"Dr. Mark"  by Donna Hume 
A sequel to Mark Leaves the Ranch

1 –

It was morning, late morning before Beth and Mark exited their bedroom.  Millie remembered her first morning after she and Lucas were married and scolded everyone beforehand, not to do that to Mark and Beth.  “I want them to come back to this house and if you tease them, so help me…” Lucas walked over to her, taking the fry pan out of her hand, “No one will tease them, I promise.”  He and Micah went outside to take care of the morning chores; Lee had started breakfast in the hopes it would encourage the newlyweds to join them.  Millie felt a little nauseated, “I guess I overdid it last night.”  Lee laughed a little, “I think you overdid it some time back.”  Before Millie could respond, the door opened and Lucas and Micah entered.  Lucas and Micah each grabbed a cup of coffee while Lee was finishing preparing breakfast.  Lucas was just about to ask where Millie was when they noticed the bedroom door open.

Mark was the first to exit the room, he looked like he could use a bit more sleep but no one said a word.  Shortly after he sat down, Beth came out and Lee invited her to sit down for breakfast.  They were talking about the weather, the livestock, even the garden; no one asked anything about the wedding night and no one offered up any information.  Finally Millie came back out of her room, she looked a little green.  Lucas jumped up, “What’s wrong?”  Mark and Beth looked from Millie, to Lee, and back to Millie, “Not you too,” exclaimed Mark.  Lucas was befuddled, “What is going on here?”  “Pa, looks like I’m finally gonna’ have that little brother or sister I always wanted.”  Lucas looked at his son, then at his wife.  “Are you sure?”  Millie nodded and Lucas picked her up into his arms and gave a big hoot.  Then he put her down, looking at her very seriously, “Are you going to be able to do this?”  “I don’t know Lucas, I’ve never given birth before.”  She looked over at Mark and Beth, “Am I too old?”  “No, you are not too old, you’re younger than Lou,” said Lucas.  “And look how that turned out,” responded Millie.  Beth spoke up, “What, I think we did great.”  “So you did, so you did,” said Lucas as he held his wife close, smiling ear to ear.

2 –

Mary and John rented a buggy to come out to the ranch.  As they were getting closer, Mark saw them out the window.  He jumped up out of his chair and ran to the front door, opening it very widely, he continued to run until he met the buggy.  John had slowed to a stop; he didn’t want to run Mark down.  “What is wrong boy?”  “Nothing is wrong, I just wanted to greet you, Uncle John and Aunt Mary,” the words were dripping in emotion.  He reached up and helped Mary from the buggy, then picked her up again and spun her around until she was squealing with glee.  “I have wanted to do that for so long, but with us not really being family, I didn’t think it was proper.”  John had stepped from the buggy, “So now because we are related, it is acceptable to accost my wife?”  Mark stood there, stupefied.  Finally, Aunt Mary said, “Mark close your mouth, you’re catching flies again,” and the three of them burst into laughter.

Beth met them while they were still outside, “I want to thank you and Uncle John for giving me a beautiful memory.”  Uncle John held his niece in a firm hug. Mary was pulling the dress from the back of the buggy, “I thought perhaps, we could try to clean this up and help you keep your memory.”  Beth looked at the dress, “I don’t think anything can clean up the stains off of that dress, but it doesn’t matter.  Everyone I love was there, and Mark and I are married, that is all the memory I will ever need.”  Lee had walked out onto the porch, “Nonsense, I’m a master at getting’ out blood and such.  You give me that dress, I’ll start soaking it right away, it’ll be good as new.”  Beth didn’t know what to do so she hugged her Aunt Mary and then walked to Lee for a hug, “May I call you Grandmother?”  “Don’t be so formal about it, I ain’t exactly a formal kind of woman.  Granny or Grandma will suit me just fine,” blubbered Lee as she hugged Beth.

“If you women don’t stop hugging each other and crying all over the place, we’re gonna’ have a flood,” quipped Micah.  Beth wasn’t through crying as she held on to Micah, “I’ve got a whole new family, bigger than I ever expected, and I finally have a grandpa too.”  Micah didn’t say anything but his eyes welled up with tears as he hugged this newest member of his family.  Finally, he pushed her back a little, “A year ago, I didn’t have anyone, now I’m the lucky one.” 

Beth just seemed like she was going to cry over everything so Mark stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her.  Lee took the dress and told Micah to run some fresh water, “A couple of buckets will do to start,’ and then she walked inside.

3 –

Lucas invited them into the house, “We were just finishing up with breakfast, would you like something?”  “We ate breakfast in town, but some coffee would be nice,” said Mary.  Millie started to get up to get it and Lee pushed her back into her chair, “Let me be the hostess today, you got to do that yesterday and you look plum worn out.”  “But you were going to work on the dress.”  “Have to let it soak a little afore anything can be done anyhow.  I’ll just be a minute getting that coffee for you folks,” and she hurried off to the kitchen.

 While Mary and John were settling on their chairs, Beth asked, “How are Lou, and the baby?”  Uncle John assured everyone that they were fine.  “We had to stop by and see him this morning, he is a big boy with chubby little cheeks,” Mary was interrupted by John, “All this baby talk, can we talk about something other than babies?”  Millie jumped up and ran to her room, crying all the way.  “Did I say something wrong?” asked John.  “No, you didn’t say anything wrong, really.  Millie is a little sensitive right now,” replied Lucas.  Mary wasn’t following the conversation, “What on earth is going on here?”  “Only that Ma is pregnant,” whispered Mark.  “Oh my John, you really went and put your foot in it this time, didn’t you?”  “Guess I did, why don’t you go see if you can take it out for me,” suggested John.  Mary got up and walked over to the bedroom door, as she knocked on it, “Millie, may I please come in?”  She was greeted with silence by Millie did open the door and let her in.

“I don’t know what is wrong with me?” sobbed Millie.  “There is nothing wrong with you, I’ve seen John tend to many a pregnant woman and they were all like this.  I was never fortunate enough to have a child of my own but I am sure I would have been just like you.”  “You mean like a child?” asked Millie.  “No,” stated Mary, “Like a woman who is with child.”  Millie and Mary had been in the room about twenty minutes when Lucas knocked on the door, “Is everything alright in there?”  Millie opened the door, “Everything is perfect.  I hope you are prepared for this?” Lucas took her in his arms, “Neither of us are prepared for it but we will both live to tell the tale.”

4 –

Mark, Lucas, and Micah finished up the morning chores; leaving John in the house with the women, “Somehow, I don’t think this is the right place for me right now, I think I’ll go wait on the porch.”  The four ladies laughed as he walked out the door and continued to chatter after the door was closed.  John stretched out his arms and flexed his back; it had been a long time since he had really enjoyed country like this.  Christmas season, and not a snowflake around, and it was only fifty degrees, unlike back in Connecticut where there would be feet of snow and about zero outside.  While he was standing outside, he realized fifty degrees still required some type of jacket so he walked back inside to get his.  The ladies were so engrossed in conversation they didn’t notice either his entrance or departure.

Mark was the first to leave the barn, “Uncle John, why don’t you come along and help cut down the tree?”  “Sounds good to me, what if the ladies don’t like the one you cut?” questioned John.  Lucas spoke up, “We cut one tree, it’ll be to their liking,” he sounded so assured.  Micah hiked up his eyebrows, “You mean like they did last year?”  Lucas laughed but decided maybe they should ask what kind of tree would be preferred.  The only decision that Millie and Lee could agree upon was that it should be full, tall, and narrow.  “That’s not a lot to go on,” quipped Lucas.  “Anything you find will be perfect,” said Lee.  “We’re in trouble now,” wisecracked Micah.  All four of the ladies inside the house shooed the men out of the door, “Go find something, we have things to do,” countered Mary.  So the men set off to find the perfect tree, having no idea what that might be.

“Here’s a tall one,” proclaimed Mark.  “It sure is Mark, do you think you can get that thirty foot tree in the house?” asked John.  “Guess we better keep looking,” reported Mark.  “Do you think?” asked Lucas with that gleam in his eye, the one he always used when Mark made an understatement.  After two hours of looking, they decided on one tree that seemed to be what was requested.  Mark took off his jacket so he could cut down the tree; they all placed it on the wagon.  They started singing Christmas songs on the way back to the ranch; even Marks voice could not make them sound good.  Beth came out of the house as they rode up to the door, “Who is slaughtering animals out here?”

5 –

“Johnny, you need to go out and find the biggest, fullest, widest tree you can find to put in the lobby,” said Lou.  “Why do you need the best?” asked Johnny.  “Because I can, besides, I want Donnie to have the best first Christmas any child could have,” snapped Lou.  “Sweetheart, he’s not going to remember this Christmas.”  “But I will,” she whimpered, “And I’ll be able to tell him about it.”  Johnny had thought satisfying her whims would have ended once she gave birth, they only became more ridiculous.  “I am not going to cut down a tree just so you can tell a baby about it when he gets older.”  He pulled her closer to him as she started to cry, “Lou, I’m not going to do it.  Trying to play on my sympathies is not going to work anymore.”  “You lout, how could you deny giving your own son a beautiful Christmas?” shrieked Lou as she pounded her fists against Johnny’s chest.  Grabbing her fists,  “I’m not denying my son anything, it’s you I’m telling no.” Lou finally quit fighting, she knew she was not going to be able to win, at least not here and now; perhaps later, in the bedroom.

Johnny had to go back to the office, today was the day the wanted posters arrived and he liked to open them before the train pulled into the station.  When he walked into his office, he saw Hab sitting in his chair, “What are you doing here?” was all he could think to say.  “Well, I’ve heard rumors that you may want to be moving out of town, since you’re a father and all, thought maybe you might be looking for a good deputy.”  “I thought you were the sheriff in Marionette?”  “I am, but I thought since my Ma and my new Pa were living here, maybe me and my wife could move closer,” said Hab.  “Well, unless you move into the ranch too, I don’t think you’ll get much closer than this office.”  “Does that mean you are interested?” asked Hab.  “Depends,” mused Johnny, “What does your wife think about this?”  “Well, as it happens, we heard tell that North Fork was looking for a new school teacher, she kind of likes the idea, her being a teacher and all.”  The two of them sat and made plans for the move, until it was time to meet the train.

6 –

Millie and Lee tried to hide their laughter at the site of their husbands trying to bring in the tree.  John didn’t offer to help, neither did Mark.  Lucas would pull one way and Micah would push a different way and the tree was holding it’s own.  Millie couldn’t stand it any longer, she started laughing out loud.  “What’s so funny?” asked Lucas.  “You are, I love you but you are really doing this the hard way,” it was hard to choke out the words for the laughter.  “I suppose you can do better?” queried Lucas.  Millie and Lee didn’t stand around to wait for a second request, they just walked over to the tree, turned it around and brought it inside.  “Well, now, don’t we look foolish?” barked Micah.  At this point, even they were laughing.  Eventually they got the tree standing and both Millie and Lee stepped back to get a better view.  Millie got teary eyed, “Lucas, it is beautiful,” as she leaned back into his arms.  Lee stepped beside Micah and just laid her head on his shoulder, he instinctively put his arm around her.  Mark was holding onto Beth and John had his arm around Mary.  As Mark looked around the room, seeing family at this very special time of year, he couldn’t help himself as he started to sing ‘Silent Night’, no one joined in, they didn’t want to spoil his song.  This was the first time Mary, John, Lee, and Beth had ever heard Mark sing.  “Why haven’t we heard you sing before?” asked Beth.  “I don’t know, guess there were too many other things going on.  Why?”  Beth looked into his eyes, “You amaze me, every day.  I love you,” she whispered.

