Bartered Bride Romance Collection by Cathy Marie Hake

Author:Cathy Marie Hake [Hake, Marie Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62029-564-9
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2007-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Corrie woke to daylight streaming through the window. She felt sticky, achy, and still tired. She stretched, feeling the baby kick at the same time her leg cramped up so severely she let out a quiet cry. Instantly, Matty was by her side.

“Another contraction, Sweetie?”

Corrie could barely speak but managed to shake her head while straining to reach around her swollen belly to rub the cramped muscle. Matty read her body language and rubbed Corrie’s leg with firm, experienced strokes.

“Ah, that’s so much better.” Corrie sighed as the pain abated. “I keep forgetting I can’t tighten those muscles without penalty.”

Matty massaged for a few more minutes then lightly stroked Corrie’s belly. “How’s the baby?”

Corrie grinned. “Busy as ever.”

“That’s a good sign. Any cramping?”

Corrie pondered. “I don’t think so. I feel sore but not crampy.”

Matty’s eyes shone with delight. “That’s good news. You fell asleep around midnight and seemed to sleep peacefully, which tells me the contractions may have stopped.”

“When can I have a bath?”

“I’ll have Bess bring up some warm water, and I’ll give you a sponge bath.”

“I can do it.”

“No, you can’t.” Matty’s voice rarely took such a firm note with Corrie. “Sweetie, you’re not moving out of this bed except to use a chamber pot.”

“Matty!” Corrie heard the whine in her own voice and hated it even while she felt powerless to get rid of it. “I’ll die of boredom up here!”

“No, my dear one, you won’t. You’ll save your baby’s life.”

The bald statement jolted Corrie. She felt the shock widen her eyes.

“I’m not exaggerating, Corrie. If the contractions hadn’t stopped, if your baby had been born today, he or she wouldn’t have had a chance. You need to do everything you can to keep that little one happy inside you for at least another month. That means you need to stay relaxed and quiet. The slightest bit of exertion could start your labor again, and it might not stop.”

Corrie felt despicable tears fill her eyes. She turned her head toward the wall so Matty wouldn’t see. If she lost this baby, her own life might as well end. But a month of being cooped up in this little room?

The first few days weren’t as difficult as she’d expected. Her body seemed to crave sleep. Now there was no reason for her to resist the urge. Her naps frequently broke with the baby’s activity or by her own bodily discomfort, but a change of position usually allowed her to drift back into slumber.

By the end of the week, however, her need for sleep became less acute. She had time to miss the rhythm of family life. Matty came in every morning with her breakfast and a sponge bath. Either Bess or Matty brought lunch and dinner. Matty usually stayed to chat while Corrie ate. Bess always inquired as to how Corrie felt, but she didn’t linger.

In those hours of aloneness, Corrie couldn’t help but contemplate the difference between her life as it was and the life she’d anticipated when she’d married Brian.

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