Free Mary Connealy by Golden Days

born because her mother had occasionally been called in to do some doctoring for her people. Amy asked questions about Meredith’s condition, and they decided together a baby was definitely on the way.
    “Have you told Ian yet?” Amy clutched Meredith’s hands, excited about the new baby.
    The smiled faded from Meredith’s face, and her pallor returned. “I’m afraid to even suggest it.”
    Amy got on her knees and leaned close to her friend. “But why?”
    Meredith’s lips curled down, and her eyes filmed over with tears. “Ian worries, and now that he’s heard about Maggie’s death. . .” Meredith shuddered. “Braden, Ian, and Maggie practically grew up together. I’m afraid to tell Ian I’m expecting. I know it will frighten him. He’s already overprotective of me. This will make it worse.”
    “You are going to have to tell him, Merry. This is not the kind of thing a woman can hide for long.”
    “Oh, I know. I’ll tell him soon. But now that I know I may have trouble cooking, he’ll worry all the more. He’s already so busy with the mine that he comes home exhausted every night. Now he’ll think he needs to cook and do any lifting around the house. He’ll take even more on himself. I understand that this stomach upset and the dizziness don’t last. If I could just wait to tell him until I’m feeling stronger, I think he’d handle it better.”
    Amy nodded. “And Braden is going to be even worse than Ian.”
    Meredith took Amy’s hand. “He seems so sad, and he has yet to even speak Maggie’s name except when Ian asked him a direct question. Has he talked to you about her?”
    “No, the first I knew his wife and child had died was when you told me about it this morning.”
    Meredith straightened and looked over her shoulder toward the woods. “Tucker will take his cue from Ian and Braden. I’ll be lucky if the three of them don’t order me to bed for the whole time. And I wouldn’t mind them being so protective if it didn’t land a burden on all of them.”
    Amy nodded. “Then here is what we will do. We will wait as long as possible to tell the men. In the meantime, I will help you with the things that upset your stomach like the cooking. We will get you outside in the fresh air every chance. Since I have newly arrived, maybe they will not realize you are doing a bit less, and I am doing more.”
    “But you’re still exhausted from your trip.”
    “So, we will work together. Surely the two of us together, even in the shape we are in, equal one fully functioning woman.”
    Meredith’s eyes got wide, then she erupted into laughter. The two of them hugged.
    “Congratulations.” Amy pulled away to arm’s length. “This baby is going to be such a precious blessing to this home.”
    Meredith’s eyes filled with tears of joy. “I can’t wait.” She hugged her stomach again.
    Amy hopped to her feet. Despite her long day and lingering injuries, she felt renewed strength. “I am going in to finish the dinner. You rest a bit. If you are able, you can stack the branches Braden and I brought in today. I think the fresh air is all you need. When the meat is done cooking and the room airs out, I will call you in. Can you eat? Sometimes new mothers are nauseated.”
    Meredith shrugged. “I’ve had a good appetite so far. I think it’s just the smell of it cooking that got to me. I’ve had several episodes like the one tonight, but no one caught me with my head on the table.” Meredith stood and threw her arms around Amy. “Thank God for you, Amy.” Meredith burst into tears.
    Amy shook her head and patted Meredith on the shoulder until the tears eased. “I remember my mother saying crying at odd times was a symptom of a baby on the way.”
    Meredith dried her eyes on her apron. “Well, I’ve definitely got that.”
    “Sit back down for a while. Make sure your head is clear before you start bending and stacking the branches. And do not let me catch you lifting any heavy ones or