It was pretty late by the time John and Mary decided they should head back to town.  Lucas offered, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay the night?  We have plenty of room, you could take our room.”  Micah interjected, “Why would they want your room?  C’mon, Lee and I will put you up in our room.”  Mark didn’t think before he spoke, “Well, we’re not offering up our bed.”  Beth elbowed him in the side, “What was that for?” he asked.  John took him off the hook, “No, I think it best if we go back to town.  I have some business with Doc Burrage in the morning but we do thank you for the offer.”  Mark was still rubbing his ribs when Beth looked at him, “What?”  After he realized what everyone was laughing about, he apologized to Aunt Mary and Uncle John.  Shortly thereafter, all the goodbyes were said, Mary and John headed back to North Fork and everyone in the McCain household headed to their rooms.  No one came out until morning.

7 –

Lou started on Johnny, first thing in the morning, “When are you going to get the tree?”  Johnny squinted his eyes pretty tight, “Not now!”  Lou knew better than to push him when he looked like that.  In her Irish Brogue, and her best pouty face, she whined, “We have to have a tree, everyone in town will be expecting it.”  Johnny started to say something but decided it better to just walk away and go to the office.  He decided to stop at the telegraph office first, “Can you send this out for me, right away?”  Slim, the new telegraph operator, said, “Sure Marshall, do you want me to let you know right away when I get a response?”  Johnny just nodded.

Back at the ranch, Mark and Beth were up first, Micah and Lee followed shortly after the coffee started brewing, Mark had brought in more firewood, and had some fresh milk and eggs.  Lucas walked out of his room, shirt still open and pants undone when he noticed Beth; he turned so quickly to get back into the room, he almost knocked Millie off her feet.  Of course, when he tried to catch her so she wouldn’t fall, his pants fell down around his knees.  This was not going to be his morning.

8 –

Hab was sitting in the Marshall’s office in Marionette, leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on the desk and his hat pulled down over his face, the telegraph operator came running into his office, waving a telegram around in the air.  “Marshall, are you plannin’ on leavin’ us?”  Hab tipped his hat up, exposing his red hair and green eyes; “Seems like folk around here already decided that at the last election didn’t they?”  Hab pulled his feet of the desk and stood up, stretching before he headed for the door. 

Hab’s wife, Franny, was not exactly happy about leaving Marionette but she understood why Hab didn’t want to stay.  He gave everything he had to keeping this town safe, and they voted him out and put that criminal into office.  Oh sure, people said Tom served his time, he deserved a second chance; maybe so, but not in this town.  Franny tried to tell Hab,  “Well, you know they’re gonna’ figure out they made a mistake.”  “When?  After Tom and his rabble destroy it?  No thanks.  I’m not waiting around for that.  We have a chance to go someplace where we can do some good, both of us.  This town and Tom deserve each other.”  Franny couldn’t argue with Hab, he was right so she continued to pack up the house, seems they were moving just before Christmas.

9 –

After closing the door, Lucas attempted to recover his dignity.  Millie tried to stifle her laughter, Lucas looked so vulnerable, “Lucas, it isn’t that bad.”  “What are you talking about, you saw, hell, everybody saw,” raged Lucas.  “Lucas, I’ll not tolerate talk like that.  Besides, what did they see, a man in his long underwear?  Everyone of them has seen someone like that before,” explained Millie.  “Not on me they didn’t,” fumed Lucas.  “So what do you plan to do, hide in here the rest of your life?  You have never backed down from a fight but you’re willing to succumb to defeat because you’re embarrassed?”  Lucas was still furious, with himself, but after he thought about what Millie said, he found reason in her words, “Guess I might just as well get this over with,” groaned Lucas.  He opened the door and walked out into the dining area.  Everyone was seated at the table, no one said a word, until Lucas sat down.  “Pa, we’re all sure glad you bought that new long underwear like Ma suggested,” snickered Mark.  “Lucasboy, we’re happier that you had it on,” exclaimed Micah.  “You boys stop,” chastised Lee, “I don’t think none of you would have had the nerve to come back out here after that.  Lucas, you just take a seat, we’ll get you some food.”  With that being said, there were still a few snickers around the table but no one dared to say anything.  At least Lucas was sure the day couldn’t get any worse. 

John and Mary pulled up in their rented buggy, Lee practically pulled them into the house, “You sit here by the fire, I’ll git you some coffee.”  Mary felt the tension in the air, “Is there something wrong?”  Before anyone else could say anything, Lee spoke up, “Just a little problem with modesty, I think we’d all feel better if it were forgotten.”  Micah asked her if she would walk with him to the barn, to tend to the horse, Lucas volunteered but Micah still insisted Lee join them.  “What is it Micah,” she questioned.  “You’re awful protective of Lucasboy lately,” was his response.  “He’s got my blood runnin’ through his veins, if I didn’t protect him it would be like turnin’ by back on my own kin.”  Lucas laughed, “Thanks Ma,” then he gave her a kiss on the cheek.  “Guess I better watch my step, like getting in the path of a she bear,” quipped Micah.  The scowl Lee gave him told him not to go any further.  They took care of the horses and returned to the house.

Lucas was in the door first, “Sure is getting cold out there.”  Mark almost said something but Beth elbowed him in the ribs, “This being married stuff sure can cause a body some pain,” he said.  This brought a grin to everyone’s face. 

“What’s going on in town?” asked Lee.  Mary and John started telling them about the tantrums Lou was having about the tree.  “Why does she insist on such a big tree?” inquired Millie.  “Probably because that’s what her dear departed father would have done,” Lucas speculated.  Mary looked over at the tree in this house, filled with love.  John told them that Johnny had sent a telegram someplace and was anxiously awaiting the reply.  “Anybody know what it was about?” inquired Micah.  “If someone does, no one is talking,” said John.  “Apparently Lou doesn’t know either and that along with the tree is making her more testy than usual,” added Mary.

The next day would be Christmas but it didn’t seem like Mary and John were going to get back into town; it was one of the few times it snowed in North Fork, it was perfect.  “I’m afraid we may need to impose on your hospitality tonight,” stated John.  Mark was quick to interject, “We’re still not giving up our room.”  For this he received another elbow to the ribs from Beth and a glare from his Pa.  Millie spoke up, “There’s no need to worry where you will be staying, you can have our room.” Lucas shot her a glance but knew if he tried to say anything, he too would be getting an elbow to the rib.  Mary tried to protest but Millie was adamant in her decision.  Lucas started to set up the cots in a corner for himself and Millie when Lee had another idea, “You know, Micah and me have a separate entrance to our room, you could set those cots in our sitting room, it would afford you a little more privacy.”  “That’s not exactly why we built it but it sure does sound like a fine idea,” chuckled Lucas.  “I only hope we survive your snoring,” grumbled Micah.  “You probably won’t be able to hear it for your own,” chortled Lee.

After everything was arranged, they sat around and talked for a brief time.  Micah suggested they all get some sleep, “It’s gonna’ be morning before you know it and the chores won’t care how tired we are.”  All the good nights were said and each couple headed to their sleeping areas for the night.

10 –

Lou was still in a testy mood, here it was, Christmas day and not only didn’t she have the tree she wanted, but she had no tree at all.  Johnny reached over to give her a morning kiss and she slapped him away, “I don’t need a husband tryin’ to get friendly with me when he won’t even do for his own son.”  Johnny just laughed then pulled her close to him and gave her a kiss, it didn’t seem to matter what he did or didn’t do, she always melted into his arms.  She finally pulled herself away and walked out into the lobby with Danny in her arms.  She wasn’t really paying much attention, she was too busy cooing to her son.  When she finally looked up, she saw a tree, so big and full of decorations that she almost fell over backwards.  Johnny had followed her into the lobby and was there to catch her when she reeled.  Her eyes filled with tears, “How?  When?  Johnny Drako, I love you.” And she wrapped her free arm around him and gave him a kiss.

While they were sitting over breakfast Lou wanted to find out about the telegram, “You’ll know soon enough.  Just enjoy what you have now, will ya?”  Lou was so pleased about the tree that she didn’t push the subject.  She was so content that she offered a free breakfast to every person staying at the hotel.  After they finished eating, she asked Johnny to hold Danny for a minute.  Holding the little guy made Drako a little uncomfortable, he was holding him like one would hold an expensive porcelain doll.  Still, he talked to him, “Soon, your mama and you and me will be living somewhere else.  Would you like that?”  “Would he like what?” questioned Lou.  “Oh, I didn’t see you come in,” stammered Johnny.  Lou plopped herself down into Johnny’s lap, plucking Danny from his hands in one swift movement, “I know, what were you two men talking about?” she requested of Danny.  “He’s not gonna’ tell on his Pa,” Johnny informed her as he stood and lifted them both into the air.  The room filled with Lou’s vibrant laughter and every head turned to see her swept away by Johnny.

11 –

Lucas and Millie were the first awake on Christmas morning.  They appreciated the privacy they were afforded however the cots were no where near as comfortable as the bed Millie had purchased for their own room.  “I want to thank you for giving up our room,” Lucas assured Millie through a voice dripping with sarcasm.  “What did you expect me to do?  Lucas they are old, did you want me to tell them we were so sorry they got stuck here, that we could fix them a nice pallet in the barn?” Millie replied scornfully.  “No, but I didn’t expect you to give our room away either,” countered Lucas.  “Stop complaining,” came a voice from behind them.  “Micah, what are you doing up?” asked Lucas.  “I don’t know Lucasboy, maybe listening to you complain?” quipped Micah.  “Stop it, all of you.  It’s Christmas, or did you forget,” interrupted Lee.  “Seems like we forgot,” said Millie as the three of them hung their heads in shame.  “Well, you remember now so let’s get going, we have a big meal to prepare and you boys have a lot of work outside as well,” Lee just took over the whole shebang.  After Micah and Lucas were dressed, they went outside to tend the stock; Millie had started preparing breakfast.  Mark was awake, he didn’t want to let them know he had heard their discussion; he went out to milk the cows.  “Mark, what are you doing up so early?” asked Micah.  “It’s Christmas, I always get up early on Christmas, right Pa?” stated Mark in a monotone voice.  “Son, you heard us didn’t you?” asked his father.  Mark tried to avoid answering but Lucas kept asking, “Yes, Pa, I heard you, all of you.  I guess it’s really my fault; Beth and I should have been the ones to give up our room.”  “No Mark, your Ma was right.  You and Beth are newly weds, your Ma knew we were the logical ones to give up our room.  It took your Grandma to remind me that this time of year, above all others, we need to be charitable.  I was wrong Mark.”  Looking into his fathers eyes, “Pa, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you say that before.”  “Well son, a father never wants to admit his infallibility to his son,” admitted Lucas.  He put his hand on Marks shoulder, “Let’s get this work finished off and get back inside.  It sure is cold out here.”  Micah just humphed as they tromped through the snow back to the house where they each picked up a bundle of wood to take inside.

Once inside, the three of them stood near the fire for warmth.  Mary and John came out of the room they used for the night, looking more relaxed than they had the entire trip.  With a smile on her face, Mary asked, “Is there something I can do to help?”  Lee invited her to join them in the kitchen.  Beth was the last to join everyone but she looked absolutely beguiling.   “How do you wake up in the morning, looking like that?” asked Millie.  “You don’t,” said Mark, “It takes work but she makes it look so easy,” as he couldn’t take his eyes off of his bride. 

As they were all finishing up breakfast, they hear a wagon pulling up.  Micah and Lucas grabbed their coats, Lucas grabbed his rifle and they went outside.  They looked up to see two people and a baby bundled against the storm, they looked almost frozen.  Lucas helped the man out of the wagon as Mark was walking out the door.  Micah and Mark helped him inside and then went back out to help the woman and child.  The baby was handed off to Mark and then Micah, he walked quickly into the house with the small bundle.  Lucas let the woman down into Marks arms, then he jumped from the wagon, took the woman from Mark and asked him to tend to the horses.  While Mark was unrigging the horses, Lucas came back out to the barn, “Mark, I think you better go inside.”  “What’s wrong Pa?”  “They’re in pretty bad shape son, they need you more than these horses do, I’ll tend to them.”  Mark ran back to the house as quickly as he could.

