When Amos went to work later that day, he took a note for Mrs. Franklin from Becky, letting her know about the baby and that they’d named her Anabelle but would be calling her Belle.

As soon as he’d left, her mother helped her to the water closet. “I’ll take care of the baby. You need to conserve your strength. I’m still a little worried about how much blood you lost.”

Becky nodded. “I’ll be the best patient I can possibly be.”

Her mother sighed. “I raised you. I know how good that is, and your promise just isn’t making me feel a whole lot better about things.”

“I’ll try to be a good example for Belle.”

“I like that name. I could only find diapers for her. Where are her clothes? I couldn’t even find a blanket.”

Becky burst into tears at her mother’s words. “I wanted to sew for her, but I was working all the time, and I didn’t have any extra money at all for fabric. I bought some things last week, but . . . Amos’s mother came to visit, and I had to make curtains and tablecloths. Nothing is ready for her!” Becky carefully sank back to her bed against her pillows, her face in her hands, crying. “I’m already failing at being a mother, and she’s not even a day old!”

“Now, Becky, you know that’s not what I’m saying. I’ll get some sewing done right away. Where’s the fabric you purchased?”

Becky pointed toward her sewing basket, which was in a corner of the room. “I wanted to have everything just perfect, and I didn’t think she’d be here for another three or four weeks.”

“She had other plans. You rest, and I’m going to start sewing. It will be a privilege to sew for my granddaughter.”

Becky wiped away a tear. “I don’t know why everything is hitting me so hard. All I want to do is cry, but I’m so happy she’s here!”

“What you’re experiencing is perfectly normal. I’ve never understood why, but I know that all new moms go through a period of emotional turmoil when they first deliver. Just like most women are very weepy through their pregnancies as well.”

“So I’m normal?” Becky asked, laughing and crying at the same time.

“Perfectly normal.” Her mother sank down into the chair beside the bed and dug through the basket. “I’m going to make her a gown from this!” She held up some fabric.

Becky smiled. “That’s what I got it for. I didn’t think she’d be a girl. I don’t know why, but this whole time, I was sure she’d be a boy.”

“Things rarely turn out the way we expect them to.” Her mother patted her hand before finding a needle and a spool of thread in the basket. “Let’s see how fast I can make her something to wear. Hopefully she’ll be sleeping in it later.”

Becky nodded sleepily, rolling to her side. “Wake me if you need me.”

Several times throughout the day, her mother woke her to have her nurse the baby, but each time she went right back to sleep. The fourth time, she blinked a few times. “What time is it?”

“Almost six.”

“I have to get supper for Amos!” Becky tried to get to her feet, but her mother put a hand on her shoulder.

“Supper is almost ready. You need to stay where you are. You’ll be eating your meals in bed for a few days. We can’t risk the bleeding starting up again. I may have to have Dr. JT come out and check on you.”

Becky shook her head. “I’m fine, Mama. I promise.” She leaned forward trying to see the baby. “How’s Belle? Is she okay?”

“She’s waking up about every three hours to eat, and then she goes back to sleep. Just like she’s supposed to.” Her mother held up the gown she’d been sewing all day. “What do you think?”

Becky nodded. “It’s beautiful. Thank you!”

“It’s the least I could do for my grandbaby.” Her mother folded it and set it on the edge of the bed. “I’m going to go get you some supper. I’ll probably sit out there and eat with Amos.”

“That’s fine. I can handle the baby if she wakes.”

“No, you can’t! I don’t want you lifting that baby at all. You can hold her if someone hands her to you, but you cannot stand up and pick up your baby. You can walk as far as the water closet with assistance.”

“I’m stronger than you think I am.”

“Promise me you’ll wait for me if she wakes up. I don’t care how hard it is to hear her cry. I will come and give her to you.”

“I promise.” Becky leaned back against the pillows, a little frustrated. She wasn’t used to sitting around with nothing to do.

Her mother could see the boredom on her face and handed her the sewing basket. “Have fun.” With those words she was gone, and Becky sat quietly for a moment, digging through the basket.

