Free Angel of the Cove by Sandra Robbins

for supper.”
    Without speaking, the children followed her into the house. She cast a glance over her shoulder as she entered Laura’s room, but they had sat down at the kitchen table and appeared to be deep in conversation. She only hoped they weren’t dreaming up some horrible surprise for her, like a spider in her bed or a frog in the water bucket. If they were, she’d deal with them later—after she’d checked on Laura. With a sigh she directed her attention to the exhausted woman lying in the bed. Wispy brown hair plastered to Laura’s pale forehead served as a reminder of the pain she’d endured a short time before. Now a contented smile lay on her lips.
    Anna stopped beside Laura Ferguson’s bed and watched the mother snuggle her newborn son close to her breast. The baby nuzzled her, then opened his mouth and began to nurse.
    A feeling of awe and wonder flowed through Anna’s body at thesight. She almost felt as if she were intruding on a reverent moment between mother and child. “Has your milk already come in, Laura?” she whispered.
    Laura shook her head. “Naw, it’ll be two or three days ’fore it does, but he don’t know that. He’s doin’ what comes natural. For now, he’s gittin’ what he needs.”
    Tears formed in Anna’s eyes, and she stared in amazement at the child she thought to be the biggest miracle she had ever experienced. A sense of wonder filled her at God’s plan for bringing new life into the world and how He provided what was needed to sustain His creations.
    Uncle Charles had been right when he said Granny could show her things the teachers in New York never could. Today she had helped a mother give birth to her child in a small cabin under primitive conditions in a remote mountain valley, and God had opened her eyes to the miracle of birth. She doubted if she would have experienced the same feeling in a city hospital with all its modern conveniences.
    One thing she did know, however. No matter how many children she would see come into the world, this first one would always be special. “Granny said as soon as your milk comes in we are to wash the baby’s eyes with some of it. If you’ll let me know, I can help you with it.”
    Laura’s tired eyes stared up at her. “I kin do it. I done it with the other two.”
    Anna patted her arm. “You were so brave, Laura. I don’t think I could have done what you did today.”
    Laura hugged the baby tighter. “Most women think that ’fore it happens to them. But when the pains start, you gotta keep thinkin’ about how good it’s gonna be when it’s over.” The mother pulled the baby away from her and stared at him. A loud squall rang from the tiny mouth. “He’s gonna be a loud one, but he shore is a purty baby.”
    â€œThat he is. In fact he’s the best-looking baby I’ve ever helped deliver.”
    â€œIs that right? And how many babies have you helped deliver?”
    Anna giggled. “Just one, but he’s still the prettiest I’ve ever seen.”
    A weak smile pulled at Laura’s lips. “Oh, Miss Anna, you shore do make me feel good.”
    â€œI hope so. That’s what I’m here for.”
    The baby squirmed in Laura’s arms, and she snuggled him closer. “You was so good helpin’ Granny, I thought you’d been doin’ it for years. I reckon I was wrong about you.”
    â€œWrong about me? What do you mean?”
    â€œWhen I heared that Granny had a girl from outside the mountains comin’ to help her, I was scared. I thought you might be real uppity, and I didn’t want you to help me with my baby.” Laura paused. “But I was wrong, Miss Anna. You done proved that to me today. I don’t reckon nobody could have been kinder to me than you was. And I’m askin’ you to forgive me for settin’ my mind to