By the time Mark got into the house, Beth and Millie had taken all the blankets off of the woman, Lee was tending to the child, and Micah and John were bending over the man.  “Is there anything you can do John?” questioned Micah with an intensity Mark had never heard from him before.  Mark started to push in where John and Micah were tending to the man when John told him to see to the child.  Mark went directly over to Lee, she had already unwrapped the child from the frozen wrappings and re-wrapped her into several warmed blankets.  “How did you warm the blankets so quickly?” Mark inquired.  “I laid them on the stove, no better way I know of to warm them quicker.  I have some stones in the fireplace already for the others,”  Mark hadn’t realized how much Lee knew without the benefit of medical school.  Lucas came back inside, just in time to see the face of the young man being tended, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

12 –

Lou took the packages out of hiding that she had for Johnny and Danny.  “Did you really think he was going to go looking for them?” asked Johnny.  “No, I was afraid you would,” replied Lou with a bit of sarcasm.  Lou lay Danny in his crib, he had fallen fast asleep.  As soon as she had him covered, Johnny scooped her up into his arms again, he loved hearing the giggles she let loose every time he did this.  “Well, are you going to show me what you got for me?” he asked.  “I don’t know, were you a good boy?”  “No, I was very naughty, let me show you,” said Johnny as he placed Lou on their bed.  “Oh, you,” was all she had time to say before she found his lips pressed against hers.

They woke, entangled with each other, and the blanket pulled up over their heads.  Johnny started giving her light kisses, oh how he adored this woman.  Lou couldn’t help but love him, he was so strong, so powerful, so loving.  He tolerated her tantrums and he always had a way of reigning her in while still giving her what she wanted.  He was a good husband and he was becoming a wonderful father.  She smiled up at him, “Do you still want those presents?”  “Those presents are nothing compared to what I have in you, or to what you have already given me,” he whispered in her ear.  She reached up to kiss him when Danny started crying.  “Give me that kiss and I’ll go get the little guy,” he told her.  He dressed and went over to the crib, Danny was so tiny and so perfect, Johnny got tears in his eyes.  “What are my two favorite men doing?” asked Lee, then she noticed the expression of her husband.  “Johnny, is something wrong?” you could hear the fear in her voice.  “Nothing is wrong, I just never believed life could be this perfect.  How was I so lucky to find you?” asked Johnny.  “Not half as lucky as I was to marry you,” Lou told him, “Now, let me bring you those presents.”  Johnny was sitting on the bed, Danny by his side, Lou watched Johnny as he opened all of his gifts as well as Danny’s.  There was such joy on her face as she watched.  “I’m sorry, Lou, I have a gift for you but with this weather, I’m afraid that I can’t show it to you.”  The spirit of Christmas must have landed inside Lou because she said she didn’t care.  Lou leaned back into Johnny’s arms and picked up her little Danny, “I have the best present, right here,” and they all drifted into sleep.

13 –

Lee let out a scream when she unwrapped the baby.  Micah ran to her side, thinking something happened to the baby, “Lee, what is it?”  “That’s Hab over there, isn’t it?  I know it is, this baby looks just like he did as a baby.  What will happen to my boy?” she cried.  Micah held her in his arms, “John and Mark are working on him, they say he’ll be fine.  You come over here and sit down, hold on to our granddaughter and let her know how much she is loved.”  He sat Lee down in an overstuffed chair, tears streaming down her face, holding onto the baby, her granddaughter.

After what seemed like hours, John walked to her side, “Your boy is gonna’ be just fine.  Sure was a good thing he got here when he did, none of them would have made it much longer.”  “How is Franny, the baby’s mother?” she whimpered.  “She’s doing fine too, I think the two of them were shielding the baby from as much of the wind and snow as they could.  We’ll have to wait for them to get a little better before we find out this little one’s name,” said Mark as he took the bundle from Lees’ arms and started walking the floor with her.  He sang to her as he walked all over the house.  “It’s just like the first Christmas, only we have room for you here,” Mark cooed to her. 

There was nothing else to be done for Hab or Franny for the time being, Mark and Beth took over the baby, Lee sat right next to Hab and Franny while Mary and Millie prepared the Christmas feast, there were so many reasons for them to be happy.

Lucas wanted to know why they were traveling in this weather.  Micah assured him that Hab would not have taken this trip had he known the weather was going to turn.  “At least we had doctor’s here to tend to them, what if they hadn’t been here?” Lucas wanted to know.  Micah wanted to know too, he kept looking at Lee, nothing was going to take her away from the side of her son.  Micah wondered why they had come at all, Hab was the sheriff in Marionette, why did he have his entire home packed into that wagon?

14 –

It finally stopped snowing, though there was still an awful lot of snow on the ground.  At least it stopped blowing.  It was still dreadfully cold, at least for an area not prepared for these temperatures.  Mark, Beth, John, and Mary were the only ones still acclimated to this type of cold; it was often much colder in Connecticut.  Mark and John went outside to tend the livestock; Beth gathered the eggs while Mary carried in the milk the cow had provided at Mark’s gentle touch.  Mark had stayed out longer to cut wood.  Lucas called him inside, “You may think you are used to this weather but that doesn’t mean you should stay out in it until you freeze.”  Aware that he wouldn’t freeze, at least not while working up a sweat chopping wood, Mark still went inside to ease his fathers’ mind. 

Franny was finally been able to sit up; Millie brought her some hot coffee but she kept looking around.  Finally her eyes rested on Mark, holding her baby and she cried out, “Rhiannon, is she alright?”  Mark assured her that Rhiannon was just fine.  Then she continued her search of the room, “Where’s Hab?”  Lee moved aside from where she had been sitting vigil over both Hab and Franny.  Franny started to cry as she reached her hand out to touch her husband, he still felt so cold.  Lee asked her why they had ventured out in such weather.  “Mother Carraway, we didn’t know there was a storm coming, we were halfway to North Fork when the temperature started dropping, then the snow started coming down very heavy and it was blowing so hard,” Franny was crying as she recounted the story, and although Lee tried to console her, everyone could sense how distraught she was over the whole situation.  Franny stopped sobbing long enough to add, “We couldn’t find shelter anywhere, Hab was walking the horses for a long time, trying to make sure we were still on the road.  Then he remembered this house, it was the closest shelter he knew of around North Fork but it took ever so long to get here.”  Everyone was intent on her story.  “Once we got close enough to make out the house, that’s when Hab got back in the wagon.  He was so cold, I don’t know how he was able to move.”  Franny looked back at her husband, “Is he going to be alright?”  “He’ll be fine, just as soon as he warms up more.  Lee there had us put hot stones around both of you,” Mark told her, “That’s the only reason you’re both gonna’ be fine.  You were both so cold, had to get you warmed up, and quick.”  Franny looked back at her mother-in-law, “I owe you so much.”  “You just get better and that’ll be payment enough,” Lee told her.  “What is the baby’s full name?” asked Mark.  “Rhiannon, Rhiannon Moira Carraway.  Mother Carraway, I hope you are not upset that we didn’t name the baby after you.”  “Land sakes, child, you gave her a good Irish name, no reason for me to be upset,” stated Lee as she comforted her.

Millie and Mary were still in the kitchen, working on dinner, when Lee asked if she could get a little something for Franny to eat.  Millie had prepared some broth; she thought they might need it.  As Lee was taking some to Franny, Hab started to sit up.  “Easy boy,” said Micah, “Let me help you,” and he helped Hab swing his legs over the side.  Lee just stood there, crying, unable to move.  “Ma, can I get something warm to drink?” Hab shivered out the words.  Millie heard him and quickly spooned up another cup of broth.  She stepped around Lee and handed the broth to Hab, this snapped Lee out of her trance and she walked over to Franny to hand her the cup of broth.  Finally, she could see that her family would be fine and she sat down again, between Hab and Franny and pulled them both into a big hug, tears still tumbling down her cheeks.  By the time dinner was ready, Hab and Franny were ready for a real meal.  Lucas said grace, thanking the Lord for bringing all of them together on this day, and for keeping them safe.  Franny wanted to hold her baby, Beth was reluctant to give her up but Lee took her from Beth and carried her over to her mother.  Franny and Hab both poked at her little cheeks and talked to her.  “How old is she now?” asked Lucas.  “She’ll be one on the New Year,” Hab informed them.  “Have I been gone that long?” asked Lee.  “It’s alright Ma, we’re here with you now and that is what counts,” Hab assured her.

15 –

Lou and Johnny had spent most of the day in their living area, playing with Danny and just being with each other.  Johnny was so pleased with his family, especially today; Lou didn’t whine over anything, she didn’t ask for anything, she seemed satisfied with their life.  He wanted the weather to clear, he had a special gift for her and he wanted her to see it.

Christmas turned into the day after and then the day after that before anyone could travel.  Johnny asked Lou if she wanted to see her gift and she contentedly said yes.  She bundled Danny with multiple blankets and put her cape on, Johnny had gone to get a buggy and was out front just as Lou walked out.  Johnny jumped out of the buggy and helped her in while he held Danny, then he passed the baby up to her.  He went back into the hotel and grabbed another blanket, “I want to make sure nobody freezes,” he said as he wrapped the blanket around Lou and Danny.  When he got into the buggy, Lou wrapped it around him, “Don’t want you to freeze either,” she cooed.  Johnny wanted to know what the extra bag was for and Lou told him it was for Danny, Johnny didn’t ask why, thinking it best not to rile his wife with what she would consider a stupid question.

They rode out of town, the same direction as the McCain ranch and Lou started to get concerned, “What kind of a gift did you get for me that we have to go see Lucas?”  “We are not going to see Lucas but we are going to your gift,” Johnny assured her.  Lou continued to play with Danny and was totally surprised when Johnny stopped the buggy in front of a house.  “Who lives here?” she asked, her voice still pleasant.  “We do, I bought it for us,” he told her.  Lou looked at him very carefully, Johnny started to get worried.  “Well, don’t just sit there, help me out so I can look inside,”  Johnny jumped from the wagon and took Danny from Lou’s arms and helped her down.  Lou let Johnny carry Danny as it was still somewhat icy and she believed him to be steadier on his feet.  She stomped her feet before she opened the door and walked inside.  Johnny followed suit and joined her inside.  Before she started to look around, Johnny handed Danny off to her and threw some wood in the fireplace, shortly there was a blazing fire.  Lou started to unwrap Danny but didn’t want to disturb him too much, he was sleeping so she left him lying near the fireplace on the floor.  “How did you find this place?” she asked.  “Lucas helped me to find it, we only have about 300 acres right now but there is more land available,” Johnny told her.  Lou continued to look around, she looked at the entire house; there were three bedrooms upstairs, a big kitchen, dining area and a parlor on the lower level.  There was a fireplace on both floors and one in the master bedroom.  Lou ran toward Johnny, jumped into his arms, “I love it.  When can we move in?”  “Well, we have to furnish it first,” he reminded her as he set her back on the floor.  “It won’t take me any time at all, we can bring over most of what we have at the hotel.  I’ll need to make some curtains and get some different cooking supplies, and…” Lou continued with her mental notes.  Johnny just sat on the platform of the fireplace, watching the look on her face.  “What are you looking at?” she asked when she noticed Johnny.  “Just watching my wife, don’t recall seeing you this happy too often,” he told her.  “Well, why wouldn’t I be happy?  I have the greatest husband in the world, a beautiful new babe, and a wonderful new home.”  “Do you think you could be happy here?” Johnny questioned her.  “I’ll be happy anywhere you are,” Lou told him as she wrapped her arms around him again.  She was still making plans when Danny started crying, “Did you bring in Danny’s bag?” she asked Johnny.  “It’s right here, what do you need?”  “It’s not what I need, it’s what your son needs, he needs changing.”  Changing was just the first order of business, then he wanted to eat.  Lou sat next to Johnny on the step of the fireplace; once Danny was fed and changed again, Johnny told her it was time to go.  She wrapped Danny again while Johnny put out the fire.  They got back into the buggy and Lou asked if they could stop by the McCain ranch, “I just want to make sure they are all OK.”  Johnny gazed at her, “You just want them to fawn over Danny,” and they both laughed as Johnny headed the buggy further down the road.

