Once in Every Life

The old man frowned for a second before he cautiously waved back.

Tess concentrated on reading Jack's lips. "Come on in and see her, Doc. She's ... different." "Doc Hayes," Tess said to herself. "Of course." She let go of the curtain and went to the door, opening it and stepping onto the porch. "Hi, Doc!" she called out, waving again and tenting her eyes against the glaring sun. "Would you like a glass of ..." She frowned. What did people offer other people in 1873? Chardonnay was definitely out. "Water?"

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"That'd be right nice," he answered, letting Jack help him down from the wagon.

The two men walked toward the house and followed Tess into the kitchen.

"What's all this?" Doc asked, eyeing the jars on the table.

Tess pulled out a chair for him. "I'm trying to figure out how to make jam."

Both men looked uncomfortable with her response.

"Sit down, Mrs. Rafferty," Doc said.

"But your water?"

"Sit down."

Tess shrugged easily and sat in front of the doctor. "Okay. Sure."

"How do you feel?"

"Fit as a fiddle."

He frowned. "Really?"

"Really. Things are going great around here. I'm fitting right in."

"And the baby?"

Tess smiled softly. "Oh, Caleb is doing beautifully. He's already grown so much. I had a little trouble breastfeeding at first, but now it's going great."

Doc shot a sideways glance at Jack. "Sorry, Jack, but I have to ask this."

Jack nodded tensely.

Doc turned back to Tess. "Do you remember coming to me when you first conceived?"

"No."

Doc paused for a moment, as if carefully considering his wor

ds. "You wanted to ..." He blushed slightly. His voice deepened. "Well, you weren't happy about the baby."

Tess gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, my God. You mean I wanted to terminate the pregnancy?"

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"Yes."

Impulsively Tess reached out and took the old man's hands in hers, squeezing his big-knuckled fingers affectionately. "Thank God you didn't." Tears stung her eyes. "Thank God."

Doc studied her, his rheumy eyes narrowed behind the small ovals of his spectacles. "What's your husband's name?"

"Jack."