After dinner, Rachel came in to check on her. "Rebecca, are you alright?"

"Yes, I’m fine. Thanks."

"I brought you a plate," Rachel added, offering it to Rebecca, who declined. "You’ve all been so sweet to me. What can I ever do to repay you?"

"Let us help you," Rachel said as she sat on the edge of Rebecca’s bed.

Rebecca was startled by her comment. "But you have been helping me!" she pointed out. "You’re letting me stay here until my baby is born. You’ve all done more than enough for me."

"That’s not what I mean," Rachel told her. "You’re holding a lot of pain inside of you, Rebecca. It might help you to let it out, talk about it."

Rebecca paused and was about to reply when a sudden sharp pain gripped her middle and caused her to cry out. Instantly, Rachel was on her feet. "What is it? The baby?"

Rebecca was in such pain, she could only nod. Rachel told her she would be right back, then she rushed out of the house to find Teaspoon and tell him his first grandchild was on the way.

Kid immediately rode into town to fetch the doctor, while Rachel and Teaspoon stayed with Rebecca. The other riders waited uncomfortably outside. As she listened to Rebecca shriek in agony, Lou cringed. She and Kid had discussed having children after they got married, but from the sounds of it, she wondered how anyone would survive the birth, let alone raise babies. It sounded horrible!

After the doc arrived, Rachel emerged. "It’s going to be a while," she announced. "First babies usually like to take their time being born. It would be best if you guys get some rest."

"I’d like to wait out here, if it’s alright," Cody said.

"But you’ve got a ride tomorrow," Rachel reminded him. "What good’s it gonna do you if you’re exhausted?"

Cody grudgingly returned to the bunkhouse with the others, but Rachel noticed that Lou looked unhappy. "Lou?" she asked, touching the younger woman’s shoulder. "Are you ok?"

"Sure I am," Lou insisted. "It’s just…well, I thought I’d like to have a baby, but after hearing Rebecca in there, I’m not sure I want to anymore…" She frowned and looked up at Rachel. "Does that make any sense?"

Rachel smiled. "Of course it does. But in life, if you really want something, you have to work hard to get it. Pain is very much a part of life and something you have to go through if you want a child badly enough." She glanced behind herself. "But you don’t have to worry about that right now. You’re still young; you have plenty of time. Why don’t you get some sleep, too?"

After Lou had walked away, Doc and Teaspoon came out of the house. The doc looked concerned. "The baby’s in the wrong position," he began. "It poses quite a threat to them both. I want to operate to get the baby out. Without it, neither of them will survive."

Teaspoon sighed. "Do what you have to, Doc. Just take good care of them both."

"I will," Doc promised before walking back inside.

Rachel tried to be calm as she addressed Teaspoon. "They’ll be alright, Teaspoon. You just gotta have faith."

He managed a confident smile, but Rachel could see the fear in his worn face. There wasn’t much else to say, so they just sat on the porch and waited for news.

To Be Continued…

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