Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series (29 page)

“I can tell Sam respects you, and he always speaks so highly of you.”

“We’ve been friends a long time.” Sarah lowered the washcloth into the bowl, swirling it, and then gently wrung out the excess water.

Jewell managed a small smile. “The best marriages start out that way. That’s what happened with me and Danny. He told me in fifth grade he was going to marry me one day. As you can tell, we’re following God’s command to be fruitful and multiply.” She leaned back on the pillows, breathing in deeply and then exhaling. Jewell closed her eyes and then reopened them a few seconds later. “Think you and Sam might get married? If you do, I’ll be there with bells on. Everybody’s rootin’ for you two to get together. You seem made for each other.”

“Sam and I haven’t been seeing each other long,” Sarah said. “Since I’m going to Austin, I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Only the Lord knows at this point, but I trust Him to guide us.” Although it was true, Sarah hoped she didn’t come across as holier-than-thou. Right, like she had all the answers. Needing to do something with her hands, she dipped the washcloth in the bowl of cool water again before pressing it over Jewell’s forehead and cheeks.

“That feels good. Thanks. Everyone can see how you and Sam only have eyes for each other, Sarah. You probably don’t even realize it, but that man’s face lights up the second you walk in a room. I’m sure that’s why he parks himself at the diner whenever he’s not workin’ at the bank.” Jewell stopped to breathe through another contraction.

Danny rushed around the corner and into the room with Sam on his heels. “Okay, I got all the stuff you asked for.”

“Thanks.” Sarah instructed Danny where to put the supplies and then asked him for a clean flat sheet and some more towels.

“I’ll get them, Danny.” Sam darted out of the room and was back in less than a minute. Handing over the towels and the sheet, he started to back out of the room. “Sarah, do you have a minute?”

She glanced at Jewell.

“Go ahead,” Jewell said. “Trust me, you’ll hear me if I have a really strong contraction.”

“I’ll only be a minute,” Sarah promised as she followed Sam.

He turned to face her as soon as they’d moved out of the hallway and into the living room. “I’ll keep trying to call Doc Meriweather.”

“Thanks. That’s a good idea. Until then, let’s hope all those home births I witnessed in your garage will somehow help me in this situation.” Sarah shrugged and hoped the fact she was scared witless didn’t show. “Pretty much the same process, I imagine. Right?” Try as she might, her lower lip trembled.

“We did watch a lot of puppies and kittens being born, didn’t we?” Sam stepped close and covered her hands with his. “Pretty much the same process. Think of it that way and allow nature—and God—to take the natural course. I want to pray for you.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I’d really like that.” Sarah bowed her head as Sam offered his prayer to the Lord, asking for His mercy and grace on Jewell and her unborn child. He prayed for Danny to remain calm and guidance for Sarah as she assisted in the home birth.

“We know you know this child, Lord, and we ask that you bless his or her birth and bring this child safely into the world,” Sam said. “Wherever Doc is, heavenly Father, please keep him sober and bring him here safely, too. We ask these things in the precious name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.”

“Amen,” Sarah said, wiping away a tear.

Pulling her into his arms, Sam whispered, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” He brushed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Thank you, Sam.” Sarah squeezed his hands before releasing them.

His eyes met hers, and he tilted her chin. “You can do this, Tomboy.”

Sam’s faith in her meant so much. She only prayed Danny and Jewell’s trust in her wasn’t misplaced. No matter what, the Lord had brought her here. A rush of something—only the Lord knew, but energy, confidence, and a determined spirit—surged through her. As if the Lord whispered in her heart,
You can do this, beloved daughter.

“Sarah! I think you’d better get in here now!” Her eyes widened at Danny’s call, and her pulse raced.

“Go,” Sam said. “I hope to hear a baby’s cries soon.”

Without another word, Sarah darted from the room.

♥

What was taking so long? Sam had no point of reference for these things, but he’d thought—being Jewell’s third baby—he would have heard a baby’s cries by now. Why was he so nervous? Anyone would think
he
was the expectant father by the way he paced the living room floor. He couldn’t remember the last time he chewed on his fingernails, and he forced himself to stop. He tried sitting on the couch and reading a fishing magazine. Didn’t work. Finding a deck of cards on the coffee table, he played Solitaire. That didn’t work either. After pacing the floor some more, he wandered into the kitchen and tried to call Doc. No answer.

