AN: Well, I am not doing very well at the weekly updates but my muse finally decided it liked this chapter and I decided not to make you wait until next Wednesday which would have been the scheduled two week update. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Reaching the Mountie office in Rock Creek, Tyler resisted the urge to lock the door behind him as he entered. Though small town postings tended to be more about lending a hand rather than solving crimes and chasing the bad guys, they could also lead to some frustrating situations to deal with.
Today had been one of those times. A good portion of his afternoon had been spent keeping two feuding neighbors' long time disagreement from escalating into violence. Separating them so he could listen to both sides interrupted had been the first challenge. Then he had to piece together the truth using both versions and then his role as mediator had come into play. Though he had gotten both parties to agree to try things that should satisfy both of them, the situation would have to continue to be monitored.
If nothing else, the two men should keep Daniel from getting too bored in the coming weeks.
Tyler hung his hat on the coat rack just inside the doorway, and went over to the desk. Sitting down, he pulled out the log book first so that he could bring it up to date. He would worry about the report of the incident with the neighbors to send to headquarters later. While he was working, the mercantile owner's son, who delivered the mail to those near town, dropped off the mail. Tyler had finished his reports and was going through the mail when the door to the office opened. Looking up, Tyler saw Daniel hobble through on his crutches. The smile on the other Mountie's face seemed a bit out of place. Tyler knew that Daniel was seeing the doctor this afternoon and was hoping for clearance to return to full duty.
Placing the letter he had opened on the desk, Tyler gave his fellow Mountie his full attention. "So, what did the doctor say?" Tyler asked.
Daniel had crossed the distance from the door to the desk on his crutches. The Mountie was standing in front of Tyler, still smiling, though Tyler noted that he was actually wearing two boots instead of one boot and his injured ankle simply wrapped.
Putting both feet on the ground, Daniel dropped the crutches. The wooden assistive devices fell to the floor with a thud. "Doc Quinn gave me a clean bill of health. I am officially cleared for duty."
"Congratulations," Tyler replied, understanding the smile now. "Just watch where you are walking and don't sprain the other ankle tripping over those crutches you just dropped."
Daniel laughed, even as he bent down to retrieve the crutches. "Do you not like my little town, Randall?" he asked, amusement clear in his voice.
"Rock Creek is fine," Tyler replied. ~It just doesn't have Rachel, ~ he added silently. Daniel was propping the crutches up against the wall. Getting to his feet, Tyler said, "as you are cleared for duty I am going to give you your desk and go get something to eat at the saloon."
"Have fun," Daniel called to him as Tyler headed for the door.
Taking his campaign hat from the hook, Tyler placed it on his head. Several short conversations later, he was walking into the saloon. If headquarters didn't send him a new assignment right away, tomorrow he would head to Hope Valley to check in on Rachel and Autumn.
As she rinsed the last of the breakfast dishes, Rachel felt a solid kick from the baby she carried. Sitting the dish down on the towel with the other drying dishes, Rachel rubbed her abdomen. The baby had been active this past week. Given the scare of earlier in the week, she supposed it was a good thing the baby was active even if it did make for restless nights.
Tired after finally getting the breakfast dishes done, Rachel retreated to the settee and lowered herself down on it. It was past lunch time but she wanted to just sit for a few minutes. Perhaps afterwards she would get a sandwich before Elizabeth brought Autumn home from the summer reading program.
Not for the first time that day, Rachel felt a short, weak muscle cramp in her abdomen. Her hand absently rubbed the spot even after it had passed. She wondered if she should mention it to Elizabeth when her friend stopped by. At the same time she did not want to go running to Carson or Faith at every little pang of pain. Carson had come out when Elizabeth brought Autumn home yesterday and said everything seemed fine.
Rachel looked down at her belly. "How about we just sit and take it easy until the baby shower tonight?" she said, talking to the unborn child. "Will that make you happy?"
A firm kick from the baby was the response she received. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. Rachel had a feeling that these last few weeks were going to seem long.
