A Baby for Christmas (Christmas in Eden Valley #2)

“You’re wearing out my floor,” Kamoose said when he couldn’t stop Nate with his looks.

“You’d pace, too, if the doctor’s wife was upstairs with your wife and baby.”

Kamoose laughed loudly. “In that case, go right ahead and wear a trench in the floor.”

“Thanks,” he said, though it wasn’t gratitude he felt at the man’s sense of humor, which did nothing to ease his concern.

There was nothing wrong with either Louise or Chloe, he told himself over and over. But he wouldn’t know that for certain until Mrs. Noble said so.

He slowed his steps to look at the clock on the wall behind Kamoose. She’d been up there almost thirty minutes. That couldn’t be good. He headed for the stairs but stopped at the bottom. Even if Louise was his wife in name, he couldn’t go barging in while she was with Mrs. Noble, so he turned around and crossed the room again, his heels striking loudly on the wooden floor.

“Mr. Hawkins?”

He spun around. “Mrs. Noble. Is she okay?”

“The baby is fine. So is your wife. I gave her some tips on feeding the infant and maybe getting Chloe’s days and nights turned around, though that might be difficult so long as you are traveling.”

“But the baby isn’t in pain?” He’d worried about it since Louise had shared her fears.

“Not that I can tell. She’s only three days old, so she’s still adjusting to a whole new world. It takes time.”

A wave of weakness swept over his arms and legs. “They’re both okay?”

“Well, don’t expect your wife to be as energetic as she was before the baby, especially when the child isn’t sleeping at night. Be patient with her. Help her as much as you can.”

He grabbed Mrs. Noble’s hand and shook it. “Thank you. What a relief.”

Kamoose watched from his post, grinning widely, as if enjoying the sight of a man reduced to such a quivering state.

“You’re welcome. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” Mrs. Noble bade him goodbye and left the hotel.

Nate hurried across the room. His foot reached the first step as Louise appeared at the top with Chloe in her arms. He stalled, staring up at her. Had she grown more beautiful in the past hour?

He raced up the stairs and escorted her down. “What would you like to do?”

Her smile was so sweet and confident, he couldn’t take his eyes off her until Kamoose laughed.

“I’d like to look around, if I may?”

He glanced about the room, then realized she meant the fort, not the hotel. “Of course.” He led her to the door.

“Supper is served in an hour. Be here or miss it.” Kamoose’s words followed them outside.

“What would you like to see?” Nate asked.

“Everything.” She cradled the baby in one arm.

He knew he wasn’t mistaken in thinking she looked more peaceful. “Mrs. Noble said the baby is doing fine.”

“Yes, she was very reassuring.” Louise smiled up at him. “Thank you for arranging for her to visit.”

He pulled her close and they proceeded to walk the length of the street. There was a small store, a blacksmith shop and, of course, the long barracks for the men.

“It’s laid out neatly,” she commented.

“The Mounties are efficient and orderly.” Having been through the fort several times, he was able to point out the parade grounds, the various barracks, the officers’ quarters, and other buildings and their use. They reached the end of the street, turned around and made their way back toward the hotel.

A bell rang across the clearing, a man pulling frantically on the rope. “Fire. Fire,” he called. “Barracks C.” It seemed as if every able-bodied man in the fort raced down the street.

“I need to see if they need my assistance.” He was loath to leave her. Not because he thought she needed his assistance, but because he’d been enjoying the few minutes they’d had alone. She’d talked more than she’d done since they’d started this journey.

“You go help. I’ll go back to the hotel and wait for you to join us for supper.” She slipped from his grasp and gave him a smile that made him even more reluctant to leave her.