Free Silver Heart (Historical Western Romance) (Longren Family series #1) by Amelia Rose Page A

lived in a small house off the main street in Gold Hill, close enough I was able to walk to it, even after my visit with Annie.  Suddenly feeling like a peddler, I hesitated on the front walk.  What was I planning to do, walk in and announce my fees?  Demand she place herself in my care, for her good and my own?  Then tell everyone about the miraculous midwife come to town?
                  I stood looking at the house, small and painted white, with neat blue shutters and hollyhocks growing up before the windows.  There wasn't much money here.  Times were growing hard throughout the silver region, but it was more evident in this house than in Mr. Longren's, which had been built when the mines were producing and was scrupulously kept up.
                  Mr. Barnett worked in a bakery and from what Annie had told me, a great deal of his paycheck ended up in the saloons.  But that was gossip, and I would learn for myself, and it was no reflection on Mrs. Barnett either way.
                  I had peaches, which weren't charity but a gift, and eggs and a loaf from Annie she said to claim was being repaid.  I also had skills Mrs. Barnett might need and I would offer them if it seemed appropriate.  Surely it wasn't too unusual for a midwife new to town to seek out those who might need her services. 
                  Fortified, I let myself in through the gate, wound between the lavender and sweet pea that edged the walk, and went to the door.
     
                  Mrs. Barnett was small, with skin like porcelain and eyes as blue as those of the Longren brothers.  A tumble of small children billowed out the door when she opened it, and began chasing each other through the flowers. 
                  "Mind the sweet pea," she called, then smiled at me.  "May I help you?"
                  I blushed again, feeling foolish.  "I'm Maggie Lucas, Margaret Lucas.  I just arrived in Gold Hill and I don't know anyone yet and I wanted to meet some of my neighbors."  And I chose you because you're expecting but please don't ask why I chose you, because it sounds so dreadful.
                  She didn't.  Instead, she smiled widely and said, "You're a midwife! I heard!  Everyone is talking.  People come here every day, but far more menfolk than women and I'm so glad to make your acquaintance.  Please, come in, I can't move easily just now."  She laughed and moved back into the house and I could see her clearly then, and understood her inability to move.  She was days from childbirth.  "Would you like to leave the basket?  The children won't bother it."
                  "It's for you," I said, and then, "Well, the peaches are, and the rest of the contents," and with her smile I felt at ease, stepped through the wooden door and followed Gloria Barnett into her kitchen.
     
                  By the time I left Gloria Barnett's home, I'd met her children, a handful of cats and chickens, and been promised baking and eggs in return for anything I could do when her time came.  I'd also made a friend.  Gloria Barnett was open, friendly, and happy, and despite wanting to take nothing away with me, I left with a loaf of fresh bread and a bunch of spinach I didn't think she could afford to give away.
                  In Boston, I might not have had many women to see through their time, but at least those I attended were strangers.  Asking for money from friends would be difficult or impossible. 
     
                  Sunshine woke me my third morning in Gold Hill.  I'd gone to bed late the night before after starting pie dough and canning peaches after returning from Gloria Barnett's house.  The tasks hadn't seemed so fearsome when I started but by the time Hutch had gone off to his bed, leaving Matthew, much improved but still on the davenport, the kitchen looked like someone had slaughtered a peach