“As you did for Theo and the others,” I said.
“Thinking back over the years, I know now that coming here was my destiny. Alexander and the children needed me. I needed them. Which was also the case for the Linds and you.”
“I wonder what else my destiny will bring? I’ve always taken care of people. I like doing it. But Theo doesn’t need looking after. What’s my purpose now that my parents are gone?”
“Theo does need looking after, just as you do. You’ll look after each other now. Other things will come for you too. Just make sure to notice them when they arrive by having your eyes wide open.”
“I will,” I said earnestly. “I really will.”
27
Theo
* * *
The boys and I finished my house before the first frost. By the end of November, Mama and Louisa had decorated with furniture, rugs, and curtains and we were officially settled in for the winter. I was sound asleep one night in the middle of December when the phone rang. I rubbed my eyes and stumbled down the hallway to answer.
“Theo, it’s Flynn. The baby’s coming.”
I immediately came wide-awake. “How far apart are the pains?”
“About five minutes,” Flynn said.
“Good. She has some time then. Do your best to keep her comfortable until I get there.”
Louisa came down the hallway wearing her thick robe. I moved the mouthpiece away from my face. “It’s Flynn.”
Her eyes widened. “The baby?”
“Yes. Five minutes apart.” By this time, my wife knew what that meant.
“I’ll make a pot of coffee,” she said.
She always got up with me to fix a thermos of coffee before sending me out to attend the sick or whatever new baby was about to make his or her arrival.
“Shannon asked that Louisa come,” Flynn said from the other end of the phone. “She’s scared and needs a friend.”
“All right, I’ll bring her.” I hung up and called out to my wife. “Flynn says Shannon wants you to come with me.”
She appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. “Me? Why me?”
“Another woman provides comfort.”
“Fine. I’ll get dressed.”
I followed her to the bedroom, and we both dressed as quickly as we could. Louisa didn’t bother to undo the braid she often slept with, simply pinning it behind her head.
We’d had a snowfall the day before, so I hitched up my horses to the sleigh. The drive to Flynn’s, even in the sled, wouldn’t take more than ten minutes.
“What should I do when we get there?” Louisa asked.
“I doubt this baby’s coming anytime soon, so there’ll be some waiting. Usually, the mother has a sister or her own mother there. By the time I arrive, the baby is about ready to show his or her face. Women are more helpful than I am during the labor part.”
“All right. I just don’t want to be in the way.”
“You won’t be.”
“It’s nice that she asked for me,” Louisa said.