To Picture The Past by Paige Mallory Read Free Book Online Page A

week ago. Was an accident; he drowned."
    "Oh, I am so sorry," I said as I took her hand in mine.
    "I want to die, too," she declared.
    "That is nonsense. You have a child to raise. Losing one parent is awful, but losing both of them is worse than you can imagine. I know that because I lost both of mine within weeks of each other. Thank God I had my older sister and her husband, but your baby needs you." She cried out as another contraction hit hard, and I said, "Try to breathe slowly, Elly."
    "How is my girl, ma'am," the older man asked from outside the wagon.
    "I'll do what I can, but I think you should go back to where you found me, and keep on riding on that path until you come to the Stanhope ranch. Go to the front door and tell them that I need Ursula, just in case Doctor Strand doesn't make it in time."
    "I'm on my way. If you need water and the like, put Ben to work. Ben, you help this lady, hear? Elly, I'm fetching more help, honey. I'll be back as soon as I can."
    He rode out, hurrying as fast as he could, and met up with another man in just about the same spot he found the lady. "Mister, am I headin' the right way for the Stanhope Ranch?" he asked.
    "Yes. I'm Robert Stanhope. Have you seen my wife?" 
    "Pretty little lady, riding a brown gelding…?"
    "Yes, that's her."
    "She's helpin' my girl. She told me to fetch a woman named Ursula in case my son don't make it back with the Doctor in time to help my girl deliver."
    "Gillian hasn't had a child, and I'm not sure if she knows what to do, but our housekeeper is good with this sort of thing. Where are you located?" Robert asked. Once he had the directions, he sent the man back to be with his daughter while he raced back to the ranch to get Ursula. 
    "I met up with your husband, ma'am. He went on to fetch your housekeeper."
    "Good. Thank you, Mr.…?"
    "Tom Riley, ma'am. How's my girl doin'?"
    "She's close now," I answered, praying that Robert would hurry. I knew the basic principles of delivering a baby, but it was one of those things you hope you never have to do for real. Still, there was a very real possibility I would be doing just that in the next few minutes. I said a prayer, and then concentrated on my patient and seeing a new baby safely into the world.
    Robert heard the sounds of a baby crying and he couldn't help but smile as he drove the wagon closer. He stopped and helped Ursula down, and she quickly hurried into the canvas covered wagon to see if Gillian needed help. 
    Gillian was happy to see Ursula and even happier when the older woman praised her and said she'd done as good a job as the Doctor could do. Once Elly was sleeping peacefully, and the baby cared for, Gillian left the wagon, eager to see Robert.
    "Well, Mrs. Stanhope…? What do you have to say for yourself?" Robert asked quietly, reminding himself that it was not the time to take her to task for disobeying him.
    "Robert, I have never seen anything so beautiful as that little baby making her way into the world." I rested my head on his chest.
    "A special birthday present," he said, smiling at me.
    I couldn't believe he remembered it was my birthday, and the next thing I knew I was crying. "You remembered," I blubbered.
    "Of course I did." He looked at me as if he couldn't believe I wouldn't think he would remember. "Did you think I would forget?" he asked of me. I could only nod, and he held me close.
    "I didn't think anyone would remember. I was feeling so lonesome this morning; I miss my family so much."
    "I understand that, but riding out alone is not permitted," he told me so gently that it made me feel even worse that I already did. I knew that he deserved an apology and I decided it would be best to take care of it in the moment rather than waiting until we were completely alone.
    "Robert, I am sorry I went riding by myself. When Mr. Riley and two of his sons came out of nowhere and I realized I was alone it was a terrible feeling. I was frightened, and I know now that I was so lucky