Twice a Bride by Mona Hodgson

Author:Mona Hodgson [Hodgson, Mona]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-307-73033-6
Publisher: The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group
Published: 1900-01-03T16:00:00+00:00

Vivian set three cups on the serving tray, then added a bowl of sugar and a pitcher of cream. The week since her father’s arrival had been a swirl of family activity. Tonight was the first time she’d be able to visit with him without her sisters present. She drew in a deep breath before carrying the tray to the parlor. She couldn’t wait any longer to tell Father about her recent past, but how was she to talk about such things with Cherise at his side? She felt bad for the child, but the girl’s ever-present neediness was making it difficult for Vivian and her sisters to catch Father up on their new lives.

Her midsection suddenly tightened, and she gripped the edge of the counter. Since the first episode at Ida’s nearly two weeks ago, she’d experienced the tightening on five occasions. This was the sixth. Another false start? Vivian made herself take a long, slow breath, counting off the seconds. How many more of these episodes would she experience before her baby was ready to make its appearance?

Was she ready to be a mother? The reality grew by bounds with each contraction.

Father walked into the kitchen without his dinner jacket. He stopped suddenly and stared at her as if she’d grown a second nose. “You’re as white as your mother’s cream sauce.”

Vivian rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. She couldn’t remember ever missing her mother as much as she did in this moment. If Mother were here … Tears sprang to her eyes. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice quivering.

“Oh dear.” Father wrung his hands. “You’re in pain.”

She was in pain, but the tightening of her abdomen wasn’t to blame. Again, it had eased off rather quickly. She let go of the counter and took slow steps to the table.

“I should get your sisters.” Father glanced toward the door. “Morgan. He’s a doctor. I should telephone him.”

“It’s not the baby.”

“But you had hold of the cupboard as if you’d crumple if you didn’t.” He pulled a chair out from the table and held it for her.

Accepting his helping hand, Vivian eased into the chair. “I’ve had a few practice contractions the past couple of weeks, and I just had another one.”

His eyes widened. “Practice?”

“Yes. Kat said my body is practicing for the process of giving birth.”

Her father paled, his cheeks puckered as if he were sucking on a lemon.

“The tightening didn’t last long. I’m fine now.” Tears rolled down Vivian’s cheeks, betraying her.

“Then why are you crying?” He pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket. “Something’s bothering you. What is it?”

She breathed in the sweet scent of lavender soap as he blotted her tears. This was her chance to tell him. But how? She folded her hands and rested them on the table’s edge, watching him sit in the chair beside hers. “You’ve been in Cripple Creek for a whole week.”

His blue eyes narrowed, further creasing his wrinkled brow. “My arrival … my being here is cause for tears? I thought you’d be happy to have me here.

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