Chapter 19: Pony's Home 3

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Neal and Sr. Lanne couldn't find a doctor at Burnham and Whiting and had to go all the way to Calumet, the biggest city around there.

While Sr. Lanne was negotiating in the doctor's office, Neal went out to buy gas for his car.

"It's too far," the doctor declined. He asked Sr. Lanne to try other doctors.

But the local people said this doctor was good in handling pregnancies so Sr. Lanne came back to persuade him to come.

"It's too far for my car. I have to come back tonight. One lady in Whiting might deliver her baby tomorrow and I need to visit someone with fever at dawn and an old man…" The doctor went on citing his reasons.

"Oh please... please doctor," pleaded Sr. Lanne desperately. "You can use the latest bus."

"I'm sorry, Sister. There's no bus in the weekend."

"I can take you back," said Neal who had returned and had been listening. He then dropped some number. The sum was stupendous, dwarfing the amount the doctor originally asked for. It ended the discussion and the doctor agreed to come.

It was around three when Neal and Sr. Lanne were back at the ranch with the doctor. Neal then drove Sr. Lanne to Pony's home and came back to the ranch by himself.

oOo

Neal parked his car and strode along the path through Mr. Cartwright's award-winning ranch marveling the colorful flowers, clucking organic chickens, and hearty green vegetables of all kinds. In one neatly kept cottage belonged to Jimmy and Bertha, he entered hoping to see Candy carry the baby and hear good news.

But the living room was empty. A grim looking woman entered in a haste bringing a bucket of water into the bedroom leaving the door ajar. Neal heard a moan, low and painful, from inside.

Not yet. Disheartened, Neal went outside and waited in the porch.

Time passed. Every so often he paced the wooden porch. Several women kept coming in and out the cottage bringing cloth, towel, water or something else. They all looked morose. Neal hoped Candy would come out so he could see how she's doing.

"Neal!" Suddenly he heard Candy's voice and she shot out of the cottage.

She looked so different now, not frightened nor nervous but cool and in control of the situation just like a real doctor. He's so proud of her

"Doesn't look good," Candy whispered. "Watch Jimmy. Accompany him!" She disappeared back into the cottage.

Neal swallowed feeling the gravity of the situation and went looking for Jimmy. Someone said he's with the horses. Neal headed to the horse stable and found the father-to-be alone in one of the stalls, looking so pale, quietly brushing a horse.

"Hi Jimmy...," Neal whispered.

Jimmy gave a faint nod.

Neal hesitated but he knew Candy would be furious if he did nothing. Alden would mercilessly criticize him too.

"Has that one been brushed?" Neal asked, pointing to the brown horse in the next stall.

Jimmy shook his head.

Neal moved about and stopped at one tool box to pick up a curry comb. He then looked at Jimmy but Jimmy didn't show objections. So Neal took the comb with him and opened the stall door to the brown horse.

"Hello!" Neal greeted the brown horse.

The horse watched him.

Holding out the brush, Neal reached out to let the horse smell his hand, giving it ample of time to get to know him, before gently stroking its neck. The horse liked humans who understood horses and could tell from Neal's easy and calm way of approaching that he's one of them. It let out a friendly huff and welcomed Neal doing the brushing work.

Together with Jimmy, the two men brushed silently.

Jimmy was worried about his wife and baby while Neal's mind was in turmoil thinking about Candy and Alden. He wondered what Alden would feel if he left her for Candy and stopped writing to her. Would she feel left out and discarded? Poor Alden…

Lost in his thoughts, Neal startled when the horse moved his head up and down.

"What is it?" Neal stopped brushing, asking the horse.

"Max thanked you for brushing him so well," said Jimmy replying for Max.

"You're welcome." Neal patted Max's neck. "Ready to change brush, Max?"

Max flicked his ear back and forth.

Neal returned the curry comb back to the box and picked up a hard brush this time for round two brushing.

"You know horses," said Jimmy who's been noticing how Neal interacted with Max and handled the brushes.

"I like them," said Neal, moving around Max working the brush in short and straight lines.

They continued talking about horses and started to chat.

"Boss is always there for us." Jimmy sighed. "It was her who prepared the choir in our wedding. Now, she's delivering our baby."

"Boss?"

"Candy. That's how I call her." Jimmy grinned, telling Neal the story of why he called her so*.

Neal chuckled. "She is competitive."

"We're taught that way in Pony's Home. But she's just a level above us." Jimmy told Neal many stories about Pony's Home until, at some point, they heard a faint sound of cry.

Jimmy and Neal looked at one another. In a flash, Jimmy dropped everything and ran outside. Neal followed him. It was already dark outside and Neal realized a few hours must have passed.

Then they heard another shout, much louder this time. "IT'S A GIRL...! It's a girl!"

The new father jumped into the cottage in a single step. Neal stayed, taking time to dust of Max's hair from his suit before he entered and waited in the living room. The several women he saw earlier came out from the bedroom, looking joyful this time, chatted with laughter. It seemed they just finished cleaning up. A while later Candy appeared. She beamed and looked lovelier than ever.