Part II, Dr Mark
16 –

Everyone was so grateful that Hab and his family survived, no one ventured into the reason for his journey.

Privacy was no longer an option at the McCain ranch, having only three bedrooms, one private sitting area, five couples and a baby meant the need for more beds with no place to set them.  Lee suggested that Micah and Lucas sleep in the main parlor, then Hab, Franny, and Rhiannon could take their room, and Millie and she could use  the cots in her sitting room.   Neither Lucas nor Micah was thrilled with this idea but it made sense to both of them.  When Franny found out that Millie was in a family way, she objected to this plan, “You can’t have a woman in her condition, sleeping on a cot.  She should have a proper bed.”  Lucas started to like this idea, thinking it meant he would be sharing a bed once again with his wife; too bad that is not what happened.  “Why not put a cot up in our room, Mary, Lee and I could sleep in there.  Then you could set up the other three cots in Lee’s sitting room.  At least then, everyone could still have some privacy,” suggested Millie.  Lee stated she would be fine on a cot; Lucas lost some of his enthusiasm but went ahead and set everything up.  Everyone sat around the table talking until it became so late that they all headed for their assigned sleeping areas.

Mornings were a bit haphazard to say the least.  All the women were in the kitchen, trying to help with preparing breakfasts, Mark made sure he was outside as soon as he awakened.  Beth wanted to know if he was tired of her already, “Why would you think that?” he asked as he put his arms around her.  “Well, you keep running out of here as soon as you can, like you don’t want to be with me,” she half whispered, half cried.  “Beth, if I don’t get up and go out to do chores right away, neither of us would be able to leave this room until dinner time.”  Beth blushed, “Oh,” was all she could say.  Then they both broke into laughter as they left the room.

Hab and Franny seemed to fit right into the family.  Franny was grateful when Beth would take Rhiannon, “Don’t think I’m tired of her, it’s just nice to have some help,” she told them.  Lee wanted to know if Hab helped with the babe, “Well, when he is around, he tries to help but it really is easier to tend her myself,” quipped Franny.  “Why, I guess that’s my fault,” said Lee, “I never was able to give him a little brother or sister.”  “Mother Carraway, you raised Hab just fine, he is tender and caring, and he loves both of us.  I couldn’t ask for a better husband,” Franny informed her.  Lee got a little teary eyed, “I’m glad he found you.”  “Not as happy as I am to have found him,” stated Franny as she gave her mother-in-law a hug.

As breakfast was being placed on the table, all the men folk started coming inside, except for Mark.  “It sure is cold out there,” Micah told them as he and Lucas were bringing in more firewood.  John had brought the milk inside and after Hab helped with the livestock he gathered all the eggs he could find and brought them inside as well.  Lucas looked around, watching this large family gathering and felt a warmth inside that had been missing for such a long time; he had to remind himself that he had still had a great life with Mark, now it was just better.  While everyone was sitting down, Mark came in the door with more firewood. 

  “Son, are you trying to freeze to death?”  “No Pa, it’s just really cold so I thought I would chop a bit more wood, that’s all.”  Lucas just dropped his head and turned it a little, like he always did when he questioned Mark’s answer.  Millie noticed the tension building between them, “Why don’t we get started eating before this gets cold?”  Lucas agreed but his look told Mark the ‘discussion’ was not over.

After breakfast, Mark went outside and saddled up Blueboy, then rode out to check the fences.  Lucas became conscious of what Mark had done and headed for the door when Hab stopped him, “He’s a man now, Mr. McCain, he knows what he can do.”  Lucas pulled his arm from Hab’s grasp, “He may be a man but it’s stupid to go out in this kind of weather, alone,” stated Lucas in a cold voice.  When he realized the way Hab reacted at his comment, it dawned on him what he had said; “I didn’t mean to say you were stupid boy, when you started out the weather was good.  Mark knew how cold it was before he went out into it, by himself.”  “I know you didn’t mean to say I was foolish but when I think of how I could have lost my whole family, I just can’t forgive myself,” answered Hab.  “Hab, I’d like to know why you did make this trip but right now I need to find Mark.  How about you come along and you can tell me on the way?”  Hab nodded and the two went to the barn to saddle Razor and a sorrel; as they were riding to find Mark, Hab started telling Lucas why he endangered his family to come to North Fork.

17 –

Hab and Lucas found Mark working on the fence in the South pasture, it was easy to follow his tracks in the snow.  “What are you doing out here boy?” Lucas yelled.  Hab reminded him that Mark was no longer a boy.  Nodding his head he said, “Mark, what are you doing out here?  It’s too cold to be out here all by yourself.”  “I didn’t plan to stay out very long Pa; I just figured I could help out a little while I was here.  Besides, it really isn’t that cold.”  Lucas looked at him quizzically, “Not that cold?  What’s wrong with you?  There’s ice on that pond, that means it’s cold.” “Pa, I’ve only been out here about ten minutes, it takes a lot longer than that to suffer from hypothermia.”  “Just because you know some big words, don’t mean you can’t get frostbit,” Lucas growled at Mark.  Mark started to respond about his fathers’ choice of words but felt it would just make his father more uncomfortable, the last thing he wanted to do was make his father feel stupid.  Mark got up on Blueboy and the three headed back to the house, with Hab continuing his story as to why he was headed to North Fork.

Back at the McCain ranch, more company was arriving.  Millie started to wonder just how many people this house could hold as she invited Lou, Johnny and little Danny inside, “Come on over here and sit by the fire, you have to be frozen.”  Lou was delighted, being the center of attention in this gathering.  As she unwrapped Danny, she noticed Rhiannon, “And who is that little darling?”  Beth handed Rhiannon back to Franny so she could introduce her daughter to Lou and Johnny.  Lou had just laid Danny on the hearth when Franny brought Rhiannon over to her, she snapped Rhiannon right out of Franny’s arms, then started cooing to her in Gaelic.  Since Lou was occupied with Rhiannon, Beth decided to pick up Danny.  “You look good with a baby in your arms, are you and Mark going to try to have a family right away?” Lou questioned Beth.  “I think I’d like to wait, at least until after we graduate,” Beth explained, “Then we’ll have to find a place to live and start our practice.”  Millie showed a look of concern, “Don’t worry Ma, we still plan to live in North Fork, it’s just where that we don’t know yet.  Mark wants to have a small ranch and practice medicine, I don’t know how he can manage both but he is a little stubborn,  we still have time to figure all that out,” Beth reassured Millie.  Millie could only smile when Beth said Mark was stubborn, he sure was his father’s son.

After offering Lou and Johnny some coffee, Lee asked why they had ventured out in this cold weather.  Before Johnny could answer, they heard Lucas, Hab, and Mark riding up to the house, “Who’s our guests?” Lucas questioned as he opened the door.  Johnny stood up to shake hands with them as he guided them towards the fireplace.  “Good to see you Drako but what are you and your family doing out in this cold?” queried Lucas.  “We were nearby, Johnny was just showing me my Christmas gift.  It’s beautiful, thank you Lucas,” smiled Lou.  “Why are you thanking him?  I’m the one that bought it for you,” said Johnny in a frustrated tone.  “Because he helped you find it,” she whispered in a very soft and sensual voice.   “Lucasboy, what did you help him find?” Micah thought it best to ask before Millie realized what Lou had said or how she said it.  “I think Johnny ought to tell you,” said Lucas.  Lou piped up before Johnny could speak, “He bought me a house, just a little ways up the road.  Two stories, three bedrooms and room to add on.”  “How much land?” questioned Millie.  “Only 300 acres for now but the land next to us will be going up for sale soon, Mr. and Mrs. Jupiter plan to move closer to town,” Johnny spoke up quicker than Lou could verbalize her thoughts but even that didn’t change her positive disposition.  The congratulations were flying from everyone’s mouths, right down to the wedding and the babies.

“Say Johnny, why did you decide to buy a ranch?  Kind of hard to take care of a ranch when you spend most of the day and night trying to take care of the town isn’t it?” asked John.  “Well, I’ll tell you John, we don’t want Danny growing up thinking the only way to survive is by carrying a gun.  Besides, he’ll learn a lot more living on a ranch than he will living in a town, at least in this part of the country.”  “Well, I’d make sure he knows how to defend himself, don’t you Pa?” stated Mark.  This brought Lucas back to Mark’s abduction because of Harry, Millie’s heart started to break again as she recalled the story Lucas told her, “I think it is very important to teach your children how to protect themselves,” she said as she walked over to Lucas.  He put his arm around her and nodded his endorsement to both statements.  “How are you going to manage the town Johnny?” asked Lou, she really hadn’t given it much thought before now.

18 –

“Well, that’s why we came to town,” Hab told them, “Johnny sent me a telegram at just the right time, asking if I was interested in being his chief deputy here in North Fork.”  “What do you mean, just the right time?” questioned Lucas.  Franny looked at Hab, indicating that she wanted him to tell the whole story.  “We found out that North Fork was looking for a new school teacher, Franny has a degree in education.  It just seemed natural, with Ma and Pa,” he said a bit carefully, “Living here that it would be better for Rhiannon.”  “But what about your position as Sheriff in Marionette?” Lee questioned him.  She had been so proud of him getting that job, trying to take after Micah instead of his real father.  “They held an election, seems the town folk were happier with someone else,” you could hear the scorn dripping from Hab’s voice.  “Who did they elect?” asked Micah, he had been in Hab’s shoes once before but he had turned to the bottle; “I’m right proud of you boy,” he added before he let Hab answer.  Franny answered, “Tom Birch,” her voice dripping with sarcasm.  Lucas knew Tom Birch, they had been friends once but Tom tried to take advantage of their friendship when he attempted to rob the bank in North Fork, “Why did they elect an outlaw?”  “Folks say he was fast with a gun, heard tell he still is, say he’s paid for his mistakes,” the cynicism fell from Franny's voice.  Hab interjected, “Judge said the town would realize they made a mistake, I didn’t want to wait around and find out.”  “I hope this doesn’t come back to bite us, you leavin’ Marionette but I sure am glad to have you here in North Fork,” Micah told him.  Lee just smiled.

Lou asked Hab where he and his family planned to live.  “Thought we could find a place in town, near the school and the jail,” said Hab.  With a twinkle in her eye, Lou suggested they take the living quarters at the back of the hotel, “We can be out by the end of the week, you can stay at the hotel until then.”  Johnny gave her a perplexed look, “And where do you think we’re gonna’ live?”  Beth giggled, “Even I can answer that, you’ll be living at the ranch.”  Lou proceeded to tell Hab and Franny that they would need to furnish their own bed and one for Rhiannon, “Everything else will be staying.”  “And what will we be using for furniture?” questioned Johnny.  “Everything I had just ordered before Christmas,” conveyed Lou.  “We brought most of what we had, where will we put it?” asked Franny.  Lou told her to pick what she wanted to keep in the suite; the rest could be moved to different rooms.  They sat around making plans to handle the moves.  Lee and Millie would stay at the ranch, taking care of Danny and Rhiannon, everything was arranged to have the move complete by New Year’s Day.  Lou couldn’t contain herself; “I’ll be in my new home for the new year, living my new life.”  Franny felt the same.

19 –

It was time for John, Mary, Beth and Mark to return to Connecticut.  There were tears of concern of the present, loss from the past, and joy for the future.  Mark said his goodbyes to everyone, saving Millie and Lucas for last, “Finally got me a Ma and I have to say goodbye to her,” the words choked from his throat as the tears streamed down his face.  Then it came time to say goodbye to Lucas again.  It never got easier, seemed to get harder each time.  “Pa, you take care of yourself, take care of my Ma and my little brother or sister,” he held tight to his father, knowing he had to go but still not wanting to leave.  Beth had to say her goodbyes also, “If it is this hard to say goodbye to you, whatever will I do when I have to say goodbye to Aunt Mary and Uncle John?” she said as she hugged Millie.  Millie had tears in her eyes, she wasn’t aware that she too would feel this sense of loss.  Beth went to hug Lucas, he held to her almost as long as he had held to Mark.  She hadn’t felt this kind of loss when she lost her father, why was she so upset now?

