until they arrived, already in hard labor. We kept a room ready for emergencies like that. Over the four years I was there, I welcomed many a life into this world and helped the mother mourn the passing of a few wee ones who didn’t make the crossing.”
The sergeant smiled. “Mrs. Price will be real happy you’re here. She didn’t much like the idea of having the doc come. She tried to talk to your brother last week about how to prepare, her being still two years from twenty and all. He told her she had no business following her man into unsettled territory and should try to make it home before she went into labor.”
Annalane thought that sounded exactly like what Devin would say. She stepped into one of the new two-room cabins built for married men. The smell of fresh-cut wood greeted her, along with the sound of a woman crying for help. She sounded far more frightened than in pain.
“Set the supplies down, please, Sergeant. I’ll need a stack of towels and a large washtub, cleaned and scrubbed with soap and hot water.” She passed a man standing at the bedroom door, looking like he might pass out at any moment. “And, Sergeant, take Private Price with you.”
Sergeant Cunningham followed orders.
Annalane moved to the bed already stained with blood. “I’m here to help, Victoria, so don’t you worry. Together we’re going to deliver this baby.”
A girl not out of her teens looked up, wide-eyed and near panic. “I don’t know what to do,” she shouted, as if Annalane might be deaf.
“I do,” Annalane answered. “You can call me Anna. I’ll help you through each step. We’re going to climb this mountain one step at a time.” She pulled a small pair of scissors from her apron pocket. “First, I’m going to place these under the bed right below you. My grandmother used to tell me they will cut the pain in half for the rest of your labor.” Annalane smiled, realizing the girl believed her. “And when the baby comes, I’ll know right where the scissors are when it’s time to cut the cord. Now, Victoria, the first thing I want you to do is lean back and relax. When the next contraction comes take deep, slow breaths and let the tightness roll over you, knowing that it’s not pain, but just your body practicing for the job it’s got to do.”
The girl followed orders and Annalane did her job. Nine hours later, she carried a newborn son to the private, who still looked like he might pass out. He kissed the top of his son’s head, then walked into the bedroom.
“You did a fine job, Anna.” Sergeant Cunningham smiled.
She collected the stained towels and sheets. “She did all the work. I only helped.”
When Anna got back to the infirmary, a meal was waiting for her. She hadn’t expected her first duty to be delivering a baby, but she was glad. It reminded her of why she loved nursing. Not the dying and hurting, but the healing and helping.
She was almost asleep in her chair when someone stepped into the little clinic.
“I beg your pardon. Is it too late to call?”
Anna stood. “Lieutenant Dodson?” He was not a big man, in size or manner. She would have had to slump to be eye to eye with him, and Anna refused to slump. Despite what her brother thought, she wasn’t interested in a man who planned to consider her because he “couldn’t afford to be picky.” “Is there something I can do for you, sir?”
His gaze darted over her as if taking her measure. She saw intelligence, but not kindness.
“I heard what you did today and I commend you,” he began formally, then rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to relax. “I lost my wife to childbirth last year, so I know what a trial it is. My children are in Kansas City with her folks while I finish this tour, then I hope to have them back with me.”
“You must miss them,” Anna said, watching him closely, wondering why he’d come so late.
“It’s not that, ma’am. It’s the fact that they belong with me. I’m their father.” He frowned. “I know I’m a military man, but I’ve always believed a wife belongs with her husband, and the children should be raised and disciplined by their parents. There is an order to things, in and out of the army.”
“I see,” she said, then waited for him to explain why he’d dropped by.
He glanced around the office, frowning at the piles of supplies still remaining to be organized, then continued. “I planned to ask you to dine with the officers tonight, but I see you’ve already eaten.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, but you needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine here.” She’d found the officers’ dinner boring. “I prefer to eat my evening meal in silence. It’s become my habit over the years.”
“You are a woman too long alone.” He said the words slowly, as if he thought they might frighten her. “And this is not a country for women alone. It’s the nature of things that men and women should be married. If not for love, then for convenience.”
“I’ve been on my own since I was nineteen.” She met his stare. If he expected her to be helpless and needy, he was about to be disappointed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll turn in.”
He puffed up slightly, as if not used to anyone dismissing him. Then he nodded once and mumbled good night.
Anna stood in the doorway watching him walk away, but her thoughts were on Ranger McCord, not the lieutenant. If Wynn had stepped into her quarters, he would not have left without touching her, and one touch would have made all her exhaustion vanish. He’d told her that what was between them was not finished, and she agreed. He might bruise her lips with his kisses and hold her so close to him she couldn’t breathe, but she knew he was attracted to her, he wanted her, needed her. There was no “convenience” in his passionate touch.
Dodson seemed about to propose a business arrangement. He hadn’t even taken the time to get to know her. Anna had the feeling that, in his mind, any woman would do.
Anna would never settle for so little. She’d rather have one honest day with Wynn McCord than a lifetime of convenience.
“Miss Anna?” Private Clark’s voice sounded from the other side of the porch. “Just wanted you to know that I’m on guard tonight. I’ll put my bedroll in front of your door once you’re inside so you won’t have to worry about anyone else coming along just to visit.”
She smiled. Clark was a good kid. He would have to be, for all the Texans to accept him. “Thanks,” she answered. “I’m going to turn in soon, but thought I might circle the camp once to get some air.” The smell of blood still lingered in her lungs. “Would you mind walking with me?”
“I’d be honored,” he answered as he set his rifle just inside her door threshold before offering his elbow. He didn’t seem to notice that her hair was a mess and she still wore the stained apron she’d had on all day.
She tucked her hand on his arm and they walked, talking quietly as the sun set. The camp was like an ant bed of activity with movement tonight. Someday, if the camp grew into a fort, the place would be surrounded by walls, but now most of the buildings and tents circled the stockade of supplies. Teamsters had brought in a line of wagons and everyone seemed to be helping with the unloading.
She watched the movements but spoke low to Clark. “You were listening to what the lieutenant said to me.” It was a statement, not a question.
