Free Change of Heart by Molly Jebber

he assessed the situation. “Let me try reviving the infant.”
    She passed him the newborn. “I’ve tried everything.” She checked Naomi. The bleeding had stopped. She applied sutures.
    Matt worked with the boppli, but she didn’t respond to his ministrations.
    Naomi sobbed. “Dr. Carrington, please do not let my baby die.”
    Matt’s face turned somber as he cradled the motionless boppli. “I am sorry. Becca and I have done everything we can to save her, but your daughter did not make it. There is nothing more we can do. Would you like to hold her?”
    Naomi wept and held out her arms.
    Becca accepted the dead boppli from him, wrapped her little body in a soft blanket, and then tenderly placed the infant in Naomi’s arms as her own tears dripped onto her cheeks. She smoothed Naomi’s damp matted hair while the bereft young mamm held her dead boppli girl. Her heart broke, witnessing the woman’s pain.
    Matt moved next to Naomi. “I am sorry for your loss. If you need me, please send your grandfather to my office. I will come to you. I will step out now so Becca can help you change.”
    Naomi caressed her boppli’s cheek as tears streamed down her own cheeks.
    Matt left and closed the door behind him.
    Becca cleaned and helped her change into a fresh gown as the new mamm moved the boppli from one arm to the other. Becca offered to hold the boppli while Naomi changed, but she wouldn’t let go of her daughter. Becca couldn’t blame her. What a shock to find out her boppli had died. She couldn’t imagine experiencing Naomi’s pain. “Is there anything else we can do for you?”
    Naomi grabbed Becca’s hand. “Please visit me tomorrow. I don’t have another woman to talk to about my problems. Would you mind coming back here tomorrow evening?”
    Becca smoothed the sorrowful woman’s matted dark brown hair. “I will be here at six.” Becca cleaned up her mess and discarded the bloody rags in a flour sack. She stepped out of the room then handed it to Mr. White to throw away. She gathered her other things and stood by Matt’s side.
    Matt shook his hand. “Please let me know if you need anything.”
    â€œI appreciate you both coming here today and helping us. Thank you both.”
    Becca left with Matt and climbed in his buggy. “Thank you for coming. My heart goes out to Naomi. Do you know her well?”
    â€œNaomi White is sixteen. When she was fourteen, her parents died in a house fire in Canton, Ohio. She came here to live with her grandparents right after her parents’ deaths.” He clucked at the horse and drew a breath. “A year ago, Naomi’s grandfather hired a carpenter, Samuel Keller, to help him build an addition to his house. Naomi fell in love with the young workman and got pregnant. When she told Samuel about the baby, he left town.”
    Becca’s mouth opened. “My heart aches for her. She is mourning the loss of the man she loves and her boppli.”
    â€œAt least she has her grandfather. He is sixty-two and in good health. He is a fine man.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “What happened to the grandmother?”
    â€œShe died of a heart attack six months ago. She was a kind woman. I am sure Mr. White and Naomi miss her.”
    â€œI’ll include them in my prayers tonight before bed.” She glanced at Matt. He had come to her rescue again. She found comfort having him by her side in such a sad situation. He had shown compassion and had not passed judgment on the unwed mamm. She admired him for that.
    They approached the Massillon Restaurant.
    She yawned and stretched her arms. “I hope you told your mamm and her friend why we weren’t able to join them for dinner.”
    Matt stopped in front of the livery. “When I found your note, I did stop by the Massillon Restaurant and told Mother why we would not be joining them. She