They finally had to board the train, Lucas and Millie were the last to leave the station; watching after the train long after it left the station.  Beth and Mark kept looking out the window, hoping to get another glimpse of home and family.  They finally settled into their seats, across from John and Mary.  Mark noticed the discomfort in their eyes, “I know I owe so much to both of you, this must make you feel like I don’t care about you but I do.  When Beth and I leave your house to move back here, it will be just as hard, maybe harder because we don’t plan to move back to you.”  Beth looked up at Mark and started crying again, she hadn’t thought about this point.  “Mark, the pain you see in our eyes is not because you haven’t shown us that same sense of mourning, it is because we know we will have to face it when you do return to North Fork,” Uncle John told him.  Mary nodded, “When we watched what your father endured at this last departure, well, we’re not looking forward to it.”  The rest of the journey was silent, each husband holding to his wife.

 Lucas and Millie had headed back to the ranch.  Lucas started smiling, “What are you so happy about?” asked Millie.  “Well, pretty soon our boy will be back home; and he’ll be bringing our daughter and we will be giving them a little brother or sister,” Lucas told her.  Millie reached for his arm, instead he wrapped it around her and they rode home in silence.

 20 –

Mary and John purchased a new bed for Mark and Beth to share, “I know it’s not as large as the one you have at home but I believe you will find enough room for the two of you,” said John.  Beth seemed to be crying every time she turned around but she held both her Aunt and Uncle in one tender embrace.  Mark stayed back, giving them their moment and then insinuated himself into the hug.  Finally Uncle John said, “If anyone were to see us now, they would think us mad.”  It lightened the moment, allowing everyone an opportunity to regain their composure.

Mark and Beth attended medical school all week, every week, finding little time to do anything else.  One Saturday, Aunt Mary told Beth to get her coat, they had to go somewhere.  “Where do we have to go?” questioned Beth.  “You will see when we get there,” her Aunt told her.  They hired a carriage to protect them from the terrible winter cold, Beth was so busy talking that she didn’t notice where they were going.  Finally the carriage stopped, Aunt Mary descended from the coach first and then Beth.  While Aunt Mary was paying the coach driver and requesting he return shortly, Beth realized where they were and quickly ran inside the little shop where her wedding dress had been created.  The same lady stood behind the counter and Beth ran over to her to give her a hug.  “Oh my,” said the dressmaker, “What is this all about?”  Beth reminded her about the wedding dress and how it was so flawless, “The dress was perfect, just the effect I wanted, my Aunt here reminded that I needed to thank you.”  “Not at all dear, it was my pleasure.  As I said before, not many young ladies these days understand tradition,” said this amazing lady behind the counter.  “You know, I never even asked you your name, what is it?” Beth asked her.  “My name is Marcail.” Beth then told her about the birth that happened at her ceremony and how the dress was ruined.  “I am so sorry your dress was ruined, perhaps I can repair it for you.”  “That won’t be necessary, most of the stains have been removed and the rest is part of a memory I want to remember,” Beth told her and then she and her Aunt left the shop and waited for the carriage to take them home.  Marcail thought this young lady to be perfectly delightful and engineered a plan of her own for Beth.

Once back in the carriage Beth started to cry again.  “Child, what is wrong with you?” questioned Aunt Mary as she handed Beth a handkerchief.  “I don’t know, everything is just so new and wonderful, I can’t help but cry,” explained Beth.  Beth asked the driver to go around the city once, before returning them to their home, “Aunt Mary, isn’t this beautiful, the trees, the snow, all the buildings?”  “Are you regretting your decision to go back to North Fork once you graduate?” Mary queried her.  “No, not really.  But I will surely miss you and Uncle John.  Perhaps you could come visit, or maybe move closer?” suggested Beth.  “I don’t know child, your Uncle and I are getting a little too old to move, especially where living is so much more difficult.  Besides, what would your Uncle do?” Mary replied.  “I guess we will just have to think on that,” Beth responded.

 21 –

The days passed and the cold air of winter started to give way to the freshness of spring.  There was much to do at the ranch.  Fence post needed to be replaced from years of decay, stock had to be gathered in closer as many would soon be giving birth to their young, fields needed preparation for the spring planting, and then there were the projects Millie and Lee would find.  It was difficult for Lucas to find time to make a cradle, in preparation for the upcoming birth of his child.  Sometimes he would wonder, what would happen to this little one; he had always been there for Mark but that was 18 long years ago.  Would he live long enough to see the same for this child?  The thought was often in his mind and he worked harder at the ranch, trying to insure a future for his wife and child in case something should happen.

Millie was getting bigger with her child, “You’re bigger with this little heifer than Margaret ever got with Mark,” Lucas announced.  Millie looked at him and then ran to their room, not knowing what he did but knowing he did something, Lucas was right on her heels.  “Millie, what did I say?”  “Lucas, I can’t help how big I am getting, I hardly eat at all any more, trying to keep my weight down,” she cried, “I’m sorry I’m not as petite as Margaret was, I’m, I’m sorry I’m not Margaret.”  Lucas stopped in his tracks, his jaw slackened as he felt slapped by her words, “Millie, I’m not sorry you’re not Margaret.  Yes, I loved her and yes, I cherished her and the memory of her, I still do but she and I were a long time ago.  I love you now; our love is different, stronger, alive.  I would never ask you to compete with her, there is no competition, I have you and that is all I want.  How could you think I wanted her over you?” Lucas uttered.  Millie buried her head into his shoulder, still sobbing, “Oh Lucas, it’s just that everyone keeps telling me how big I am, it’s like they wonder if we had to get married.  I can’t fit into anything anymore and I’m hungry.”  Lucas lifted his wife into his arms, carried her out into the dining area and sat her in a chair.  “I’m going to get some of that lunch you made for me and Micah, and you are going to eat it,” he told her.  “I’ll just get bigger,” she continued to sob.  “I don’t care how big you get, you need to be healthy to bring that little one into this world.  It took me a long time to find you, I’m not going to lose you now,” and with that he set a big plate of food in front of her, “And I want you to eat every bit of it.  I’ll go get you some milk for your coffee.”  “Lucas, I don’t want any coffee, it makes me sick, maybe just some milk?” her tears started to subside.  As Lucas sat the milk next to her, he pulled up a chair and sat next to her, “Millie, I can’t explain how much you mean to me only that I would give my life to save you.  I can’t lose you, without you I am nothing.”  Then he placed his hand on her hair, her long beautiful hair, and he sniffed for the scent that was Millie.  As he peered into her eyes, she could see the tears welling up in his and she knew right then, for the very first time, just how much she really loved him.  “Now, who else has told you that you are getting so big?” Lucas had plans to talk to that person or persons as the case may be; no one was going to hurt his wife, especially not in her condition.

 Hab had just ridden up to the ranch and Lucas asked Millie if she would be alright while he spoke with Hab.  She nodded but then he quickly added, “The entire plate, and from now on, I will be watching you,” then he smiled, kissed her on the top of her beautiful hair, put on his gloves and walked out to meet Hab.

“Lucas, Drako needs some help out at the ranch and I’m afraid that I’m not much help to him.  One of us always has to be in town so I was wondering if maybe…”  “Spit it out Hab, I not much good at guessing,” Lucas declared.  “Well, I thought maybe I could stay here and work with Pa, when Drako was in town and maybe you could go over and help at his ranch.  That way, I get to spend a little more time with my Pa and Johnny gets the work done that needs doin’ at his ranch.  Now, before you protest, I have a little more to say.  I’ve admired Micah since I first met him, he has done so much for Ma and he can teach me the things I need to know so one day I can help Johnny and you can stay here at your ranch.”  “Have you discussed this with Johnny?” Lucas asked with his eyes.  “No, I thought I better check with you to see if you were willing first, I also know that there might be some hard feelings with Millie, you be’in over with Lou most of the day.  Maybe you could talk it over with her first?”  “That I had better do, Millie is feeling a bit out of sorts these days.  If it is alright with her, we’ll do it, but I’m not going to make her feel guilty, understand?”  Lucas wanted to make sure Hab didn’t say anything to sway Millie on this subject.

The days passed into weeks and the weeks into months, it was almost time for Mark and Beth to come home.  Lee had Micah and Hab doing extra things around the house, most of the ranch work was done, at least until they could plant or the livestock actually gave birth.  Franny was an inspiring teacher, all the children loved her.  Lee started to go into town everyday now, either to tend to the store or to watch little Rhiannon.  Working at the store was getting much more difficult for Millie, her belly was causing a lot of pain in her back and too much swelling in her ankles.  She started to worry how she would be able to deliver this little tot, or perhaps heifer was a better choice of words.  Lee suggested she bring Rhiannon over to the store to watch her there, “If you need anything, I’ll be just a shout away.  Lou even offered to come into town, now that it is getting warmer, and let her and Danny get a little better acquainted, that way you can get some rest.  She said she remembers how tired she would get and she didn’t have to do half of what Millie did.  Oh, listen to me, I just keep talkin’ and never let you get in a word edgewise.”  “Millie just nodded, “I think I would like that, I guess I’m more tired that I thought.”

Lucas and Micah had their hands full tending to the needs of the ranch.  Hab would ride out and help when he could.  Lee rode to town everyday, either to tend the store or watch little Rhiannon while Franny taught school, even Millie volunteered to watch the red haired little beauty.  When Hab was able to come out to the ranch to help, Lucas would take advantage of the time to go over to help at Drako’s.  Hab cherished his time with his new Pa, tried to heed everything Micah told him; this was the man he hoped to become.  “Quit tryin’ so hard boy, you have done well for yourself, me and your Ma are right proud of you,” Micah told him one day.  Hab nearly squeezed the breath out of him with a hug, Micah finally felt the type of love that Lucas had shared with Mark all those years but he couldn’t say whether it was that feeling of love or the inability to breathe that brought tears to his eyes.

22 -

Lucas had finally finished the cradle, he had to start over when he realized this child was going to be much larger than he expected.  He worried how Millie would survive giving birth to such a large baby, her being as tiny as she was.  It was difficult to keep the secret from Millie, but he really wanted to surprise her with it.

It was now just two weeks before Mark and Beth would be returning to North Fork.  Lucas wanted to be there for their graduation but he knew this was not a trip Millie could make, not now, and he didn’t even consider going by himself.  Millie questioned him about the graduation, “Don’t you think Mark will be upset with you not being there for his graduation?”  “Mark will understand that you can’t travel that far, not now,” Lucas told her.  “Maybe Mark will understand, but I don’t.  He has been your life for 18 years, you can’t let him down because we are married, I won’t let you do that to him or to us,” Millie was very adamant.  Lucas tried to persuade her into thinking his way but she would have none of it, “You are going to Connecticut for that graduation and you are going to take him my love.  I will expect them to return with you and we will have everything ready.  That is the end of the conversation.”  Millie walked away from Lucas, leaving him standing like a boy just scolded by his mother; then, shaking his head, he thought about what an excellent mother she was going to be.

The next day, Millie told Lucas to go into town and get his ticket, “And while you are there, send a telegram to Mark letting him know when you will arrive.  Oh, and ask him to make a reservation for you at a hotel nearby.”  “Yes mom,” Lucas replied.  Millie looked at him and then shooed him away with a smile in her eyes.  Lucas did as he was told and while he was in town he stopped by to see Johnny, “How are things out at your spread?”  “Can’t really call it a spread yet, Lucas, but hopefully it will be someday,” Johnny told him, “What are you doing in town?”  Lucas told him the orders he was following and Johnny laughed, “Yea, I know what you mean,” as he looked at his wedding band.

