Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,76
feared he might kill them. “Good night, Ann.” She kissed the older woman’s cheek and whispered, “We’ll find a way to come back.”
Faith hugged Ann and appeared to say something as well.
Connie moved to the door. “We’ll be praying for all of you.”
They had barely stepped out of the house when they heard Sam yell at Ann.
“This won’t bode well for Ruth,” Faith said. “She’s not doing well. I think there’s something wrong with the baby or else there’s something wrong with Ruth that’s causing problems for the baby. I fear that if she doesn’t have the baby soon, they might both die.”
“Is she strong enough to deliver?” Connie feared she already knew the answer.
“I can’t be sure. She might require surgery.”
Connie shook her head. “Sam would never allow that.”
Faith shrugged. “He doesn’t have to know. Maybe Clint or your father could keep him occupied elsewhere.”
“Maybe, but he hates them as much as anyone. I would almost be afraid to ask them to do that. Sam might well kill us all.”
“But if we don’t risk it, Ruth will die and the baby with her.” Faith paused. “There’s something else. Ruth said more about the house with rifles. She said it’s just north of where the big bend in the river starts. It’s hidden in the woods, and they always have guards.”
Chapter 18
In the middle of the night, the entire Browning household was awakened by pounding on the back door.
Connie came out of her room in her nightgown, her hair hanging to her waist. This kind of thing had happened often when she was younger. Someone would come to them in the middle of the night for any number of reasons.
She threw her mother and father a look of questioning as they joined her in the hallway. They were soon followed by her aunt and uncle and Faith. Then a shirtless Tom came from his room near the stairs, and Connie’s eyes widened. She met his gaze in the dim light of her mother’s lamp. There was a look in his eyes that she couldn’t quite understand.
“Here, you might need this,” Faith said, handing Connie her robe.
Connie had forgotten all about her modesty. “Thank you.” She quickly donned the robe and tied the belt. Maybe that was why Tom had such an odd look in his eyes. She felt her face grow hot. She dared to look at him, but he was busy wrestling on his shirt.
There were voices coming from downstairs. Apparently Isaac had beaten them all to the door. Her father went down the steps first, with Uncle Lance and Tom following close behind. Connie saw that Papa and Uncle Lance both had revolvers. It was only then that she grew afraid. Had the time for the uprising come?
Isaac met them all at the bottom of the steps. “Ann is here. Something is wrong with Ruth. I sent her back home and told her I’d bring Faith right over.”
“I’m going too,” Connie declared. “She might need me.”
“We could come as well,” her mother offered.
“No, it’s probably best only Faith and Connie go. They’re younger and can run faster if the need arises,” Papa said. “With Sam making his anger clear, I don’t wish to let any of you go, but I know we must help.”
“I’ll get dressed,” Faith said and started for the stairs.
Connie followed her into the room they shared. “Do you think you’ll have to operate?”
“It’s hard to tell at this point. If the baby is already on its way, we may only have to help with the delivery. Have you ever done anything like that?”
Connie shook her head. “I went with Mama a couple of times when she helped local women, but only to watch.”
“Just follow my instructions, and we’ll be fine.”
Connie kept thinking about Faith’s comment an hour later. It was already light, and she had no idea if Sam would stop by to see his wife. It worried her to think he might come and catch them there.
Ruth was doing her best to give birth to her child, but it was rough going. At one point the poor girl fainted, scaring Connie half to death. Faith handled the situation without batting an eye. She was so capable and qualified. She seemed at ease and without worry as she talked to Ruth after she regained consciousness.
“Just try to rest between the waves of pain,” Faith told her.
Connie looked at Ann. “Sam won’t stop by now that it’s morning, will he?”