“Thank you.” She’d packed a bag with essentials for traveling with the baby. Chloe, cradled in one arm, wore a knit bonnet and sweater on top of a clean nightgown. Louise had wrapped her in several blankets. One Aunt Bea had knitted for the baby and one Louise had knitted. The third was one Aunt Bea had pulled from her big trunk. “I made it for you as a baby. Your pa gave it to me when you no longer had need of it. I hoped I would someday be able to give it back to you for your own baby.” There were times Aunt Bea’s kindness surprised her. Louise had decided her aunt simply didn’t like a young girl upsetting her routine.
Louise had fingered the soft yarn of the blanket, missing a mother she couldn’t remember. She pushed aside the lonesome thought and vowed Chloe would always know how much she was loved.
“I’ll take her.” Nate held his hands out to hold Chloe so Louise could climb into the stagecoach.
She hesitated. Had he ever held a newborn?
“Show me what to do.” He sounded eager.
Louise welcomed the help and what better person to turn to than her husband—pretend though their relationship was?
“Support her head at all times.” She shifted Chloe into the crook of his arm. Tears clogged the back of her throat at the way he smiled at Chloe and touched her cheek with his fingertip.
He looked up at Louise, his eyes glowing with enjoyment and perhaps a touch of pride.
She turned away quickly, lest he notice her emotional state, and climbed aboard. Nate handed up the baby, holding her head in one hand and her bottom in the other. She had to smile at how naturally he did it.
He’d make a good papa.
She dismissed the idea before it could take root and flourish into impossible wishes.
She settled beside one window next to Missy.
Missy peeked under the covers at the baby. “Hello, Chloe, I’m your aunt Missy. You and I are going to be best friends.”
Nate climbed inside and sat across from Louise. She saw concern and something more in his eyes as he looked at her.
But she wasn’t about to try to guess what the something more might be. Likely only another part of her silly, impossible dreams and wishes. Seemed having a baby had triggered a deep nesting instinct that made her want to build a home with a man who would care for them both.
Dutch hollered giddyap and they were on their way.
Louise looked about at her fellow travelers. “I know I caused you all to lose a day of travel and I apologize.”
“Nonsense,” Rowena said. “We voted on it and not one of us wanted to move on until you had the baby.”
The others agreed.
“She’s special to all of us,” Archie said. “Consider each of us a guardian for her. If she needs anything or you do, all you have to do is ask.”
Her throat threatened to close off, but she managed to get out a couple of words. “Thank you.” Could they give her a home where she could always stay? A husband who would never leave?
She pushed her shoulders back. She would manage on her own. In the process, she’d learn to trust God more.
The rocking seemed to calm Chloe and she didn’t fuss until they stopped. Missy held her while Louise took advantage of the break to take care of her personal needs, then she resumed her seat and pulled the baby close. Phil had shown her how to nurse while maintaining her modesty but she was grateful Missy—not Nate—sat beside her.
The day seemed interminable. She was weary clear through but couldn’t sleep because of the need to hold the baby. The rolling motion made it impossible to stay awake and, despite her best intentions, she drifted off, jerking to full attention, her heart pounding at a furious rate. What if she dropped the baby? Yes, the buffalo robes swaddled Chloe, but only a secure pair of arms ensured her safety.
Chloe fussed again. Had it really been several hours since she last ate? She nursed the infant again and the baby fell asleep.
Louise vowed she would not do so, as well.
“Can I hold her?” Nate asked, leaning forward and taking the baby gingerly before she could find any reason to object.
Truth was, she appreciated a break.
“You rest until she needs you again.”
“Thank you.” She tipped her head back and slept, though she remained faintly aware of the activity around her, as if being a mama had given her a new ability.