Romancing Rosalie - A Cascade Creek Christmas (Historical Western Romance): The Ladies of Cascade Creek by AnnMarie Oakes

Author:AnnMarie Oakes
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Western Historical Romance
Publisher: South Point Press
Published: 2014-05-22T23:00:00+00:00

~ * ~ * ~

A few days later, Audra was standing at the stove when she cried out. She bent over, holding her abdomen.

Rosalie rushed to her side. “What is it?” She helped Audra to a chair.

“Get Lucas, quick. Please.” Breathless fear made Audra’s voice high and thin.

Rosalie didn’t hesitate. She dashed outside and ran to the barn, where Lucas was busy with the animals. The snow was deep and her shoes didn’t protect her feet from the bitter cold. Heavy white flakes fell thickly, clumping before they hit the ground. “Lucas! Lucas! You’ve got to come now. Audra—”

Lucas didn’t wait for her to finish, but rushed past her without a word. He sprinted to the cabin as Rosalie hurried after him. He flung open the door.

Audra held out her hand, panting. “I think … it might be time.”

“But it’s early, isn’t it?” Lucas knelt by his wife’s side and placed his hand over hers.

“Maybe. Maybe not. These things aren’t exact, are they?” Audra managed a feeble smile.

Lucas stood. “I’ll fetch the midwife.”

“Be sensible, Lucas. You’ll never make it back by nightfall. The way the snow is falling … I doubt you’d make it back at all.”

Lucas thrust his fingers through his hair in frustration. “You can’t travel like this.”

“I can. We’ll bundle up and take the hot stones from the fireplace. This snow doesn’t look like it’s easing up.”

“I can help,” Rosalie interjected. “I can sit in the back with Audra.”

Audra shook her head. “We might not be able to come back for days. Someone needs to stay to feed and water the animals. Can you do that, Rosalie?”

A lump of fear froze in Rosalie’s throat. Though Audra had shown her a good deal, she wasn’t sure she could handle everything on her own and the idea of being alone in the cabin during a snowstorm was terrifying. The pleading look on Audra’s face had her saying, “Yes. Yes, of course. I can do it.”

Audra slumped in relief and Rosalie realized how it had been weighing on her. The animals were their livelihood—their survival.

Lucas glanced sharply at Rosalie, but it was clear to them all it was the best choice. “Get everything ready. I’m hitching the wagon.”

It seemed an age but Rosalie knew it was only a few minutes before Audra was bundled in the back of the wagon under as many blankets as she could stand, hot rocks wrapped close to keep her warm. Lucas donned his heaviest gear, looking like a large bear under the heavy coat.

He grasped Rosalie’s shoulder on the way out. “You’ll be all right. Don’t be scared. There’s plenty of food. Keep the fire going. Don’t forget to bundle up well and use the line to go to the barn.” And with that, he was gone into the blank white of the storm, leaving Rosalie standing alone.

Rosalie shut the door and walked to the fire. She held out her hands, seeking the warmth of the flames. What would have happened if she weren’t

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