Free Red Rose by J. C. Hulsey

getting back into the habit of doing things on a kind of schedule. Stoke the fire, fetch water from the well, cook breakfast, clean up, cook dinner, clean up, cook supper and in between, the clothes had to be washed. I had to build a fire outside under a big cast iron tub, wash the clothes and carry them inside to dry because it was too cold outside. They would freeze before they dried. There wasn't much mending to do, but there was always something to do. I found an old churn out in the barn, so I made plans to collect enough milk to churn some butter. It seemed the house was always in need of a good cleaning. I stuffed the mattress with fresh, clean straw again. As soon as the herd sold, I was going to see what the cost of a real mattress was. On Saturdays I would bake bread, pies, cakes, whatever I had items to do with. I was always glad for Sunday to come around. A day of rest except for the cow needing milked, the hog getting fed, feeding the chickens, feeding the horses. Then and only then, it was a day of rest, what was left of it. But I was thankful each and every day for what I had.
    I was very faithful in saying my prayers each and every night. I knew that my Lord would help me through these hard times and I would come out victorious, because of my faithfulness to Him.
    The boys brought a smoked ham one day, another day they brought a sack of potatoes. The next day, a big box came filled with jars of canned vegetables and there were even some jars of canned fruit. Oh, how I desired a peach pie. Now, I could have one.  Things seemed to be pulling together fairly well. I hoped that the herd brought enough money to take care of everything. Enough to pay the boys, buy supplies for the year, and enough left over to replenish the herd. If I couldn't do that, I might as well give up. It seemed to be a never ending battle to get ahead and not being able to.
    One day, when I was outside scrubbing the bedding, I heard a buggy coming up the road. Oh my, I wasn't dressed for company. What difference did it make? I'm not trying to impress anyone. After all, I'm a rancher's wife. We're allowed to look this way on a work day. The buggy pulled up and stopped beside me. It was Chester Wainsworth. Dr. Wainsworth. Chet to his friends, of whom I used to be one.
    "Hello Rose. You're looking well. How are you feeling? You don't have but about two more months to go.  I expected you’d be bigger by now. And I, also, expected you to come see me for a checkup. We don't want anything to happen to your baby.”
    "What can happen? Women have babies all the time?"
    "Yes, and sometimes there are complications that only a doctor can help with. Maybe we should examine you now, just to be on the safe side."
    "Alright, if you think it's necessary."
    "I think it's necessary." He brought his bag and followed me into the house. "Please lay on the bed and I'll take a look."
    After the exam, he said, "Everything looks fine, but I would like for you to start taking things a little easier until after the baby is born. I would think you’d be showing more, being this far along. But the baby sounds fine. Mrs. Templeton said she’d come and stay with you when it gets close.”
    “I don't need anyone to stay with me.”
    “Yes, Rose, you do. Maybe you can have a baby by yourself, but you will need someone to help you. You'll see when the time comes. You'll be begging for someone to help you.”
    “Not me. I'm not the begging kind.”
    We'll see. We'll see. Mrs. Jarrod, also, said she would come help you when the time came. And if there is any trouble, they’ll send one of the twins for me. I’ll come as soon as I can. I've got to get back to town now. I'll be back in a month. If you have any pain or discomfort, send one of the twins after me. I'll come immediately. I promise. Goodbye for now. Remember, I love you very much. Until next time. You still haven't had any morning sickness? That is very unusual. Most every women has some morning