Lincoln County Series 1-3 (34 page)

Chapter Eight

The delightful sound of birds singing outside her window motivated Cameron to get out from the comfort of her quilts. She giggled at herself as it was not so easy to maneuver anymore with such a heavy middle. The baby awoke too, giving a few hefty kicks, enough to spur her with speed to the privy. “Must you press the bladder?”

Despite the melted snow and burst of spring attempting to break forth, the crisp air froze the hair on her arms. She pressed back into the house, threw two blankets about her shoulders and tended to the cold fireplace, readying her home for when Lacey arrived. Once the heat engulfed the living area, Cameron went to the cutting board, sliced bread and slathered it with the last of her jam. After comically adjusting herself within the chair, she did morning devotions, during which she had to press a hand against a foot coming up beneath her ribs. With nearly two months left before the baby was to enter the world, she wondered how her body might fare this delightful abuse.

She had been accurate in her thoughts of remaining in solitude throughout winter. With the exception of Thomas’s weekly dropping off of supplies and Lacey’s anticipated visits, Cameron had much time alone in prayer. It had been a challenging season in many ways and her heart ached daily for Andrew. With spring trying to take over the old season, so was her very own spirit. She was ready to begin anew.

She’d decided it was time to take over leading the church Andrew built.

*** *** ***

Naturally Lacey, who worked hard to live in comfort, who was elegant and beautiful and an adamant non-believer, was aghast at the idea. But her words of discouragement did nothing to dissuade Cameron’s decision. She bided her time while Lacey rebuked her because she wanted to do a man’s job.

As politely as possible, Cameron set down the teacup onto its saucer and folded her hands. “It’s what I can do now, for Andrew.”

“But it was Andrew’s calling, and you know how I felt about that when he first told me.”

“What are you so afraid of? I’m still me, the same Cameron who is like your sister.”

“I can’t explain properly. All I know is that religion is not for me and I’m afraid it’s going to take you away.” Lacey lifted her chin. “And I don’t care how selfish that sounds, it’s the truth.”

“I can’t pine away and do nothing. The church is here and without a preacher. I might not be equipped, but I feel to bring it back together until they find a replacement.”

Lacey pulled a plate of petite shortbread cookies from the basket of goodies she brought and placed it in front of them on the table. “And what of our baby?”

“Our baby is it?” Cameron smiled and lifted the cloth, helping herself to a buttery cookie and hoping there was also a jar of Cook’s jam in the basket.

“I insist you stay with me at the hotel until the baby is born.”

Before she could protest, Lacey cut her off. “I’ve already spoken to Thomas about it, and he agrees and is ready to help move over some of your belongings.”

She narrowed her eyes at Lacey and her look of triumph and knew she was defeated. Since when did she and Thomas discuss her well-being? It did seem wise to be in town with the birth coming closer. Although she’d hardly admit that to Lacey, who was doing enough gloating as it were. Besides, she had nothing left to prove.

*** *** ***

With the thaw, Jake had to make his way back home. He pulled the harness over Hunter and readied to leave the sorry excuse for a town he’d planted himself in over winter.

Home. He nearly laughed at the word. The reason he was to step foot in Lincoln County again was due to the Gun Shop. Making his presence known a couple of times a year kept his employees in line and business up to date. Besides, he’d run out of reward money and the four outlaw scums he’d tracked down had all met their demise. There was nothing left for him to do but ask Sheriff Randall for more outlaws to hunt. Going after them with the sun shining instead of snow blowing would be welcome and give him no cause to complain. Jake pulled himself up on Hunter and did not look back at the shabby place he was leaving behind.

Four days later he was on the grounds of Lincoln County. He hated that it felt good and right to be back. He chose to take a short cut towards home through the trees surrounding the churchyard. Surprised to hear music coming from inside, he drew closer. Had they already replaced Andrew? It didn’t seem right, he being the one who built the place, giving the town her first church. Not keeping in mind the terrible state of his appearance, he dismounted, needing to peek inside. This whole deal seemed disloyal to the Jacksons, and the thought of them brought Cameron to mind sooner than he’d wanted. The singing of hymns ended as he made way to the last step and was able to see inside. Stunned, he watched as Cameron took herself behind the pulpit and prayed aloud. He set himself aside lest she lay eyes on him, spying like some no good Peeping Tom, but this… this was the last thing he expected to witness.

Once it set in that she was leading prayer and all was quiet around him, serene even, he was able to listen to the strength and confidence in the words pouring from her lips. Over the past few months he’d pictured her devastated in mourning. Such a fool he was to think she could not rise to the occasion of losing her husband. A spark of curiosity shot through him. Was she going to preach, too? For some reason he was nervous for her. As it turned out, he’d no cause to be anxious—she was a natural. Being no expert on what preachers were supposed to sound like, he didn’t believe they were like Cameron. She held a passion in her voice and shared a conviction with which she believed. Unable to keep his eyes away, he wanted one last glimpse of her. Briefly he looked in. She was healthy finally, full of baby and… radiant. He couldn’t peel his gaze away. Another five minutes ticked by and he began to absorb what was being said. Once he realized the meaning of what she was preaching he had an unwelcome softening of spirit. Suddenly he shot out of there as if his feet were on fire.

