Donella woke Diane early, excited to prepare for their cousin’s wedding. She looked outside and was glad she didn’t have to go out to work this morning. Although she looked down the road, she couldn’t see the city office for all the snow blowing around. It had been storming all night and the road was filled with fluffy new snow. Millie had agreed to help them, and in exchange, they would help her prepare simple food for the restaurant.

The kitchen was already busy when they arrived. Eliza was washing bolita beans, getting them ready to put on the fire. Millie and Edwin we’re packing sack lunches. Isla was forming a huge batch of dough into rolls.

“What can we do first?” Donella asked.

“Help us with the sack meals,” Millie answered.

Someone knocked on the kitchen door. “Can you get that?” Millie said to Donella.

She went around the corner and opened the door to find Boone standing there. “I was just on my way to the mine and thought I’d stop by and get a bagged meal to take with me. What are you doing here?”

“We’re helping out and getting the food ready for the wedding. Let me check on the meals.”

Boone reached for her and touched her wrist. “That can wait, Doni.” His hand slid down, and he laced his fingers with hers.

Donella liked the way he said her name. Little chills raced up her arm at his touch.

“I had a wonderful time with you last night. I hope we’ll find more to keep us busy together.”

“You going to help out?” Diane called.

“Be right there,” Donella called back. “Will I see you later today?” she asked Boone.

“I’m coming to the wedding, so you will definitely see you later.”

“Do you still want that lunch?”

“Yeah.” Boone handed her the money.

She returned with the food. “See you then.”

“Bye.”

They adjusted their work line and the meals were prepared quickly. When they were done, they cleaned up the kitchen and started on the wedding food. Together the women baked and talked and stirred and tasted.

Donella kept glancing at Eliza, who picked up a foot at a time and wiggled it. A couple of times she looked as if her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes drooped with fatigue.

“Eliza, could you take over forming the candies?” Donella said as she stood from the table.

Eliza hadn’t taken any of her suggestions to go upstairs and rest herself. Donella hoped she could get Eliza to at least sit down for a while.

Although Eliza looked a little suspicious, she nodded. “Thank you. I think that’s exactly what I need right now.”

Donella watched Eliza walk to the table, her shoulders slumped forward, and she waddled even more than before. Donella couldn’t tell, but she thought Eliza’s stomach was much lower today than it had been even yesterday. It was hard to tell with the dress and the apron over the top.

While Donella cut the onions and tossed them into the pots of beans, she also watched Eliza rest her head in her hands. Donella cut up the ham for the beans too. All the while Eliza stretched on her seat and pressed on her lower back while working.

Donella approached her. “Shall I find Hannah Wheeler to come over and check on you?”

“I’m just very uncomfortable. What could she say except that I’m huge?” Eliza stood and stretched. “I think I will take a little nap. Snowy days just make me tired.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll come get you when it’s time for the wedding.”

“Thank you.”

Donella went upstairs to check on Eliza a couple of times during preparations. Even in her sleep, Eliza looked uncomfortable. Donella wondered how much rest she could really get in her large state. After noon, Donella took up a lunch tray and peaked inside the door.

“Come in,” Eliza said, softly.

“I didn’t want to wake you,” Donella replied.

“You didn’t. I’ve been thinking about getting up in a few minutes.”

“I brought you some lunch.” Donella noticed a little furrow between Eliza’s eyebrows.

By the time Eliza was able to struggle to a sit, her face relaxed and her eyes opened. “Hannah told me to expect cramping as I got closer to my time for delivery.”

“Have you been having quite a few of those?” Donella tried to sound unconcerned, but she saw the pain etched on Eliza face.

“I’ve had them on and off for the last couple of weeks. I think if I could just sleep better it would do me a lot of good. I can’t sleep on my stomach, obviously. I can’t sleep on either side. So I’ve been laying on my side a lot. And now my back’s starting to hurt. I can see why a woman would rather have the pain of childbirth than continue along this way.” She chuckled. “I’m ready for that.” Eliza ate some of the soup and a little bit of bread. “I should probably get up and start helping again,” she said.

