Chapter 10
Cold water splashed him in the face, and he opened swollen eyes. The intense pain in his left hand was almost too much to bear. He was certain all his fingers were broken but he couldn't let the man see his pain. It would only push him to cause more. He glanced around and saw Emmaline, his sister, in the corner. Her eyes were wide with fright. The gag on her mouth was pulled tightly and her hands were tied in front of her, blood dripping from the rope.
Frank Monroe was cursing himself for putting his sister in danger. He should have moved her to safety, but he didn't think about it until it was too late. Emmaline was three years younger than he and she was who Becca and Adam had named their daughter after.
At the thought of Becca, Frank knew he had to hold on. He'd received the telegram from Barkley and knew they were safe. Unfortunately, the man in front of him had figured that out as well. He just didn't know where she was. Yet.
"Now for the last time, old man. Where is Rebecca Thatcher?"
With ill-concealed contempt, Frank stared at the man who had spoken. This seemed to anger the man even more and he punched Frank in the face. Frank heard something pop around his eye and his ears were ringing.
"Tell me or I'm going to start in on her next."
The man went to Emmaline and lifted her up. He pulled the gag from her mouth.
"Don't you tell them, Frank!" she yelled. "Don't you tell them! No matter what they do to me, you keep my baby safe-"
Emmaline was pushed backwards, and her head hit the bedpost with a sickening thud. Frank knew instantly she was gone. In a rage, Frank lunged at the man, bowling him over. Frank fought and was getting the upper hand when the man pulled a knife. As it was plunged into Frank's side, he collapsed. His last thoughts were of Becca and how he didn't give away her location. He only hoped she'd forgive him for the death of her mother.
The pains began early the next morning. Becca recognized them for what they were and knew there would probably be no stopping them now. She gingerly sat up in bed, trying to be careful not to awaken Jarrod as he slept peacefully next to her. There would be nothing he could do right then anyway and if this baby were anything like Emma was, there would be a lot of sleepless nights. One of them might as well get some rest. The contractions were uncomfortable but not so much that she thought they should send for the doctor yet.
Jarrod awakened just as the sun's first beams were rising over the horizon. His eyes opened and he looked over at Becca who was sitting up next to him. He could tell she was in pain, her hand grasping the blanket tightly.
"Becca?" he said softly. She gasped and looked over at him.
"I think today is the day," she said breathlessly, and Jarrod quickly got out of bed and dressed.
"I'll send someone for the doctor. Do you need anything?" he asked as he finished buttoning his shirt.
"No," she replied, leaning her head back against the headboard. She had begun timing the contractions and they were around fifteen minutes apart.
"Jarrod don't rush. We still have time," she said. "Go get something to eat. It's going to be a while."
Jarrod knew he wouldn't eat anything. He was excited but extremely nervous. He'd seen birth many times before since he'd grown up on a ranch. This time however, his wife was giving birth to their child. He knew things could go wrong and was again thankful they had decided to return to the ranch.
He made his way downstairs and found Silas in the kitchen. Jarrod told the older man what was happening, and Silas couldn't help but grin widely. Emma had already brought an extraordinary amount of joy to the household. He was certain this new baby would as well. He knew the doctor would ask for water to be boiled and clean linens and towels. Silas went about getting everything ready.
It was several hours later that Becca's labor had progressed to the point where she felt she needed to push. Doctor Merar had arrived not long before, he and Victoria working in sync to help the laboring mother.
The pain was becoming unbearable. Becca tried not to cry out but found she couldn't keep herself from doing so.
Jarrod watched in awe but also hated seeing her in pain. Becca had asked him to stay with her even though she knew it wasn't usually done. His mother and the doctor seemed calm which helped Jarrod. Things quickly changed though, and Jarrod could sense an urgency from the physician.
"Becca, I know you feel as though you have to push, but I need you to not do that right now. I need you to breathe."
Becca tried to do as the man asked but she wasn't sure she could. The contractions were strong, and she wasn't getting much of a break in between. Jarrod knelt next to her.
"Victoria, I need you to help me," the doctor said and Victoria stepped closer. "I need you to try to relax Becca."
"Becca squeeze my hand," Jarrod said. "As hard as you can."
