“Of course. Annie is ready to set out on her own. She’s a fine midwife, Orpha. Truly. I plan to ask her to be my partner.”
We sat holding hands in silence for a moment. Her eyes drifted shut.
With a little jerk, she opened them again. “I don’t think I’m long for this world, my dear.”
“Nonsense.” I squeezed her hand, but gently. “I’m sure thee is wrong.”
“No. In the same way I sensed your pregnancy, I sense death encroaching within me. You mustn’t grieve. I’ve had a long and full life. I have a family who cares for me. I’ve safely brought hundreds of babies into this world. And I trained you and have watched you come into the full blossom of your profession, to which you were deeply called, and now your own family. My work is done.”
My throat thickened. “But I want you to meet my baby.” I very much did.
She laughed again. “I can guarantee I will not be alive in five months’ time. Instead I’ll be reunited with my Hiram and with all my loved ones who crossed the dark river ahead of me.”
I gazed at her. “I was hoping for your prayers during my own labor. I’ve seen women through so much. What if my first baby is one of the difficult ones?”
She tilted her head. “Come closer with that belly of yours.”
I scooted nearer. She reached out, laying both hands below my waist. When I’d taken her hand earlier, it had been cool compared to mine. Now warmth radiated from her touch. It went through my dress and deep inside me.
She moved her lips silently, then nodded. “All will be well. We’ve had a little talk, your babe and I. Don’t you worry. The wee one will emerge in due time with no injury to either of you.”
As odd as her prediction sounded, I had to believe her.
“And after this comes to pass, I shall watch over you both from the afterlife.” When she straightened in the bed, the movement made her grimace. “Now run along, my dear Rose. I must rest again.”
I bent over and kissed her forehead after her eyes closed. “Thee knows how much I love thee.”
A smile spread across her face. She’d heard me, and that was all that mattered.
Chapter Two
I pulled my cloak close about me as I walked toward home—my new home, which I shared with my beloved husband. The most direct route to the lovely abode David had had custom-built for us last summer would not take me into the heart of town but instead past the Friends Meetinghouse where I worshipped weekly. But the annual showing of the carriage industry filled the town with so much excitement, I wanted to catch a glimpse of the happenings. I headed first toward the center.
Amesbury was world-famous for our graceful and well-built carriages. Once a year the carriage factories opened their doors to customers, who came from as far away as Australia. Residents opened their homes to the visitors, too, and every evening the Board of Trade hosted a dinner or an event, culminating with a gala at the end of the week. The industry’s open house was called the Spring Opening, even though it was held at the end of winter. The weather didn’t feel a bit spring-like today now the sun was going down.
My heart wasn’t light and sunny, either. Would today be the last time Orpha would be able to speak to me? She was nearly eighty-five and had already survived an attack of apoplexy almost two years ago. She’d said she now felt death encroaching, and she seemed at peace about it. But I wasn’t. I would miss her terribly.
I took in a breath and let it out. I could do nothing to keep her alive. My only course of action would be to stop by every day and offer my presence. And pray, after the manner of Friends, that her passage be a smooth and painless one. I took a moment to lean against a tree, close my eyes, and hold Orpha in God’s Light before resuming my walk.
I slowed as I neared the opera house on Friend Street. Near the Armory, the tall ornate building was ablaze with lights and activity. It must be the site of tonight’s event. It was across the street from here that we, a hundred women strong, had held placards in protest during the last presidential election. Women still didn’t have the vote, but the effort to secure it was ongoing.
A man walking with a well-dressed couple approached on the sidewalk. “Good afternoon, Miss Carroll, I mean, Mrs. Dodge.” Ned Bailey beamed from under his bowler.
A distant cousin of my brother-in-law, Ned had tried in vain to court me a couple of years ago. He was not to my liking, and I’d already fallen in love with David. But Ned was harmless and a good soul. As he was part of the family of the prosperous Bailey carriage manufacturers, he was nearly royalty in Amesbury.
“Hello, Ned,” I said. “Thee must be deeply involved in this week’s festivities.”
“Indeed I am. May I present Mr. Justice Harrington and his wife, Luthera? They are visiting from the capital of our neighbor to the north, and I’ve been showing them around. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, this is our town’s esteemed midwife, Mrs. Rose Dodge.”
We exchanged smiles and greetings, although I detected a barely concealed lip curl from Luthera when she heard the word “midwife.” She was tall for a woman, standing perhaps two inches beyond my own five foot seven, with Justice yet a little taller.
“I’ve been to Montreal but not yet to Ottawa,” I said. “I hear it’s a lovely city.”
“Yes, it is,” Justice said. “We are the nation’s capital and have much fine architecture as well as our famous Rideau Canal.” His face was clean-shaven, and deep brown eyes sparkled under dark eyebrows. “Our own carriage industry is booming, so your Spring Opening presents a splendid opportunity to make