Shaking his head, he replaced the receiver, careful not to vent his frustrations on an inanimate object. The new physician, Dr. Hastings, couldn’t get to town soon enough. The citizens of Rockbridge didn’t have many emergencies, mostly general practitioner stuff and routine checkups. But in times like now, they needed a reliable doctor who’d at least answer his phone.

Leaning against the kitchen wall, Sam wrapped his arms over his middle. “Lord, please be with Sarah. Be with Jewell and Danny. Calm my nerves. Help me get through to Doc. And, if there’s a way you can use me in all this, please let me know what it is. I feel useless.” He darted a glance at the clock on the wall. A little more than an hour had passed since Sarah had been called back into the bedroom. He could hear Sarah speaking in low tones, and Danny was coaching Jewell. From where he stood, he could take heart that everything seemed to be taking its natural course. Whatever that meant. He had no knowledge of labor and delivery, and he was more than happy not to know. How did men go through the endless waiting? How did women go through nine months carrying a child? And then deliver the baby? Awesome as it was, he considered the entire process one of God’s biggest miracles.

Crossing the kitchen, Sam opened an upper cabinet and then pulled out a glass. After filling it with tap water, he slumped into a chair by the table and lowered his head. Not knowing what else to do, he prayed. For now, that was the best thing he could do. And he’d keep on praying. As long as it took.

♥

Sarah bit her lower lip. Sweat trickled a quick path down her forehead. She swiped it away with the back of her hand and pursed her lips.

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

“What is it?” Jewell said, her voice cracking. “What’s wrong? Why can’t I get my baby out?”

“Honey, relax.” Sarah kept her voice steady. “Your baby doesn’t want to come out quite yet. Don’t you worry about a thing. We’re going to get this done, but I need you to take some more deep breaths, okay?”

“Sure. Just tell me what to do.” Jewell’s face twisted with pain.

From what Sarah could tell, this baby was larger than Jewell’s other two children. Above all, she didn’t want to worry Jewell or Danny.

Lord, help me. Help this child.
She’d lost track of how many times she’d repeated the same prayer, over and over. If ever she needed the Lord by her side, it was now. She hadn’t heard anything from Sam in a while, but he must be worried, too.

Danny had been so patient and loving, bless his heart. He’d wiped his wife’s brow until Jewell barked at him not to touch her anymore. Irritable and frustrated, she’d swatted his hand. He’d put the washcloth back in the bowl and sat quietly by her side. When Sarah glanced at him, he’d given her a slight nod of his head. He knew best, and his assurance gave her comfort.

“Oh, I feel another contraction. This one’s coming a lot harder and faster.”

“Okay, then, here we go.” Sarah did a quick check, and Jewell’s cervix appeared fully dilated. “I can see the baby’s head!”
Thank you, Jesus.
A rush of adrenaline ran through her. “It shouldn’t be too much longer now.” The baby had a lot of hair. Wow. Somewhere in the background, she heard the phone ringing.

“Do you want me to answer it? It might be Doc Meriweather,” Sam called.

“Thanks. The phone in the kitchen has the longest cord.” Danny rose to his feet and took hold of Jewell’s hand again. Although his brow was furrowed, he appeared calm. This time Jewell didn’t push her husband away but grabbed on tight. “Come on, honey, you can do this,” he said. “Just a few more pushes and you’ll get that little one out.”

“It’s Doc,” Sam said from the hallway.

“Tell him the baby’s head is crowning,” Sarah said. “Ask him if Jewell needs to stop pushing.”

“Are you sure about that?” Danny eyed her with a raised brow.

“No,” Sarah said through gritted teeth, “but I think she might tear something if she pushes too hard.”

“I don’t know if I can stop!” Jewell wailed. “Don’t make me stop! It’s burning, and I think my baby finally wants to come out.” She blinked hard, her eyes wide, imploring her for answers.

“Try your best to hold on just a minute.” Sarah squeezed Jewell’s hand. She couldn’t imagine what she was going through now, but hopefully her presence gave the other woman comfort.

“Doc says to stop pushing,” Sam said, his voice elevated, “or you might tear. . .something important. Hang on.”

Sarah breathed through her anxiety.

“Sorry for doubting you, Sarah.” Danny sounded apologetic.