Becca took his hand, the pain almost unbearable. She was breathing hard, and tears coursed down her cheeks. She didn't remember it being this difficult with Emma.
"I need you to breathe, Becca," Dr. Merar said. "Breathe in…Breathe out…"
"Becca, look at me," Jarrod said as he knelt next to her. "You can do this."
"I don't want to do this here," she cried, squeezing his hand more tightly.
"Oh, my love, it's alright. Tell me where you want to be," Jarrod's soothing deep voice was almost her undoing.
"I'm scared," Becca cried.
"I know. We are going to take care of you. Now, tell me where you want to be."
Becca continued to cry, trying to breathe as she'd been instructed by the kindly old doctor.
"I want to be at the lodge," she groaned.
Jarrod smiled. "That's good! Just go there in your mind. Now tell me about it."
The contractions were so close together that there wasn't really any time for Becca to try and catch her breath.
"You're with me. And Emma. We're sitting in the parlor. You're reading to us and we are all safe…and happy," Becca gasped.
Jarrod's eyes filled with tears.
"Becca, I need you to push now," Dr. Merar said. Victoria moved off to the side, watching in wonder as her grandchild was about to make an appearance. She couldn't be prouder of Jarrod for how he stayed by Becca's side and talked her through everything. And proud of Becca for working to bring this new life into the world.
Becca pushed, Jarrod continuing to croon soft words of love and encouragement. Tears ran unashamedly down his cheeks.
"Push, Becca. As hard as you can!"
Becca continued to push and then the baby was born. The sound of the newborn's cries filled the air. Jarrod stared in awe at his child, looking over at Becca who continued to cry.
"You have a healthy baby girl," Dr. Merar announced. Jarrod leaned over and gave Becca a kiss.
Dr. Merar handed the baby off to Victoria who took the child to clean up. While the doctor finished up with Becca, Jarrod walked over to stand beside his mother as she carefully bathed the squalling newborn. In just moments, the babe was swaddled and placed in Jarrod's arms. She settled down, content to be in the arms of her father.
Jarrod walked over to Becca and handed her their daughter. Becca spoke to the baby, incredibly thankful for her safe delivery.
"She's a bit on the small side but with her lusty cry, she sounds healthy," Doctor Merar said. He smiled at the couple as they stared in awe at their child. This was part of his job that he loved.
"Thank you, Doctor," Jarrod said as he walked toward the other man. Jarrod held out his hand. "For everything."
The men shook hands and Victoria walked her friend out of the room. She was eager to share the news with the rest of the family.
"She's so beautiful," Jarrod said to Becca.
"She is. I can't wait for Emma to meet her."
A soft knock was heard, and Jarrod went to answer the door. In the hallway was his family, but he wanted to bring in Emma first to meet her sister. The young girl entered the room feeling timid. She had been told her mother was having the baby, but Emma wasn't sure what to think.
"Emma, come meet your sister," Becca said, patting the space next to her. Jarrod picked up Emma and brought her over to her mother. Emma watched with curiosity and then smiled.
"She has a lot of hair," Emma said quietly. Jarrod and Becca laughed. Jarrod set her down and Emma climbed up onto the bed next to her mother.
Jarrod brought the others in and introduced them to his daughter. None missed the pride he obviously had.
"What's her name?" Audra asked.
"Viola Monroe Barkley," Becca replied.
"How lovely," Victoria said. "How did you come up with that name?"
"Viola because of Becca's eyes," Jarrod replied as he passed his daughter to Victoria.
"Emma is named for my mother," Becca said. "Monroe is her maiden name, so I wanted to continue that with Vi."
Each took a turn holding the small baby. Viola had been sleeping but began to stir. Her cries were quiet at first but grew louder. The adults were all thrilled with the sound.
Emma put her hands on her ears and said, "She's as loud as Uncle Mister Nick!"
Nick grabbed Emma and threw her up in the air.
"You think so, huh? How about if I take you downstairs and we see if your Uncle Mister Silas has any more of those sugar cookies."
Emma laughed and gave an exuberant yes.
Everyone exited the room leaving Jarrod, Becca, and Viola. Jarrod leaned in and gave his wife a soft kiss and then planted one on top of his daughter's head.
"Welcome to the world, sweet Viola," he said as he stretched out next to Becca on the bed while she began to feed their daughter.