"That…"
"Monitors the fetal heartbeat. Hospitals now use fancy ultrasound devices. But I'd settle for a fetoscope."
"Where did you get your medical training?"
"What really concerns me," he said, ignoring her question,
"is whether or not he'll perform an episiotomy."
Tiel winced at the thought of the incision and the delicate area subjected to it. "How could he?"
"It won't be pleasant, but if he doesn't, she could easily tear and that'll be even more unpleasant."
"You're doing my nerves no good, Doc."
"I imagine all our nerves have had better days." Again he raised his head and looked across at her. "By the way, I'm glad you're here."
The look was just as intense, the eyes as compelling, as before, but this time she didn't chicken out and look away. "I'm not doing anything constructive."
"Simply being with her is doing a lot. When she's having a pain, encourage her not to fight it. Tensing the muscles and tissue surrounding the uterus only increases the discomfort. The uterus was made to contract. She should let it go about its business."
"Easy for you to say."
"Easy for me to say," he conceded with a wry smile.
"Breathe with her. Take deep breaths inhaled through the nose, exhaled through the mouth."
"Those deep breaths will help me, too."
"You're doing fine. She feels comfortable with you. You neutralize her shyness."
"She admitted to being shy with you."
"Understandable. She's very young."
"She said you don't look like a doctor."
"No, I don't suppose I do."
"Are you?"
"Rancher."
"You're a real cowboy then?"
"I breed horses, run a herd of beef cattle. I drive a pickup truck. I guess that makes me a cowboy."
"Then where'd you learn-"
The ringing of the telephone brought their private conversation to a halt. Ronnie snatched up the receiver.
"Hello? I'm Ronnie Davison. Where's the doctor?"
He paused to listen, and Tiel could tell by his expression that he was hearing something that distressed him.
"FBI? How come?" Then he blurted, "But I didn't kidnap her, Mr. Galloway! We were eloping. Yes, sir, she's my main concern too. No. No. She refuses to go to a hospital."
He listened longer, then glanced at Sabra. "Okay. If the phone'll reach." He dragged the telephone to Sabra, stretching the cord as far as it would go. "The FBI agent wants to talk to you."