on. I don’t think he said a word to another soul. Just rode straight to Mr.
Carmichael’s office, asked for his paper, and left town as fast as he could.”
“Did he tell Mr. Carmichael where he was going?”
“No. Not where he’d been and not where he was headed for.”
Olivia let out a deep sigh. “Well at least I know those devils didn’t kill him.”
Spring came early that year. By the beginning of March the snow had melted and first buds were beginning to appear on the skeletal trees. Olivia could no longer see her breath and decided enough with sponge baths – it was time for a
proper tub. She was in the kitchen, luxuriating in the hot water, when her
contractions started. By the time she realized what the strange convulsions were,
she barely managed to struggle to her feet. Luckily it was evening and Jettie was
in the house. Olivia called for her as she stepped out of the water and reached for
the towel.
“Now?” Jettie said. “It can’t be now. It’s not supposed to be for another three
weeks.”
“Well something is happening.” Olivia dropped the towel and stood naked,
grasping the counter with both hands as another contraction gripped her.
“I’ll go fetch Doc Gaylin,” Jettie said.
“Doc Gaylin!” Olivia felt the contraction release her and straightened up to
grab Jettie’s arm. “No. No, no, no. I haven’t spent all these months in prison so
you can go and ruin everything now. Help me get some clothes on and then go
get a buggy. You’re going to drive me back to that Doctor Murdock in
Weaverton.”
“Weaverton! We can’t go driving all that way at night and you in labor. It’s too far. There’s no time. Anyway, it’s too late to get a buggy, the livery’s closed.”
“So knock on Mr. Ferguson’s door. You know he’ll come out if it means
putting a nickel in his pocket.”
Olivia bent over as another contraction began.
“Oh listen to you. You’re talking crazy. We don’t got time for all that.
Suppose we get all the way over there and that doctor ain’t even home? We were
supposed to go to a hotel next week, stay someplace where they got a doctor and
wait for the baby. We can’t make a drive like that now, at night, with the baby
already coming.”
“Get moving, Jettie. Stop wasting time arguing with me. I am not having this
baby in Five Rocks.”
“Stubborn mule just like your father. Where’s your chemise?” She clumsily
fought with the thin muslin garment. “Oh hell, I got it all inside out.”
“I don’t care if it’s upside down. Never mind, give it to me. I’ll get myself dressed. You go get that buggy. Now.”
Jettie looked like she might faint, but finally rushed out the back door.
Freezing, with her chemise wadded up in one hand, Olivia waddled naked into
the parlor where she sank down on a chair and reached for her moccasins. After
waiting for another contraction to pass, she rose and made her cautious way up
the stairs.