Leaning back her head, she rested it on the back of the couch. Rachel planned on just closing her eyes for a few moments. The next thing she was aware of was Autumn's voice.
"Mama is sleeping," her daughter said, her voice low.
"I am awake," Rachel replied, opening her eyes and lifting her head. She winced as her stiff neck protested, even as she reached up a hand to rub away the soreness.
"I have fallen asleep like that myself, and regret it every time," Elizabeth commented.
Autumn had come over to the settee by now. She was sitting next to Rachel as she asked, "I didn't wake you up, did I mama?" There was real concern in the girl's voice.
"No, sweetheart," Rachel assured her, wrapping a hand around her daughter and pulling her close to her side. "I just sat down to rest my eyes for a few minutes."
"The breakfast dishes aren't put away yet?" Autumn pointed out.
"I may have rested more than a few minutes," Rachel admitted. "But I am just tired. Your brother or sister kept me awake last night, moving inside of me."
"Too bad you can't tell it when bedtime is like you do me," Autumn commented, placing her hand on Rachel's extended belly. She was rewarded with a firm kick that made Autumn smile, having already been told that what she was feeling was the baby moving inside.
The innocent comment earned laughter from Ally, Rachel and Elizabeth. Ally meanwhile had gone to the kitchen to put away the dishes that had now air dried.
"Is there a lot of movement from the baby?" Elizabeth asked, having retrieved a chair from the table so she could sit and visit with Rachel for a bit.
"Yes," Rachel admitted. "It can be hard to find a comfortable way to sleep sometimes."
"That is one thing I don't miss about being pregnant," Elizabeth admitted. "You look tired, Rachel. Perhaps we should postpone the baby shower."
"Oh, no. Please don't. You have all gone through the trouble of organizing it and I doubt at this point we will find a day I don't feel tired."
Elizabeth smiled, knowing the truth of those words. Tired had seemed the norm for her during the last few weeks of pregnancy with Jack. She looked around the small cabin. "I wish there was room to just hold the baby shower here," she said with a smile.
"I do not think the guests will enjoy sitting on the floor," Rachel commented. "It will be fine," she told Elizabeth. "Thank you for putting away the dishes, Ally," she added as Ally finished her task in the kitchen area.
"You are welcome, " Ally said, as she pulled out one of the chairs at the table and sat down.
"Well, at least rest until Lee stops by to pick you up," Elizabeth told her friend. It had been arranged that Lee would stop by on his way home from work to drive Rachel and Autumn out to the Grant's home for the baby shower. Autumn, Ally, Bridget and Ivy had all begged to be allowed to be a part of the baby shower and had been given permission. Lee and Nathan planned on entertaining Jack in the first floor bedroom suite that Nathan also used as an office. "Did you have lunch?"
Rachel shook her head. "I intended to make a sandwich but time got away from me," she admitted.
Elizabeth got to her feet. "I will get you a sandwich and a glass of water before I leave," she said, the tone of her voice indicating that she wasn't going to entertain any arguments.
"Thank you, Elizabeth," Rachel said, conceding to herself that staying put for the time being sounded like a good idea.
Later that evening, the Grant's sitting room was filled with ladies as Rachel sat in the easy chair unwrapping gifts. They had met for a buffet style super that evening. Each guest had brought a dish to contribute. The food was laid out on the counters and small kitchen table. Lee, Nathan and Jack had filled plates, and then retreated to the back first floor room of the house. Elizabeth had instructed Rachel to sit at the dining room table while she got a plate for her. Still feeling tired, and a bit off, Rachel did not protest.
Soon, the other ladies and four girls had gathered around the table. Ally had helped Autumn get a plate of food and the soon to be big sister was sitting at her mother's side. Ivy, who Bridget had helped, was sitting next to Autumn. The two older girls had taken seats at the other end of the long table. With about fifteen guests, everyone was sitting close together but the women had a good time chatting and enjoying the prepared food. As good as the food was though, Rachel could only pick at the food on her plate. She noticed concerned glances from Elizabeth, Abigail and Faith but was relieved that they didn't draw attention to her lack of appetite.
