Jodi's Journey (35 page)

“Okay…I'll boil the water then,” Cole said
and went into the kitchen.

Hunt shook his head when he heard all the
pots and pans rattling in the kitchen. “I should have never told
him to boil water.”

“I found it!” Cole shouted from the
kitchen.

Hunt took Jodi's hand, held it in his and
spoke soothing words to her, trying to calm her down. She looked at
him with shock. “We're going to have a baby,” she cried.

“I know, darlin'. Now don't fret. Everything
will be fine.” He gulped his own fear down.

“Of course it will. Sarah's coming.” Jodi
tried to laugh, but another pain hit her, so another pain hit
Hunt.

“Who is Sarah?” Hunt asked, wiping tears from
his eyes with his good hand.

Trying to focus on anything but the pain, she
cried out, “Willy's new bride.”

“What?” Hunt loosened his hold of her
hand.

“I'll explain later.” She cried out.

“Okay…just breath deep and relax if you can,”
Hunt said, his voice cajoling her more than he knew.

“Does it matter if it's a girl or a boy?” she
asked between pains.

Hunt smiled lamely at her. “Not to me, it
doesn't. It's a baby, that's all I care about. If it's a girl,
she'll look like you and I'll spoil her. If its boy, he'll work
alongside me when he's big enough. Either way, it's perfect.”

Jodi laughed and cried at the same time.

She wasn't prepared for the kinds of pain she
faced, but she wanted this baby now. That made a difference

In less than an hour, Sarah was standing in
the middle of the kitchen, barking orders at the men just to keep
them busy enough not be in the way. Willy was shocked about Sarah
and it was obvious he liked her right away. But he was very
shy.

By now, Jodi was deep into pains and Sarah
was doing everything she could for her. Suddenly, Sarah looked at
her. “Ms. Jodi, are you sure you aren't carrying twins?”

“Twins?” Jodi nearly fainted from the
words.

“Well, I noticed the other day how large you
were, and it feels like there are two of them. And the first baby
doesn't usually come early. In fact, the reverse is usually
true.”

Jodi began to giggle, even in her delirium.
Twins were funny. It would serve Hunt right. He'd faint,
himself.

When she screamed from the bedroom, Hunt
nearly burst in on them, but he heard Sarah talking sweetly to
Jodi. He wanted to go in, yet he knew he couldn't until Sarah said
it was okay. So he waited with Cole and Willy who were pacing the
floor almost as much as he.

Then there came a cry from the room. A sweet,
innocent cry that could only mean she’d had the baby. Hunt went to
the door, waiting for it to open, but it didn't. Instead, there was
a silence and then another loud cry came. Hunt looked at the men
and shrugged. What did it mean?

Just as he was about to burst the door down,
Sarah came out, looking around the room and then straight at
Hunt.

“Mr. Johnson, you can go in now and see your
babies.”

“Babies?” They all chorused.

“Babies.” She smiled and met Willy's head-on
glance. Willy's smile spread all across his face.

“Can I fix you a cup of coffee, Ms. Sarah?”
Willy asked politely.

“I'd appreciate it, thank you,” Sarah replied
as she began telling the two men just how startled Jodi was to have
two babies.

Hunt entered the room slowly, not knowing
what to expect exactly, but his face softened into the warmest,
most handsome smile Jodi had ever seen when she looked up at
him.

“Well,” she said, cuddling the babies to her,
“I couldn't decide which one to have so I had two, a girl and a
boy.” She laughed, unveiling the babies for Hunt to see.

They were so tiny, so pink and so beautiful
Hunt couldn't do anything but spread a goofy smile.

It reminded her of a child looking into a
candy jar as Hunt stared wordlessly at his children. She giggled.
“Aren't they beautiful?”

Hunt's smile lit the room with a warmth that
made everything perfect. “They sure are,” he said and gestured to
take one into his arms. “Can I?”

“Of course, they belong to you, too,” she
giggled. “Oh Hunt…what will we call them? I hadn't even thought of
a name.”

“My God, they are so tiny, and so…sweet.” He
smiled down at her. “Tell you what, I'll name the boy and you name
the girl.”

“Fair enough. You go first,” she
chuckled.

