Louise smiled at him with a twinkle in her eyes. “They both deserve someone nice.”
He stroked her forehead. “So do you.”
She caught his hand and pulled it to her cheek. Tears clouded her eyes. She was about to say something, when another contraction gripped her.
He rubbed her back until it passed.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”
“I’ll sleep now,” she whispered. “You should, too.”
He got to his feet. “Good night, then.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. He didn’t want to leave, but he could hear the men shuffling around as they prepared for bed. “I’m here if you need me.” He stepped from the room before he could change his mind.
Phil waited at the curtain. “Everything okay?”
He shrugged, not knowing what to say.
She seemed to understand. “I’ll listen for her.”
He unrolled the clean-smelling bedroll and lay on top of it. He’d never be able to sleep knowing what she had to face.
Yet at some point he drifted off.
A sound jerked him awake and he sat up in a sweat. Louise! He was on his feet instantly.
Phil held up her hand. She had lit a lamp and was heading for the bedroom door. “I’ll tend her.”
He wanted to argue. Louise needed him. He needed to do something to help her, even if it was only to rub her back and speak words of encouragement. But Phil closed the door firmly behind her. It was no place for a man, not even a man posing as the husband. Though at the moment, he didn’t want to pretend. He wanted the right to be there with Louise and assist.
“Go back to sleep,” Archie whispered. “It could take a while.”
Hours later, the sky turned to gunmetal grey. Dutch got up, stretched and yawned, then said, “I’ll see to the horses.” He left the room.
Nate had been pacing in his stocking feet for an hour, listening to the muted sounds of pain. “How much longer can this go on?” Louise was brave and made little noise, but, alert to every sound from the bedroom, Nate had heard her groan time after time. Every sound of pain had ripped at his innards until he felt weak and battered.
The others rose and put away the bedding.
Missy hurried over and paused at the door. “I’ll see how she’s doing.” She disappeared inside.
Nate stared at the door as the minutes ticked by. Why wasn’t she coming out? There must be something wrong. He was her husband. He had a right to know. He took a step toward the door, intending to forgo convention and go to Louise’s side, when Missy stepped back out.
“Phil says it will be a while. I said we’d manage breakfast on our own. Meanwhile, there’s a trunk on the coach that has the baby things in it. Someone could bring it.”
Dutch, who had entered at that moment, heard Missy and swung about. “I’ll get it.” He was back in moments. Miss Rolfe helped Missy push the trunk into the bedroom, then they stepped out and began meal preparations.
“Why don’t you men go outside and help with the chores?” Missy suggested.
Sam took Nate by one arm, Archie took the other, and they guided him outside and over to the barn.
“Boys,” Dutch said, “it’s almost dawn. We need to move on.”
Nate stared at him. “We’re not going anyplace until that baby comes.”
Dutch shrugged. “You couldn’t ask for a better place to hole up than here.”
“Hole up?” The meaning hit him. “While you and the others go on?”
Dutch nodded. “There’s no need for the others to stay here. They paid for timely passage. It’s my job to get them to Fort Macleod as soon as possible. We’re already one day behind schedule because of the storm.”
“We’re not in that big a hurry,” Archie said.
“I don’t mind staying here a bit,” Sam added, grinning widely.
Dutch shrugged. “It’s your decision, but it has to be unanimous.”
“I’ll ask Miss Rolfe,” Sam said as if he couldn’t wait to get back in the house. He trotted away and returned in a few minutes with the news that Miss Rolfe indeed would delay her journey until the baby came. Missy was also in agreement.
“That’s it, then,” Dutch said. “Let’s hope that little one doesn’t take too long. I’ve heard it can take days.”