Page 557 of Conveniently Wed
“Why no?” The report up to this point had sounded good.
“She’s gaining some strength, but she’s not out of the woods by any means.” Lorinda gave the baby another bite. “When I went back into the room after the doctor left, Miriam didn’t look all that strong. I hurried to change the sheets, clean her up, and put her in a fresh gown. But by the time I finished, she could hardly get up even with my help. Now she’s sleeping again.”
“I saw you praying for her.” His soft words were for her ears alone.
She turned troubled eyes toward him. “I’m worried about her and about the baby. I did see it moving around under the covers, but having a baby is very hard work. I’m not sure she’s up to it right now. I hope she builds more strength before her time to deliver arrives.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Franklin felt helpless. How did other men face the thought of possibly losing their wives during childbirth all the time?
Lorinda laid her hand over one of his on the table. “She wants to talk to us again this evening. I’m not sure why.”
He thought Miriam had told them everything they needed to know. Maybe there was more to what had happened to her. For a moment, he wished Marvin Pratt was close-by. He’d like to give the man a strong dose ofwhat for. Selfish scum. He’d ruined a very special woman when he lured her away. Franklin had been able to get over what he’d done to him, but Miriam might never get over it. And, even though she made her own decisions, she really didn’t know what she was getting into. A man should protect a woman, not use her and discard her.
But isn’t that what I’m doing with Lorinda?Using her?
He was trying to remedy that, and he’d never,everdiscard her.
Lorinda checked on Miriam several times during the afternoon, and their patient slept the rest of the day. At least, this allowed Lorinda to catch up on cleaning and spend fun time with Michael.
Not long before suppertime, Mrs. Oleson found Miriam awake and took her food and gave her the medicine. So she was ready when Lorinda and Franklin finished eating supper.
With his hand resting on the small of her back, Franklin escorted her into the room where Miriam was sitting up in bed with pillows behind her.
Lorinda had a hard time keeping her mind on their patient. Franklin didn’t often touch her in that possessive way. She wondered if he realized what he was doing, or was it just instinct? She was very aware of the presence of his warm palm touching her gently. So much heat spread through her she hada hard time catching her breath. Oh, how she wanted to tell him what he was doing to her. That marriage promise felt like a ball and chain hampering her every step. She wished she had the magic key to open the lock. She finally took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
“Are you all right?” Franklin’s words, whispered into her ear, caused her to stiffen.
She nodded, then moved closer to Miriam. “How do you feel now? Are you rested?” She dropped into the rocking chair, and Franklin stood close beside her.
“I am.” Miriam smiled at both of them. “This morning must have tired me out more than I thought. I slept almost all day.”
Lorinda patted her on her clasped hands. “I know. I checked on you several times.”
“You’re so good to me...I don’t know that I would be if our roles were reversed.”
That idea hadn’t even entered Lorinda’s mind. Thank goodness, they weren’t.
Franklin cleared his throat. “You did say you wanted to talk to us again, didn’t you?”
Miriam gazed toward the window, and a faraway look came into her eyes. “I’ve had a lot of time to think.” She turned toward both of them. “I want you to promise me something.”
Franklin frowned, and Lorinda leaned toward the other woman. “What?” She knew she couldn’t make a promise unless she knew what it was.
“If anything happens to me, please promise you’ll keep my baby.”
Why would she even ask such a thing? Then another thought crept into Lorinda’s head. It could be a way for her to be a mother to more than one child and have someone else who could love her unconditionally as Michael did.
“Nothing’s going to happen to you.” She sounded as serious as she could. “We’re here, and the doctor will keep checking on you.”
Miriam started wringing her hands. “You don’t understand. I know I’m not going to make it, but I want a secure future for my baby. And I don’t want Marvin to have the child.”
“Why not?” Franklin sounded almost angry.
Lorinda glanced up at him. Something was really bothering him.
“Marvin never wanted me to have a baby. That’s why he deserted me when I told him. I’m afraid he’ll finally figure out where I’ve come for help. If he does, he’ll want the baby just to spite you, Franklin.” A single tear slid down one cheek. “I don’t want to even imagine how he would treat the baby. Please promise me. I would feel that my baby would be safe if you’ll do that.”
Lorinda’s heart went out to the woman. Maybe she was right. She didn’t seem strong enough to birth a child. Maybe it’s a girl, and she and Franklin would have one of each to raise.