Becky wasn’t sure how long she could sit quietly without hurting herself. She was used to working at least ten hours every day between the restaurant and the boarding house. It had been easier since she’d married, but that had only been a week, and she’d kept herself very busy by choice, not by necessity.

Her mother was back fifteen minutes later, and she set Becky’s soup on the dresser before plumping her pillows. “I know you, and I know how hard-headed you are. You need to stay still for your daughter because she needs a mother.” Handing Becky her soup, she disappeared from the room.

* * *

Amos had a long day after very little sleep. He sent a telegram to his mother, knowing it would arrive in New York before she did. He brought home a little hat and a pair of booties that Mrs. Franklin had made for the baby.

As soon as he walked inside the kitchen, he spotted her mother in front of the stove. “How are my girls?”

“The baby is doing just fine. Becky is . . . she’s still weak. I’m having a hard time getting her to stay in bed. She wants to get up and help with the baby because she hates being idle. She’s been this way since she was a little girl, but we can’t let her risk herself. The baby needs her.”

“Is it that serious?” he asked, surprised. He knew her mother had been worried before the baby was born, but he was surprised she was still worried now.

“Yes, it’s very serious. She lost a lot more blood than she should have, and she was a little too thin before the baby was born. She didn’t get enough care while she was expecting, and I know you’re thinking that’s my fault, and it probably is. I can’t change what happened months ago. I can only change how she thinks about things now. She needs to do what she’s told. No lifting the baby. She needs to eat in bed. I feel like I’m letting her do too much by feeding herself!”

“Should I get the doctor?”

Mrs. Brown considered the question for a moment. “I’m thinking about it. If she’s not more cooperative, then we’re going to have to get him here. He can explain the very real dangers to her.”

“I’ll go get him now!” Amos grabbed his hat off the hook on the wall and slammed it atop his head. He wasn’t going to sit back and watch the woman he loved die simply because she didn’t know how to sit still.

“Not yet. Let’s give her ’til tomorrow. I think she can get it together. Otherwise, you’ll need to get him.” Mrs. Brown frowned at him. “Besides. You were up all night as well. You’re dead on your feet.”

“You were up most of the night, too.”

“I had a chance to catnap. I slept in the chair beside Becky’s bed and nodded off several times. You haven’t had the chance to do that. And I plan to sleep all night. You’ll be up and down taking the baby to Becky.”

He yawned, putting his hat back on the hook. “Maybe I should hire someone to help us out after all. At least for this week.”

“I’m sure you could. There are plenty of women in town who would like to help make ends meet for their families.”

“We’ll see how tomorrow goes. I’m not planning on working. I only went in today because I knew they were expecting me.”

“With both of us here, I’m sure we can keep her in bed. It depends on how she’s doing whether we’ll need the doctor, though. Right now, I’m very worried about her.” She finished dishing up their meal and set his on the table. “If she’s not better by morning, you can go for the doctor.”

“That sounds fine.” He sat down with her, bowing his head and saying a simple prayer, thanking God for the food and praying for the health of the two girls he loved the most.

“We’ll just have to do what we can to keep Becky entertained. She seems to be nursing all right, and that’s a blessing.”

He wanted to jump up from the table and go see her, but he didn’t want to offend his mother-in-law either. “Why are you helping us so much?” he asked, still not sure why she was there with them.

Mrs. Brown frowned. “I’m helping because I love my daughter. My husband made me cut off ties with her when she told us she was pregnant, but I couldn’t let her try to birth that baby with no help at all. Every woman should have someone with her when she delivers. Especially her first child!”

“I would think any child, but I agree with you. She wanted me to try to help her, but I wouldn’t have known what to do. You at least knew how much bleeding was too much and what to do for the bleeding.”

“I wish there had been no bleeding, or there was a way to stop her from bleeding now.” She shook her head. “Maybe the doctor can put a poultice on her. If I’d been ready, I could have made one. I used to be a midwife.”

“I guess I went to the right place, then, didn’t I?” He was thankful for the stranger who had suggested he go to her.

“You definitely did.” She smiled at him.

