Dr. Bentley offered a kind, if somewhat weary, smile as he retrieved his stethoscope. "Possibly, or it could be twins. Let's have a listen," he said.
Poppy lay back, her hands resting protectively over her swollen belly, her thoughts drifting to Jacob. She imagined him out in the fields and wished he could share in this moment.
The cold metal of the stethoscope pressed against her skin, and she flinched slightly, a small gasp escaping her lips. Dr. Bentley's practiced hands moved deftly, seeking the rhythmic drumming that would confirm or dispel his suspicions.
"Ah," he murmured after a moment. "Two distinct heartbeats. Strong and steady."
Her breath caught in her chest, a swell of emotions flooding her. Twins. The word echoed in her mind, a chorus of joy and fear, a double blessing that brought with it the reminder of Jacob's loss—his twin, Lucas, forever a presence in their lives.
"Thank you, Dr. Bentley," Poppy managed to say, the words thick with unshed tears. She rose from the table, steadied by a newfound sense of purpose.
"Take care now," Dr. Bentley called after her as she stepped outside.
Betty waved to her, having not said a single word during her visit, but Betty had always been more interested in books than people.
As she walked home, she thought of the work that would accompany twins, but she hoped their birth would somehow help Jacob. Her hand rested unconsciously on her belly, envisioning not one, but two new lives entrusted to her care.
Jacob was repairing a fence when she arrived, his dark hair clinging to his forehead. He straightened up as sheapproached, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, his dark eyes finding hers.
"Jacob," she said, the excitement bubbling forth, irrepressible. "Dr. Bentley listened, and he heard two heartbeats. Twins, Jacob. We're going to have twins."
His reaction was a tapestry of emotions—astonishment, joy, and an underlying current of fear that she knew all too well.
Jacob stood motionless for a long moment, the news of twins rooting him to the spot. The fence post he had been mending seemed suddenly inconsequential. He looked out over the land that stretched before them, their own slice of promise in this rugged territory.
"Twins," he finally said. "That's…that’s remarkable, Poppy."
The smile on her face was radiant. Jacob saw himself reflected in those eyes—a man both bolstered by love and burdened by memories. He knew all too well the bond between twins.
"Are you all right with this, Jacob?" Poppy asked gently, stepping closer to him.
He nodded, the motion sending a few more droplets of sweat to the ground, merging with the soil. "I am," he affirmed, though his brow creased with the gravity of responsibility. "It's just…a lot to take in."
She reached out, her palm warm against his cheek. "We'll take it one day at a time."
That afternoon, Jacob harnessed the horse to the plow, his hooves churning up mud and melting snow. He would make sure Poppy had land ready when she wanted to plant her kitchen garden.
Jacob maneuvered the plow through the rich, dark soil. He glanced back occasionally at the neat furrows, envisioning thevegetables that would soon sprout there, nurtured by Poppy's tender care.
"Looks good, Jacob," Poppy called from where she sat on the porch, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Her hands were as busy as ever as she sewed a little gown for one of the babies.
"Good enough for your tomatoes and cucumbers?" he called back.
"Perfect," she replied.
Jacob finished the last row and wiped his brow. The plow rested now at the edge of the freshly turned ground. Jacob leaned against the wooden handle, allowing himself a moment of pride mingled with a prayer for the strength to meet the challenges ahead.
"Come inside," Poppy urged softly. "You've done more than enough for today."
In the quiet that followed, Jacob felt a whisper of peace settle around him. With each step, the fears that clung like burs to his heart loosened ever so slightly. He knew the journey ahead was uncertain, but Jacob also knew one thing for certain—he wouldn't have to walk it alone.
*****
Poppy knelt in the freshly plowed plot, her hands cradling the tender beginnings of what would soon be a vibrant kitchen garden. Each seed she nestled into the soil was a promise for the future. Planting was her favorite part of gardening because it was a new growth and a new beginning.
"Looks like you've got enough green beans there to feed the whole town," Sarah observed with a chuckle, joining her sister amidst the neat rows of planting mounds.
"Jacob did a fine job," Poppy said, brushing a loose strand of red hair from her face. Her fingers felt the earth, cool and yielding, a stark contrast to the swollen tightness of her belly."He's been... different lately. It's like he's finally finding his way back to himself."
