The Lawman's Agreement (Entangled Scandalous) (7 page)

Suzanne shook her head. “It’s not your water you’re feeling, Felicity.”

“Then, what was it?” Felicity asked.

Suzanne met Jake’s worried gaze before turning to Felicity. “It’s blood.”

Chapter Nine

Suzanne began giving orders immediately, her words sending everyone scurrying in one direction or another.

“Jake, you and Matt get Felicity out to the carriage. The bleeding seems to have stopped for now. I’ve wrapped her up quite snugly just in case it starts up again. I want to keep her feet up on the trip into town, at least until we can assess the situation further.”

“What can we do?” Virginia asked.

“I’ll assume one of you will be staying here with Molly, the others should come along to help keep Felicity calm until she’s ready to deliver.” Suzanne turned to Zack next. “Zack, go on ahead and find Doc Miller and at least two of the nursing staff and have them meet me at the hospital.”

“I’m on my way,” Zack said. “I’ll have everyone there by the time you arrive.”

“What are the next steps?” Jake asked. His usually authoritative voice was weak with worry for his wife and child.

“Once we get Felicity to the hospital, into a birthing gown and in bed, I can have a much better look at what’s happening. Our ultimate goal is to get the baby turned in the right direction and delivered normally.”

“And, if that’s not possible?”

“We’ll look at other options as we need them. Don’t worry, Jake, I’ve delivered dozens upon dozens of babies, turned a few, delivered a couple breech without incident and have assisted twice in surgical births. I’ll take good care of her, and the baby. I promise.”

Virginia reached for Suzanne’s hand and grasped it tightly in hers. “We know you will, dear. You saved Jackson once. We’ve no doubt in your skill as a physician.”

Within minutes they were ready to go. Suzanne took her seat in the large carriage next to Felicity, Jake on his wife’s opposite side, Matt and Miri in the front. From her place at the front door, Virginia waved goodbye just as Matt put the reins to the horses back.

“The cramping has stopped,” Felicity said. “That’s a good sign, isn’t it?”

“It will surely stop any further loss of blood,” Suzanne confirmed. “However, we don’t want to stop the labor. Now that the baby’s started to descend we want to get this birth on track.”

“I’m scared,” Felicity admitted. “It’s not at all how I imagined it would be. I was truly looking forward to a home birth, with all my family around me.”

“It’s no longer a possibility. I’m sorry,” Suzanne told her. “Besides, who better to give birth in the hospital than the woman whose time and money made it possible.”

As promised, Zack was waiting for them when they arrived at the hospital. As Suzanne had requested, he’d rounded up both Sara and Kristine, two nurses who worked at the hospital.

“Doc Miller will be here within the next few minutes. He was visiting friends and a bit harder to track down,” Zack explained.

“Thank you all for getting here so quickly,” Suzanne said sincerely. “Sara, why don’t you and Kristine help Mrs. McCade get undressed and into a birthing gown.”

“Shall we put her directly into the delivery room or into a bed?” Kristine asked.

“For the moment, I want you both to walk her around a bit, one of you on each side and supporting her weight, but not carrying her.”

“I don’t want to walk,” Felicity said stubbornly. “I’m afraid there’ll be more blood.”

“Once you’re changed, I’ll do another exam. If there’s no danger, you’ll need to move a bit to get this baby turned around like it should be.”

“What can we do?” Matt asked. Miri stood at his side. Jake had sunk into the closest chair, his face ashen.

“For the moment, keep an eye on Jake. The last thing I need is two patients demanding my time.”

“There must be something more?” Miri asked.

“Not until we assess how the delivery will go.”

“I want to be with her during the delivery,” Jake said.

Suzanne shook her head. “No. It’s been my experience husbands are the worst people to have around when their wives are in the throes of labor. If everything proceeds normally, Miri can come inside the delivery room to help keep Felicity calm. You and Matthew are relegated to the waiting room.”

“Let me know when I can help. Until then, we’ll all be right here waiting,” Miri said. She took a seat next to Jake and motioned for her husband to join her.

A rush of emotion swept through Suzanne when Miri put her arm around Jake’s shoulders and drew him close. What a wonderful family they had, all compassionately supportive of the others.

Doc Miller arrived just as Sara and Kristine finished helping Felicity into her gown.

