They stared one another down until finally Hank’s anger cooled off and he gave a small snort and shook his head. “Good. I’d hate to have to beat you up again.”
Dwight’s pealing laughter rang loud, a large amount of his stress evaporating. “You beat me up? Think again, fella. I’ll part your hair and pin your ears back so fast your head will spin.”
Relieved, Hank let out his full-bodied laugh along with him, and he stood up saying, “C’mon. Let’s go up and see if they need anything. Then, maybe we can rustle up something to eat, since we missed out on the feast at the party.”
At the landing, they both heard Mary cry out in pain and they stopped and stared up at her door, then looked at one another.
“I don’t mind tellin’ you…I’m scared,” Hank admitted. “I just found my sister again and… Our ma died havin’ Mary and—”
“Knock it off, Hank,” Dwight interrupted. “My mother had four births, the last one twins, you know that—and having twins is double hard, no pun intended—and she made it. Mary’s strong, and she’s got help. Think on that, all right? Not on fear.”
Hank pressed his lips together, nodding before he followed Dwight up the steps.
It had been going on for hours.
Mary wasn’t even sure what time it was. She could tell by the darkness outside her windows that it was sometime in the middle of the night—and she could hear the wind howling and see the snow piling up on the sill. Both lamps were lit in her room and burning brightly. Doc, Pearl, and Pauline kept themselves busy monitoring her progress and doing everything they could to help. She knew, however, that most of the work would be up to her.
Her world had narrowed down to pain, thirst, fatigue, worry, and more pain.
Doc and Pearl kept reassuring her that nothing was wrong—that the baby was just taking its time being born. Doc even joked that the little one knew the weather outside was horrendous and was staying put where he or she was—warm and safe.
Mary just wanted it to be over.
Each time the pain hit, she didn’t think she could handle even one more, but somehow she always found another ounce of strength to endure it. The people taking such good care of her had a lot to do with that—and the Lord. She’d kept up a nearly continuous litany of prayers, largely consisting of… Help me Jesus! Help me Jesus! Help me Jesus!
Several times, she had been aware of the knocks on the door and either Doc or Pearl would speak with Dwight. Mary didn’t know if Hank was with him, she’d been too focused on her own troubles to fret about what her brother thought of her now.
The pains were coming closer together, and now, during a short lull, her fuzzy mind was playing tricks on her. Had she imagined it? Had Dwight really said he loved her? Or was that nothing more than a vivid dream reflecting her heart’s longing?
Suddenly, she had to know.
“Pauline…” she rasped, holding out a hand toward her friend.
Pauline hurried over and took her hand, reaching with the other to smooth a cool, damp cloth over Mary’s forehead. “Yes, hon, what is it?” Pauline soothed.
“DJ…I want to see DJ…please get him for me,” Mary choked out, allowing her friend to lift her head and give her a sip of water. She watched as Pauline turned her head and called, “Mama…could you get DJ? Mary wants to see him.”
Pearl went right away, disappearing out the door. Doc appeared at Mary’s left. “Shouldn’t be much longer, child,” he encouraged, having just completed another examination. She nodded and seconds later, the door flew open and Dwight hurried in.
He came straight to her side as Pauline moved to give him room. The expression on his face said he was worried, not knowing why he had been summoned.
“Mary, honey? You wanted me?” he asked as he grasped her hands and eased down next to her on the bed.
For a few moments, all Mary could do was gaze up at him. Even a puffy lip and bruises on his cheeks couldn’t lessen his handsomeness. He was so fine-looking…and so sweet, and smart. His hair, normally so neat, was disheveled, as if he’d been repeatedly running his fingers through it. His eyes…that warm honey brown that she’d come to adore…were peering straight into hers. She swallowed dryly.
Pauline offered him a glass of water. “Here, get her to drink a few sips…”
He nodded and did as he was bid, reaching one large hand behind her head to help her. She dutifully took a sip, but then shook her head and he placed the glass on the bedside table.
“DJ…” she whispered.
He leaned closer. “What, darlin’?”
“Tell me…” she paused, then started again. “Was I imagining it or…earlier, at the Lone Tree…did you say…”
Realization dawned and he grinned, those delightful dimples in full splendor. “Are you asking if I said I love you?”
She clamped her lips shut, but brazened on, acknowledging the question with a nod.
He chuckled softly. “Yes, I did. I love you, Mary. With all my heart.”
Such a feeling of relief swept over her that she shut her eyes, riding the wave and glorying in the radiance of his words. Oh, how many times she had daydreamed of hearing him say those words!
When she opened her eyes again to look up at him, his head was tilted with one eyebrow raised, and she giggled. How precious he was, this husband of hers. He wanted reciprocation.
“And I love you, too. With all my hea—mmmmmm, ow, ow,
