Read Online Maternal Harbor by Marie F. Martin - Free Book Online
Authors: Marie F. Martin
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pain for Charlie, but mumbled, “Holding a bottle wouldn’t hurt like this does.”
“Lordy, don’t we know. But mother’s milk is best and your nipples will toughen.”
Under Florene’s gentle encouragement, Teagan nursed Charlie on both sides, then carefully moved him to her shoulder and patted his back. She slipped her pinkie finger under Charlie’s curled ones. He grasped and held on. She gently rubbed the back of his tiny hand with her thumb. He was so fragile and dependent. His fingers uncurled, and she stroked his wrinkled forehead and feathered her fingertips across the soft spot on the top of his head. Instantly, she trembled with a surge of protectiveness. As Florene lifted Charlie from her arms, she promised, “Little boy, I’ll guard you well.”
“He’s going to be fine. I’ll be right back and take you on your first walk. Fun trip is down the hall to see all the babies.” Florene bustled out the door, carrying Charlie away.
Teagan’s breath caught and she pressed her palms against her heart. Charlie was too far away. She sat up too fast. The room spun. She clutched the mattress with both hands, keeping balanced, waiting for the dizziness to pass. She needed to be more careful. What if she fell and broke a leg? The thought came as a surprise. She never considered her safety before.
She eased from the bed, slipped on her robe and walked down the hallway as quickly as her sore body allowed. Her skin grew clammy and knees weakened. She stopped and placed a hand on the wall for support. A woman stood at the observation window to the nursery, staring at the newborns. Her short blonde hair gleamed under the florescent lighting. A black tailored maternity suit covered her lanky body. She seemed lost as she gazed at the babies.
Teagan drew near, knowing she hadn’t been heard. “Erica,” she said quietly, not wanting to startle her.
Erica jumped and spun around.
A chill chased down Teagan’s neck. Pai had been right. Too blue described the glint in Erica’s eyes. Was it fever? Was it possessive?
Erica smiled. “What great names you’ve all picked. Doretta’s Levi could be nothing but strength. Look at Ji Min’s wide brow. It clearly predicts an unusual intelligence. And Charles, what a survivor he’ll be.”
“Such strange observations.” Teagan caught something in the stiffness of Erica’s spine, in the hardness of thin lips, in the unreadable depths of her pupils. Apprehension nudged again. This time, Teagan didn’t ignore it. “I’m sorry, Erica, but between Charlie and my shop, I’ll be too busy for weekly get-togethers at your place.” There, she said it firmly, leaving no doubt she meant what she said.
Erica held her fists tightly to her sides, shoulders back, chin high. “Why spoil our plans? There are ways to free up time. I’ll bet that after a few days at home alone, you’ll need us, like we need you.” She seemed to expect obedience.
Teagan reached out. “I’ve upset you, and don’t mean to.”
Erica turned back to the observation window. “They’re really something,” she said in a tone so distant, it was like no one was expected to hear her.
She is alone too much, too, Teagan thought. “Your baby will be amazing.”
“ I’m in early stage labor now.”
Dismayed at the lack of concern, Teagan asked, “Should I call a nurse?”
“No, there’s time.” She continued to gaze at the babies.
Teagan could think of nothing more to say. She stepped to one side to see Charlie in his bassinet.
Erica turned even more, blocking Teagan’s view. Her glacial eyes slid away from the babies. “You look worn out,” she stated flatly.
“ I am, but I want to check on Charlie and see Doretta’s baby.”
“ Go get some rest. I’ll keep watch over them.”
“ How much longer do you plan to stay?”
“ I’m not in any hurry.”
Well, that did it.
“Lordy, don’t we know. But mother’s milk is best and your nipples will toughen.”
Under Florene’s gentle encouragement, Teagan nursed Charlie on both sides, then carefully moved him to her shoulder and patted his back. She slipped her pinkie finger under Charlie’s curled ones. He grasped and held on. She gently rubbed the back of his tiny hand with her thumb. He was so fragile and dependent. His fingers uncurled, and she stroked his wrinkled forehead and feathered her fingertips across the soft spot on the top of his head. Instantly, she trembled with a surge of protectiveness. As Florene lifted Charlie from her arms, she promised, “Little boy, I’ll guard you well.”
“He’s going to be fine. I’ll be right back and take you on your first walk. Fun trip is down the hall to see all the babies.” Florene bustled out the door, carrying Charlie away.
Teagan’s breath caught and she pressed her palms against her heart. Charlie was too far away. She sat up too fast. The room spun. She clutched the mattress with both hands, keeping balanced, waiting for the dizziness to pass. She needed to be more careful. What if she fell and broke a leg? The thought came as a surprise. She never considered her safety before.
She eased from the bed, slipped on her robe and walked down the hallway as quickly as her sore body allowed. Her skin grew clammy and knees weakened. She stopped and placed a hand on the wall for support. A woman stood at the observation window to the nursery, staring at the newborns. Her short blonde hair gleamed under the florescent lighting. A black tailored maternity suit covered her lanky body. She seemed lost as she gazed at the babies.
Teagan drew near, knowing she hadn’t been heard. “Erica,” she said quietly, not wanting to startle her.
Erica jumped and spun around.
A chill chased down Teagan’s neck. Pai had been right. Too blue described the glint in Erica’s eyes. Was it fever? Was it possessive?
Erica smiled. “What great names you’ve all picked. Doretta’s Levi could be nothing but strength. Look at Ji Min’s wide brow. It clearly predicts an unusual intelligence. And Charles, what a survivor he’ll be.”
“Such strange observations.” Teagan caught something in the stiffness of Erica’s spine, in the hardness of thin lips, in the unreadable depths of her pupils. Apprehension nudged again. This time, Teagan didn’t ignore it. “I’m sorry, Erica, but between Charlie and my shop, I’ll be too busy for weekly get-togethers at your place.” There, she said it firmly, leaving no doubt she meant what she said.
Erica held her fists tightly to her sides, shoulders back, chin high. “Why spoil our plans? There are ways to free up time. I’ll bet that after a few days at home alone, you’ll need us, like we need you.” She seemed to expect obedience.
Teagan reached out. “I’ve upset you, and don’t mean to.”
Erica turned back to the observation window. “They’re really something,” she said in a tone so distant, it was like no one was expected to hear her.
She is alone too much, too, Teagan thought. “Your baby will be amazing.”
“ I’m in early stage labor now.”
Dismayed at the lack of concern, Teagan asked, “Should I call a nurse?”
“No, there’s time.” She continued to gaze at the babies.
Teagan could think of nothing more to say. She stepped to one side to see Charlie in his bassinet.
Erica turned even more, blocking Teagan’s view. Her glacial eyes slid away from the babies. “You look worn out,” she stated flatly.
“ I am, but I want to check on Charlie and see Doretta’s baby.”
“ Go get some rest. I’ll keep watch over them.”
“ How much longer do you plan to stay?”
“ I’m not in any hurry.”
Well, that did it.
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