A Baby by Easter

“Then go ahead. Darla and I will keep Ms. Susannah entertained until you’re free.” David smiled at her. “Don’t worry. Darla has everything under control. She’s a nurse.”

“Ah.” Connie grinned in understanding and stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “What would we do without Darla, David?”

“I don’t know,” he answered her, perfectly serious. “Go enjoy dinner and don’t worry about your friend. I’ll look after her.”

“You always look after everyone.” Connie touched his cheek. “Thank you for all you do for us. You’re a dear.”

David watched her hurry away. He couldn’t help but envy Connie. She and Wade shared the kind of home he’d always wanted—one filled with love and joy, hope and the laughter of friends and family. But he shook himself out of it. Having a family was a dream he’d given up.

For Darla.

He escaped to the kitchen. A whisper of concern that Darla might cause problems lingered at the back of his mind as he hurriedly filled a tray and carried it to the study. He hadn’t gotten what she’d asked for, but she would have to manage. He pushed open the study door—and froze.

“You could marry Davy. He would look after you. He looks after me.” Darla’s bright voice dropped. “He had a girlfriend. They were going to get married, but she didn’t want me. She wanted Davy to send me away.”

David almost groaned. How had she found out? He’d been so careful—

“I’m sure your brother is very nice, Darla. And I’m glad he’s taking care of you. But I don’t want to marry him. I don’t want to marry anyone,” Susannah said. “I only came to Connie’s to see if I could stay here for a while.”

“But Davy needs someone to love him. Somebody else but me.” Darla’s face crumpled, the way it always did before she lost her temper. David was about to step forward when Susannah reached out and hugged his sister.

“Thank you for offering, Darla. You’re very generous. I think your brother is lucky to have you love him.” Susannah brushed the bangs from Darla’s sad face. “If I end up staying with Connie, I promise I’ll see you lots. We could go to that playground you talked about—” Susannah suddenly lurched up from the sofa and stumbled toward the bathroom. The door slammed closed.

“What’s wrong?” Darla jumped to her feet. She saw him and rushed over. “What’s wrong with her, Davy? Did I do something?”

“No, sweetie. You didn’t do anything.” He set the tray on a nearby table, then hugged Darla close. “I told you. She’s sick.”

“But I don’t want Susannah to be sick. I want us to be friends and do things together.” Tears welled in Darla’s brown eyes. “Susannah doesn’t think I’m dumb. She talks to me like you do, Davy.”

David could hardly stand the plaintive tone in his sister’s voice. But he dared not promise Darla anything. Not until he’d learned a lot more about Susannah Wells.

As he hugged Darla, the sounds of retching penetrated the silence. Susannah sounded really ill. Maybe he should have ignored her wishes and called the doctor in anyway.

“Davy?” Darla peered up at him, her eyes glossy from tears. “Do you think she’s going to die like Mama and Papa?”

“No, honey. Susannah’s just sick. But she’ll get better.” He squeezed her shoulders, wishing he could make everything right with Darla’s world.

A moment later the bathroom door opened and Susannah emerged, paler than before, if that was even possible. She sat on the sofa gingerly, as if afraid she’d jar something loose.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“Of course you should have come.” Connie breezed into the room and wrapped Susannah in her arms. “I’m so glad to see you, Suze. But you’re ill.” She leaned back to study the circles of red now dotting Susannah’s cheeks. “I’ll call the doctor.”

“No.”

David noted Susannah’s quick intake of breath, the way she vehemently shook her head as her fingers clenched the sofa cushion. He wondered again why she was so nervous.

“But honey, you’re obviously unwell. Maybe you have a virus.”

Susannah began to laugh, but tears soon fell and the laughter turned to sobs. “I don’t have a virus, Connie.” She risked a quick look at David.

He understood immediately. He grasped Darla’s hand.

“We’ll leave you two alone.”

“No!” Darla jerked away from him and sat down beside Susannah. “I want to help my friend. Can I help you?” she asked quietly, sliding her fingers into Susannah’s.

David had never seen his sister bond with anyone like this. He prayed Susannah wouldn’t reject her offer of friendship.

“You already have helped me, Darla.” Susannah smiled. “You looked after me and helped me the way a very good friend would, even though I hardly know you.”

“I know you,” Darla insisted. “You’re Sleeping Beauty.”

“I’m not really.” Susannah caressed Darla’s cheek. She glanced at him, then Connie. “I’m just an idiot who’s made another huge mistake.”

“Davy says everybody makes mistakes. He said that’s how we learn.” Darla faced Connie. “I made a mistake and broke your lamp. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay, honey. You and I will go shopping for a new one.” Connie smiled her forgiveness, then turned back to Susannah. “Can you tell me what’s wrong, Suze? Because you’re very pale and I still think you need to see a doctor.”

“I’ve already seen one.” The blond head dipped. “I know what’s wrong with me.”

“Tell me and we’ll do whatever it takes to get you well,” Connie promised.

“If only it were that easy,” Susannah whispered.

“There’s me and Davy and Connie and Wade and Silver. That’s lots of people to help.” Darla twisted, trying to peer into Susannah’s face. “We can all help you. That’s what friends do.”

David had to smile at the certainty in his sister’s voice. But his smile quickly died.

“I’m pregnant.” The words burst out of Susannah in a rush. Then she lifted her head and looked him straight in the eye, as if awaiting his condemnation.

But it wasn’t condemnation David felt. It was hurt. He’d prayed so long, so hard, for a family, a wife, a child. And he’d lost all chance of that—not once, but twice.

How could God deny him the longing of his heart, yet give this homeless, ill woman a child she was in no way prepared to care for?

“Come on, Darla,” he said. “We’re going home now. Connie and Susannah need to talk. Alone.”

Darla must have heard intransigence in his voice because she didn’t argue. She leaned over and kissed both women on the cheek, whispered something to Susannah, then placidly followed him from the room. She walked home beside him in silence, peeking at him from time to time. It was only when they’d stepped through the front door that Darla finally spoke.

“I know what it means, Davy. Susannah’s going to have a baby.”

“Yes.” He felt horrible about his attitude, but he just didn’t want to get involved with Connie’s friend. He had enough responsibility with Darla. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—take on any more.

“Is it hard to have a baby?” she asked.

“Yes. I guess so.”

“Then we have to help Susannah, don’t we? That’s what the Bible says.” Darla took his hand and held it between hers. “She’s my friend, and I want to help her.”