Nate seemed to know when the pain had passed. Maybe because she stopped squeezing his hand so hard.
“Okay?”
She nodded, even though there was nothing okay about any of this. The baby was supposed to wait until they reached Eden Valley Ranch. Now she’d be grateful to be at a stopping house. Oh God, please let it be clean and warm.
* * *
Nate had long since given up the hope Louise only suffered a digestive upset. Archie had made it clear that he recognized the symptoms.
“It might stop. Sometimes it does. But you best be prepared for your baby to be born soon.”
His baby. Louise had made it crystal clear this was Gordie’s baby. But Gordie wasn’t here and Nate was. What’s more, Nate was her legal husband, so, for now, it was best if everyone saw the baby as his.
He longed to flex his cramped fingers, but Louise held on to them like a lifeline. He wasn’t about to take that from her. The latest pain had lasted a long time, though he supposed it was less than thirty seconds.
How long before they reached the next stopping house? If Dutch had his way, it would be in record time. They rumbled along at a furious rate that half frightened him. An axle could snap on the rough ground. The stage could tip over on one of the corners.
But none of them fancied seeing a baby born in the cold, cramped quarters of the stagecoach. So no one complained about the fast pace.
Except for Louise, and even she had stopped saying anything.
He looked into her face, expecting she would be sleeping again, but her eyes were open and she regarded him with such desperation that he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”
She nodded. “I know,” she whispered, and turned her face into his chest, where she remained.
He held her close and rubbed her back as she was gripped by another pain. He didn’t know what else he could do and felt so powerless it twisted his insides.
She slowly relaxed and he knew the pain had passed. Minutes later, he guessed by the way her head rolled that she’d fallen asleep, and he closed his eyes, resting his cheek on the top of her head.
Funny how all day he’d wanted to touch the braid in her hair and now he could. Her arms were under the robes, but her head was open to the cold and he pulled her shawl up from her shoulders and tucked it about her head, letting his fingers linger over her silky brown hair.
From outside he heard Dutch command the horses. “Whoa,” he called.
The stage swayed back and forth, then grew motionless.
Dutch yanked the door open. “We’re here.”
Louise jerked awake and sat up.
No one moved. Nate realized they waited for Louise to exit first.
He slipped his arm from around her, pushed back the heavy robe and edged toward the door. He jumped down and reached up to help her.
Before her feet hit the ground, he swept her into his arms.
“Put me down,” she ordered.
“When we get inside.”
“I’m not a cripple.”
He continued toward the stopping house.
She struggled, but he wouldn’t release her. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. You’re about to have a baby.”
“I’m sure it’s just from bouncing around. This will settle down now we’ve stopped moving. You’ll see.”
They reached the door and he opened it and set her down. “I hope you’re right, but Archie is the only one among us who seems to have any experience in this matter and he seemed quite certain your discomfort means the baby is coming.”
She straightened her clothes. “I guess I’m the one to know.”
The others trooped in, followed by their current host.
Dutch stepped forward to make the introductions. “This is Phil.”
“Short for Philomena. Welcome.”
Every eye turned toward the speaker.
“A woman,” Missy squeaked.
“That’s right.” Phil laughed as if their surprise amused her.
“Consider yourselves smiled upon,” Dutch said with a chuckle. “Phil runs the best stopping house anywhere.”
“Thanks, Dutch.” Phil talked as if laughter was just below the surface. She was as tall as most men. Her hands were darkened from work, but she had the sweetest smile Nate had seen in some time. She removed her hat and thick black hair tumbled loose to the middle of her back. If Nate hadn’t been so concerned for Louise, he might have stared at her like the others.