“You’re going to have it now?” His voice had gone up several notes.
Missy leaned closer. “Louise, is that what’s the matter?”
Louise closed her eyes. She just wanted all of them to go away and leave her alone to ride out the pain. Slowly it receded and she looked into Nate’s cloudy blue eyes. “I am not going to have a baby now. Not until I get to Eden Valley Ranch.” She tried another smile. It felt more natural. No more contractions. Please. No more. Not for four days. Please, God.
Nate studied her hard enough to make her want to look away from his gaze, which would no doubt give him more reason to wonder if she spoke the truth.
“Please, everyone, stop staring at me. I’m fine.”
Mr. Adams shifted his gaze. Gabe turned back to his book. Rowena peeked out the curtain at the outdoors. But Missy and Nate continued to study her.
Then Missy slid her gaze to Nate. “Do you think she’d admit it if the baby is coming?”
Nate gave Missy his attention, which made it possible for Louise to relax.
“Nope. She’s far too stubborn.”
She poked a finger into his side. “I am not stubborn.”
Missy and Nate continued to look at each other. “Yes, she is,” they said together and smiled.
Louise snorted. “Aren’t my husband and sister-in-law supposed to be on my side?”
“Oh, we are,” Nate said. “As much as you’ll let us.” A challenge blared at her from his eyes.
“I’ll let you know when I need help.”
“Promise!” His eyes demanded so much from her. And right now she had nothing to give. All she wanted was to be left alone to wait for the next pain and to ride it to its conclusion.
“I promise.” She closed her eyes and leaned back. After several minutes and no more contractions, she relaxed and let sleep claim her.
She had no idea how long it was till once more the pain yanked her awake with a gasp. She realized the coach no longer moved. They’d reached the way station where Dutch traded horses.
“I want to walk,” she said, and Nate helped her down.
“Nate, can I talk to you?” Mr. Adams said.
“Missy, stay with her.” Nate handed her off to Missy as if she needed a keeper and went over to speak to Mr. Adams.
The two of them walked away so she wasn’t able to overhear what was said. Then the pair went to Dutch.
The way all three looked at her, she knew she was the topic of conversation. If they thought to leave her here at this desolate place with only a grumpy old man and a tiny wooden shack, they would have to reconsider.
“Let’s go back,” she said to Missy and they hurried over to climb in to the stagecoach. They’d have to drag her out if they figured to leave her behind.
The men returned and settled themselves. Dutch climbed to the driver’s seat and hollered, “Giddyap!” They galloped along at a furious pace that had her clinging to Nate for stability.
“Was this your idea?” she managed to say through clenched teeth.
“I suggested he should hurry. He seems to have taken my words seriously.”
“Why would you tell him that?” She guessed, but she wanted him to have to confess it was a mistake.
“Seems you might be glad to be at a stopping house before the baby is born.”
“I’d be glad to be at Eden Valley Ranch.”
She scowled at him and he scowled right back.
Then he chuckled. “Let’s hope and pray one of us is right.”
The stagecoach raced around a corner and she was thrown against him. He wrapped his arm about her shoulders and held her tight.
It felt good to be able to lean into his steady grasp and not be thrown from side to side. So good that she made no effort to pull away when the stage straightened. Another contraction came and she squeezed the life from his hand.
To his credit, he didn’t mention it.
And then sleep, blessed sleep claimed her for a time.
She jerked awake to the most powerful contraction she’d had yet. As if someone had grabbed her insides and proceeded to wring them out like a wet dishrag. This one lasted longer than the previous ones.
She hoped it was false labor, but if it was, she did not want to think what the real thing felt like.