23 –

Mark was thrilled when he received the telegram.  He shared the news with Beth,  Uncle John, and Aunt Mary at supper that night.  John appeared to be upset but didn’t say anything, after a bit, Mary piped up, “Your father will not be staying at any hotel, he’ll stay right here, now that is the end of this discussion, you hear?”  Mark gulped when Mary spoke, “I don’t think he meant to upset you Aunt Mary, I think he just didn’t want to put you out.”  Now it was John who spoke, “Your Pa has gone out of his way to make us comfortable, I’m sorry but I take it as a personal insult that he thought we wouldn’t put him up.”  “Uncle John, Mr. McCain doesn’t even know what size house we have, how would he know there was even any room here?” Beth commented in a sarcastic tone.  “Beth, please don’t talk to your Uncle that way, after everything he has done for us, he deserves better,” Mark whispered quietly to her, unfortunately not quiet enough.  “Thank you Mark, we do appreciate your thoughtfulness; maybe Beth is right, maybe I was out of line, your father doesn’t know if we have room for him.  Please let him know we would be insulted if he didn’t stay with us, he can use the guest room so he will still have his privacy,” said Uncle John.  Mark looked at him quizzically, “Why didn’t you offer me the guest room?”  “Mark, the guest room is on the same floor as Beth’s room,” Aunt Mary told him.  Mark still looked befuddled, “Mark, you couldn’t be on the same floor with me, it wouldn’t have been proper,” Beth chided.  Mark just said, “Oh.”

That night Beth told Mark she had a secret to share with him.  “What kind of secret?” Mark asked.  “You know I have been crying over everything?  Would you like to know why?” she smiled.  “I already know why, so does Aunt Mary and Uncle John, we were just waiting for you to say something,” Mark looked at her tenderly.  Beth stood in front of him, hands on her hips, “So, mister smarty pants, what’s my secret?” Mark took her in his arms and held her close, looking into her eyes, “You’re gonna’ have a baby, right about the end of August.”  As she buried her head into his shoulder, “Are you happy?”  Mark was holding her, feeling her warmth, “Yes Beth, I am very happy.”

The next morning, Mark allowed Beth to share the news with her Aunt and Uncle.  “Are you happy Beth?” asked Uncle John.  He didn’t really have to ask, the smile on her face and the gleam in her eyes told him the answer.  He saw the same thing in Mark’s eyes and this softened his demure, “We are very happy for the two of you.  Is there anything we can do?”  “Yes,” Beth ventured, “Come to our graduation, and plan to come visit us in New Mexico,” by the time she finished her sentence, she was in tears.  Mary wrapped her arm around Beth, “We’ll visit, often.”  Uncle John offered his hand to Mark and Mark pulled him into a hug.  “Mark, I admire the way your family is so close.  Aunt Mary and I wanted children, I told you before, we were never blessed.  We hope to be able to stay close to you, just like your family is,” John had to stop talking; he was choking on his own words.  Beth and Mark had already started making plans to have Aunt Mary and Uncle John move to North Fork, they weren’t ready to spill the beans just yet.

24 –

Lucas arrived two days before graduation.  The city was so big, he looked around and thought of it as a vast lowland and imagined each building as nothing more than a tree and it didn’t seem quite so big anymore.  He was ecstatic that he would see Mark graduate, all those years watching him grow, changing his mind about what he would be when he grew up, and now in two days he would be a real doctor.  Years passed through his mind in a matter of minutes.  The day he first found out that Margaret was with child, his birth, helping Margaret take care of him, taking care of him by himself, after Margaret died.  When the left the territories, their first day in North Fork, and every other day since.  His heart started to grow heavy and then Mark pulled up to the station in a carriage.  “Pa, over here,” Mark yelled as he ran towards his father.  Lucas dropped his bag hoping Mark would jump into his arms like he did when he was young but knowing it would not happen he put his arms out to embrace Mark.  He was almost knocked over by Mark’s enthusiasm, “I’m so glad you could come Pa, it sure wouldn’t have seemed real if you weren’t here.  I know you wanted Ma to come too and I’m sorry she couldn’t but it sure is great that you are here.”  Lucas reached down to pick up his bag, “Mark, you just said that.”   Mark looked around then, “Where’s your rifle?”  Lucas grinned, “Your Ma didn’t think I would be needing it here in the city.”  Mark grabbed him around the shoulders and started ushering him toward the carriage; he never stopped talking the entire trip to the house.

When they arrived at the Adam’s home, Lucas looked up at it; the first floor was bigger than his whole house and there were three floors.  “You been livin’ like a king all this time boy?” he asked of his son.  “If you call working like a dog at school living like a king, then I guess I have,” chuckled Mark as he opened the door to let his father into the house.  Once inside, John was the first to greet him, “Welcome, Lucas.  Mark, why don’t you take your fathers things up to his room, then come back down, there are a few things we need to discuss.”  Mary pushed her way past John, “Perhaps you might like to freshen up a little first, Lucas.  I’m not sure about you but that trip was very tiring to me and I felt like I had been bathed in dust.”  Lucas looked down at his clothes, “I imagine I could use a little freshening up, but could I get a glass of water first?  I think there is more dust in my throat than there is on the rest of me.”  Beth came running from the kitchen, water in hand, and practically ran Lucas down, “Hold up there little lady, I’d kind of like to drink it first,” he said with amusement in his voice.  Beth looked up at him with her eyes filled with tears and then just turned and ran upstairs.  Lucas teased at Mark, “Looks to me like you been doin’ more than just studying.”  Mark was always amazed as to how his father knew things before he was told, this situation was no different.  “Pa, how do you know?”  “That’s easy son, the look in your eyes, and the tears in Beth’s.”  “Well, I still don’t understand but that doesn’t matter, you’re gonna’ be a grandfather,” Mark informed him.  Lucas took a big swallow of the water Beth had handed to him before she ran up the stairs, “Mark, you have trusted your instinct all of your life, why have you chosen now to ignore what is right in front of your eyes?”  “Maybe because I always thought my father would have all the answers but not all the questions.”  Lucas tilted his head slightly, looking at his son, “Sometimes I know the questions too.  Now, how about a place to get some of this dust off of me?  I’d kind of like to feel presentable.”  “Lucas, you are always presentable but I do understand.  We have prepared a bath for you, in your room.  It will be two hours before dinner.  Should you fall asleep, Mark will knock on your door about 15 minutes before we dine, is that alright Mark?” asked Mary.  “Well, I thought we would have some time to talk…” Lucas interrupted, “We’ll have plenty of time to talk, I could really use this time to recover from the trip.  I guess I’m not as young as I used to be.”  Mark could sense the tenseness in his father’s voice and he started to protest but Lucas put up his hand, “Thank you Mary, John; Mark you better go see to your wife.”  Lucas had seen where Mark had put his things and walked up the steps into his room.  The bath looked extremely inviting and he made short work of undressing and slipping inside.

The next thing Lucas heard was Mark rapping at the door and he jolted up in the bath.  “What is it?” he called out, just a bit disoriented.  “It’s me Pa, we’ll be sitting down to eat in just a bit.  Are you alright?” Mark thought he heard apprehension in his father’s response.  As he re-oriented himself to the accommodations, “I’m fine Mark.  I just need a few minutes.”  Mark started to ask something else but decided to ask later, allowing his father the time he needed.  Lucas stood from the tub, drying himself quickly and dressing for supper.  He quickly combed back is hair and started down the stairs.  Mark had watched him leave the room, stepped inside and connected the drain to the tub, then followed the footprints of his father to the bottom of the stairwell.  Lucas was standing there, “Well son, which way do we go from here?”  Mark understood his father’s discomfort, back home he knew where everything was, in this house he knew only the entrance and his room.  Lucas did not like this feeling, Mark assured him that all would be fine and they walked into the dining room.

Supper conversation skirted around the graduation and the upcoming births.  Lucas could see both the pride and sorrow in the face of his hosts and he understood the feeling all too well.  The upcoming graduation was the culmination of time, learning, loving, and losing.  He was pleased that Mark and Beth would be returning to North Fork with him but he did not envy the emptiness he knew would encompass John and Mary Adams.

25 –

Lou never thought she would be happy being nothing more than a wife and mother.  All those years she worked, by herself, to become a successful businessperson.  Now, with Danny in her arms and Johnny on his way home from North Fork, she was the happiest she had ever been in her life.  Everyone that saw her remarked as to settled she seemed.  Millie stopped over at Lou’s ranch one day, “You sure do take to motherhood.”  Lou smiled, one of her largest ever, “Millie, when I was giving birth to Danny, I thought I never wanted to go through that again but then Mark laid Danny in my arms and that changed everything.  I want to give Johnny a whole parcel of children.”  “Wait, Danny is only five months old and you’re already planning to have another child?” Millie couldn’t believe her ears.  Lou patted Millie’s belly, then her own, “Not just planning, this one should be born around Thanksgiving.”  Millie shook her head in disbelief, “I think I’m having enough trouble carrying this one let alone planning another.  You weren’t this big when you were ready to deliver Danny.  I feel like a horse.”  “Millie, your baby is just going to be bigger than Danny.  Since he’ll be younger it will make it easier for them to play together,” Lou assured her.  “What makes you so sure it’s a he? And why will it make it easier for them to play together?” Millie wanted to know.  “Well, just seems like Lucas is the kind of man that makes boys and as far as them playing together, Danny will be older so naturally he would be bigger, with your babe, since he’ll start off bigger, Danny won’t have an advantage over him.”  Millie didn’t understand Lou’s way of thinking at all but it didn’t really matter, she never understood Lou’s thought process.

They visited a while longer, then Millie realized that she had to head home, “It’s my night to cook,” she said as she took her leave.  Lou walked her out to the buggy and handed her a package, “It’s bread dough, all you’ll have to do is put it in the oven.  I know I took up a lot of your time visiting today, I just thought I’d try to help out.”  “Thank you, Lou but I think it’s me that took up your time.  I’m still keeping the bread though,” the words sounded so delightful, they both laughed as Millie drove off in the buggy.

Millie arrived home and started supper, then she put the bread in the oven thinking how good it would taste with the stew.  Lee walked in and saw Millie standing over the stove, “I’ve told you not to stand so long, you go sit down, I’ll finish supper.”  “Lee, we both have jobs to do, you don’t need to do everything,” Millie tried to protest.  “Well, I do tonight, look here, a telegram from Lucas,” and Lee handed it to Millie.  Her hands started to shake, “They always say a telegram is bad news,” then she opened it and read it’s contents.  “Will be home on Saturday – stop – looking forward to holding you – stop – Mary and John are coming for a visit – stop – I love you – stop.”  Lee noticed the tears running down Millie’s face and  ran over to her, “Is everything alright?”  Millie nodded, “Things are perfect.

26 –

The trip back to North Fork seemed like it took longer than getting to Connecticut, at least as far as Lucas was concerned; he felt he had been away from Millie for far too long; it was only eight days.  Every time someone tried to engage him in conversation, they had to get his attention first; he always appeared to be far away in thought.  “Pa, you did tell Ma which train we’d be coming in on, right?”  No response so Mark asked again and Lucas looked over at him, “Humph, what did you say Mark?”  “I asked you if you told Ma what train we would be on.”  “I don’t remember, I know I told her the day.  She also put a bed in Micah’s sitting room for John and Mary.  She didn’t want them having to sleep on cots.”  “That’s very nice of her, Lucas but it really wasn’t necessary, we could have stayed at the hotel,” John told him.  “Why, I’d have to take that as a personal insult if you wouldn’t let us put you up,” all of them started laughing as Lucas spoke the words.

Lucas felt a little out of sorts without his rifle too, he sure wished Millie hadn’t insisted he not take it with him.  Again he was off in his own world of thought so Mark stopped trying to talk to him, “He’ll be a little more responsive once we get closer to North Fork.”  Lucas kept looking off in the distance, wondering if they were going to run into trouble, hoping they wouldn’t.  When the train stopped in Marionette, Lucas could see trouble in the street.  There were several men shooting up the town, and no one seemed to be around to stop them.  Without his rifle, there was no way for him to stop the commotion.  He would have to talk to Johnny and Hab when he got back into North Fork.  One thing for sure, he wasn’t leaving his rifle at home again.