“There is nothing left to do. Reverend Theodore sent a message around that said the wedding will be held at Hearth and Home instead of at the chapel. He said the snow was too bad on the side roads to have everyone come over there. So the men have rearranged the dining room and the ladies have already decorated with the evergreen boughs. You can lounge around and rest if you would like.”

“I’d like that. Could you leave the tray? I’m going to try to nap again, but I’ll eat a bit more later.”

“Of course,” Donella left, hoping Eliza would feel better by the time of the wedding.

She checked a couple more times, as did KC, and later that day, Eliza dressed for her brother’s wedding and came downstairs.

Donella sat on the front row, next to Boone who was at the end. On her other side was her sister Diane, then Eliza, and KC. Ellis was next to KC, sitting next to the aisle.

It was hard to concentrate on the wedding with Boone sitting so close. She couldn’t think of a time when she’d been so aware of someone she sat beside. Never. She caught every move he made out of the side of her eye. She inhaled deeply to smell his soap. Was he considering what it would be like for them to be the couple marrying? She certainly was.

Donella turned her head to find he was looking at her. His smile grew, and he reached for her hand.

She gladly placed her palm in his, hoping that this was a shadow of things to come. Had her cousin endured this torture for months?

Donella glanced at Ellis and wondered if he could be any more nervous than he looked. Who could blame him though, since something always seems to happen to keep him and Dorothy from marrying? Donella was glad to see this day finally came for Ellis. The couple had gone through so much and everyone was anxious for them to become husband and wife.

When most of the seats were filled, Dorothy and her father walked slowly down the staircase, and the guests stood. Ellis’s smile was huge as he looked at her. He quickly took his place next to Reverend Theodore and waited for her to walk up the aisle.

“Not now!” Eliza groaned, her hands cradling the bottom of her stomach.

Donella leaned around Diane to see what was happening. She thought Eliza probably saw the concern on Donella’s face because Eliza smiled at her and waved her hand as if it were nothing. It wasn’t a very convincing lie.

Eliza continued to smile, grimace really, and Dorothy continued to walk up the aisle. When she was about halfway up, Donella heard Eliza groan. The sound was soft, but there was an intensity to it that made Donella turned her head. Eliza’s eyes were pressed shut, and the little furrow between her eyebrows was prominent. She could see the white knuckles on her hand that was squeezing KC’s.

Oh no. That baby was not going to wait for a more convenient time, and Eliza might not realize it. Donella had never delivered a baby. But when she’d helped her mother, she had seen dozens of women just before their delivery, and Eliza was the picture of someone going into labor. Donella counted less than a minute between her groans.

Donella felt quick alarm rise in her chest. Was she the only one here to help? She made a quick look around. No doctor or nurse—except her.

Dorothy stepped to the front of the gathering, and her sister stood up from the front seat, taking her flowers. Mr. Moore pulled the veil back from over Dorothy’s face, laying it over the back of her head. Then he kissed her cheek and placed her hand in Ellis’s.

“Nooooooo!” Eliza ground out loudly, extending the ‘oh’ sound as her head dropped down, and she slumped against her husband’s arm. He held her from sitting on the floor. “No, not now, not now.” Eliza breathed through her teeth. “Ghe, ghe, ghe.”

Several ladies gasped, and Donella pushed past her sister toward Eliza. “Help me get her upstairs,” she said to KC, who quickly lifted his wife into his arms and headed for the staircase.

Donella’s nerves tensed. She tried to relax. A sense of inadequacy swept over her.

Eliza pointed at her brother still standing by the reverend and yelled, “You get married now. Hear me? I’m not going to be the cause of this being postponed again.”

KC ran up the stairs with Eliza, and Donella followed him to the second floor. When they got to their room, Donella saw the angel-nurse standing beside the door waiting for them while KC went inside. Seeing her there gave her a small dose of confidence.

Nervousness nearly choked her, but she pushed the words out. “I’ve never delivered a baby,” Donella whispered to the angel.

“Don’t worry. I have. And you should know, there are two babies,” she answered.

Donella paused mid-step. Two? Momentary panic flashed in her chest. She took a deep breath to steel herself, and then stepped into the room. “Put her on the bed.” Diane had followed them up. “Get towels, blankets, and hot water. And bring my bag,” Donella said to her. Then she turned back to KC. “Help me get Eliza out of this dress.”

