Wagon Train Baby: Christian historical romance (Love on the Santa Fe Trail Book 1) by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford [Ford, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crocus Mountain Publishing
Published: 2018-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Luke’s insides felt scalded as he listened to Donna Grace. She wouldn’t thank him for stopping, but he couldn’t go on with her in such distress. Was she having the baby or had she injured herself in her fall? He didn’t know, and knew she wouldn’t tell him. The woman was so afraid of being a nuisance, she would suffer alone, rather than admit she needed help.

He snorted quietly. As her husband he had every right to make a few decisions for her good, whether or not she liked it.

So he had stopped and signaled the reverend to join him.

“She needs your wife,” Luke said. Mrs. Shepton would soon assess the situation and decide what needed to be done.

Mrs. Shepton poked her head out of the wagon. “Your wife is in labor. You won’t be able to go on until she delivers.”

Donna Grace called out. “I can travel.” Her words ended in a groan.

Mrs. Shepton shook her head to indicate to Luke that travel was out of the question, then ducked back inside.

Luke had no intention of going on. The trail was rough. No woman in Donna Grace’s condition should be subjected to the bouncing and jerking.

Buck rode up and inquired as to the reason for the delay. He listened as Luke explained.

Buck looked at the line of wagons passing them. “I need to get to the next stopping place where there will be water for the animals. You catch up as soon as you’re able.”

Luke nodded at the wisdom of Buck’s words.

Warren offered to stay, but Luke said someone needed to see to their wagons. Mary Mae wanted to stay too, but Mrs. Shepton had said the less commotion around Donna Grace, the better, so she went on with Judith, her face wreathed in worry over her sister.

Luke wished he could offer Mary Mae encouragement, but after listening to Donna Grace’s moans and cries for the past two hours, he was wrung out.

Her sounds of distress continued, but now with Mrs. Shepton offering encouragement.

The reverend took Luke by the arm. “Son, it could take quite a while. There’s nothing you can do now except wait, and keep water hot. Maybe make some tea.”

Luke built a fire and put water to boil, his actions so automatic he couldn’t have told anyone what he did.

His mind was consumed with listening to Donna Grace.

She cried out.

He jerked upright and headed for the wagon.

The reverend caught his arm. “You can’t go in there.”

He shook off the man’s grasp. “She’s my wife.”

“My wife knows what she’s doing.”

Luke faced him, frustration boiling within him. “Can you tell me she’s never lost a mother or child in birthing?”

The reverend shook his head. “I wish life was that simple.”

“Then how am I supposed to stand by and not do anything?” He took a step toward the wagon and stopped. What could he do? Besides stand by and wait helplessly, wanting nothing more than to make the cries stop.

The reverend removed his hat. “There is one thing you can and should do.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.