Epilogue
When Jarrod woke up the next morning, he left Maggie to sleep some more. He picked up his boots and crept out of the bedroom as best he could on a still painful knee, and he was astonished to find all of his family members still there in the living room
"You could have gone home," he said right away.
Nick came and gave him a hand to the sofa. "Who would have put your boots on?" he said and set about doing that.
Victoria had already made breakfast. Jarrod could see she was clearing away dishes from the table. Audra was in the kitchen, doing the washing. Carl was beside her, doing the drying.
"How is Maggie this morning?" Victoria asked.
"Still sleeping," Jarrod said. "She did pretty well during the night – I think. I was out like a light."
"I didn't hear a peep out of either one of you," Heath said.
"I think we're gonna be okay," Jarrod said.
"Maybe, but you still need some extra hands for a while," Audra said from the kitchen. "Maggie needs to stay in bed, and you can't do dishes with one hand."
"Audra and I will be staying for a while," Victoria said.
"If you want to clean up and get into some clean clothes after you eat, Nick and I will help you," Heath said.
"I gotta meet with the army tomorrow," Jarrod said.
"I got it," Nick said. "I found the papers on your desk and signed them. I'll go meet with the army tomorrow."
Jarrod closed his eyes. He thought he was going to cry, he was so relieved and grateful to have them all around. "Thank you," was all he could think to say.
XXXXXX
Dr. Merar came every day for a week, and every day he found things improving. Jarrod was able to hobble around pretty well after a couple days, and he was rid of the sling a couple days later. By the end of the week, the only things that remained were the stitches, and they were due to come out a few days later.
What made Jarrod most grateful, though, was that Maggie showed no signs of losing the baby or suffering any injuries at all except for a strained back. Even that was easing up fast. She was able to get up and move around with help after about five days, and she was on her own by the end of the week.
"But no more than what it takes to take care of your personal needs!" Dr. Merar warned. "You should still take your meals in bed and rest as much as you can."
"I'll do that," Maggie said. "I don't mind being waited on hand and foot."
Dr. Merar looked from Maggie to Jarrod and shook his head. "You both are very, very lucky. That buggy accident could have been a disaster for you."
"But it wasn't," Jarrod said, "and I haven't had an angina attack lately, either."
Dr. Merar clapped him on his good arm. "Keep it up. I'll be back in about three days to take those stitches out, Jarrod, and to check on you, Maggie. Otherwise, just take it easy."
"Will do," Jarrod said and walked him to the door.
Victoria was coming in with a basket of food as Dr. Merar left. "Hello, Doctor, how are the patients today?"
"Doing very well," Dr. Merar said. "I can see they've had a good nurse."
Dr. Merar went to his buggy, unhitched it and went on his way.
Jarrod peeked into the basket his mother was carrying. "Silas's chicken salad?" he asked.
"And fresh bread and apple pie," Victoria said.
"You're spoiling us rotten," Jarrod said, and then he noticed – there was still a buggy hitched up, and his mother's saddle horse was tied to the back of it. His mouth fell open. "What's this?"
Victoria smiled. "You need a new buggy and a new draft horse. We decided to get them for you."
"Oh, Mother, you didn't have to do that!"
"I know we didn't. But we did it anyway."
Jarrod threw his good arm around his mother and pulled her close. "Oh, Mother, if you knew how lucky I know I am."
"I know how lucky I am, " Victoria said and handed Jarrod the basket. "Now, let me go visit with that wife of yours while you get lunch ready."
Jarrod laughed. "You don't know how happy I am that I can do that!"
"Get used to it," Victoria said. "It's not unusual for a first time mother to be put to bed for a week or two before she delivers."
Jarrod winced.
The End