Eliza moaned again and try to squat down, but KC held her up.

“Tell her to breathe,” the angel said.

“Just breathe,” Donella parroted. The angel’s presence was reassuring. “Take a deep breath, then pucker your lips and push it out slowly. That’s right. You’re doing well, Eliza. Tell me when the pain subsides.”

A moment later, Eliza nodded and relaxed. Donella and KC worked furiously to take off the dress and get Eliza on the bed, a blanket folded beneath her, before the next wave of pain started.

“What do I do?” KC asked kneeling beside the bed near Eliza’s face. Donella could see his hands shaking, and his eyes looked wild with fear.

The nurse answered. “He can stay if he’d like, but if he feels unstable, he’ll need to leave.”

“You’re welcome to sit beside her, but if you can’t handle it, I won’t take care of you during the birthing. You’re on your own.”

He nodded and stayed. Donella could see the determination and love in his eyes.

A while later, Diane returned with Millie, carrying the items that Donella had asked for.

Another pain rocked Eliza. She cried out and sweat glistened on her face.

Donella felt a knot growing in her stomach. Women died. Babies died. Sometimes they both did. Having an angel here didn’t guarantee anything. How could Donella do this? Nervousness attacked her confidence. Eliza deserved better care than she could offer. Although the storm continued to rage outside, Donella wondered if they could get word to Hannah or Doc Thomas. Could the angel deliver this baby?

The warmth of the angel’s hand rested on Donella’s shoulder. “You will be enough. You will give your best with great love. Sometimes you will be the miracle the Lord provides. We all do His work.”

That settled Donella’s heart. She wasn’t in charge. She trusted the angel and pushed her doubts aside, thinking only of Eliza, the babies, and what she remembered of her mother’s work.

“I’m just going to clean you before the baby comes.” After Donella prepared Eliza, she said, “You’re doing well. Concentrate. Push the pain below your neck if you can. Try to keep it out of your head. You’re doing well.” Donella was surprised how the words her mother spoke so many years ago, tumbled from her memory.

“You’re doing well too. You need to wash your hands now,” the angel said. “The first baby is coming soon.” After Donella washed, the angel stood beside her. “Let her know it’s fine to sit up or push during the next contraction.”

As soon as Donella passed the information along, Eliza gritted her teeth and sat up, straining to push.

A few minutes later, the first baby slipped into the world. Happiness filled her chest, and a sense of confidence was growing as she looked at her new patient. The baby’s tiny head had swirls of dark hair covering it. Her mouth widened with a cry. Donella couldn’t contain the joy of that moment and felt as if she were holding heaven in her hands.

“Wrap her in a blanket and hand her to your sister,” the angel whispered.

“Here’s your little one. It’s a girl,” she held up the baby for Eliza to see. “But Eliza and KC, there’s another baby.”

Donella followed the angel’s directions, and the second baby was delivered soon after. “It’s a boy,” Donella announced. KC snuggled their little girl while Donella placed their son on Eliza’s stomach and continued completing the birth process.

“Just like Ellis and I.” Eliza’s voice was a mix between a laugh and a cry.

Donella was excited for her. She was thrilled, thinking about the special moment it would have been for her own parents when she and Diane were born.

“The angel told us we’d have twins, but I didn’t remember that until now,” KC said, kissing his wife on the forehead.

Donella gasped with surprise. “An angel?”

“The old miner who helped us. He said it before he left.” KC gazed back and forth between the babies and his wife. A tear rolled down his cheek, but he didn’t swipe at it. “Thank you, Eliza,” he whispered.

Donella guessed that she shouldn’t be surprised if heaven was working overtime in this little town. Her heart was warm with gratitude for the Lord’s love and blessings here. “Your babies are small but doing well, Eliza. You’ll need to feed them as often as you can. But for now, let Diane hold him. I need to get you cleaned up.”

Soon, Donella helped Eliza dress in a nightgown and stuffed pillows behind her. Eliza was tucked into blankets with her babies in her and KC’s arms. KC was sitting on the bed holding their daughter as Eliza held their son.

“Do you have any names chosen?” Diane asked.

“A few. We thought we had a few more weeks to settle on it,” KC said.

“I’ll stay watch over them,” the angel said.

