think it'll be too long now Mary. Your discomfort is a sure sign."

"Really! How would you know that? You had a baby yourself have you?"

"No, but I'm living in hope."

"Do you have a man friend?" Mary felt she was asking a dear friend. They had become quite close over the last couple of weeks.

"Sort of, but he doesn't know it yet." Susan laughed, and Mary joined her. Then suddenly…..

"Ooooh!" From Mary as she stood.

"Mary, your waters have broken. You're about to have your baby. I'll get you settled then go for Dr Martin."

"Oh please, don't leave me, send Tom. He'll go."

"Okay. I'll go find him as soon as I get you settled."

A little while later as Mary was resting in bed, Tom had rushed off to fetch Dr Martin and Susan was busy cleaning up and then started preparing everything that would be needed.

Looking around the sparsely furnished room waiting for the water to boil, Mary thought they certainly didn't have much. With only a table and two chairs, she assumed food preparation and eating was all done at this one table. The room was quite dark with only one window for light and the wooden interior didn't help. The amenities were also sparse and Susan wondered how people survived on so little. The bedroom was the same, practically void of furniture. Just the bed and a wardrobe. Not even a dressing table, she thought. With the baby coming, this family could do with some help. A building up of Tom Donovan's business would help. And Mary could do with assistance in the house. Perhaps Adam…..no, no, not Adam. But then who else was there? "Oh dear," she cried out loud, I think grovelling might be involved here, she thought, with a sigh.

Suddenly a yell from the bedroom brought Susan back to reality and she raced into the bedroom. The frightened face of Mary brought Susan straight to her side.

"There will be pain off and on, for a while, they're called contractions. Did your mother never speak to you about having babies?"

"No Susan. My mother died early in my life and I was raised by my uncle. He was unmarried."

"Had you lost your father too?"

"Yes, I never knew him, they had only been married for four months and he had an accident and was killed. Just me and my mother until I was about six, I think, then my uncle took over."

"Oh, I'm so sorry Mary. But, Mary, I'm here now and I'm going to explain everything to you.

"How can you know all this if you haven't had a baby?"

"I've attended many women who were having babies and all you are experiencing is normal. Now you must learn to pant and when the time comes, you'll be ready.

An hour later Tom returned, alone.

"Where's Dr Martin, Tom?" Susan asked anxiously, taking him outside of the house.

"He's out on a case, but I left word for him to come here as soon as he could."

"Tom, Mary is due any time now. But we'll manage, you and I, you hear me?"

"Yeh, Susan. What would we do without you?"

"You'd manage. But right now I need you to be strong for Mary. Are you ready?"

"Yep," he said boldly, then quietly, "I hope so."

"Just a few instructions and then we'll be ready to welcome your son or daughter into the world."

An hour later, they welcomed baby Stephen Thomas into the world. Mary was crying with joy. Tom was cleaning the baby.

"You did wonderfully, Mary. Congratulations on your baby boy. He's just beautiful."

"Oh, there's a buggy," Mary said through her tears.

"Must be Dr Martin. Won't he have a surprise. I'll just go and let him in." Susan said as she made her way to the front door. Smiling she welcomed Paul, saying, "You're a bit late I'm afraid."

"Baby already here?"

"Yep, but obviously you'll need to check baby Stephen Thomas and Mary. While you're doing that I'll get some food and coffee going."

"Thank you, Susan." Paul then disappeared into the bedroom and within seconds Tom had been sent out.

"Congratulations, Tom. You have a lovely baby boy and Mary is just fine. She'll need love and care for a little while, but then she'll be right back to normal."

"Thanks for everything you done for us."

"My pleasure. Mary told me you were going to name the baby Thomas, after you."

"I changed her mind. It would only cause confusion both being called Thomas, so we decided giving him my name, but as a second name."

"Makes sense." Susan said in agreement. Now, come, help me prepare some food and coffee."

"Okay."

….

A few weeks had just flown by. Susan was so enjoying her work, work that kept her so busy she didn't have time to think, but on this day she was sat out on the porch watching to see if Adam should come by. But she had been waiting all morning and he never came, so she asked Paul if it would be alright to go to the café for a coffee and a bite to eat as she had missed lunch. He agreed whole-heartedly. Why don't you take the afternoon off, he'd said. And so Susan made her way over to the café.

It was while she was looking out of the café window that she saw Adam ride by as he made his way to the mail office. When she saw him returning she raced out of the café.

"Adam," she yelled. "Hang on a minute."

Adam stopped Sport and looked back around. "Well, hello there." He dismounted and walked Sport over to where Susan stood.

"Anything wrong?" He asked.

"No, not really. I just wanted to speak to you about a project I'm interested in. Would you care to join me for a coffee, so we can talk?"

"Sounds good." So they made their way back across to the café.

Once the coffee had arrived Susan took a deep breath and said, "Adam, before I tell you what is on my mind, I need to apologise to you for all that has gone on before."

"You really do need my help then, or do you really mean it?" He said.

"Both, I suppose. I realise all you've been trying to do all this time is help me and I've done nothing but fight you. I'm real sorry."

"I accept your apology. Now what is it you want to talk to me about?"

"Well not too long ago I attended a birth at the Donovan Farm. They are a couple so very much in love."

"And…," Adam butted in.

"They're struggling and I'd like to help them if I can."

"By doing what?"

"I was hoping to be able to coerce you into using your talent for organisation. They have quite a large acreage plot of land behind their home that could be used to enhance their business."

"What is his business?"

"Tom sells eggs and some vegetables and does odd jobs around town. They don't have much money and now with this new baby, times are going to be very hard for them and I want to help them. Can you think of something? Susan asked, practically all in one breath.

"You can breath now." Adam said smiling at her. "It seems to me that he needs a helping hand, but I'm not the person to help here."

"Oh." Susan said, disappointment showing on her face.

"But…," Adam smiled at her, …"I know someone who can."

"Who's that?" She said eagerly.

"Hop Sing. He runs our gardens wonderfully well and I think he is the one to advise us."

"There is one major problem, Adam. I don't have much money to offer, what with saving to pay you back, but I can help physically."

"That won't be necessary."

"But….."

"No buts. Please do not argue with me, or I'll not help you."

"Giving me orders again, I see." But this time Susan gave Adam a smile. "Alright, thank you."

"Right. Let's meet again tomorrow at the Donovans at say 10 o'clock. Can you manage that?"

"Yes. I'll ask Paul if it's okay for me to have tomorrow off too. I think he'll agree when he hears what's going on."

"Tomorrow too?"

"Um, well Paul gave me this afternoon off."

"I see." He grimaced. Had she been lying all this time, saying how busy she was. But he relaxed and asked, "How are you doing, working with Paul?"

"Very well. We're getting on very well."

"Okay then, I've one request."

"Request?" Susan anxiously questioned.

"Yes. If I speak with Hop Sing, I want your word that you will tell me about your life. I'm very interested in knowing about you and what brought you here to us."

"That's called blackmail."

"Correct. But I do it out of concern for you."

"So you say. I just intrigue you and you like answers."

"Correct again. So will you allow me to treat you to dinner, once we've organised what to do to help the Donovans?" Adam stretched across the table and touched Susan's hand, giving her one of his most wonderful smiles. She loved him in that moment.

"I'll think about it," she replied.