“Sara, Doc Miller and I are going to the delivery room for a moment or two. Why don’t you and Kristine see if you can get Felicity up for a short walk? If there are any signs of cramping or bleeding, get her back to bed immediately and come and get us.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the young nurse said.

Suzanne and Doc Miller went into the nearby operating room and shut the door behind them. “So, Suzanne, what’s going on with Felicity?” Doc Miller asked.

“The baby’s not fully turned. I don’t believe it’s a total breech, but rather a bit sideways.”

“That’s unusual, isn’t it? Usually, once the babe starts turning it completes the rotation. Or, at least that’s been my experience in these matters.”

“I’ve thought for the past few months that this was going to be a big baby,” Suzanne explained. “And, given that Felicity is a small woman, there may not be room for the baby to turn completely.”

“What do you plan to do if we get to that point?” Doc Miller asked.

“As a last resort, and with your assistance, I’d like to deliver surgically.”

“I’ve read about it, but never helped with one. Hell, Suzanne, I’ve never even seen one. I’m not sure what help I can be.”

“I’ve assisted on two and I’m confident I can do this safely. I’m hoping it won’t come to that. But, if it does, I’ll need you to administer the ether. I’ll have Sara assist me with the actual surgery and Kristine will care for the baby once it’s delivered.”

A tap sounded at the door and Sara poked her head inside the room. “Dr. Martindale, Mrs. McCade’s water has broken.”

“We’ll be there in a minute. Please make sure she’s in bed and as comfortable as possible.”

“Will you want to give her a dose of laudanum?” Sara asked.

“No, not unless the pain is unbearable. The drug will only slow the labor process.” Once Sara had left to return to Felicity, Suzanne turned to Doc Miller and said, “The next hour or so will tell us what needs to be done. I’d suggest we prepare the operating room, just in case.”

“Why don’t I start setting things out, just in case?” Doc Miller suggested. “You go ahead and check on Felicity.”

…

Zack couldn’t remember ever seeing his cousin Jake in such a nervous quandary. Of course, Jake had never come this close to being a father.

“What the hell is going on in there?” Jake asked.

As if summoned by his concern, the door to the women’s ward opened and Miri stepped into the waiting area. “Everything’s progressing slowly,” she said the moment she reached Jake’s side. “The baby is refusing to turn completely.”

“I should be in there,” Jake said, his forward progress halted by both Zack’s and Matt’s hold on his arms.

“Dr. Martindale and Doc Miller have asked me to wait out here as well while they try to manually coax that stubborn child of yours into the right position,” Miri explained.

“And, what if that doesn’t work?” Zack wondered.

Miri shrugged. “There are other options. I’m sure if it comes to that, Suzanne will come out and explain them to us.”

From the other side of the door they could hear Felicity’s loud cries. And as they had before, Zack and Matt held an anxious Jake in place.

“Forgive us, Jake,” Zack said. “We know you want to be in there. At the moment, though, you need to let Suzanne and Doc Miller do their jobs.”

Other than the ticking of the mantel clock, the room remained silent for what seemed like an eternity. Zack could see the frustration on Jake’s face. Nearly an hour after they’d taken their seats, the silence was broken by the robust cry of a baby, the wailing sound music to everyone’s ears.

“The baby,” Miri said softly, “and by the sounds of it, a healthy one.”

They waited another fifteen minutes, the only sounds from the other room those of the baby from time to time. “What’s taking so long?” Jake asked. “Why haven’t they come to tell me about Felicity and the baby?”

“I’d imagine the baby’s being cleaned, dressed, and weighed,” Miri told him. “It shouldn’t be too much longer.”

As if summoned by her prediction, the door opened and Suzanne stepped across the threshold.

“How’s everyone doing out here?” she asked.

“Never mind us,” Jake said impatiently. “What about Felicity and the baby?”

“Felicity is resting. She held on like someone who’d done this a half-dozen times before, despite the prolonged delivery. We managed to get the baby fully turned. There were a few minor complications. However, with the help of Doc Miller and the nurses, everything righted itself in the end. As for the baby,” Suzanne paused, pushing open the door with her hand. Sara stepped into the room, a small bundle wrapped tightly in a bright yellow blanket.

Zack and Matt stepped back, allowing Jake and Miri a front row view.

“Jake McCade,” Suzanne began, “I’d like to introduce you to your son, weighing in at a healthy eight pounds and six ounces.”

“A son? I have a son?”

