Merry Christmas, My Love

“Oh, good, good. Yes, that’s a great idea. And your ma is fine. Just a couple of pains.” He began backing away. “I’ll just be, you know, outside.” He turned and fled down the steps.

Memories haunted him of Polly screaming in pain before she’d finally given up and died after Ian had slid out of her body. The images scared him to death. He’d had many conversations with the doc over the past eight months about Priscilla and the baby. The doctor reassured him over and over that Priscilla was a fine specimen for birthing, was healthy and strong, had nice wide hips, her mama had given birth to five healthy children, and he had nothing to worry about.

“Thank you for coming.” Mitch gripped Mrs. Sweeney’s hand.

“Nothing to worry about, Mitch. Go on about your business. Check up on Ernest at the store. When I passed by on my way here he was trying to load a pistol. Could hardly see the chamber.”

Mitch thanked her and hurried to the shop, Ian right behind him. “Pa, do you think we should stay home? Suppose Ma needs us?”

“She’s fine. They really don’t want us there.” He looked at Ian and brought himself up short. Did he want to teach his son to run from difficult situations? Was he not man enough to stay with his wife who he loved more than life itself?

Hell, yes he was.

“Come on, son. Let’s go home. Like it or not, we’re staying with your Ma until your brother is born.”

“Suppose my brother is a sister?”

“It’s all right. Your ma wears pants now and again. I guess your sister can, too.”

Priscilla lay back on the pillows, exhausted. Sweat covered her body, her nightgown sticking to her soaked body. But she was happier than she’d been in her whole life. Right now a red-faced little girl was receiving her first bath from Mrs. Sweeney. From the sound of her lungs, she wasn’t happy about it either.

“Let me get you cleaned up, too, before your husband comes in. He’s been downstairs wearing out the carpet for hours now. He tried to come up here a few times, but I wouldn’t let him. Men don’t belong in the room where ladies are giving birth.” The woman tsked a few times as she washed and dressed Priscilla in a fresh nightgown. Then she handed the baby to her and left the room.

“Can we come in?” Mitch stood at the door.

“Honey, you look like hell,” Priscilla said as she waved him and Ian into the bedroom. “Come say hello to your new daughter.”

Mitch turned to Ian. “A sister.”

“Pants, Pa. Remember?”

Mitch sat alongside her. “What shall we name her?”

Priscilla ran her finger over the soft, downy black hair. “How about Grace?”

“Grace it is.” He tugged Ian over. “Come meet your sister, Grace.”

“She’s so little.”

“About the same size you were.”

Mitch looked at Priscilla. “Do you think Jesse will believe she was a month early?”

She looked at him and burst out laughing. “No. I don’t think so.”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m in a lot of trouble.”

The End

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A Dogtown Christmas is the sixth book in the Oklahoma Lovers series. Although all the books in the series are standalones, the series, in reading order, is:

A Run for Love

A Prescription for Love

A Chance to Love Again