Mary wanted to know it they had thought about where they would set up their office.  “Doc Burrage sent us a letter asking if we might not take over his office.  We’re not really sure though, I don’t really want to live in town,” Mark told them.  “Even if we did live in town, there isn’t enough room at his place to raise a family,” Beth assured them.  “I was leaning toward staying in town during the day and out at the ranch at night, at least until we can get our own place built,” Mark added.  “Do you have enough money to build your own place?” asked Aunt Mary.  “Not yet, we can stay at Pa’s until we do, right Pa?” Mark said as he poked at his father.  “Huh?  Oh, Millie would be mighty upset with me if you tried to do anything else.”  John was a little stumped, “Mark, what happens at night if there is no doctor in town?”  Beth glanced at Mark, “I think this might be the right time to tell them.”  “Tell us what dear?” asked Mary.  “Well, we don’t really like the idea of you being so far away so we thought maybe you would move to North Fork.  You could live at Doc’s place, there’s plenty of room for you there.  I know it’s not like your home in Connecticut but, I don’t know, maybe we can find something bigger for you,” Mark was starting to stumble over his words so Beth jumped in, “You said you liked North Fork.  Aunt Mary, you asked what Uncle John could do in North Fork, it is getting so big we could use more than two doctors.  Maybe we could set up some sort of hospital, you know, for the patients who need closer watching over.”  Mark started to say something again but was cut off by Uncle John, “It seems you two have been planning out our future without consulting us.  I have a fine position back home, why would I want to leave?”  Beth didn’t hear the suggestion of humor in his voice, “Well, I thought maybe, I thought you might want to be closer to me.  I guess I was wrong.”  This time no one needed to get the attention of Lucas, he had become very familiar with pregnant women crying and he noticed Beth right off, “Beth, you know your Aunt and Uncle love you.  Maybe they will move out here some day but to ask them to live in North Fork now, well, maybe it just isn’t practical.”  Beth stopped crying so hard but it was evident that she was still chocking back tears.  Uncle John patted her hand and Aunt Mary put her arm around Beth.

They finally pulled into North Fork, it was difficult for him but Lucas made sure he waited for his traveling party to gather their things and start moving for the exit, he sure wished they would move a little faster.  As he departed the train, he noticed Millie and Micah standing nearby; he excused himself from the rest of his traveling companions and ran over to Millie.  He carefully weighed his words before he said, “I missed you.  That little tiger in there sure is getting bigger, you think you’ll be able to carry him once he’s born?”  Millie laughed and reached up to his head and pulled him down to her level and gave him a kiss, “I’ve missed you too but I have to admit, not having to fight for sleeping space was kind of nice.”  Lucas looked concerned then caught the glimmer in Millie’s eyes, “Well, that bed is only made for two.”  As Lucas was shaking hands with Micah, the rest of the group joined them.  Mark lifted Millie just like he would cradle a small child, “Guess I can’t swing you around like I did before.”  He looked over at his father, “Good thing for you that I love Beth, we might have had to fight over Ma.”  Millie laughed and asked Mark to put her down.  Beth moved over to Mark and touched his arm, he picked her up in the same manner he had held Millie, “You sure are lucky that this gal loves me like she does, and that I love her as much as I do.”  Millie laughed a little louder, “Sure is lucky for you cause I love your Pa.”  Now Mark had his plan set in motion, “Ma, are you saying you don’t love your own son?”  A loud roar of laughter sounded throughout the town.

27 –

As Micah walked over to the store to get Lee, Lucas asked the rest to go on over to the hotel for supper, “I need to talk to Johnny, I’ll join you shortly.”  “Not home for ten minutes and already you’re running off,” Millie joked.  Lucas wasn’t sure if Millie was serious but he gave her a kiss and headed off to the jail, right now, this matter was more urgent.

Johnny was not in the office, Hab was there and Lucas told him about the problems he witnessed in Marionette.  “That town isn’t my problem anymore Mr. McCain.  They voted that criminal into office, they can live with what’s happening.”  “Hab, you know you don’t really mean that.  That was your town, your people,” Lucas protested.  Hab shook his head and turned away, “My town, my people?  Not any more.  If they had voted someone better into office, well, that would’ve been different.  If you want to talk to the Sheriff, he’s over at the hotel; I’ll walk over with you.  I’m ready for supper anyway, and I’d like to see my wife.” 

When the group entered the dining room at the hotel, they saw Lou, Johnny and Danny.  Lou looked so happy.  They found a table near Lou and sat down.  Franny walked over to their table, her protruding belly announcing her condition to Beth; “What would you like to eat?”  Now Beth was even more anxious to share her secret, she could wait no longer for Lucas to join them; “Ma, I know this isn’t the best time and place to tell you, but…” Millie put her hand to her lips, “You mean you don’t plan to stay in North Fork?  Mark, that will kill your father.”  “We’re gonna’ stay in North Fork Ma, Beth has something else she would like to tell you.”  Lucas and Hab walked in and over to Johnny right away.  Hab stayed and talked for a time then walked away with his head down.  He noticed Franny and walked over to give her a kiss.  “How’ do Mark, glad to see you back in town, be’ in a doctor an all.  You’ll be here when my Franny has our baby.”  By this time, Beth was ready to explode, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude but I have something to say.”  Beth took a deep breath then looked right into Millie’s eyes, “Ma, you’re gonna’ be a grandma.”  Millie squealed with joy, “Lucas, did you hear?” she shouted over to Lucas.  He smiled and nodded his head, did that mean he knew or that he would be right over?

28 –

Mary and Beth had gone into town with Lee; they had some things to purchase so Millie decided she would go and visit with Lou again.  They visited for quite some time, until it was obvious that Millie was quite uncomfortable sitting there.  “Millie, would you like to rest a little before you head home?” Lou seemed genuinely concerned.  Millie was so uncomfortable that she accepted Lou’s invitation to rest.  Lou took her into the bedroom and covered her with a light blanket; “I’ll wake you in about two hours.  That should still give you enough time to get home before Lucas, that way he needn’t worry.”  Millie thanked her for her thoughtfulness and closed her eyes.  Next thing she knew, Lucas was standing over her, “What’s wrong?” there was deep concern in his face.  “Nothing, not really, I was just a little tired and Lou suggested I take a nap before I head home.  She was going to wake me in about half an hour, how did you know I was here?” she asked.  “That would be my fault, I came home early and wanted, well, some private time with my wife.  When she told me how you looked before she convinced you to lay down, I knew I’d better tell Lucas,” Johnny’s voice betrayed his attempt at sounding in control.   “Well, I’m just fine, and in case anyone is counting out dates, we did not have to get married,” Millie sobbed.  “No one thinks that,” Lucas told her, “C’mon, I’m takin’ you home,” and he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the buggy.  Lou tried to console her but it just made Millie cry more.  Lou was not going to let it ride, “Millie McCain, no one believes you had to get married.  We all knew your plan to marry as soon as Mark got home last summer so there was no shotgun at your wedding.  You’re just feeling sorry for yourself because you’re expecting, I felt the same way only my husband made sure he told me I was still beautiful and that he loved me,” the words were spilled in the direction of Lucas.  Riled as he was, he was not going to get into an argument with Lou while Millie was so distressed, “We can talk another time, time I got my wife home,” and he snapped at the reins, urging the horse to head toward home.

“Millie, do you honestly think I don’t love you?  Do you think I could love you less if you became ill?  Would you love me less if I lost all my hair or my teeth?  What if I got fat, or got sick?  Would that change how you feel about me?  Nothing will ever change the way I feel about you, unless it makes me love you more.  Besides, that’s my baby in there, we made him together and we’re gonna’ raise him together,” Lucas was crying at the end of his declaration.  Millie had stopped crying before they had reached the ranch, before Lucas carried her into their room and laid her on their wedding bed but now she started crying again only this time they were tears of joy.  As she smiled up at him she asked, “How are you so sure it is a boy?  What if it’s a girl?”  Lucas grinned at her, “As long as she looks like you, I’d say that was a fine idea,” then he bent down to kiss her.  He stroked his hands over her hair and sniffed again at the scent that was Millie.  He kissed her on the head and told her to stay put, “I’ll come get you when it’s time for supper.”  Millie nodded at her husband, not wanting to obey his command but wanting to rest.  Why did it look so much easier for other women?  Was she too old?  Then she drifted off to sleep again.

Beth was standing over her when she awakened, “What are you trying to prove?”  Millie was a bit taken aback by Beth’s question, “What are you talking about?”  Beth gave Millie her best grim face, “You are going to have a child.  Pregnancy isn’t easy for everyone, you know.  Besides, that baby is so big now, I don’t know how much longer you can carry her if you don’t stay off your feet.”  “What am I supposed to do?  Should I just lay in bed all day?” Millie sounded somewhat ferocious.  “If you want to carry my sister to term” Mark barked back at her; he felt a little guilty, scolding his Ma but he already knew she had been having contractions.  “Ma, I know if you lose that baby, you will start pushing Pa away, blaming yourself and I don’t want that to happen.  If you do everything we tell you to do, you might still lose it but you’ll know you did everything possible to not let that happen,” Mark tried to assure her.  “And even if I do everything you say, what makes you think your father will still love me when I can’t even carry his child?” Millie wasn’t just crying now, she was sobbing so hard that it racked her body.  Beth sat next to her, trying to calm her but knowing she would feel the same way.  Mark went to get his father back into the room, “Pa, you need to go talk to Ma.”  “I’ll go in right after I take care of Razor,” then Lucas turned back toward the barn with Razor.  Mark grabbed his arm, “Pa, you need to go in and talk to Ma, now.  You have to calm her down or she will go into labor and it’s too soon,” Mark was not only adamant but he was also harsh; he needed his father to understand the severity of the situation.  Lucas looked at his son, threw him the reins and ran into the house.  He burst into the room while Millie was still sobbing.  He forced himself to walk over to the bed, calmly.  “Millie, what’s wrong?” he knew his voice betrayed that illusion of composer.  He sat down on the bed, and wrapped his big, strong arms around his wife, then he nodded for Beth to leave.  He didn’t think it possible but Millie started crying harder.  He laid her back on the bed, holding her closely the entire time.  As he smelled her hair, he started pulling off his gloves, still not taking his arms from around his wife.  Once his gloves were off, he ran his fingers through her hair and started brushing them down her cheeks, “Millie, please stop crying.  I can’t go through the rest of my life without you.  Don’t you understand?  I don’t care what happens as long as I still have you and Mark.  I can live through anything, as long as you are with me.”  As he spoke the words so tenderly and quietly to his wife, he couldn’t help but pull her closer to him still.  After a while of just being held, Millie stopped crying completely.  She had her face buried into that spot where the underarm meets the chest, “Lucas, you really need to clean up?”  He wasn’t sure if she was really feeling better so he held her a bit more, “Lucas, I mean, you really need to wash up,” she said again.  Lucas didn’t want to let go but when he did, she saw the tears streaming down his face and she knew again that nothing could change his love for her.

29 –

Mary and John were taking a walk in the high grass around the ranch, they had been in North Fork just over a month now, “John, what are you thinking?”  John looked out over the fields and into the horizon.  As far as he could see was lush green fields and clear blue skies, “I was thinking I just might enjoy a move to a warmer climate, what do you think?”  Mary had been married to John for nearly 30 years, “I think I might enjoy that too.  Do you have any idea of what type of climate you might be looking to find?”  John was fully aware that his wife knew exactly what he meant, “Do you really think you could give up Connecticut and move to a desolate area like this?”  “I could live anywhere with you, do you think you would be happier practicing medicine than teaching?” Mary inquired.  John stopped walking, still staring into the horizon, “I think I could, especially here, with our family.”

