Free Because of Rebecca by Leanne Tyler

right?” Rebecca entered the room, carrying a whimpering and diaper clad Lucas in her arms. She looked like a heavenly vision wearing a white silk dressing gown with her auburn hair hanging loose around her shoulders.
    For a moment, he found it difficult to speak. He swallowed hard and stumbled to the nearest chair before his legs buckled beneath him.
    “Charlotte, get him some water,” she ordered.
    “Yes, miss.”
    The maid returned and offered him a tumbler. He drank the tepid water in several gulps. “I’m sorry to barge in, Rebecca, but I was told Doctor Gordon could be found here.” Sitting the glass on the small table he spotted a red rash all over the child’s back. “What’s wrong with Lucas?”
    “He ate something that didn’t agree with him. At least that’s what the doctor believes,” she explained, looking more concerned about him than Lucas at the moment.
    “Jared, what seems to be the problem?” Doctor Gordon asked, coming into the front room with Rebecca’s aunt.
    “My foreman’s wife has gone into labor before her time and the mid-wife has sent for you. We need to hurry.”
    “Oh my heavens!” Rebecca exclaimed.
    Doctor Gordon handed her a small jar. “Rub this salve on him and let him sleep in loose clothing tonight. I’ll check back tomorrow.”
    She nodded, rubbing her cheek against Lucas’.
    “Thank you for coming.” Josephine followed the doctor to the door.
    “It was no problem,” Gordon replied, then looked at Lucas. “No more strawberries for you, young man.”
    “Good night, ladies,” Jared said, starting to back out of the room.
    “Wait.” Rebecca rushed to the door and touched Jared’s arm to stop him. “Do let me know how Isabella does. We’ll be praying for her.”
    He nodded, covering her hand with his own. His earlier panic washed away and was replaced by a comforting peace. He again swallowed hard, not understanding how she had such an effect on him. “I’ll do that.”
    As the men left, Charlotte closed the suite door and leaned against it. “Do you want me to take Lucas and get him to sleep, miss?”
    Rebecca shook her head. “You go get some rest.”
    “I can stay up with you,” Josephine offered.
    “No. We’ll be to bed shortly.” She settled in the rocking chair with Lucas
    When the room was quiet, she laid Lucas on her lap, applied the salve then wrapped him loosely in a thin blanket. She rocked him until well after he’d fallen asleep. Her mind wandered to Isabella and the difficult time she must be having. Jared’s concerned expression told her he feared the worst. He’d experienced it firsthand losing his wife and child. She recalled the night Mariah gave birth to Lucas and the unforeseen complication that took her life. She didn’t understand why bringing life into this world had to be so dangerous.
    Lucas whimpered in his sleep as she slowly rose from the rocking chair. She nuzzled his cheek with a kiss and put him in his crib.
    She turned the wick low in the oil lamp until the light dimmed and crawled into her own bed. Her heart ached with worry for Isabella and concern for Jared. She silently prayed the night would be easy on both. Please God let Isabella and the baby survive.
    ****
    Jared paced the front porch of his foreman’s house in one direction while Paxton paced in the other. The sun slowly rose in the sky, announcing a new day. Their eyes meet briefly as they passed the other.
    “Something’s wrong. I know it.” Paxton muttered, swinging his arms and balling his fists. “The baby should be here by now.”
    Jared stopped in mid-stride and caught Paxton by the arm. “It should, but for some reason this time’s different.”
    “But it shouldn’t be. She’s healthy and strong.”
    “And that will go in her favor,” Jared said wishing he had total faith in what he said, but for Paxton’s sake he added. “We have to believe that.”
    The words had not left his mouth until they heard the sound of a newborn’s cry.
    A