Clare gasped.

   "What are we going to do?" Ed asked, eyeing her nervously. Lorraine had just informed her cousin that there was no vehicle to drive; Ed's keys were still missing and one of the automobiles' tires had seemingly been punctured by something.

   "We'll have to send for a doctor," she said, sitting beside Clare. She grasped the older woman's hand gently. "We could take one of the horses into town, and the doctor could bring whoever goes back in his vehicle."

   "Couldn't we take Clarice on horseback?" Ed questioned.

   "I don't think that's a good idea, boy," Clarice argued, gritting her teeth. Another contraction overtook her body.

   "She's right, putting her on a horse now could be dangerous," she paused, "One of us will have to go into town while the other stays with Clare," she advised. "If I resaddle Rain, can you lead her to town?"

   "Don't worry about saddling the horse--" Clarice started, before cutting off her own instructions abruptly. Her expression was twisted with pain. "Rain is a gentle horse; Jonathan used to take her bareback riding for kicks. She should let you ride her that way, if you can stay on."

   "I don't see that I have a choice," Ed replied, walking towards the door. "I'll be back with the doctor soon," he assured her, reaching for the doorknob.

   "Be safe," Lorraine cautioned.

   "I will," he promised, leaving swiftly.

   Clarice sat up for a moment. "Lorraine, dear, I need you to do something for me."

   Lorraine nodded. "Yes?"

   "There are clean towels in the washroom. Get them. There's a foaling kit in the barn-- I want you to get it, bring it inside, and make sure everything inside it is clean, you understand?"

   "Clare, the doctor should be here--"

   "Please, don't argue, girl. I'm just preparing for whatever might happen."

   Lorraine turned on the faucet and wet a cloth with clean, cool water. She gathered the towels as asked, placing them beside the couch. "I'll be right back," she promised, "I'm going to get the kit from the barn, alright?"

   Clarice nodded. Lorraine noted that her nails were digging into the fabric of the couch.

   Meanwhile, Ed was riding in the rain and reading a map at the same time. He could see lights up ahead-- it was a wonder that he hadn't gotten lost-- and guided the mare in that direction. Her hair was slick with rain water, and he hardly managed to stay on as she galloped towards the lighted area.

   He jumped a river and came upon a small, wooden shack. "Hello? Is anyone here?" he called, stopping Rain at the door. Ed slid off her back. He knocked on the door. "Hello?"

   A little girl came to the door.

   "Hey, uh...is this the doctor's place?" he asked, looking past her to the inside of the dimly-lit cabin.

   The girl nodded bashfully. She didn't look much younger than Ed; he figured she was probably close to twelve years. "He's my father. He and my mother aren't home right now-- the Cambridge's called about an hour ago saying that their father was crushed under a horse. Momma went with him to check on Mrs. Cambridge."

   "Oh, that's just my luck. I'm a friend of the woman who lives north of here," he told her, "Clarice Downing...she's gone into labor."

   The little girl's eyes were wide. "My father has a collegue who runs a medical station about thirty minutes away from here. You could take our other automobile," she said, rushing away to grab the keys.

   "Thanks," Ed said, snatching them from her grip and folding himself into the little car. The girl looked startled. "You wanna come with?" he asked, feeling bad about the idea of leaving her alone.

   She nodded. He motioned for her to come quickly, and she slipped into the vehicle with graceful ease.

---

   Claire's moans of pain penetrated her cousin's thoughts. Lorraine took the wet cloth from earlier and dabbed at her wet forehead.

   "You're doing great," she muttered. The words came out shakier than she intended, and she visibly winced at her poor motivational skills.

   "Don't worry," Clare said, "It'll be-- alright. I trust you."

   Clarice's confidence was intimidating. "I don't know what to do," Lorraine admitted. "I've never-- I've never seen anyone deliver a child before," she whined, feeling helpless to the situation at hand.

   "I'm doing all the work, girl. I just need...emotional support," she replied, only half-joking. "It's okay to be scared," she told Lorraine. "Heck, I'm terrified. I've never done this before, either. But you have to have faith in yourself, and in God, or nothing's ever gonna get done in this life."

   Lorraine felt like a burden was being lifted from her shoulders as she listened to Claire's words. Her mind was suddenly clear of all worry- she would be able to focus on the task at hand. "You're right," she stated simply. "We have a job to do...a baby to deliver. Just-- lead the way and I"ll follow," she said, feeling embarrassed at her choice of words.

   The time seemed to pass quickly as the two prepared for the delivery of Clarice's child. It wasn't long before it was time for the woman to push, and Lorraine kept watch on her to make sure things were going smoothly.

   "You're doing good," Lorraine encouraged, this time with an air of confidence. It wasn't hard to see that Clarice was in immense pain-- she cried out a few times and the younger woman did her best to comfort her. "I think I can see the head."

   Clare nodded. "It's about time," she gasped. Her legs wobbled. "It feels like I'm going to split apart," she exclaimed, breathing heavily.

   "It's alright, just stay with me, he'll be here soon..."

   "How do you know--" she cried out in pain again- Lorraine could see tears flowing down her cheeks. "You think it's a boy?" she asked.

   "Yeah," Lorraine shrugged. "Just a hunch."

---

    Ed's eyes drifted to the writhing body in Lorraine's arms. She had just cut the umbilical cord, and the baby was screaming his little lungs out. "We're too late," he said, hearing the doctor come in behind him.

   "Well-- seems like that girl of yours has thinks taken care of," he walked over to Lorraine, examining the newborn closely. "Seems like you've done a fine job, dears," he told them, "but I would like to get you and the baby admitted to the center, just to be sure."

   Clarice was beaming with pride. In a few short minutes, the three were riding to the hospital, cooing to the child along the way.

   "I can't believe you delivered a baby!" Ed exclaimed. His cheeks were flushed from exertion.

   "I can hardly believe it myself. I'm just happy that Claire seems okay," she said, watching the woman rock her baby in the front seat.

   Ed yawned. "Looks like she's got a lot of work ahead of her." He brought his hand in front of his mouth, trying hard to stifle another yawn.

   Lorraine gave a contented sigh and leaned into Ed. Her head rested comfortably in the crook of his chest, and he fought the urge to stroke her head, instead settling for putting his arm around her. "I love you, Lorraine Moran."

   She glanced up at him, her weary blue eyes piercing his very being. "I love you, Ed."

                                                                                   The End