“I’ll leave your family alone for a while and come back to check on you, Eliza,” Donella said.

“Did Ellis get married?” Eliza asked.

No one in the room answered. Finally KC said, “We’ve been here with you. We don’t know.”

“Will you go find out, Millie?”

She nodded and left, taking Diane with her.

“May I come in?” Julianne asked through the door.

“Yes,” KC called out.

“I had some clothing, blanket, and diapers that I thought you could use. Millie said you have two.” She entered with her arms full and set the stack on the dresser. “Is there anything I can take down to launder?”

“Thank you, Julianne,” Eliza said.

Donella began wrapping up the dirty laundry in one of the sheets.

“I’m happy to help.” Julianne looked at the tiny babies in their parents’ arms. “So precious. Such a gift. Congratulations. If you need any help when you try to feed them, please call on me. I’d be happy to come up and help you.”

“Thank you for everything, Julianne. Do you have any advice for me?”

“Yes. Don’t squeeze the babies. When they eat, your stomach has intense contractions. It can hurt enough to make you tense up. Just be aware that you’re also holding a baby. You’ll do fine.” Julianne picked up the soiled bedding and clothing and left just as Millie returned. “Ellis said he wants to talk to you later.”

“Is he married?” Eliza said a little louder.

“He just said that he’ll talk to you later.”

“Donella, please ask Ellis to come up here and talk to me. If he won’t, tell him he must come see my babies.”

Donella nodded as she and Millie left. She closed the door softly behind her.

“Let’s get you a new dress too,” Millie said, turning Donella toward her room. After changing, Donella went downstairs. Ellis was sitting in the same chair he’d been in before the ceremony started. Dorothy sat exactly across the aisle. Their knees were together, and they held each other’s hands. It surprised her that Boone was still there, off to the side of the room, talking to her father. Her stomach sparkled. He could have left. It had been hours, but he waited for her.

“Eliza is still doing fine as are both of her babies. KC even seems to be recovering,” Donella said approaching Ellis.

He stood and pulled Dorothy into his arms and hugged her. Then he hugged Donella. “Thank you for taking care of her.” His arms tightened, then loosened.

Donella stepped back and could see the worry in his eyes ease. “She wants to know if you two are married.”

“We couldn’t,” Dorothy said. “We were both thinking about her and praying for her baby. I guess, babies.”

“I suppose I’ll have to go up and talk to her,” he said. “I doubt she’s going to take the news well. Maybe you should come up and check on her after I tell her, Donella.”

She just smiled at him and shook her head. When Ellis and Dorothy left, Boone approached her. He opened his arms, and she melted into his hug. She had done what she needed to do and was glad she could be there for her cousin, but it had shaken her to realize how much other people had depended on her help. She was exhausted, and it wasn’t over. She still had a patient upstairs, but she could take a break for a little while.

“I’m surprised you stayed,” she said. Surprised but very glad. He had such a good heart, knowing that she would need someone to lean on after the intense experience that was assisting a birth.

His eyes stared into hers. His lips opened as if he might say something, but it took him a moment to decide to. He stepped closer and whispered, “You are an amazing woman, Doni.”

Her heart skittered. Having him near her gave her powerful joy.

“Thank you.” She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. She felt lucky to have met him and to have fallen into his arms. He was comfortable to her. They seemed to fit exactly right.

“I wanted to stay to say good night. I’ll come by the restaurant tomorrow morning before we head up to the mines.”

Boone looked around the room, and Donella looked to see what he was looking for, but there was nothing. “Good night, Doni.”

It tickled her that he kept saying good bye but didn’t leave. She felt the same way. She wished he could stay. When she looked back at him, she realized that he’d been seeing if they were alone.

The blue of his eyes was as brightly electric as the lamps he installed, and there was something hungry in his gaze. His lips crushed hers, and his hands pressed against her back. The slant of his mouth changed and the kiss renewed in intensity. She would welcome this kiss every night of her life.

She couldn’t get enough, and kissed him back with a passion that renewed her strength and enlivened her mind. The world outside of Boone’s embrace faded away, taking fear and doubt and uncertainty. He was her future as surely as was being a nurse. Her life was righting itself all at once.

When he broke the kiss, he whispered, “I’m in love with you, Doni.”

