A Midwife Crisis by Lisa Cooke

Author:Lisa Cooke [Lisa Cooke]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
Published: 2010-04-22T14:00:00+00:00

Katie knew John had heard Julia’s question by the sudden slump in his shoulders. Sadness knifed through her. “Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be,” she replied, watching John drive away and wishing she could hold him instead.

But based on the way he’d acted this morning, a hug was the last thing he’d want. He was so nervous she was afraid if she touched him he’d faint. Of course it’d serve him right. He had that effect on her every time he touched her and sometimes just when he looked at her.

“Let’s go inside and see if Mrs. Adkins had anything on the stove.” Katie took Julia’s hand and led her into the kitchen, hoping the distraction would keep her from thinking about the last time John had touched her. It’d been less than twenty-four hours ago and her lips still tingled.

“We hadn’t started on lunch yet,” Julia said with all seriousness. “I was going to make biscuits.”

“You’re good at that.”

Julia beamed. “Mrs. Adkins said I make the best biscuits in the county.”

Katie fought to contain her grin. Julia should be good at making biscuits. They’d had them every day for lunch ever since Katie had started working for John.

“Do you want me to make them for lunch?” Julia asked.

“If you would, please.” Katie watched amazed as Julia dragged her chair around the kitchen, climbing to get a bowl and flour from the Hoosier. She then slid out the tin top to make more room before asking Katie if she’d get her the milk.

“Where’s the springhouse?”

“I don’t know,” Julia answered, clearly puzzled by the question, “but the icebox is in the corner.”

An icebox. John had an icebox. Katie followed Julia’s pointing finger to the corner of the kitchen where a beautiful oak icebox stood waiting her inspection. Katie knew of people who had them, but had never had the opportunity to explore one before. After a quick examination of the brass hinges, she opened the door and stared in wonder at the dark interior.

Milk, eggs, cheese, and several jars of apple butter and preserves sat on the zinc shelves, cool as a cucumber. She almost giggled when she felt the temperature of the milk pitcher as she lifted it from the shelf.

An honest-to-goodness icebox.

Gracious, John was rich. The big house, library, and fifty-dollar chicken had been a clue, but the icebox really sent it home. Iceboxes didn’t work without ice and that meant someone had to be paid to bring it in.

“Daddy!” Julia’s excited greeting took Katie’s mind away from iceboxes.

John ruffled Julia’s hair in a way Katie’d never seen him do before.

“I’m making biscuits,” Julia announced. She hurried back to her awaiting dough bowl so she could prove her point.

Smiling at his daughter, he removed his coat. “I’m sure you are.”

“How’s Mrs. Adkins?” Katie asked while John laid his coat across the back of a chair.

“She’s fine, but I realized on the way home that I have a dilemma. I need to hire someone to fill in until Mrs. Adkins is back on her feet.

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