After eating, the cake that Abigail had made was brought out. Everyone exclaimed over the stork with the baby that had been drawn on the cake in frosting. Rachel asked for a small piece and had managed to eat it. After the cake they had retired to the sitting room. Rosemary conducted a few games before the gifts had been presented, which was where the women were now.
Though she truly did love each gift that was unwrapped, Rachel was feeling uncomfortable and was wishing more than anything that she was at home in her bed. Though not strong, she had been experiencing muscle spasms in her abdomen. Rachel wasn't sure if she wanted them to be cramps or contractions. She wasn't sure which would be less alarming at this time.
Rachel felt relief when the last gift was set before her. The gift was simply draped with a floral printed sheet with a bow sitting on top of it.
"This is from Nathan, myself and Ally," Elizabeth told her. "We couldn't figure out a good way to wrap it," she added, gaining laughter from those gathered.
Rachel reached out for the bow and told Autumn, who had been helping to open the gifts, to remove the sheet. The girl did so, revealing a dark, cherry-stained cradle. The small mattress that filled it was covered in a yellow plaid sheet and a small flat sheet of the same material was folded and sitting inside. There was a collective gasp from those gathered and Rachel momentarily forgot her discomfort.
"Dad made the cradle, though he let me help sand and stain it and Mom made the sheets," Ally announced proudly.
"It is lovely," Rachel said, letting her hand run along the smooth wood surface of the top rail.
"Nathan and Lee can set the crib up in the children's bedroom for when the baby gets bigger and you can use the cradle in your bedroom at first," Elizabeth told her from her spot next to Rachel on the settee.
Rachel made the cradle rock back and forth gently before turning and giving Elizabeth a hug. "Thank you," she told her friend, knowing that she would need to thank Nathan personally as well lately.
"You're welcome," Elizabeth told her. Dropping her voice, she added, "We'll get the guests going about their way."
Rachel simply nodded. As Elizabeth released her, Rachel sat back against the settee her hand rubbing her abdomen. True to her word, Elizabeth was on her feet, thanking the guests and getting them on their way. Abigail chipped in, while Rosemary gathered the four girls under the pretense of needing help in the kitchen. Faith sat down next to her, sitting her black bag at her feet. Rachel had not been aware that the doctor had brought it with her.
"How are you feeling?" Faith asked, her fingers naturally searching for Rachel's pulse point in her wrist.
Rachel told Faith exactly how she had been feeling, knowing that it was detrimental to be anything but honest with the doctor. After getting a pulse, Faith placed her hand on Rachel's abdomen, waiting for the muscle spasm.
"You're right. They are not strong but probably uncomfortable. We should probably get you laying down somewhere," Faith said, looking up to search out Elizabeth.
"She can use the bed in the downstairs suite," Elizabeth replied. "Let me go get Nathan to help walk her back."
Faith nodded. "Could you ask Lee to go get Carson?" she added. "Carson has more experience than I do. I think his opinion should be sought out too."
Elizabeth nodded as she headed for the room Nathan and Lee had been occupying this evening.
"Is the baby coming?" Rachel asked, fear in her voice.
"Well, I need to get a better examine, to say for sure, but there are no immediate signs of distress for you," Faith told her, reaching into her bag for the stethoscope. "Let me listen to the baby's heart beat."
Rachel found herself watching Faith's face as the doctor listened with her stethoscope. Seeing a smile come to the blonde doctor's face made her feel a little better. Faith's words helped even more.
"The baby's heartbeat is strong and just as it should be. The baby is not in distress either, though the muscle spasms could be signs of early labor. We'll get you lying down and resting for a bit and then we'll figure out where to go from there," Faith said reassuringly.
