Chapter 10

Nick threw himself into the ranch. He was busy from sunup to sundown, not taking time to think about Emma or the fact that he had many chances to speak with her but didn't take them. Of course, he understood that she had to go home. Her family had needed her, and the importance of family was something he understood. It was just the fact that she had left without him telling her how he felt. He knew he didn't feel love but knew it wouldn't have taken much to move him in that direction.

The rest of October passed uneventfully. November blew in and with it the promise of a new baby. Jarrod made one more trip to San Francisco and then closed his office until after the new year. Any urgent business would be taken care of by Nat Springer.

Sarah wasn't due for two weeks and was feeling fine. She was uncomfortable, and her back ached a lot, but she didn't let it slow her down.

It was on a Wednesday around noon when Nick came in for lunch. Victoria and Audra were at the orphanage planning a special Thanksgiving Dinner for the kids. Jarrod was at the office and Heath was on the south part of the ranch doing some minor repairs. Silas was in town picking up supplies.

When Nick walked in the house, he felt as though something weren't quite right. He looked around, not hearing anything and shrugged his shoulders. He decided to grab something quick to eat when he heard a noise. It was coming from the parlor. He entered and saw Sarah sitting in a chair, looking very uncomfortable.

"Sarah, are you all right?" he asked, kneeling next to her. Her face was flushed, and she grimaced in pain.

"Nick," she gasped. "It's time for the baby."

Nick's eyes grew wide. He stood and began walking away.

"Where are you going?" Sarah asked.

"To get Doc Merar."

Sarah shook her head. "I need you to help me upstairs."

Nick picked Sarah up and carried her up to her room. He deposited her on the bed and started to walk out the door.

"Nick!"

Nick ran back into the room. "Sarah, I've got to go get the Doc."

"There isn't time, Nick. The baby is coming now. I need you to help me."

"What do you mean, 'help you'?"

"You're going to have to deliver the baby."

Nick backed up toward the door. "Let me go get the Doc. I'm sure we'll make it back in time-"

"No! Nick, it's time now. The baby is coming now."

Sarah was gripping the side of the mattress with such force her knuckles were turning white. Nick was frozen where he was. He was more than willing to ride to town and get the Doc or Jarrod, but to deliver this baby was out of the question.

"I can't do this Sarah! I'm not a doctor!"

Sarah was beginning to get frustrated. She was in the most severe pain she had ever experienced in her life and Nick was trying to argue with her.

"Nick, I can talk you through it, but I need you to help me. I can't do this by myself!"

Nick came closer to Sarah and helped her lie down on the bed.

"Now, if you'll look, I'm pretty sure you'll see the baby's head."

Nick hesitated. Sarah looked up at him and snapped, "Come on, Nick! It's not like you've never seen this before! You grew up on a ranch!"

Nick took a deep breath and looked between Sarah's knees. What he saw made his eyes widen.

"I can honestly say, I've never seen that before. I'm going to get the doc."

Nick was halfway down the hall when he heard Sarah say, "Nicholas Jonathon Barkley! Get back in here and help me deliver this baby or so help me when I am on my feet again, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN!"

Nick had never heard Sarah like that and turned right around. He walked back into the bedroom and followed Sarah's instructions.

Jarrod couldn't explain why, but he needed to be home. He had been feeling like this since lunch and kept pushing it away. Finally, he told Mrs. Smith he was leaving for the day. Jarrod rode Jingo home at a faster pace than usual. He couldn't shake the feeling that Sarah needed him.

When he rode into the yard, he saw Heath tying up his horse. Jarrod fleetingly wondered where Nick was but greeted his younger brother.

"Hello, Heath. What are you doing here?"

Heath smiled at his older brother. "Might ask the same of you. Slow day at the office?"

Jarrod returned the smile, though his was more thoughtful.

"It's strange, Heath. I've felt like I needed to be home."

Heath nodded. He knew Sarah was due soon and maybe she was in labor. Heath was looking forward to meeting his new niece or nephew.

"You didn't answer my question, Heath."

Heath looked up. The two men began walking toward the house and stopped at the front door.

