Free Because of Rebecca by Leanne Tyler Page A

smile spread across Paxton’s face. “The baby’s here.”
    “Go find out if you have a son or daughter.” Jared laughed, slapping the man on the back. Thank you, Lord.
    “Aye, I think I will.”
    A few moments later Mary came out carrying a steaming cup of coffee. “It’s a boy.”
    “How is Isabella?” Jared took the cup.
    “She had a rough time. The baby was breech and the mid-wife couldn’t get him turned. Doctor Gordon had a difficult time of it himself.” Mary placed her hands on her ample hips and stared out into the sunrise. “If you don’t object, I’m going to take the girls back to the house with me, Mr. Hollingsworth.”
    He nodded. “Of course. Keep them there as long as you see fit.”
    “You don’t look well,” Mary remarked. “A body would have thought you were awaiting the birth of a child too the way you paced out here with Paxton.”
    Had his worry been so evident? “I remember what it was like, the waiting,” he said, not wanting to elaborate.
    Mary nodded. “And now that all is well you can put that fear to rest.”
    Jared drained the cup and handed it back to her. “I’d better see to the field hands this morning. I don’t think Paxton will be in any shape to carry on his normal chores today.”
    Mary gave him a worry-filled glance. “And what about you?”
    “I’ll be fine,” he assured her. Heading for the walk, he added. “I’ve worked on much less sleep before.”
    He was halfway down the stone path when Mary called, “I’ll have breakfast waiting when you return to the house.”
    “Thank you.” Heading toward the field, Jared figured he could work for at least two or three hours on the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He found most of the hands preparing their tools and water buckets for the long day ahead.
    “Good news, men. Mrs. Paxton delivered a healthy boy this morning,” he announced.
    Cheers erupted, and gratitude at the men’s loyalty for their foreman surged through Jared.
    “It’s about time he got a son,” Simpson shouted, and the other men called varying agreements.
    “I don’t expect you’ll be seeing Paxton today. It was a long night of waiting and worrying. Simpson, I’m putting you in charge,” Jared said, and they nodded in understanding. “I want all men in the fields today. I’ll see to the stables. That should make the work go faster.”
    When he reached the stables, Higgins was already grooming the horses. The man looked up and stopped mid-brush when Jared entered.
    “Everything all right, sir?” Higgins asked.
    “Yes. It’s a boy.” Jared grabbed a rake and went to muck out the stalls before using the pitchfork to line them with fresh hay. They worked in silence until Mary rang the bell, calling them in for breakfast.
    Wiping sweat from his brow, Jared left Higgins to go wash up. As he approached the main house, a briskly moving carriage entered the driveway and surprise halted his steps. Rebecca and Josephine Davis were sitting in the back of the hired hack. Grabbing his handkerchief, he quickly wiped his hands and stuffed it back into his pocket. The vehicle pulled to a stop by the front steps and he lengthened his stride.
    “Rebecca! Miss Davis. What brings you out here?”
    She gave him a shy smile. “I hope you don’t mind our showing up uninvited, but I was so worried about Isabella. I sent Charlotte to check at Doctor Gordon’s this morning, but he hadn’t returned. This news didn’t set well with me. How is she?”
    “In the doctor’s capable hands. You’ll be happy to know I was wrong. They have a son after all.”
    “Marvelous!” Her smile broadened, and Jared’s weariness vanished.
    “Mary has just put breakfast on the table. Won’t you both join me?” he asked, offering Miss Davis his hand.
    “Thank you, Mr. Hollingsworth.” Her smile was as wide as Rebecca’s
    Jared looked up at the sky to see if it was falling. Josephine Davis had not been pleased with him since their first meeting. Even