Her hands flew to his face, lightly touching his jaw, and she kissed him. “I love you, Boone. We haven’t known each other very long, but it’s easy for me to feel close to you.”

Someone rapped loudly on the restaurant door. It had been locked for the past few hours. Edwin came barreling out of the kitchen, and Boone followed him to the door. Millie and Isla came of the kitchen too. When Edwin opened the door, Asa Young was standing there.

“We’ve got a man in the sleigh. He’s hurt bad.”

“Bring him in,” Donella called from behind the men. As they rushed out, she saw the angel-nurse walking down the stairs with a man who was certainly an angel, but with silver wings that towered above him. He didn’t have the same comforting expression to his features that Donella’s angel did. Why was he here?

“This is the angel of death,” her angel said. “Your family is fine. He has another purpose here.”

Death removed a silver watch from his pocket and snapped it open. Lightning bolts ricocheted out, crawled along the chain, then were sucked back into it. He snapped it shut as the restaurant door swung back open and several men hauled in an unresponsive man.

They laid him on the floor and Donella knelt beside him. She recognized him as the man who had threatened the mayor. She wanted to move away from him, but he was hurt. And no matter her personal feelings, she would serve him the best he could.

“That’s Quint Doolin,” Millie said. “That lowdown snake tried to force Clara to marry him before Bernard stepped in a few months ago.”

The angel-nurse was on the man’s other side, and Death stood at the man’s head. First Donella noticed the man’s hands, blistered and red like they’d been burned.

“Does anyone know what happened?” she asked.

“I have a guess,” said Asa. “We had some trouble with the generator at the Mother Lode, and the lights went out. We found him outside the steam engine’s shed. My guess is he was sabotaging the generator when it shocked him, throwing him to the ground, and gashed his head on a rock. He worked in the last shift too. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the one who broke all the bulbs.” Asa pointed to the hair at the back of the man’s head matted with blood.

The man’s breathing was inconsistent. He gasped and then didn’t breathe for a long time or very shallowly. He was alive, but barely.

The angel-nurse was again beside Donella and her patient. But this time instead of offering advice, she moved Donella’s hand to her patient’s neck. Donella could feel a weak pulse, shallow and erratic.

Donella hadn’t noticed KC enter the room, but he set her medical bag beside her. She was most concerned about the wound on the man’s head. “Bring me some hot water and some more towels, please,” she said to Millie.

“I’ll help you,” Isla said to Millie, following her out of the room.

Donella opened her bag and pulled out a bottle of iodine.

The angel of death again opened his pocket watch. The lightning snapped outward but didn’t return to the watch as it had before.

The angel-nurse again picked up Donella’s hand and placed it on the man’s neck. No pulse. She moved her fingers to another spot on the neck. No pulse. Donella looked for any sign that he was breathing. None.

She sat back on her heels and whispered, “He’s gone.” The chill began to grow in her, realizing the man had died. Boone’s arms were ready to hold her when she stood.

Millie and Isla returned with the supplies, but set them on a table out of the way.

Donella’s head dropped down. She hadn’t been able to do anything. She was glad that, in her heart, she knew that she would have helped him if she could. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Death holding Doolin’s soul by the collar, pushing him out of the room and disappearing through the wall.

Hot tears collected in Donella’s eyes, and she turned toward Boone’s chest. This was the way with nursing. It broke her heart to think of how close she would have to be to death. She had seen it in Texas. Boone’s arms held her together. One of his hands caressed the back of her head—soothing and comforting her.

“There are two babies and their mother alive upstairs because you were here to help,” Boone whispered in her ear. “I’m sorry you can’t save everyone, but the Lord will do his will.”

She hugged him tightly. She would have to remember that she’s assisting the Lord—His will be done. She felt a calmness enter her. She could do this. The good. The bad. The moments to cherish, and the moments to mourn. She would praise every human moment of life as a nurse.

“Are you all right?” he asked, leaning back to look at her.

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

“Get some sleep and hold a baby. The morning will be better.”

“Are you leaving?” she asked.

He nodded and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Bye.”

Donella went to bed, but slept fitfully. A couple of hours later, she went to see how Eliza was doing, and she found the angel again beside the doorway.