"Nick was supposed to meet me on the south range to dig fence posts. Never showed up."

This concerned Jarrod. They walked through the front door, each placing their hats on the nearest table. Heath looked over and saw Nick sitting in the parlor. He motioned for Jarrod to notice him. The two brothers exchanged a glance and walked over to him.

"Nick? Are you all right?" Jarrod asked.

Nick, who looked like he was in his own little world, looked up.

"Oh, Pappy," was all he said.

Jarrod tensed. Where was Sarah? was his first thought.

"Nick, where's Sarah?" he voiced aloud.

"She's upstairs, resting."

Jarrod turned and took the steps two at a time. He went to his bedroom door and paused. The closed his eyes in a brief prayer and opened the door.

"No..."he whispered.

Heath watched Jarrod go up the stairs and disappear. He turned back to Nick who still seemed dazed. He was about to ask about Sarah and the baby when the front door opened. Victoria and Audra walked in, laughing, and talking, but stopped abruptly when they saw Heath and Nick.

"What's wrong?" Victoria asked.

"Jarrod's up with Sarah," Heath said.

"Is it the baby?" Audra asked.

Heath shrugged and looked at Nick.

Victoria knelt beside her son.

"Nick, are Sarah and the baby all right?"

Nick looked at his mother and smiled. "It's a girl. She's so tiny."

"Are they okay?" Heath asked.

Nick nodded. "They're perfect."

"Well, why didn't you say so?!" Heath asked in frustration.

Nick stood and said loudly, "Ya didn't ask!"

"Nicholas, keep your voice down!" Victoria said. With a smile she added, "There's a baby in the house."

Jarrod walked in and gently closed the door. Sitting up in bed was his wife. At her breast was a small bundle, eagerly sucking. Jarrod walked over and sat next to Sarah.

"When?" he asked softly, not wanting to disturb his child from eating.

"About an hour and half ago. She's beautiful, isn't she?"

Jarrod's eyes met Sarah's. "She?"

"Are you disappointed?"

Jarrod's eyes filled with tears. He shook his head and leaned in to kiss his wife. The baby, his daughter, finished eating and Sarah passed her to her papa. Jarrod held her gently, getting a good look at this new little life.

"Hello, sweetheart. How beautiful you are."

The rest of the family waited only a few more minutes before coming up and knocking on the door. Jarrod opened the door, still holding his precious daughter.

"Come in, everyone. Meet our daughter, Victoria."

Victoria's eyes filled with tears. She reached out her hands to take the small baby. The baby seemed to know who was holding her, she opened her eyes briefly, then closed them again in sleep. Victoria was transported back in time to another birth. The one of her first-born son. Baby Victoria looked just like Jarrod had looked. A thatch of dark hair and blue eyes. Everyone gathered around to see her.

"We're going to call her Tori for short. Just so there isn't any confusion," Jarrod said.

"What's her middle name?" Audra asked.

Jarrod and Sarah looked at each other. "We're still trying to decide."

Tori was passed to Audra then Heath. Each marveled at how small she was.

"How are you, Sarah?" Victoria asked.

"Tired. But thankful. If it hadn't been for Nick, I don't know what I would have done."

The family turned as one to Nick who was standing off in the corner. He had held Tori for quite a while and was happy to let the others have a chance. Nick felt a little self-conscious with everyone looking at him and he cleared his throat.

Jarrod walked over to his brother and pulled Nick into a hug, holding him tightly. Nick returned his brother's embrace, both men choking up with tears. Tori chose that moment to cry out and the men parted, wiping their faces, and smiling.

"Come to Papa," Jarrod said as he took Tori from Heath. Victoria motioned for everyone to leave and quietly closed the door.

Jarrod brought Tori over to her Mama.

"Thank you," he said simply.

Sarah smiled sleepily. She still couldn't believe she had given birth. And her daughter was so beautiful. Sarah snuggled down with Tori with Jarrod at her side and fell into a deep sleep. Jarrod watched his wife, his heart bursting with gratitude. He gently raised Tori into his arms and sat in a nearby chair. He spoke softly to her, telling her all about her family, her heritage and how she was a Barkley.