Page 47 of A Bride for Brodie

EPILOGUE

March 28, 1881

Lottie walkedcircles in the kitchen. Dinner had been over for hours and except for her, Brodie, Fiona, and Frank, who went to get the doctor, the rest of the family was in bed.

Maisie and Fiona had already had their babies. Ivy and Gwen both ready to give birth. But now, tonight, it was Lottie’s turn.

She could have done without the pain. Her back was killing her and every time she felt a contraction, all she wanted to do was bend forward to ease the pain…except each time she tried, it only put her off balance.

So instead, she pressed her fingers into her lower back and got whatever slight relief was to be had.

“What can I do to help?” Brodie walked with her, his arm around her shoulders. His brows furrowed.

She knew he was worried, but she couldn’t help it. Lottie had enough on her mind.

“There is really nothing you can do, darlin’. Believe me, I wish there was.” She stopped walking. “Wait a minute. If I sit for a bit, can you rub your fingers into the small of my back? Or can you do it with me standing up?”

“I’ll do it whichever way you want and if that doesn’t work, we’ll try something else.”

“Okay, let’s start with sitting first.” She sat on a chair and leaned forward, braced by her elbows and forearms on the table. A contraction hit. “Now would be nice for you to start. Please.”

“Of course. Sorry I’m so slow.” He ran his fingers up and down, across the small of her back. “How’s that? Is it helping any?”

“Not really. Actually, I need to stand. Would you help me up?” She pushed away from the table and turned sideways in her seat.

He came around to her side so he could do whatever she wanted. Brodie was a good husband, and yet she was thinking of what he wasn’t doing—like moving fast enough—instead of what he actually was doing, which was comforting her. He was staying with her, not leaving, as was the custom.

“You’re a good man, Brodie Campbell.”

He grinned. “I’m glad to hear you say it.”

Fiona came into the kitchen. “Doc Chandler should be here soon. How long has it been since your last contraction?”

“Not long.” Brodie looked down at Lottie. “Do you know?”

“No.” She glanced at Fiona just as another pain hit. “I’d say we’re about three minutes apart. Not much more than that, if any.”

“I’d say they’re closer than that.” Brodie stooped and picked her up. “Time you went upstairs and prepared for the doctor, little mama.”

Lottie wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his chest. His strength always amazed her. He held her as if she were just a child’s doll, even though she was pregnant.

He walked down the hall toward the living room but turned left at the stairs. Brodie climbed the stairs easily and wasn’t even winded when he reached the top. He walked into their bedroom and kicked the door closed behind them, setting her on the floor beside the bed.

She unbuttoned her dress and slid it down her arms to the floor, and then she stepped out of the garment. “Brodie, would you hang up my dress for me, please?”

“Sure thing, sweetheart. You just get the rest of your clothes off.”

After she had removed everything, she pulled her oldest nightgown off the bed where she’d left it this morning and donned it. Brodie had bought her a pretty new one for after the baby was born. It was beautiful. Soft cotton, with lace around the cuffs and collar. It buttoned up the front so she could open it to nurse the baby.

“Frank rode to town to get the doctor about two-and-a-half hours ago. The doctor should arrive within the hour, and Agatha is here in case our son is more eager to emerge than we expect.”

“You’re awfully sure we’ll have a son. What if we have a daughter instead?”

His face softened, and he took her hand and kissed the back. “You know I will love any child we have…and I will teach them the same things. Regardless of whether it’s a boy or a girl, they will need to know how to run this ranch because it will be partly theirs someday.”

“You’re a good man. Ahhh.” She stopped and held the rigid muscles of her stomach with both hands. The pain lasted for just a minute or so, but was intense. “I think I need to lie down now.”

“I agree.”