“How is she?” Donella asked.

“Mother is doing well. And the little ones are eating just fine. Her husband has been so attentive that I didn’t come to wake you. Well done, Nurse Turley.”

Donella’s heart was at ease, knowing that her angel had stayed beside her cousin.

The angel smiled. “I think you’ve decided.”

Donella’s eyes snapped up to her, wondering what decision she had to make.

“About your calling in life. That was my assignment.”

Donella swallowed a thick lump in her throat. She had thought to only do this until they found someone else to help, but she wanted to do this. Her chest swelled with love for the people in the small community who she would serve as a nurse. “Yes, I have. I didn’t have the heart—the courage—to be a nurse, and I don’t know how I would have done it without you.”

“Your mother trained you well. You just have to reach back into your memory and hear her words echoing in your mind. We are all in the Lord’s hands—sick or well, happy or sad, living or dead. We are His, and He will keep us.”

Donella knew nursing would keep her busy, and she wouldn’t be returning to the mayor’s office. Maybe Diane would take that job. Donella closed her eyes and savored the angel’s message of strength and encouragement. The words untangled the worried thoughts in Donella’s mind, and sweet peace took its place.

“I’ve had a baptism by fire to become a nurse this week. Can anything else go wrong?”

The angel-nurse laughed. “Well, there’s one more thing, but that isn’t my story to tell. You’ll know soon enough—after the whistle blows.”

Donella wiped her hands over her burning eyes. Exhaustion mixed with hope filled her. When she opened them, the angel was gone.

It was well after midnight when she finally got to bed. In the morning, she checked on her patients. “You look like you’re doing well, Eliza.”

“I am, and I believe they are too if I judge it by the size of their appetites.”

Donella sat beside her cousin on the bed. KC had emptied a drawer from the bureau and made a sort of cradle for the two little ones to sleep together. They cuddled next to each other as they would have inside their mother.

Eliza touched Donella’s sleeve. “Ellis promised that they would get married this morning. I’d like to be there.”

Donella didn’t think that was a great idea. Her babies were less than a day old, and stairs would be quite a strain on her.

“I’ve been thinking about it. Maybe Julianne would watch my babies, then KC can carry me down long enough to witness their marriage. Then I promise I’ll come back to bed.”

Although there was pleading in Eliza’s eyes, there was also determination.

“That would be fine, but then right back to bed.”

Many guests had gone home last night, and after breakfast, the close family gathered for the wedding. Donella missed sitting beside Boone, but he was working today. Reverend Theodore assured the guests it would be a simple ceremony as demanded by Nurse Turley and the bride and groom. Before the words were spoken, KC brought Eliza down the stairs.

The reverend read from First Corinthians chapter thirteen, then asked them to accept the vows of marriage. Each promised to love, honor, and cherish each other and to live in love and peace together. Ellis and Dorothy became husband and wife at long last.

As promised, Eliza returned upstairs, then KC came down to order her a tray for lunch.

Donella thought the ceremony was perfect. Love was simple when you focused on that.

The door burst open and Mr. and Mrs. Crowther came in. “Is Rita here?” they called out to no one in particular.

There wasn’t an answer, but Donella looked around to see if anyone was nodding. Her heart was still pounding from the surprise. “No. She hasn’t been here at all,” Donella answered.

Mrs. Crowther’s hands covered her mouth, and she turned her face into her husband’s chest. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. “She was gone all of yesterday and didn’t come home last night. I fear we lost her to the storm.”

“We can put together a search party,” KC said, and several men scattered to get prepared.

Boone and Holt entered as the men left to get a search party together. “Is Michael here?” Boone asked.

“No. He must have already gone to work,” Diane replied.

“He didn’t come to work yesterday or meet up with us to go to the mine today.”

“He didn’t work during the wedding?” Donella asked. How long had he really been missing?

She felt a sudden worry that chilled her. Anything could have happened. Mine accidents were all too common, and Michael had been working so hard, despite his exhaustion.

Donella heard a train whistle blow down the canyon, signaling that it would soon pull into the station, and she thought about what her angel had said. Donella blew out a breath. She would know soon.

All was well. She didn’t know how, but she would trust that Michael would get to tell her his story as the angel had said.