Rachel nodded even as Elizabeth, Nathan and Lee returned. Lee headed straight for the door while Nathan made his way to where Rachel sat. With Faith and Nathan's help, Rachel got to her feet and made her way to the first floor bedroom. Elizabeth went ahead of them, to turn down the bed. As she walked with the support of Nathan and Faith on either side, Rachel was thankful that this was happening when she was among friends rather than at home alone with Autumn. Not for the first time, Rachel wondered if it might be better to find someone to watch Autumn for the duration of the pregnancy, as she felt like she was doing a poor job of being a mother right now.
Tyler was lying on the bed in the boardinghouse in Rock Creek reading a novel when there was a knock at the door. Though Daniel had contacted headquarters that he was cleared for full duty, he himself had not been given new orders. Perhaps that had changed.
Placing a bookmark in place, Tyler shut the book. "Coming," he called out to whoever was at the door as he placed the book aside and got to his feet. Crossing to the door, Tyler unlocked and opened it to find Mrs. Rigel standing there.
"I am sorry to disturb you, Constable, but a Constable Grant is on the telephone for you," Mrs. Rigel told him.
Tyler felt his heart start to beat a little faster. The only reason he could think for Grant to be calling him was for something concerning Rachel or Autumn, as he had asked Hope Valley's Mountie to let him know if anything happened to either of them.
"Thank you, ma'am," Tyler replied, stepping from the room as Mrs. Rigel had stepped aside to give him room.
Tyler followed the woman down the stairs and to the telephone that was in the sitting room of the boarding house. He sat down in the wing-backed chair next to the phone, and picked up the ear piece that was sitting next to the receiver.
"Hello," he said into the mouth piece as he held the ear piece to his right ear.
"Hello, Tyler."
The fact that Nathan's voice was calm and unhurried calmed him some. The man's next words helped achieve that even more.
"First off, there is no immediate emergency," Nathan told him. "So you can let out that breath, I know you are holding."
Tyler smiled even as he did exactly that.
"That being said, Rachel has experienced some contractions earlier this evening. She is resting out at my place and both Carson and Faith have examined her. Both she and the baby are stable, though Carson is considering instructing Rachel to be on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy. He says the baby would have a good chance of survival if it came now but he would rather put that off a few more weeks."
"Why do I have feeling Rachel isn't taking that news well?"
"You would be right. When I left my house, she was fretting about how to take care of Autumn, the house and that she did not want to be a burden to anyone. Elizabeth did get her to agree to stay with us for tonight, though she wants to go home tomorrow. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
Tyler found himself nodding, even as he came to a determination. "I am coming to Hope Valley," he told Nathan. "Constable Lassing was cleared for duty this afternoon so he doesn't need me here. Headquarters has not yet sent me new orders. I want to come check on Rachel for my own piece of mind."
"Though I don't think she would ask for you, I think you would be a calming presence for Rachel right now. Somebody will be up, if you want to come out to my place. Faith and Carson wants some one sitting with Rachel through the night just in case. We can find a bed for you for the night."
"Thank you," Tyler replied, grateful that he would not have to wait until the morning to check on Rachel personally. "I'll be leaving here as soon as I can get packed and let Constable Lassing know my plans."
"There is no need to hurry and be reckless," Nathan warned him. "Rachel is in good hands and Autumn is having a sleep over with Ivy."
Despite the situation, Tyler chuckled. His fellow Mountie knew him well. "I will be careful," Tyler assured him. Though he wasn't planning on a leisurely pace, he would not push Icarus this evening either. "Thanks for letting me know, Nathan."
After ending the call with Nathan, Tyler got to his feet to go find Mrs. Rigel. He found the boarding house proprietress in kitchen getting things out for a sandwich. She looked up at him as he entered the room.
"I overheard your plans to leave," Mrs. Rigel admitted. "I am making a couple of sandwiches for the road. There is no charge for the room you will not be using tonight after all."
"Thank you," Tyler said in appreciation. He knew arguing with the lady's hospitality would be pointless. " I am going to go pack."
Mrs. Rigel nodded in acknowledgment as she continued her task. Turning from the kitchen, Tyler headed upstairs. He would pack, stop by Lassing's quarters behind the Mountie office to let him know his change in plans and then go tack up Icarus.