“No worries,” she said, wiping her forehead and giving him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. A soft-spoken man, he’d worked at the town’s one gas station since he was a kid. She’d hated to ask, but she was thankful Danny had thoroughly scrubbed his hands before she and Sam had arrived at the house.

A few seconds later, Sam spoke again. “Doc wants to know if it’s still burning?”

When Jewell shook her head, Danny called out that information to Sam. “What’s Doc say we should do next?”

A few seconds later, she heard Sam’s response. “Is she feeling a numbness in the, um, general area?”

Sarah darted a quick glance in the direction of the hallway. Although she couldn’t see him, she assumed Sam was leaning against the wall with the phone against his ear. How thankful she was that he’d insisted on coming with her.

“Yes,” Jewell said, gasping and collapsing against the pillows.

“He says that means the baby’s head is stretching the tissue and blocking the nerves.”

“Right. It’s like a natural anesthetic,” Sarah said.

“Doc says to continue to fight the urge to push. Lean back and try to go limp as best you can.”

“Got that one covered,” Danny said. “What else?”

“Relax the muscles of the perry-knee-all floor or something like that. Sorry, I don’t know these words.”

Sarah bit her lip to stifle her smile. What an adorable man. “Jewell, just focus on your deep breathing,” she said in the most soothing tone she could muster.

“Allow the contractions to do the work for you.” Sam’s voice suddenly sounded stronger and more confident. “Straight from Doc.”

“Sweetie, remember when Scotty was born.” Still holding Jewell’s hand, Danny wiped her brow and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “You’re doing great. This part will probably happen pretty fast.”

“I sure hope you’re right.” Jewell let out a small cry and then squeezed Danny’s hand so tight his fingers turned white. “Love you, Sugarbun.”

Danny brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. “You, too, Dumpling.”

Sarah swallowed another smile.

“Doc’s over in Springhaven,” Sam said next. “He’ll be here in about twenty minutes, barring any bad traffic.”

“Guess that means we might be on our own,” Danny’s words seemed intended more for Jewell than for Sarah.

Thank you, Lord.
In case of any complications, at least Doc would arrive soon. She’d keep going and hope for the best.

Rotating her aching neck, Sarah nodded. “We’ve gotten this far along. We’ll be just fine.”

“I’m holding down the fort with prayer out here,” Sam called.

“Thank you, Captain Lewis!” Jewell elevated her voice and then frowned as another contraction began. “Here we go again.”

A sense of calm rushed over Sarah and she breathed through another push with Jewell. Everything would be all right. She
knew
it. “That’s it, Jewell, honey. You’re doing great, and it won’t be long now.”

♥

Hearing a loud screech outside and then seeing Doc’s truck, Sam ran to the front door and swung it wide open.

“How is she?” Doc hobbled across the front yard with his medical bag.

“Almost there, I think. They’re back here.” Sam stopped in the hallway while Doc went into the bedroom.

A baby’s cry sounded. Healthy, loud and piercing.

Praise God.

Sam slumped against the wall, his heart full. He waited in the hallway, finally shifting from one foot to the other, impatient as anything. It wouldn’t be right for him to barge in on their private family moment. Doc spoke in low tones, and he heard Danny and then Sarah. None of them sounded panicked, and everything was apparently under control. The baby’s cries quieted and then Sam heard Jewell. When Sarah spoke again, she sounded breathless. After a few moments of silence, he heard something that sounded almost like a small sob. Had something happened?

Dear Lord, let everything be all right.
Something squeezed his insides hard. He couldn’t take not knowing what was happening. “Sarah?” He moved closer to the doorway of the bedroom. “Everything okay in there?”

“Come on in, Sam.” The invitation came from Danny. “She’s perfectly fine. Everyone is.”

Rounding the corner and heading into the bedroom, Sam stopped short. Sarah sat on the floor, her knees raised and her hands clasped around them. Half laughing, half crying, tears streamed down her face. He moved his gaze to Doc and Danny. The baby was on Jewell’s stomach, and the young mother looked happy but exhausted. From what Sam could tell, Danny was preparing to cut the cord.

Sam averted his gaze and focused on Sarah. Falling to his knees on the floor beside her, he gathered her in his arms, rocking her back and forth. Then he noticed blood on Sarah’s hands, on her shirt. Everywhere. His head pounded and a wave of nausea washed over him.

“I don’t feel so hot. . .”

Slumping forward, Sam reached for the bedpost as the room spun out of control around him.