Chapter Ninety-Two 92/100
The light streamed through the lace panels not covered by the velvet drapes into the master bedroom.
Maris woke with a start with a stabbing pain in her womb. She held in the yelp as she realized Chip was asleep beside her—-still in his cowboy boots. She grimaced through the contraction and pulled herself up in the bed to prop her head on the headboard.
She looked over and saw Nick asleep in front of the fireplace on the bearskin rug. His hair was ruffled and he was covered with several floral quilts from her divan. She was filled with overwhelming love for her husband.
She reached over to her nightstand and picked up her watchpin.
"It's nearly nine o'clock." As another contraction hit hard. She let out a gasp to catch her breath.
Nick jumped up hearing her distress and Chip rubbed his eyes. He was a bit embarrassed to have fallen asleep talking to his stepmother. Someone had covered him. He still had his cowboy boots on.
"Maris?"
She breathed through the contraction, "Yes."
Chip frowned, "I didn't think it was time."
Nick twisted his mouth, "Babies can't read calendars."
A memory of Peg losing a baby too early crossed his mind. He involuntarily shivered and pushed the terror out of his mind. The last pregnancy had taken her from him. She held my hand to the very end.
"Maris, Maris, Maris," he said her name aloud to clear his mind of the memories.
She looked at him funny, "Yes dear?"
He didn't answer, looking dazed. He was frozen in place.
"Chip, can you go get your Aunt Sally? I think the baby may be on the way."
"Yes ma'am." He pulled his sling back up on his shoulder and ran out of the door.
They heard him breathlessly telling Fritz that " a baby was coming."
"Nick? Can you help me sit up? I would like to freshen up a bit before it begins in earnest."
He pulled her up gently and kissed her forehead. He held her close and hugged her. She buried her face in his ribs as another contraction began. He could feel her body tense and the tightness of her stomach against them."
"Honey, just lean on me. Breathe in and out"
She complied and tried to relax. Sweat broke out on her brow.
"I am not well versed in woman matters but honey, if you were a mare, you would be close."
She frowned at him and he gave her a trademark Nick sheepish grin. She shook her head.
He walked her to the water closet and stood by the door for her privacy but in case she needed help.
"Nick? My waters broke. Can you get me a lady to help?"
"I figure I got you in the family way, I can help." and he handed a towel through the door.
She smiled at his kindness. She sat through two more contractions until she was able to stand up.
"A gown? A plain one? Near the front of my closet."
He quickly grabbed it and was back within a minute. They pulled her dressing gown over her head and he quickly slipped the fresh one back over. He tried to avert his eyes for her sake but he was astounded by how large her belly was—
He pulled her braids out and kissed her on the neck. Another contraction hit and she leaned into him for it. He held her up with his strong arms and whispered how much he loved her into her ear.
It passed and he got her back to bed.
She grimaced again, "That one was in the curve of my back."
Nick gently rolled her over and rubbed her back until the pain passed.
"Oh Nicholas, you are simply the most kind man in the world." after she was able to speak again.
He helped her settle back on the pillows. He poured some water into the basin and brought her a cool cloth.
Thirty minutes passed and she had at least six more strong contractions.
Fritz tapped on the door and Nick answered it.
"Want me to go find help? Ain't no one here 'cept a kitchen boy and twelve-year-old Bianca. Your mother?"
"Nah. Guess they are all over at Jarrod's. Chip should get back soon enough. Sally is the one we want. And those docs and grouchy nurses at big brother's. Let's just wait for Sally. She will know best."
"Who was it, Nick?"
"Fritz. Said help is coming soon."
—-&—-
Chip ran down the stairs and grabbed the small rig tied to the post. He looked around and saw no ranch hands. He went to leap into the rig and the broken bottom step gave way and he crashed into the wagon. The corner caught his shoulder knife wound and blood spurted forth.
He howled in pain, "Help!"
No one came. He stanched his wound gingerly with a handful of leaves into the sling to absorb the blood. He felt faint and flush but knew his Father was counting on him.
He tapped the horse and headed down the dirt road to Sally's and Heath's. He almost stopped when he passed Jarrod's house but decided he needed to get help faster. He prodded the horse reins and the horse went a little faster. They hit a hole in the road at full speed and Chip fell forward. The brake caught his arm and the wound completely reopened. He lost consciousness and the horse left the road to a grove of small oaks to graze.
—&—-
Heath left Gene at Jarrod's; he decided to ride home and check on the children and Sally. He was perplexed where all of the boys were and where Elisabeth was.
"I figured she would be checking on Jarrod early this morning."
He was distracted as he headed on the familiar road home. It was only a mile between his and Jarrod's home.
His horse neighed and brought back his attention to the road; it stopped in the middle of the road and refused to budge.
Heath looked over at the small grove and saw the rig with the horse still harnessed. He jumped off his horse and ran over; Chip was bleeding profusely from the wound. The sling and his shirt were saturated. Heath reached in and found the leaves he had pulled to staunch his wound.
"Good thinking. They have probably saved your life. They are plumb stuck to the stitches."
"Pa? Maris— baby. Need Aunt Sally."
Heath looked horrified, "the baby is coming?"
Chip could only nod his head.
"Let me get you to my house and we will send Sally back to Nick's. Somebody is going to have to stitch up your chest boy. Hopefully nurse or doctor at Jarrod's."
He lifted his weak nephew over and took the rig straight to his house.
"Sally? Girls? Need some help out here."
Hannah was the first out the door followed by James David, William and JT. They immediately helped get Chip inside. Rachel and Vicki ran instinctively for the medical bag.
Sally came out of the guest bedroom drying her hands and untying her apron. A baby's cry pierced the air and startled Heath.
She helped the boys lay Chip on the dining table.
"Elisabeth has a healthy baby girl. We were just about to send word to the house. Kept thinking you would be home soon. JT and William got her here just in time. What has Chip done to his stitches?"
"He was coming for you. Maris's time is here."
"Oh dear. Hannah, pack the wound."
"He did it with leaves."
"Smart boy. William, head to your house, get a nurse or doctor for these stitches. I have to head to Nick's."
Chip muttered, "Pa said hurry."