"It's miraculous!" said Candy. "Just when we lost hope, the baby decided to come out!"

"Great!" said Neal excitedly. "Aren't you tired?"

"No, I am too excited. Oh, I'm so glad everything turned out nicely for Bertha and her baby!"

They stared at each other and she did something he would have never expected. Crying out joyful words, Candy jumped into his arms. How could such a joy be possible? He hugged her tightly in his arms. He never wanted to let her go. It felt he could try to kiss her, she seemed to be in the mood.

Neal looked down at her, almost bending... and heard footsteps.

"Neal!" Jimmy appeared carrying a bundle in his arms. "You want to carry my daughter?" The new father proudly presented his baby to him.

"Oh Neal, you should! You should!" cried Candy. She's pulling away.

Reluctantly, Neal released Candy. "Sure." He cursed secretly for not being quicker.

The moment was lost but it's hard to stay grouchy. The infant was so tiny, even tinier than little Tyler and so pink. She looked peaceful like a little angel. Gently, Neal touched the baby's face with the back of his finger and suddenly she just roared!

"She's asking for food." Neal laughed. Expertly he returned the screaming baby back to the first time father who stood frozen, looking puzzled.

"You know?" asked Candy, impressed.

"From Eliza. She wants Tyler to have a hand-on uncle!" Neal chuckled. And from Alden too ... He stopped there, feeling guilty for thinking about Alden while Candy was being friendly to him.

"He's right. Give her back to the mother," said the doctor who just came out. "She's so strong and has a huge appetite! She'll be fine."

Jimmy nervously went back inside to give the baby to his wife. Candy laughed seeing Neal's proud face.

...

Jimmy offered Neal a dinner and to stay for the night but Neal insisted of going back home. Neal took the doctor back to Calumet and stopped at the ranch to see Candy one more time. She was in the kitchen with several women he saw earlier cooking, working, and chatting merrily together. There's so much happiness radiated off that kitchen. He stood watching her pleasant face until she saw him. She smiled, it was that infectious, and came up to him.

"Bertha's friends. They're making dinner for Bertha and Jimmy," she explained.

"Nice. But, you were fantastic, Dr. Andrew," praised Neal who had eyes only for her.

Candy blushed shyly filling his heart with so much love it's amazing it didn't burst.

"You're fantastic too. Jimmy credits you for helping him survive the waiting torture. Your deep knowledge of horses impressed him. No one could have done it better than you," replied Candy generously.

Neal drew himself up, trying unsuccessfully to look modest. "Should I take you back to Pony's home?" he asked, finally.

"I'll stay here to monitor the mother and daughter. The danger is not over yet, there're still risks for complications."

"But you must be tired."

"Not at all." Candy chuckled. "This is just a regular day in the hospital." She passed Neal a brown paper bag. "I made you sandwiches in case you get hungry on the road."

Neal took the paper bag and looked inside. A ripe apple. Sandwiches, neatly cut. A bottle of coffee, still warm.

"Caffeine kick to keep you awake." She grinned.

"You made these for me?" asked Neal, touched. "Thank you."

"Same to you," said Candy, smiling.

He used to get into her nerve, nevertheless she was impressed on how he handled the problem today. Even Albert can't do it better, she thought.

Neal turned around and stepped away before unexpectedly stopped and looked back.

"Oops...! What about the letter you want me to mail?" He grinned under the moonlight, momentarily dazzled her with his thoughtfulness and smile.

Candy blinked. "Ah, right! That's okay, I'll do it tomorrow," replied Candy. Her heart started pounding for reasons unknown to her. "Drive carefully." She waved.

So Neal… And he understands horses and babies?, she mulled, melted.

oOo

The rest of the holiday moved smoothly and seemed to pass too quickly. Candy heaved a huge sigh. She'd miss everyone in here.

"Goodbye all," said Candy to the children who surrounded her.

She then hugged Ms. Pony and Sr. Lanne who were waiting behind the children. "I'll miss you."

"Send our love to Neal," said Ms. Pony.

"He is such a dear, do tell him that," added Sr. Lanne.

Candy's heart heaved happily. Anything that made her mothers happy made her very happy. "I will!" she answered keenly.

Outside, Alfred was already waiting for her.

"You had a good time, Ms. Candice?" greeted Alfred, taking the suitcase from her.

"Yes Alfred, thank you," replied Candy.

"A telegram for you and some mail." Alfred passed a stack of letters to Candy.

Candy settled herself in the back seat and waved to everyone as Alfred pulled the car out of the driveway onto the street. She then turned her attention to her letters. One thick envelope from Neo stood up. It looked so familiar she could even smell the pages. She smiled, setting it aside.

None from Albert. Candy sighed and read the telegram first.

Will come on Wednesday. Are you ready for the ball? BRING A DATE! Annie

Hurray! They really are coming! Candy clenched her fists.

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-To be continued-

Thanks for reading. Thanks for the continuous patience.

oOo

NOTE:

Back then husbands/men were not allowed to see their women at labor (now still so in several countries…)

* Candy = boss, a story from Candy Candy manga. That's how Jimmy calls her.