“Well, I always favored the name Luke…from
the Bible,” he said, staring into the tiny face that had curled its
fingers around his.

“I like that name,” she said, then stared
into her daughter's face. “Rebecca, from the Bible too. “She
smiled.

“I like that one too,” Hunt said, glancing
over at his little girl.

“Thank you, Hunt.”

“For what?” he asked, not taking his eyes
from his baby.

“For talking me out of the tansy. For wanting
these children. For making a real home with me. For
everything.”

He put the one baby down and picked up the
other, then stared down into her eyes. “You're glowing.”

“Am I?” she asked.

“I'm so happy I feel like singing. Mind if I
sing them a lullaby?” he asked

“Oh…” Jodi cried out. “That is so sweet.”

“I love you, Jodi,” he said in a whisper just
for her.

“I love you, Hunt,” she sighed happily.

He slowly opened the door for the others to
come in and began his song, not at all bashful. His deep voice
filled the room with a new serenity.

Cole and Willy came in, and Sarah followed.
Sarah watched them and smiled. It was such a happy moment. Everyone
was affected.

“Will you stay a few days, Sarah?” Jodi asked
when Hunt finished his song and let the boys hold the babies.

“If you like, yes ma’am,” she said shyly,
especially when Willy smiled directly at her.

“Oh yes, please. These men don't know how to
take care of babies, and I’m no expert,”

“No, but you'll get to be in no time,” Sarah
promised her. “Especially with two.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Sarah stayed for two weeks, helping with the
babies and the cooking, then Willy drove her home. He was glad to
take her home and have a little alone time with her.

They had gotten to know each other pretty
well. Sarah had told him all about her family up north and how she
had wanted to come west and explore it for herself. She hadn't been
disappointed. And she loved Texas.

Willy talked about everything, including his
plans to someday have a place of his own. He told Sarah those plans
were already in progress too.

≈≈≈

By then, Jodi was up and about and tending to
the babies herself. She felt great and was so thankful for having
Sarah to help her.

Hunt couldn't stay out of the house. He had
to invent reasons just so he could slip into the house and see his
babies. He wore fatherhood like a plate of armor, close to him.

Cole was taken aback at the babies and began
to seriously consider settling down himself. He had even ventured
over to see Miss Lucy a couple of times. Each time he came home
with a big smile on his face.

Jodi was growing used to motherhood quickly
and enjoyed beating Hunt from the house.

She adored the way he worshiped his children.
Nothing could have pleased her more. She knew deep down that if it
hadn't been for him, she would never have been this happy.

Everything was going well, yet it was time to
return to work. Hunt slowly got back into it, planning for the
winter. He began to finish his repairs along with getting the stock
settled in the south pasture.

They finally finished the bunkhouse, making
it spacious for the men. Built out of pine and oak, it had a cozy
feel to it. It was no ordinary bunkhouse, though, because they took
special pains to see it had comfortable beds and a well equipped
kitchen, and a room to sit by the fire in during the cold
months.

It was nearly Christmas when Cole went to
officially call on Lucy. He had bought a ring and was going to ask
her to marry him.

Willy spent his spare time over at
Sarah's.

One late afternoon, when the snow was falling
hard, Jodi was home alone with the babies. Hunt had gone out to the
pastures to check on the cattle.

Jodi had just put the babies down for a nap
and she was going to make Hunt a birthday cake when she heard the
door. Thinking it was Hunt, she ran to greet him. She ran into
Hershel instead.

He looked strange. He was sweating and his
face was pale, but he moved with a direct purpose. “Well now,
lookie here. I'm glad I waited. You done had that baby, I guess.
That's good 'cause babies just get in the way. And look at you;
you've filled out like a real mama, haven't you? I like that.”

“Hershel, please…don't do this,” she begged
him, silently hoping the babies wouldn't cry out and alert him to
their presence. It was her worst fear that he would hear them.

“Do what? I'm just visitin' an old friend.”
He chuckled loudly, as though he was in some strange kind of pain.
He glanced around. “Well now, there's been some real changes around
here, hasn't there?”

“Hershel, look, I forgive you for what you
did. But, please…just go away…please.”

“Aw now, honey, is that any way to talk to
me?” He sort of limped toward her, as though he couldn't quite
walk. She watched his actions.

