Page 89 of Prodigal Son

“Yes?”

Holy shit, he did look like Cain, but not as sexy. “Anna’s having the baby!” She caught her breath and pushed her fist into a cramp in her side. “You—Hello?” The barn was empty. “Adam?” He was gone.

She stared out at the storm. The clouds were so black and ominous, she could see where the rain poured. A windmill spun wildly and the cows cried as they gathered together. Lightning stretched to the earth and thunder shook the heavens.

Maybe she should just stay in the barn. The house was a good distance away and she didn’t want to get struck by lightning. In the distance, men rushed horses into the stables. The roof of the barn shook under the thrust of the wind and she feared it might come loose. Did they get tornadoes in Lancaster?

Just then, a squall formed over the western field, rising high and tunneling toward her. The various metal saws and rustic tools rattled on the wall above her. She was going to die if she stayed there.

Gathering her skirts, she ran as fast as her legs would carry her toward Anna’s house. Wind howled and whipped at her clothing, slowing her steps as she leaned into the gusts. Icy squalls mixed with bursts of heat and it began to hail.

The rattle of ice pelting the tin roof of Adam and Anna’s house assured her she was near. She could barely see more than a few feet in front of her as the world washed out in shades of gray.

As soon as she opened the door, it whipped out of her grip and slammed into the wall. A woman screamed and voices carried from above.

Dane grabbed the door and pushed it shut, and the howling wind whistled through every passable crevice. “They’re upstairs. You can go up.”

Soaked to the bone and shivering, she sloshed up the steps, unsure if she would be useful or in the way.

“Adam!” Anna cried, her labored breathing soughing through the agitated air.

“Breathe, ainsicht, breathe.”

“He’s almost here,” Gracie said.

Destiny slipped into the room, never entering more than a foot past the door. Anna lay on the bed, panting and sweating, while Grace stood at the foot, guiding her.

Adam spoke encouraging words into his wife’s ear. “Push, Annalise, you’re almost there.”

“Son of a bitch!” Anna’s face twisted as a contraction took hold.

“Language. Our son doesn’t need to enter this world hearing such things.”

“Shut the fuck up, Adam! Until you have a human being coming out of your dick, you can keep your opinions to yourself.”

Destiny’s eyes widened at such unexpected vulgarity, and Grace chuckled.

“Push, now, Anna. You’re fully dilated and the baby’s crowning.”

Anna bore down and pushed. When her strength gave out, she collapsed into the bed and moaned. “God damnit. I can’t do this.” Her eyes turned demonic as she pointed a finger at Adam. “If I can’t have an epidural or drugs, I’m allowed to say whatever the hell I want.”

Adam appeared too panicked over his wife’s wellbeing to care about her language anymore. “She’s in pain, Grace. The baby has to come out.”

“A little more, Anna. I know you have it in you. Just a few more pushes and he’ll be out.”

Destiny held her breath as Annalise bore down. Her face darkened as the veins in her forehead protruded and her scream rattled the rafters.

“I can see his head!”

A symphony of motion and sounds overtook the room and then the first squawk of a newborn cry pierced the air. The squawks grew louder, hearty and healthy as a wash of sobs and laughter replaced the pained cries of labor. Relief came in a wave of joyful tears the moment Gracie announced that both baby and mother were fine.

Destiny admired Annalise’s strength and felt privileged to witness such a miracle. The room was dark from the storm, so Dane carried in a few extra oil lamps and candles. Shivers of joy skated up Destiny’s spine as her teeth chattered and her skin chilled under her drenched clothes.

Some days took so much energy, they felt a hundred nights long. Once the baby was cleaned up and bundled in a soft blanket, the rain subsided. The skies remained an angry shade of gray, but inside that room, everything felt warm.

Soft drizzle tapped on the windows, and she wondered where Cain was. Would he be happy to learn Adam’s wife had the baby? Relieved? She wanted to be there to see his reaction.

The sun fought to peek past the clouds, and Destiny sighed. Even the weather seemed different here.

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