Free The Romancing of Evangeline Ipswich by Marcia Lynn McClure Page A

SIX
     
    “Mrs. McKee has a slight fever,” Doctor Swayze explained to Calvin. Evangeline stood nearby, listening with deep concern. Hutch was there as well, frowning. He kept rubbing the whiskers of his chin and jaw, and Evangeline knew he was worried too. Why wouldn’t he be? Evangeline and Hutch had been sitting on Jennie’s bed with her looking at photographs and enjoying light, merry conversation one moment, and Jennie had gone pale and weak the next!
    “Is she all right?” Calvin asked.
    Evangeline stared at the doctor, studying his countenance as he spoke.
    “So far, yes,” the doctor answered. “Let’s hope she’s just a bit under the weather.” He looked to Evangeline, however, adding, “But I also checked her where the coming of the baby is concerned, and I believe the baby will come early, Miss Ipswich. You need to be watchful for me—especially if you see any fluid escape her or if she begins having her pains. All right?”
    Evangeline nodded. “Of course,” she assured him.
    “What else can we do, Doc?” Hutch asked.
    Evangeline reached out and took Calvin’s hand, squeezing it with a gesture of offering reassurance. Calvin had suddenly gone nearly as pale as his wife had, and Evangeline knew the fear he was experiencing—for she’d experienced a similar fear in her own past, just before her mother and baby brother had passed away from complications of childbirth.
    “Just keep a watchful eye on her and notify me if anything changes,” Doctor Swayze answered. “At this point, I’d have someone sit with her around the clock, even when she’s resting.”
    “I’ll stay in her room when she’s alone, at all times,” Evangeline assured the men with a nod to each in turn.
    “I’ll be fine,” Jennie called from the bedroom. “You all worry too much. I won’t be wearing out Evangeline with playing nursemaid to me!”
    Everyone smiled, and Hutch said, “Sounds like she’s feeling a little better anyway.”
    Evangeline did feel somewhat relieved at the sound of Jennie’s reassuring voice.
    “Keep a watchful eye on her, all of you,” Doctor Swayze whispered. “And don’t hesitate to call for me if you have any questions or concerns.”
    “Thanks, Doc,” Calvin said, shaking Doctor Swayze’s hand gratefully.
    Calvin opened the door to allow Doctor Swayze to leave. There was a young woman standing on the front porch, poised as if she’d just begun to knock on the door.
    “Oh my! Hello there, Doctor Swayze,” the very pretty young woman greeted. A frown of concern puckered her lovely brow as she asked, “Is everything all right? I just came by to peek in on Mrs. McKee, to see if she was faring well, so I’m a little befuddled to see you here, Doctor.”
    “Mrs. McKee is doing just fine, Miss Griffiths,” Doctor Swayze said.
    The lovely young woman with brown hair and green eyes put a dainty, graceful hand to her bosom and said, “Oh, thank heaven!” Looking past Doctor Swayze then—and even Calvin—the young woman gazed directly at Hutch and asked, “Is there anything I can do to help your sister, Mr. LaMontagne?”
    Evangeline noted the manner in which Hutch’s posture stiffened a bit. “Nope. We have things well in hand, Heather. But thank you all the same,” he kindly, but almost tersely, answered.
    “Are you sure?” the woman named Heather asked. She looked to Evangeline, arching one eyebrow as if she’d only just met an archenemy.
    “We’re sure,” Calvin answered. “In fact, my Jennie’s dear friend has traveled up to stay with her until the baby comes, so we’re just fine.”
    “Hmm,” Heather hummed. She looked to Hutch again, smiling as if she’d only just opened a door to find a horde of gold piled up in front of her. “Well, you’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do, won’t you, Hutchner?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Hutch said with a nod.
    “You have a good day, Heather,” Calvin said, closing the door then.
    Hutch and Calvin both