Suzanne took the infant from Sara’s arms and stepped in Jake’s direction. “Would you like to hold him?”

“It’s okay?”

“Yes, of course it’s okay.”

Jake took the baby into his arms, tears running freely down his cheeks. Zack had to swallow back his own emotions, as he suspected Matt was doing as well.

“What kind of complications?” Miri asked.

“The cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck, cutting off his air supply. Once I untangled the cord, I was able to perform a procedure called EAV, or ‘expired air ventilation’ to breath air into the baby’s lungs. Soon afterward, he was able to draw air himself and, as I’m sure you heard, let loose a healthy wail.”

“So, he’s perfectly fine?” Zack asked.

Suzanne pushed aside the blanket so that everyone could get a closer look. “Yes,” she said. “As fit as a fiddle.”

When Miri took the baby into her arms, Jake rushed forward and drew Suzanne into a hug. “Thank you, Suzanne.”

“It was an effort by all of us, especially Felicity. She worked harder than anyone I’ve ever assisted to make sure your son made it into this world alive and healthy.”

“When can I see her?” Jake asked.

“I gave her a teaspoon of laudanum to take the edge off her discomfort. As soon as she wakes up I’ll have Sara come get you. In the meantime, I have some paperwork to take care of, and we need to get the baby back to the nursery. He’s been through more than all of us put together and needs his rest.”

“How much longer will you be?” Zack asked.

“Two hours, I suppose. If you need to leave, I’m sure I can get myself home.”

Zack shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere. I intend to make sure you’re home safe and sound.”

Suzanne reached out and laid her hand against Zack’s arm. Immediately, he could feel the tremble in her fingers. It was then that he noticed the faint circles beneath her beautiful blue eyes. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically.

“Thank you,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I’d appreciate an escort home.”

Doc Miller left shortly after eleven, giving nurse Kristine a ride home in his carriage.

When Matt suggested he and Miri head back to the house for the night, Zack thought to ask, “Can you stop by the jail and tell Tom Stiles I’ll be late getting in tomorrow morning? He can pass the message on to Pete when he arrives at seven.”

“Sure thing, Zack,” Matt assured him. “You’ll likely be here another hour or so. I’m sure both Stiles and Bailey will understand.”

“I’m going to say goodbye to Felicity and Jake before we go,” Miri said softly. “I’ll only be a minute.”

Matt pressed a kiss to his wife’s brow. “Take your time, darling. We’re not in a hurry.”

Once Miri had moved away from where they stood, Zack let out a long sigh. “It’s been one helluva day, hasn’t?”

“You can say that again. I thank the heavens I didn’t have to go through what Jake did when Molly was born. Dr. Martindale was a godsend. Doc Miller said he’d never seen anything as moving as when she blew air into the baby’s chest. Sara said they were all holding their breath, waiting for the little one’s first cry.”

“I don’t know what’s keeping Suzanne standing at the moment. She’s dead tired. I can see it in her eyes. It must be the sheer excitement of what’s happened that’s sustaining her.”

“You need to coax her out of here as soon as you can,” Matt suggested. “Make sure she gets herself home and to bed.”

“Why don’t we go say our goodbyes as well? Maybe that’ll get her moving.”

Zack and Matt walked into the women’s ward. Felicity slept soundly in her bed. Jake had taken up a seat in the chair opposite where she slept, the baby in the tiny bassinette between them. Miri stood to Jake’s side, staring down at the sleeping baby.

“You need anything before we go?” Zack asked.

“No, thanks all three of you. I wouldn’t have made it through this without you.”

“Sure you would have,” Miri said. “It just would have been a bit more difficult without family.”

“One of us will be sure to send off a telegram to Felicity’s father first thing in the morning,” Matt added. “And don’t worry about the
River Maiden
. It’s her usual day off tomorrow, and I’ll stay long enough to do the Tuesday and Wednesday outings. If we have to, we can cancel the rest of the week.”

Suzanne came to join the group moments later. She reached out and laid her hand against Felicity’s cheek. “There’s no fever, so there should be nothing to worry about from this point on. I’ll be back in the morning to check on both mother and baby. Nurse Williams is here on the night shift if you need anything. We’ve only one other patient over on the men’s ward so she shouldn’t be too busy.” Turning in Zack’s direction, Suzanne said, “I’ll be ready to go in about fifteen minutes. I just want to go over everything one more time with the nurse.”