Chapter 8 [Rancho Rivertree]

Trinidad wiped Penny's face with a clean cloth. She couldn't see any issues beyond those related to the normal process. She set the cloth in the basin. "You do very well."

"That's sure…good to hear. Where…Where's Blue?" Penny breathed in and out. She felt the babies kicking inside of her.

"He's downstairs with Buck." Annie sat down in a chair at the patient's bedside. "Just you relax now. Just think of them babies being in your arms now."

"Gosh! I sure…can't wait. I know…they're with me. I want to hold them. Victoria will be so happy. She's wanted a baby around. I know." Penny smiled. "John'll want them grandkids. And there's Buck."

Annie coughed. "You just focus on being a Mom. Buck's worried about you and those babies. Bart will find the doctor. You're not alone. Not ever. You hear?" She grasped onto Penny's hand.

"I am a trained midwife tambien." Trinidad placed her hand on Penny's right shoulder. "We take good care of you. ¿Entiendes me?"

"I…I got it. Thanks. That's sure comforting." Penny grunted as a contraction moved through her. "They want out. I wish…they'd do it. Mama wants to see 'em!" She bunched the sheets in her hand.

"When it is time, they'll come out." Annie looked to Trinidad. "Anything else I can do?"

"You ask Martha about fresh cloths?" Trinidad handed her the used ones. "We need new ones."

"Be right back!" Annie rushed down the stairs.

"You see? We take care." Trinidad patted Penny's hand. "Breathe deep. Relax. I tell you when to push."

Penny nodded and followed the advice….

Blue slurped on his coffee. Nerves jittered his mind. Purpose kept his attention on the stairs. "Sure wish it'd be over with!" He frowned.

"Blue Boy, you sure took your sweet time gettin' out. I'm sure them kids will take after yourn too." Buck shook his head. He glanced out the window. "Sure wish that doc would get here."

"Triny's a midwife, Buck. She'll handle it. Meantime, maybe one of us might get down to Chaparral? I'd feel better if Pilar and Jenny were here with us," Sam suggested.

"Yeah. This could go on a spell. Come on, Sam. We'll git down there and back. I don't like them being alone this long either." Buck got up and headed for the door.

"Buck?" Annie came down the stairs. "Where are you going?"

"Just going to get Jenny and Pilar. Sam and I don't want them there alone for that long. We could be here all night. Not that I don't have faith in 'em…." Buck sucked in a deep breath.

"They'll have everything cleaned up. Just be careful and get right back here. You hear?" Annie agreed.

"Yes, Ma 'am!" Buck kissed her forehead. "We'll be back real quick." He tipped his hat. "Come on, Sam." He walked out the door with Sam right behind.

"Hey, Annie! How's she doin'?" Blue just about jumped out of his chair. "I don't want to be in the way. I just wish I could see her."

"She's asking for you. Wash up before you go up. Mind Triny. All right?" Annie raised an eyebrow.

"Sure. Thanks, Annie." Blue rushed toward the kitchen.

Annie nodded. It'll be good for them both! She carried the dirty towels toward Martha and the boiling pot. "I got some more cloths. I was going to wash 'em."

"I've got the laundry bucket set up in the back where Blue is. Just scrub 'em and rinse 'em out. I'll boil 'em clean." Martha dipped the wooden spoon into the pot. She raised a wet steaming rag and set it down on a clean plate. "She hanging in there?"

"Penny's doing fine so far. Triny's got her breathing real deep. We're just waiting now for those babies to be ready is all. I'll get these washed right out. Where's Vaquero?" Annie waited for Blue to come out. Then she went in to that area.

"He's helping with the chores in the barn." Exhaustion forced a deep breath from Martha's lungs. Her rag swiped Sweat's beads from her forehead.

"You'd better sit down for a bit there." Annie set the rags down. She ran back out into the main kitchen area. "Come on. Let's sit down. I've got you for a few minutes." She guided Martha to the table. "Just take a break. You're plumb wore out! I can do this too. I sure wish Victoria and Mercedes would get back here!"

"They'd have to be in town today." Martha shook her head. "Sorry. I know it ain't their fault and all. I just wish they were here."

"At least they ain't in Caley-fornia still. I'm making coffee. Want some?" Annie brought out the coffee pot. She filled it at the pump and filled the top. Then she set it on the stove to perk.

"That'd be great. Thanks." Martha relaxed. "Just keep watchin' those rags. Penny's gonna need 'em."

"I've got 'em. Be right back." Annie returned to the back. She scoured the dirty rags in the soap water with the board. Then she rinsed each of them under the pump's water and wrung them out. She brought them out for the pot's next scalding. "There we go! All set!"

"Have that coffee yourself!" Martha forced herself to her feet. She took out two cups. "Since we're waiting, we might as well have this." She poured the two cups. "I hope Blue's not getting in the way."

"Triny'll tell him." Annie sipped on her coffee. Doubt never entered into her mind on that score. Buck, wish you'd get back here!

Time sure could move slower than Molasses in January up north….