“Are there going to be problems with your husband because you did this?” he asked, worried about that for the first time. He still would have done exactly the same thing and gone to her, but he didn’t want her to be in trouble with her husband for helping his wife out.

“I honestly don’t know. Probably. But she’s his daughter as well, and if he has a problem with it, then I’ll go back to being a midwife. It won’t bother me one little bit.”

“Really?” he asked. He was surprised to hear her say it. “If you need a place to stay, we have extra rooms upstairs.”

“Thank you. I hope it won’t come to that, but if it does, I’ll take you up on it. I’d make a great nanny for my grandbaby as well.”

He grinned. “And just think . . . I was going to have to find one.”

There was a small cry from the back of the house, and she was on her feet in a moment, rushing through the house. She knew she had to hurry to keep Becky from picking the baby up. She wouldn’t be able to listen to her daughter cry. Becky had never been able to listen to children cry without it upsetting her.

When she reached her daughter’s bedroom, Becky was on her feet beside the bed, her face pure white. “Rebekah Lynn! I told you I’d get her!” She grabbed onto Becky’s arm, worried she’d fall and called out, “Amos!”

Amos was there quickly, and he scooped Becky up in his arms and carefully returned her to her bed. “What were you thinking?”

Mrs. Brown picked up the infant and held her. “Your mama’s going to feed you in just a minute. I’m going to change your diaper first. Yes, I am.” Her soft cooing made Amos smile. Why did everyone feel like they needed to talk that way to a baby?

She took Belle from the room and brought her back a moment later with a clean diaper, wearing the new gown she’d made for her. “Now I’ll let your mama feed you.”

Amos was worried as Becky reached out for the baby. He could see how pale she still was, and it frightened him. Becky had seemed like the very picture of health when he’d met her less than two weeks before.

She frowned at him as she unfastened the front of her gown to nurse the baby. “I think maybe you should excuse yourself for a moment.”

“Just cover up with this,” her mother said, handing her a towel.

“Thank you.” Becky covered herself and the baby’s mouth, but kept Belle’s eyes uncovered. “She’s so perfect.” Every time she held the infant, she was amazed that something so beautiful had come from her.

Amos watched her with the baby, and he couldn’t help but smile. He could see her with many more children over the years. They would fill the house up, and they would live happily ever after. He didn’t always believe in fairy tales, but that day, he needed to.

Her mother slipped away into the kitchen to do the dishes, leaving the two of them there with the baby. “I’ll be back. Do not put the baby back in her cradle by yourself!” she called back over her shoulder.

Amos moved closer to Becky and the baby. “Your mom is really worried about you.”

Becky shrugged. “She worries more than she should sometimes.” Women had babies every day. She didn’t understand why there was fuss over her when she’d only done what all other women did.

“I’m worried, too. When I walked in here, your face was whiter than a sheet. It scared me.”

“I don’t mean to scare anyone. I just couldn’t sit there and let my baby cry.”

“For now, you’re going to have to. Your mother is making it sound like Belle will grow up without you if you keep trying to push things so hard.”

Becky sighed. “She’s being overdramatic.”

“No, I really don’t think she is. Please be careful. I can’t imagine raising that baby by myself. She needs her mama.” Amos leaned forward and brushed his lips across Becky’s. “I don’t want to live in fear that you’ll die while I’m at work. I’m planning to take the rest of the week off to help your mom around here and be available if someone needs to go for the doctor.”

“I’ll be happy to have you here,” she said softly. “I like our time together.” I love you. She couldn’t say it yet, but she could think it. This man was quickly becoming her everything.

“So do I. We’ll be able to bond with the baby together. She’s going to have so many people fussing over her, she won’t know which one to coo at first.”

Becky smiled. “I’m sure she will. I’m glad. I want her to know she’s loved and there will always be someone there for her.”

“I’m sure she’ll figure that out fast.”

* * *

Becky was still bleeding too heavily the following morning, so her mother sent Amos off for the doctor and Hannah. “Either one or both. Whoever needs to come to make sure my baby is all right.”

Amos rode as quickly as he could, stopping at the doctor’s house and thankfully finding both JT and Hannah there. “It’s my wife, Becky,” he said, panting as he stood in the doorway. He’d run from the horse.

