Storm Shelter

Chapter 4- Is This Happening?

"What in the blazes is going on?"

Matt could not believe what he was seeing in his kitchen.

Mark had a women in his arms. A PREGNANT woman in his arms! What was the world coming to? This could not be happening.

"Who are you?" Matt demanded, before thinking about how rude he must sound. Mark looked up sharply with a frown as he moved past Matt to take the woman into the living room. Heedless of the introductions Matt might want right that minute, he did see the possiblity of a dire situation.

Matt hurried after Mark and the woman into the den.

"My name is Anna and I am going to have a baby in your living room. How are you?" The fire that came from the small woman was shocking. Mark bit out a laugh and laid her onto the over stuffed sofa.

"And Matt always says nothing exciting ever happens way out here. Guess you'll prov e him wrong, won't you, Annie?" Matt thought Mark had far too much mirth for the moment.

"Annie, huh?" said the woman. Mark shrugged and grinned down at her. Matt just stared.

"I like it. I have a nickname already, quite promising." She grinned, but the strain was obvious on her thin face.

Finally Matt broke out of his silence.

"How did you get here? How did you find us? How far apart are your contractions?"

"There he is! My brother is finally awake. She walked here, the Lord showed her the way, and I think the contractions are less than three minutes apart. I mean, I've been with her about five minutes and this is the second one." Anna smiled and reached out for Mark's hand.

"You pay a lot of attention, it makes me nervous, my secrets will be harder to keep." Her smile was shakey but lovely.

Matt left the two of them and stepped into the hall of the den to grab his medical bag. As a habit he had it prepared for late night calls. When he came back Mark was hunched over Anna and stroking her hair.

"I don't know what would be happening to me right now if I hadn't stumbled into your blue barn." Anna was saying.

"The Lord has his ways, Annie. I'm sure He is trying to show you that." Mark said, stroking her hair again. Matt took a deep breath and stepped back up to the couch.

"Mark, you'd better go get Julia. We are gonna need her, hopefully this babe will wait for their nurse to show up. And wake up John, he can help me with things while you are gone." Matt reached the sofa and dropped to a knee. He started pulling things out of his bag.

Anna seemed to grip Mark's hand even tighter. Whether out of reflects or something else, he didn't know.

"Well, I do like the sound of a nurse, is she the midwife you were telling me about, can I trust her?" The question didn't sit to well with Matt.

Trust her more than you can trust two strange men whose barn you wandered into while you were going into labor? Interesting choice of words. Matt thought.

Mark didn't seem to notice.

"Julia is our sister and yes she is the midwife I was talking about. You can trust her. She lives about twenty minutes from here. I'll have to go get her though." Mark leaned over and kissed Anna's forehead before releasing her hand and stepping towards the door. He was still in his boots and coat.

"Don't worry, Annie. Matt can handle himself down there; He's a doctor." Mark winked and was gone.

"Yea, a doctor, he said you work on cattle though, so I'm assuming he means you are a vet." Anna turned her attention to Matt. She had a desperate look about her.

Matt had his stethoscope on and was listening to the baby. He cursed silently under his breath and looked up to meet her eyes.

"Yes, I am a vet. But my mother was also a midwife and I have helped with a birth or ten. However, my competency is about to be tested." He spoke surely and calmly.

She was breathing heavily as another contraction began. "Oh? Why is that Mr. Cow Doctor/Sometimes Midwife?" Her bravado was all smoke and mirrors, her eyes were wide and frightened.

Matt took a deep breath and looked her in the eye.

"Because your baby is breech and things could get worse before they get better."