Page 558 of Conveniently Wed
Franklin hunkered down beside the bed. “Miriam, there are legalities to consider. We can’t just say the mother gave us the baby. We’ll need some kind of documentation. Would you like me to get a lawyer out here?”
A look of horror passed over Miriam’s face. “No. Marvin might find out sooner if you do that. Can’t I just write out my wishes, and you can have two trusted employees sign it as witnesses? Wouldn’t that work?”
Franklin stood back up and pondered her question. Miriam and Lorinda waited in silence. He paced to the other side of the room and back.
“I’ve known of wills being done that way. I don’t know why it wouldn’t work with this situation.”
“Thank you.” Miriam wilted deeper into the bed. “Let’s do it right now.”
Franklin left to get paper and the new Waterman fountain pen from his office. When he returned, Lorinda watched as he and Miriam worked out the wording for the document. Miriam wrote it out in her own handwriting, then signed it.
“I don’t want Lorinda and me to be the witnesses, because it might look as if we coerced you to write and sign this paper. I’ll go get Rusty and Mrs. Oleson to witness your signature. Both of them know when to keep a confidence.” He left the room.
Lorinda knelt beside the bed and took Miriam’s hands in her own. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Another tear made its way down Miriam’s cheek. She released one of Lorinda’s hands and brushed it away. “I have to. I can’t rest easy until I know my baby is safe from Marvin. That man is vile and unscrupulous.” Her voice broke on the last word. “Oh, I wish I’d never met him.”
Lorinda wished Miriam hadn’t either. But if all of that hadn’t happened, she might never have met Franklin.
Hopefully, all they had just done wouldn’t be needed. At least, she could pray for Miriam to be able to have her childandtake care of him or her.
31
An unfamiliar sound startled Lorinda awake before dawn’s light seeped between the curtains on her window.What is that?A foreign sound. Where had it come from? Another strange moan reached her ears.
Miriam!Lorinda pulled on her dressing gown, crossing one side over the other. She cinched the belt tight and slipped out into the hallway. Was their patient in distress?
A strangled cry sounded through the door. Lorinda rushed into the bedroom. Miriam must’ve been restless, because her bed linens were a rumpled pile with her in the middle of it. She twisted again, and a louder moan filled the room. Lorinda dropped into the rocking chair beside the bed and felt Miriam’s forehead. She didn’t have a fever.
Miriam slowly opened her eyes and blinked several times. Then her gaze connected with Lorinda’s.
She leaned closer to Miriam. “Are you all right?”
For a moment, Lorinda didn’t think she was going to answer because Miriam continued her blank stare.
Then she murmured, “Pain...I’m having pains.”
“Where?”
At least, now the woman was alert enough to answer.
“Am I having my baby?” The words rushed from Miriam’s mouth. “Is it time?” Fear shot from her eyes.
Lorinda smoothed Miriam’s hair back off her face. “It’ll be all right. How long have you known you were expecting a baby?”
Miriam closed her eyes and looked as if she were in deep thought. “Since about a month before Marvin left me.”
That didn’t help any.“And how long has he been gone?” Lorinda figured Miriam’s time had arrived.
“At least six or seven months, maybe even eight.” Miriam turned away and wiped tears from her cheeks. “It’s hard to remember for sure. I didn’t have a calendar...and I thought he’d come back any day...and he didn’t.” A sob broke free from her, and she placed the fingers of one hand against her lips.
Lorinda’s instincts were right. Birth was about to begin.
Without hesitation, Lorinda gathered Miriam into her arms and held her close. “We’re here to help you.”
Miriam relaxed against her, and a sigh escaped through her lips. “Thank you.”
Lorinda had to strain to hear the soft words. “You’re welcome.”