“What's wrong with you, Hershel? Why are you
walking like that?” She glanced at the way he sort of sauntered
towards her.

“Oh well…nothing, nothing at all. I just ran
into a rattlesnake. Funny, but snakes don't usually move around
that much in the winter. I was just kickin' at some old rocks, and
out he came. I'm okay, they can't kill me.” Hershel's voice was
shrill.

“What?” she shrieked. “Let me see. Where were
you bitten?”

“Now don't you go worrrin' about me, honey. I
want to see you. That's what I came back for is you…”

“Hershel, if you have any decency at all…”
Jodi tried not to tremble in front of him. But the sweat was
pouring off him now, and he could barely stand. He drew a chair
from the table and almost fell into it.

He sat there, hardly able to sit up straight,
and he looked at her.

“I don't. I never did have…did I? All I ever
wanted was for you to notice me. Yeah…kinda silly, huh?” His eyes
rolled in his head. “You always had your nose in the air when I was
around. Used to make me so mad. Like you was better than me. But I
knew your old dad and he wasn't better.”

“I've noticed you Hershel, but I don't have
any feelings for you. I'd be lying if I said I did. Now let me look
at that bite.” She got up and went to stand near him.

“No. Hey, I'm fine. Just came to see my
girl.”

“Hershel, you could die. Please, let me have
a look at it.”

“I'm too young to die,” he stated before he
fell over onto the floor and lay there. He was very still, but the
sweat continued to pour from him. Jodi wanted to scream she was so
scared. What should she do? What could she do for Hershel now?
Maybe she could cut the poison out. She had hated this man for so
long. Now…all she felt was pity.

Afraid to go near him, she waited a minute to
see if he would try to get up. When he didn't, she bent to his
side.

He was still alive, barely.

“I loved you Jodi…but you never would look at
me…” His voice was only half there, as though he was crossing over
Jordan as he spoke.

“Don't, Hershel,” she cried, holding his head
up and wishing someone was here to help her with him. “Where were
you bitten?”

“On the leg…” he gasped. “Out there in your
yard, a rattlesnake. Can you believe a rattlesnake got me in the
winter? It's…so…strange.”

“Lie still, let me have a look,” she
demanded, taking his boots off and removing his socks. She pulled
the pant leg up and saw the wound. It was red and raw and a long
streak was headed up his leg. He was dying. It was too late to save
him. But she had to try, even after what he had done to her. He was
a human being, she reasoned.

“Hershel…I'm sorry,” she cried, looking into
his handsome young face.

“Don't cry…I ain't going to…die,” he barely
uttered. “I'm sorry…Jodi…”

“Hershel, I've got something to tell you. I
wasn't going to, but now…I have to,” she began. “It wouldn't be
right to keep it a secret…I guess.”

But it was too late; his head fell off her
arm as she held him up from the floor. He was dead. She looked down
into his face and whispered with tears rolling down her cheeks,
“You have two beautiful children. But you'll never know…”

She couldn't help it. She cried long and loud
and helplessly as she sat there with his head in her lap. She cried
for him, for her, and for the babies.

She held him there on the floor for a long
time, until Hunt came home from the pasture.

He entered the house and found her cradling
Hershel Walker in her arms.

She looked up at him. “He's dead.”

“My God, Jodi, what happened?” Hunt asked,
coming toward her and taking her away from him.

Then he saw the leg and he knew. He grimaced.
“A snake?” He sounded as though he didn't believe it could happen
either. Then, he nodded as though he suddenly understood it all.
“It was divine intervention, Jodi. Meant to be. We'll take his body
away and see he gets a decent burial. But I have to tell you, I’m
glad it's all over. Although, I wouldn't wish a rattlesnake on
anyone. It's over; it's finally over, Jodi.”

“Yes,” she cried. “He didn't know, Hunt. I
was about to tell him.”

“Maybe that's best,” Hunt said with
reasoning. “Sometimes a man does things he can't live with,
Jodi.”

“I felt sorry for him. I mean, I hated him.
Truly hated him, but when he came in here today…all I could
possibly feel was pity.”

“Honey, it's all behind us now and best
forgotten,” Hunt said quietly. “You go check on the babies and I'll
tend to this part of it.”