Hannah hurried over. “I heard she had the baby, but her mother had to deliver it because she went into labor during the terrible storm Monday night.”

“Yes, but her mother said she bled too much. We’ve been keeping her in bed as much as possible, but the bleeding is still bad. Her face is pure white.”

Hannah grabbed her bag, and so did the doctor. “You’ll help?” she asked JT as she ran for the door.

JT nodded. “I’ll saddle my horse if you’ll saddle Hannah’s.”

Amos handed his reins to Hannah. “Just get out there. I’ll ride yours.”

Hannah didn’t question him, instead climbing onto the horse and riding away. She knew when she was needed.

Amos followed JT into the barn, and the two of them worked in silence, saddling both horses and heading for the house. Amos couldn’t believe just how nervous he was. Becky was listless and had even stopped complaining about having to stay in bed. He wasn’t sure if that meant she was dying or what, but he knew it couldn’t be good.

* * *

Becky woke up to find Hannah standing over her. “How are you feeling?” Hannah asked her.

Becky blinked up at her. “Why are you here? I already had the baby.”

“I know you did. Your mom just wanted me to come and check on you. She’s getting really worried.”

“She shouldn’t worry. I’m fine.” Becky felt like the nurse was two people for a moment. “I feel a little funny.”

“You just lie there and let me help you.”

* * *

Amos stared down at Becky, his heart full of sorrow. The doctor wasn’t sure if she’d make it through the night, and he was unsure how he’d be able to live without her. He took her limp hand in his, bringing it to his lips. “Please don’t leave me, Becky Bowen. I love you more than I could ever begin to express. I think I knew from the moment I saw you in the boarding house that you were meant to be mine.”

Her eyes seemed to twitch, but they didn’t open. “I hope you can hear me. I need you to know I love you—whether you live for die—I will always love you.”

She’d been asleep for three days and nights . . . but it seemed like forever to him. If only she would say something to him . . . anything! He needed to know she’d live.

The baby cried, interrupting him. He walked to her and fed her a bottle. She was the only thing that could entice him to leave his wife’s side. Belle was a part of Becky, and she may be the only part he had left. He needed them both. So very much!

* * *

The next thing Becky knew, someone was standing over her, trying to get her to drink more water. “Not thirsty,” she said, pushing the cup away.

“You have to keep up your strength for the baby,” Hannah said.

Becky blinked. “You’re still here?”

“I’ve come to see you every day this week.”

“What?” Becky tried to sit up, but her limbs were too weak. “Belle?”

“Your baby is fine. We had to use some infant food for her because you can’t nurse her with as weak as you are, but she’s taken to it well.” Hannah sat down beside her. “I’m going to check your bleeding.”

Becky nodded, waiting as Hannah checked her. “Am I going to live?” she asked, a cheeky grin on her face.

Hannah sighed. “You’re joking, but it’s been touch and go all week. You’re going to be fine, I think, but you’re going to need help for a month or two—with the baby, the cooking, and the housework.”

Becky groaned. “I like to do for myself.”

“You did a little too much of that while you were carrying the baby. Now it’s time for you to let others do for you for a while.” Hannah smiled. “I’m going to go let your mother and your husband know that as long as you do as you’re told, you’re going to live.”

“Are they really worried about that?”

Hannah nodded. “We all were.”

A few minutes later, both Amos and her mother came into the room. Her mother was still wearing the same dress she’d worn the day she arrived. “Mama, don’t you think it’s time you went home and got yourself some clean clothes?”

Her mother leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I do think so.” She turned to Hannah. “I’m going to have to take Amos with me. Can we rely on you for just a little bit longer while we go and get my things? I’m going to need to be here for a good long while yet.”

Hannah nodded. “Of course. I’ll stay with Becky and the baby.”

Amos stood beside the bed for another moment, looking down at his wife. His beard was scraggly, and his eyes were red-rimmed, as if he hadn’t slept in a week. “You need to take care of yourself, Amos. You look unwell.”

Becky wasn’t sure why her words made everyone laugh so hard, but they did. Maybe they were all just a little tired.