Land of My Heart by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson [Peterson, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2010-10-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

FLORA MCNULTY EXAMINED SUSANNAH WHILE DIANNE STOOD AT the head of the bed, ready to help in whatever way she could.

“I think she’ll be fine,” the doctor declared. “Sometimes these things happen. I think if she’ll remain in bed and rest, the baby should be all right as well.” She looked up and smiled at the crying Susannah. “Now, don’t fret yourself so. You need to relax and stop crying.” She noted the bottle beside Susannah’s bed. “What’s this?”

“Laudanum,” Dianne said softly. “She’s been taking quite a bit, ever since my sisters died on the journey here.”

Dr. McNulty nodded. “It probably won’t hurt her to continue taking it. If it helps her to rest, we might be able to prevent the baby from coming too soon.”

It wasn’t exactly the news Dianne wanted to hear, but she nodded.

“If she gets worse, send one of your brothers again. Otherwise, keep her in bed and see that she eats and drinks plenty. She’s quite thin and that’s not good. The baby needs sustenance, and so does she.” The doctor reached out and patted Susannah’s hand. “Now, you let your daughter take good care of you. Do you hear?”

Susannah looked at the wall, refusing to even acknowledge the doctor. Dianne handed the doctor some money. “Is this enough to cover it?”

The older woman nodded. “It’s just fine. Thank you.” She got to her feet and packed her equipment before pulling on her coat. The day had turned quite cold, and Dianne couldn’t help but wonder if her uncle would have any luck finding them a warmer house.

After the doctor had gone, Dianne called her brothers in. They had waited outside, currying the horses and seeing to the other livestock to kill time.

“How is she? Did the baby come?” Zane questioned as they headed back into the cabin.

“No, the doctor believes if Ma takes laudanum and rests, the baby won’t come until it’s due. She’s to remain in bed until then, however.”

“That won’t be hard for her,” Morgan stated sarcastically. “She’s hardly done anything else since Julesburg.”

“Be that as it may, we have to stay here in Virginia City. Even if Uncle Bram wanted us, we couldn’t go—not now.”

“I don’t understand him,” Zane said, shaking his head. “I wanted to stomp him, but some of what he said made sense.”

“I know. I can’t help but think there’s something more to this,” Dianne declared. “He seemed so uncomfortable.”

“Well, I have to admit, it had to be a shock to come to town and find all of us here,” Morgan threw out. “I don’t like what’s happened, but I can’t say that I blame him exactly. Maybe Zane and I can talk man to man with him later and see what’s wrong.”

Dianne nodded. “Maybe.”

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