Free A Midwife Crisis by Lisa Cooke Page A

office as well as his home, but so far she hadn’t seenany patients, so she wasn’t sure if they walked in or rang the bell. Luckily she didn’t have to ponder long before John opened the door. He must have seen her walk up to the house.
    “Good morning.” He smiled, and for the first time since she’d met him, it went clear to his eyes.
    “Mornin’.” She returned his smile, relieved that the tension of the day before was gone.
    He directed her into his office. “I haven’t accomplished much since you left, I’m afraid.”
    Imagine that. “That’s all right. I’m sure today we’ll make great headway.”
    What an odd expression on his face. Almost as though he didn’t want to make headway. Maybe he dreaded the task of organizing since he did it so poorly.
    “I’ve asked Mrs. Adkins to bring you some hot tea, and I’ve built a fire. I thought you might be cold from your walk.”
    “It is a little chilly this mornin’.” She allowed John to take her cloak before she made her way to the fireplace to warm up. How nice of him to think of her comfort, unlike Harold, who had forgotten her entirely until his checkers game was over.
    The hot tea did wonders in fighting the chill, but unfortunately, the reprieve didn’t last long. Someone rang the door chime and in a moment, Mrs. Adkins was ushering Rebecca Fisher’s father into the office. “Katie?” Bruce said. “I’s hopin’ you could come with me. It’s time for Rebecca’s birthin’.” He gestured toward the street. “I brung the wagon.”
    “Of course.” Katie grabbed her cloak and headedtoward the door, making it into the hallway before she remembered John. “I’m sorry, Dr. Keffer. This will probably take much of the day, but I can come back tomorrow to help.”
    “Of course. Mrs. Fisher’s birthing takes priority, but…” He hesitated. “I was wondering if I could come with you.”
    Katie glanced at Bruce, who shrugged as though he was leaving that up to her. “Come along, if you’d like, but I’m warning you, the road to the Fishers’ isn’t the best.”
    John hurried to grab his coat and a small leather bag that she assumed had medical supplies, and followed Katie outside to Bruce’s wagon.
    The bench up front was only large enough for Katie and Bruce, leaving John no choice but to sit in the back. There was nothing for him to sit on except the hard wooden floor planks, which explained why John winced when he finally climbed out at Rebecca’s cabin.
    “I told you the road was rough,” she whispered, hurrying past him while he retrieved his bag. His only response was a grunt, but she didn’t have time to wait for more. This was Rebecca’s fourth child and chances were he’d be quick making his way into the world.
    Rebecca’s husband met Katie at the door, a frightened expression on his face. “Somethin’s wrong, Katie.”
    “Why do you think so?” She continued past Paul over to where Rebecca stood clutching the back of a chair, stoic but white lipped as the pains shot through her body.
    “Somethin’ ain’t right,” Rebecca muttered, echoing Paul’s concerns. “My water’s broke, but the baby ain’t comin’ yet.”
    Katie motioned to the bed. “Let me see what’s going on.”
    She helped Rebecca walk to the small bed in the corner of the cabin, where she reclined slowly on the quilt. “All men out,” Katie ordered, waiting until the cabin was cleared. She lifted Rebecca’s nightgown and checked for the baby’s head. A quick internal exam confirmed Katie’s fear. The baby wasn’t lined up for birthing.
    “Rebecca,” Katie said, using a calm, controlled voice. Panic wouldn’t help anyone right now. “We’re going to have to turn the baby.”
    Rebecca nodded, despite the fear that flashed in her eyes. “What do you want me to do?”
    Katie waited a moment while a contraction racked Rebecca’s body. “I want you to try to relax your belly while I push.”
    She placed her hands against Rebecca’s