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Her words were long and drawn out in the same type of Southern drawl Rainee had. He had loved listening to Rainee talk and he had to admit, he enjoyed the Southern accent in Selina, too. And that surprised him.
Selina helped Michael feed and water the animals then gathered up Miss Piggy and headed for home. Did she really think of the Idaho Territory as her home? Not yet, but hopefully someday she would. Inside the house, she searched everywhere until she found what she needed. When she finished doctoring the cat, she placed the exhausted critter on Michael’s bed and headed back into the kitchen.
With one glance at the breakfast mess, she rolled up her sleeves and washed the dishes and set things to right. Michael would have the chores done by now, so she decided to go visit Katherine. She stepped out onto the porch and stopped.
“Good morning, Selina.” The very pregnant Rainee stood only a few yards away from her. Other than her belly, she was a tiny thing. Beautiful, too, with her honey-colored hair and matching eyes.
“Mornin’, Rainee.”
“I brought you some bread and cookies.”
“Well, that’s right neighborly of you.” Selina rushed down the steps and took the basket from Rainee. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“I know. I wanted to.” Rainee smiled.
“Can you come in and sit a spell?”
“I would love to.”
As they made their way into the house, Selina said, “Would you like some tea or coffee?”
“Tea would be lovely. Thank you.”
“Why don’t you take a load off while I fetch ya some?”
“If you do not mind, I believe I shall.” Rainee sat down while Selina commenced to making tea.
“Who would have ever thought having a baby would take so much out of a person?” Rainee spoke from the living room.
“Is this your first?”
“No. I have a nine-year-old daughter, Emilia, who we call Emily, and a seven-year-old daughter, Rosella, who we call Rosie. They are visiting their grandmother.”
“When’s your baby due?” Selina asked as she came into the living room.
“In a few weeks.” Concern skipped across the woman’s face. “I hope and pray this baby survives.”
Startled, Selina handed her a cup of tea and a small plate with a couple of cookies on the side, then sat down across from her. “What do ya mean?”
“In the eleven years Haydon and I have been married, I have been with child five times. The girls came along just fine, but after them, I lost the next two.” Sadness filled her eyes.
Selina laid her hand on Rainee’s. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Do you know why they didn’t make it?”
“No. And neither did Doctor Berg.” She took a sip of her tea. “Since I am being so honest with you I will also tell you I am quite scared to have this one. When Rosie was born, she almost did not make it.”
“How come?” Selina hoped Rainee didn’t mind her asking so many questions.
“I do not know. Haydon would never tell me. He did not want me worrying.”
“I see. Well, don’t you be worrin’ none about this baby. I can help. I’ve birthed many a youngin’. Even troublesome ones. You just let me know when your time comes and I’ll be there. Iffen you want me to, that is.”
Rainee’s eyes, the color of a fawn, brightened. “I would love to have you there. Thank you, Selina. I must admit, when I heard you telling our neighbors that you helped many a child into the world, I was quite relieved. Doctor Berg is our local doctor, but he is always so busy that I feared he would not be available when my time came.”
“Well, I’ll be here. You just let me know.”
They sipped their tea, ate their cookies and visited as if they were old friends.
Rainee glanced at the clock. “Where did the time go? I have bread to bake and desserts to make to get lunch ready for Haydon and my girls.”
She rose and put her tea cup and empty plate in the sink. “Thank you, Selina. I had a lovely time.”
“I did, too. Come back again anytime.”
Rainee grabbed Selina’s hands. “You must come see me, too. I get quite bored sitting all day. Haydon will not let me do anything. I had to beg him to let me help with the cooking and care for my girls.”
Selina’s eyes widened. “What do ya mean, he won’t let you?”
“Can you believe he hired me a maid?” Rainee rolled her eyes and sighed. “I sent her packing straightaway. But my husband brought her right back. I feel quite ill at ease with a maid. No one else has one and they have survived and I can, as well. But Haydon would hear nothing of it, so we finally came to an understanding. She could stay, but I would be allowed to help her some.”
