Chapter Seven

"Adam, I have some business over at the bank before lunch," said Ben.

"We'll be going over to Doc Martin's when Shiloh is finished at the dress shop. Why don't we just meet you at the International House when we're finished?"

"Sounds good, Son," said Ben as he turned to make his way across the street.

Normally, Adam would have walked the few blocks to the dress shop, but that would mean that Shiloh would have to walk back to the buggy. He climbed in and drove, and when he arrived and opened the door, he removed his hat and called, "Hello?"

"Adam, is that you?" came Shiloh's voice, floating melodically from the back.

"None other," he replied.

She and Mrs. Lewis chatted all the way from the back door to the front counter. Looking at the pile of clothes on the counter, Adam said with a bright smile, "Well, I can see you two have been busy. How are you, Mrs. Lewis?"

"Oh, never better. I'm just so happy to see the Cartwright family growing again. It's been far too long. Adam, did you know I made some of Marie's dresses while she was carrying Little Joe?"

"Ah, no Ma'am, I didn't. But then, I was only twelve at the time."

"We were just homesteaders back then. I took in sewing to help make ends meet. Now Shiloh, these are the ones you decided to leave alone, so let's get these back in your bag. I'll have the buttons moved over on the rest of the skirts shortly, so you can come back on your way out of town to get those. That should last you at least a couple of weeks, and by that time, I'll have these dresses let out, and your new ones ready." Both women folded dresses to pack into the valise. "Oh, and let's not forget these," Mrs. Lewis said, moving boxes from the back counter onto the front."

"What's all this?" asked Adam.

Shiloh glanced up at him with a timid, but adorable dimpled smile. "Under things. I won't be able to wear what I have for very long. I'm afraid there's not much room to grow in them."

"I'll take these boxes to the buggy while you ladies finish up." Scooping up the boxes, Adam balanced them on one arm as he opened the door, and just as he was coming back in, Shiloh met him with her bag. Taking the bag, he waited for her to drape her shawl over her shoulders before he offered his arm.

"We'll be back in a few hours, Mrs. Lewis." Shiloh waved and stepped out the door.

As Adam helped her into the buggy, he said, "Next stop is Paul's." When he was seated, he turned to her before he reined the horses forward. "Nervous?"

"Not in the slightest," she replied, facing forward.

"You, my love, are lying," he quipped as they started down the street.

"Adam," greeted Paul. "This is a surprise." He took Shiloh's hand. "How are you, my dear?"

"We were hoping you could tell us that, Dr. Martin," she answered, smiling.

"We thought it might be easier for you if we came here instead of you taking several hours to come out to the house," explained Adam. "We know you have your hands full."

"Actually, Adam, it's not a bad idea. I really can't leave for any amount of time. I still have some injured men here. But I do have some time to talk to you both before lunch."

"Well, how about when we finish here, you join us at the International House. We're meeting Pa there."

"Splendid. Now, why don't you two come into my office," Paul said, stepping to the side and motioning for Shiloh to lead the way. He closed the door and turned. "I know that a doctor in Denver City pronounced you a mother-to-be. And I read that you fainted on stage. Why don't you have a seat here, Shiloh? Adam, pull up a chair," he said, walking behind his desk.

Shiloh took a deep breath before she spoke. "Yes, well, Dr. Westley advised that I limit my time on my feet until we could speak with you. I did pass out, but I think Dr. Westley was more concerned with my stomach discomfort."

"Were you singing when you fainted?"

"Yes, I was singing the song that closes my performance."

"It didn't happen to occur on that last note, did it?"

"Well, yes, it did."

Paul chuckled. "I'm not surprised. That last note takes a lot of air, and I'm sure you had depleted it by the time you got to the end."

Snickering, Shiloh said, "True."

"Any more stomach aches?"

"They're not really aches…more like the uncomfortable feeling I have just before my time."

"I don't think that's anything to worry about. Shiloh, your uterus is growing right along with the child you're carrying. That kind of discomfort is normal."

Turning her head toward Adam, she raised her chin and gave him a triumphant smile. He snorted and shook his head.

"Don't celebrate just yet. If it were possible for all the mothers I see to stay off their feet while they're expecting, I'd prescribe rest for every one of them. But for most women, it's just not. On the other hand, for you, it is. You have Ming Lin to take care of the cooking and the house. There's no reason you can't rest."

Her eyes widened, and she turned away, clenching her teeth.

"Now, don't panic. I know you're normally a busy woman. And I won't tell you that you can't continue to do some of the easier things you do. But I don't want you lifting saddles, or throwing hay, or cleaning hooves."

"What about riding?"

"I'd prefer that you didn't."

She bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling while Adam listened intently.

"Dr. Martin, you don't understand. If you give me any restrictions, Adam will have me confined to bed."

"That isn't necessary," Paul chuckled. "Unless you over do it."

Adam reached over and took her hand. "Paul, want can she do?"

"Well, I don't see a need to restrict her time on her feet just yet, but I don't want her to do anything strenuous. She can still groom her horses as long as she does no lifting, she can still sing, though I'd stay away from those long, high notes, and if she goes anywhere, I'd prefer she go in a buggy or a buckboard with springs. And taking walks will only do her good. In a few months, Shiloh, you won't be able to get up on a horse anyway. You'll be too big."

Shiloh stared at the front of the desk as Adam watched her.

"If your feet and ankles start to swell, I want you to prop them up for awhile, and if it continues, I just might tell you to stay off your feet. We'll just have to see how it goes. Now, how far along did Dr. Westley think you are?"

Both men looked at Shiloh, but she was now staring at the floor. "Three months," said Adam.

"Well, let's see. Shiloh, come lie on the chaise. I want to listen to your stomach. Adam, this won't take but a few minutes. You can stay."

Adam watched as Paul moved the big bell of his stethoscope over Shiloh's stomach at the same time he moved his hand over it. Standing up straight, he looked over at Adam. "Everything sounds just fine. I still put her at about three months. How much of an examination did Dr. Westley perform?"

"He didn't do much. He felt her stomach, but he didn't listen…just asked questions about how she felt."

"Shiloh, have your clothes gotten any tighter?"

"I was at the dress shop before we came here having some of my dresses and skirts let out."

"That's about right. We'll still call it three months. Now, unless you two have more questions, I'm hungry, and I don't have much time before I need to be back."

As they walked out of the office, Paul pulled Adam back and spoke in a low voice…too low for Shiloh to hear. "Everything is normal, Adam. I'll tell you when it isn't."

After lunch, Paul and Ben said their goodbyes, Paul going back to his office, and Ben heading for the Ponderosa. Shiloh and Adam walked to the post office and back to Paul's office where they had left the buggy. On the way out of town, they stopped by the dress shop to pick up Shiloh's altered skirts, and then headed toward home.