*** *** ***

Cameron heard a commotion and pulled her eyes in its direction. A stranger had been hovering on the outside. She was about to invite him in, but he’d gone. Next week she would be more in tune to the happenings towards the back of the church. It would not do to have someone feel as though they were not welcome in the house of God. She shared her heart another few minutes and let Mary have at the organ for a final hymn. It was all she could do to stand on swollen feet and nurse an aching back. But as she looked at the joyful faces of congregants about her, any discomfort was a small price to pay.

After service, she locked up the church and stayed awhile at Andrew’s grave. The anger she’d once held towards him had dissipated and her heart was healing with his absence. Though some nights, as she lay alone in their bed, her tears would stain the pillow as she thought of him. She never knew if the feeling of emptiness would go away, afraid if it did it meant he was fading from her memories. She hoped to forever be in love with Andrew and wholeheartedly anticipated the birth of his child, who deemed it necessary to agree by bruising up her insides.

Chapter Nine

The intention Jake had to be on the trail again deserted him like a traitor. Seeing Cameron and her full belly standing behind the pulpit, keeping Andrew’s legacy alive and well, stirred him to unlimited respect for her. No longer could he tear himself away from Lincoln County, or Cameron Jackson—whatever the future may be. Even now, seeing her maneuver along the boardwalk with the young girl Penny, laughing as if she had joy, confirmed his decision to stay put—if even out of curiosity.

He’d just finished loading up the last crate of food supplies into his wagon when the thought came to him to acknowledge her. It would be good to see where he stood in her life, being that they hadn’t seen each other for months. Jake hoped for courage in case of being met with rejection and made his way to her. As he reached the boardwalk and stepped up to greet them, Cameron clutched at the wood post and doubled over. Alarm spread through him as Penny did her best to comfort. The pain etched in Cameron’s face was not a passing cramp. She was in agony. He was prepared to get the doctor when her eyes met his and she ground out, “Please… Jake. Help me!”

Without thought he ordered Penny to get Lacey, scooped Cameron up and brought her around the corner to Dr. Grover’s clinic. He wasn’t there so Jake helped himself in and set her writhing frame onto one of the two beds in the room. She gripped his forearm and cried out.

He was at a loss. “I don’t know what to do.”

“I…don’t…either. It’s not…time.”

Upon hearing that, he swore. Not time? No way could Cameron take another death. What was wrong with her God anyway? Had He no mercy for His own kind? Swiftly, he grasped at the stool near the foot of the bed and pulled at it until it was under him. He sat with her, tense and overwhelmed. He allowed her to dig her nails into his flesh and willed himself not to panic. Suddenly she arched and blinked back sweat and tears. Intuitively he took a cloth and wiped her brow, wishing her pain to be upon him instead.

She had the gall to joke. “Easy Jake, you look like you’re going to spring away like a deer.”

An ounce of relief came over him. If she were going to die surely she’d be unable to speak so. “Is it gone? The pain?” he asked, still wiping her brow.

“For a moment, another will come I’m sure of it.”

He became worried again.

“This is how it is to be, Jake. Waves of pain until the baby comes.”

“But you said it wasn’t time.”

She closed her eyes briefly, and he assumed she was praying. “It isn’t time, but babies come at their will. Nothing for us to do about it now.”

Now he had real cause to panic. If no one arrived to deliver this baby it would mean that he… He couldn’t finish the horrible thought.

It seemed she had already thought it and was willing to voice it.

“Jake, I need you to boil water…”

She seized up again and grasped at the bedding. When she saw he was still sitting beside her she hollered, “Now!”

He didn’t need to be told three times. He shot off the stool, glad to be doing anything other than watch Cameron in the midst of labor pains, and found a pot to pump water in. By the time he got the fire going and the pot in place, she had had another bout come and go before he made his way back to her. Where was Lacey? The doc?

Sweating profusely now, Cameron looked at him wearily. “I’m getting the pains more often. If the doc isn’t here…”

Both were uncomfortable with the suggestion, but he vowed never to let her down again and now was the time to carry it out. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need.” His heart began to soften with compassion. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt that way.

“I’m going to push!”

He wanted to tell her no, to please wait. But then her knees came up and she planted her heels into the bed. Jake Collins, bounty hunter and killer of outlaws, was going to be sick. He couldn’t do this!

“Jake!” she called out.

With great reluctance, he peeled himself from the stool to aid her just as the door burst open. Both Lacey and Dr. Grover came into his sights and he stumbled out as if he were drunk. Pure relief coursed through him. The emotions roiling around his insides were so intense, all he could do was slide his shaky body down the wall outside the clinic and put his face in his palms. He needed to calm down. He hadn’t ever been so frightened in his life. A sharp laugh of reprieve came from him and he could focus once again before taking the time to steel himself against any bad news that might come from the room he’d just vacated.

*** *** ***

It all went quicker than she thought possible. Cameron believed she’d be in labor for many hours like most women, but she’d been able to forego that, blessedly.

Dr. Grover placed a bundle into her awaiting arms. “Here is your son.”

Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as she took in the tiny features and perfect body. “Welcome to our world, Drew.”

Lacey too, spilled tears. It was a rare sight to see her cry. Cameron knew she was thinking of Andrew as well. Trying to bring some encouragement, she said to Lacey, “We will always have a piece of Andrew with us. Drew will see to that.”