As they walked back to the house, they held hands, something they had not done in years.  When they were near the house, they could hear screaming coming from inside, John started running toward the house, he knew what it meant.  Mary followed behind, believing as did her husband.  Once inside, John shouted to Mary to get some clean towels and some very hot water, “Mary, after you have done that, see if you can’t find the father.”  “John, you know I can’t ride, nor can I rig the horse to the buggy.  I’ll stay here, you go find Lucas.”  John started to object but Mary just said, “I may not be a doctor, and I have never given birth, but I’ve seen it done enough times to help here.  Now go.”

John saddled up one of the many horses, then went riding in the direction he thought Lucas and Mark had gone off to work.  He saw them as they were starting to ride back toward the ranch and shouted for them to hurry; he then turned his horse around and started riding back as well.  It was no time at all before Lucas and Mark passed him, but as they did, his horse got spooked and threw him hard onto the ground, so hard that both Lucas and Mark turned to look.  Mark started to ride back to John, Lucas wasn’t sure which way he should ride but went back to John, he seemed to be injured pretty badly.

“Mark, you go to the ranch, your Ma needs you now.  Lucas, I’m afraid I’m not going to be riding back to the ranch, I appear to have broken my leg and my arm.”  Lucas wanted to see Millie but he knew Mark could help her more and he could take care of getting John back to the ranch, “Go on Mark, I’ll ride back and get the buckboard to bring you back to the house, John.”  Once at the ranch, Lucas ran inside to see Millie before preparing the buckboard.  He walked into the bedroom and the pain in Millie’s eyes washed over him so heavily that he had to turn and walk back out of the room.  “Mark, you get in there and you help her, you hear me?”  “But Pa, that’s my mother in there, I can’t.”  “You’re a doctor, aren’t you?  She’s in there, maybe dying, you go help her,” Mark had never seen this man before him now, this man was angry and uncontrolled; he was so overwhelmed with pain that it emanated from his being.  “I’ll go take care of her, you bring Uncle John back and then go to town and get Beth,” he wanted to say he wasn’t frightened, he was very frightened indeed.  Lucas left the house and headed to the buckboard, Mark went into the bedroom with Aunt Mary and his Ma.

30 –

Johnny was talking to Hab about the problems in Marionette, “I don’t care if that town turned it’s back on you, you can’t let the whole town go to hell.”  Hab had been arguing with him for quite some time, “Fine, you find some men willing to go into that mess, I’ll ride with you, but this is my home now, I’m not going back.”  Franny had heard them arguing and she walked out to them holding Rhiannon in her arms, “You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves, hollering like a couple of school boys.  Hab, you don’t have to go back there, but you do have to do something about it or it will eat away at you for the rest of your life.”

They had gathered up every man in town who could use a gun, then headed out to see Lucas, they sure could use his help.  Johnny could still tell that Hab’s heart was not in this, “You better get your hat on straight boy or you’ll me more of a hindrance than a help.”  Hab leered at him but he knew that Johnny was right.  He decided this was the right thing to do so he straightened himself and rode a little taller in the saddle, keeping the pace that Johnny had set.

As they neared the ranch, they saw Lucas trying to help John down out of the wagon.  “Lucas, what happened?” asked Hab.  “We were trying to get back here and John’s horse threw him.”  “Broke my arm and my leg, I’m sorry to say, could some of you come over and give us a hand?” asked John.  As they were dismounting, they heard the screams coming from inside the house.  “What’s going on?” Johnny asked.  “Millie’s having the baby, it’s still to soon,” Lucas choked out the words.  Johnny and Hab brought John into the house and Lucas went back to stand at the bedroom door, afraid to go in and afraid not to.  Johnny knew that feeling all too well, “Mark, could you come out here a minute,” he called into the room, through the closed door.  The door opened and Mary stood there, “What do you want?”  The words seemed to fly from Lucas’ mouth, “How is Millie?”  “She’s having a rough time, having you stand around out here asking what’s going on isn’t going to help her any.”  Then Mary spotted John, she already knew the answer before she asked, “Will you be alright?”  As she suspected, John replied, “I’ll live.”  Mary went back into the bedroom, shortly thereafter, Mark came out of the room.  He overheard the discussion about Marionette, “Pa, why don’t you go in to see Millie for a bit, tell her you’ll be back as soon as you can.”  “What are you talking about?  I’m not leaving her,” Lucas stared at Mark like he was some creature from somewhere else.  “Pa, you can’t help her, I can.  You need to go help Johnny.  Just make sure Ma knows you love her, I’ll take care of her.”  Now Lucas looked at his son again, “I know you will son.”  Lucas walked into the room and sat beside Millie.  He told her what he had to do, he promised he would be back soon, tears streaming down his cheeks and falling onto hers, she reached for him.  “Will you still want me?”  “Always, my love, always,” he whispered into her ear.

31 –

Mark walked over to his Uncle, “Let me take a look.”  John tried to shoo him away but Mark was a quite authoritative doctor, “Ma may be some time yet, we need to get these bones set before they make a bigger problem.  Some of you hold him while I set the leg.  Uncle John, do you want anything for the pain?”  “I wouldn’t object to some whiskey.”  Mark knew that had been the old standby for so many years, “How about some laudanum instead?”  John looked up into Marks eyes, “Guess I would object to that either.”  Mark waited a few minutes after John had taken the laudanum, then he nodded to the other to hold John.  A mighty roar rose from John’s mouth as the let was set into place.  Mary knew it was her husband but she also knew someone had to stay with Millie.  Lucas was getting up to leave when she heard the second roar, she looked alarmed.  Lucas looked for a sign from her that she wanted to see her husband, “He’s in good hands out there, you go do what you need to get done and hurry back,” she told him.  As Lucas was opening the door of the bedroom, he turned to look at Millie one more time before he left the room.  Mark was heading into the room as the door opened, he waited for his father to come out.  Before Mark could enter, Lucas closed the door.  “I know this is hard on you son.  You’re afraid that if something happens I’ll blame you.  I can’t say that I won’t, at least not for a while but I know you’re gonna’ do your best.  I’ll be praying that God guides you through this.”  He put his hand on Mark’s shoulder and looked into the eyes of his son.  No more words needed to be spoken by neither father nor son, they both knew they had jobs to do.  They nodded to each other and Mark opened the door to the bedroom as another contraction wracked Millie’s body and Lucas could hear her scream.  He walked over to the door, put his hat on his head, picked up his rifle, “Let’s get going then.”  He got up on Razor’s back and started riding toward Marionette, the rest of them following.

Lucas was determined, more determined than Johnny had ever seen him, more determined than when they were about to stand off against each other.  “Lucas, slow down just a bit.  Let’s go over a plan while we ride.  I want to take care of this but I’d like to live through it.”  “What’s the matter Johnny, afraid of a few bullets all of a sudden?” There was no sound of humor in his voice, just coldness, he wanted to be back with his wife.  “Look Lucas, we really do need your help but I’m gonna’ tell you the same thing I told Hab.  Get your hat on straight or you’ll be more of a hindrance than a help.  Lucas knew Johnny was right.  He slowed up a little and asked Johnny what he had in mind for Marrionette.

32 –

Mark could see that Aunt Mary wanted to go see John, just to let him know she was there for him.  “Aunt Mary, we’re alright here for now, why don’t you go check on Uncle John for me?”  She put her handkerchief to the corner of her eye, formed the words ‘Thank You’ on her lips but never said a word, she just went out to see her husband.

The contraction had subsided and Millie asked Mark if the baby was going to be alright.  “Right now, I’m more worried about you than that little sister of mine.  She’s doing just fine.  This is going to be a little bit yet, here, why don’t you drink some of this?  You’re getting dehydrated, you’re going to need your strength.”  Millie accepted the water, she did not realize that Mark put some laudanum into it.  She didn’t drink as much as Mark wanted her to drink but he thought even the little she had would ease some of her pain.

Millie had another contraction, this one was a really strong one.  Mark had his hand on her belly and knew by the tautness of the skin that she was going to have this baby sooner than he thought.  He coaxed her into drinking more of the water when Mary entered the room; “Let me get you some cool water, dear,” and she started to take the glass from Millie.  Mark nearly shouted, “No, it’s better for her to have that water.  C’mon, Ma, drink up.  I’ll be introducing you to your daughter pretty soon.

The contractions were just seconds apart now, and Mark was seeing the head crowning.  Millie didn’t notice the pain quite as much but didn’t ask why, she was just grateful.  “Ma, it’s time to push now, you have to push hard.”  Mary held her up into a sitting position, when she was going to lay her back on the bed, she heard Mark, “Push, Ma.  Push really hard.”  It was right after that when she heard the cry of her baby.  Relieved that it was over, she reached for her child; then she was hit with another contraction.  “I was wondering about this, with as big as you got, c’mon Ma, push again, I’m still waiting for my sister.”  Mary had already started to clean up the little tyke, asking Millie what she wanted to name him.  She laid the baby down so she could help Millie again, looking to Mark for guidance.  It wasn’t long before Millie thought she heard a baby cry again.  The laudanum was working, Millie was drifting off to sleep but not before Mark told her she had also given him his little sister.

About the time Lee and Beth were riding back to the ranch with Micah, Millie started to wake up.  Mark was still at her side.  “Well, Ma, did you have any names picked out?”  Millie was still a little groggy and wasn’t sure of everything that had happened.  She was sure that she wasn’t in pain, “I guess that depends on whether it’s a boy or a girl.”  Mark grinned at her, “Both.”  She looked up at him, and for the first time noticed him holding two little bundles in his arms, “Two?”  “Yep, two.  That’s why you got so big.  Here, take a look, they’re both pretty big, I’m surprised that you carried them as long as you did.”  Mark was laying them into her arms.  She rolled over to her side so she could see her babies.  Her babies, she couldn’t really accept that fact until she saw both of them by her side.  Mark helped her uncover them so she could count all the fingers and toes, and so she could tell the boy from the girl, not that they really needed to be uncovered for that.  “She looks just like you and he looks just like Pa,” the words spilled from his mouth.  “Ma, I’m so proud of you, wait until you tell Pa.  I better make sure I’m here, and that he’s sitting down.  I don’t want him falling and hurting himself.”  Millie smiled, “Do you  think he will be happy?”  “I think he’ll be struck speechless, and yes Ma, I know he’ll be happy.”

33 –

The next day, Lee had pretty much told everyone in town about the blessed event, making sure to mention that Dr Mark was surprised she had been able to carry them as long as she did.  Micah was making sure everyone knew that Dr Mark was out there to tend to John, Millie, and the twins.  Between the two of them, everyone in town knew of the adventures out at the McCain ranch.  Beth was kept busy with her own patients, plus everyone who didn’t need a physician wanting to know about Mrs. McCain.  Beth was hoping the day would get over quickly; she was tired of answering questions.

Because Johnny was out of town, Lou thought she would pay Franny a visit; she had to be just as worried about Hab as Lou was about Johnny.  Franny had already heard about the activities out at the ranch and was quick to inform Lou.  “No wonder she was so big, poor thing.  Do you know if the babe’s are alright?” this new life Lou was living seemed to change the way she acted about everything.  “I don’t really know.  I do know that Lucas left with Johnny and Hab before she gave birth,” Franny told her.  Lou stayed around visiting a short while longer, then Danny started getting fussy, Rhiannon was down for a nap, so she excused herself.

Danny did fall asleep in the buggy on the way home so Lou thought she might just head out to see how Millie was really doing.  When she knocked at the door, no one answered, therefore she walked into the house and over to the bedroom door.  “Are you up for visitors?” she asked while poking her head inside the bedroom door.  Millie looked tired but she invited Lou inside.  Danny was still asleep and that gave Lou time to talk with Millie, “Are you this worn out from delivery or from worry?”  Without trying to hide her tears, “What if he never gets to see them?” cried Millie.  Lou sat on the side of the bed and gave her a hug, “I know that feeling, what if Johnny doesn’t come back?  Franny is worrying the same thing about Hab and I would imagine Lee has worries about Micah filling in as sheriff.  Millie, the only promise our husbands made