Page 52 of The Pretender (Mifflin County Mysteries #3)

New York City

Last night at the invitation of his mother, Anthony had eaten a late supper at his parents’ restaurant after closing hours.

Mom called it an “early birthday celebration,” and she’d gone all out, with a bouquet of pink carnations in the center of the table and a candle on either side of the vase.

She had also used a white linen tablecloth with matching cloth napkins, as well as their best dishes and silverware.

Anthony’s father’s contribution to the celebration was the meal he had fixed in the restaurant’s well-equipped kitchen.

The first course was a caprese salad. Pop had created a spectacular twist on the Italian classic salad that consisted of tomato, mozzarella, and basil with the addition of crispy prosciutto shards.

The main dish was one of Anthony’s favorites—pork sausage and tomato rigatoni.

In addition to the sausage, Pop had included grape tomatoes.

He’d also prepared cheesy garlic bread with slabs of semisoft herbed butter.

For dessert, Anthony’s mother had brought out cannoli with vanilla custard, which Mom had declared she’d made with no help from her husband.

The tantalizing delicacy definitely reflected her Italian heritage.

Anthony could still picture the gleam in his father’s eyes when he brought the food to the table.

Even now, it put a smile on Anthony’s lips.

If there was ever a time when he could count on Pop giving him some extra attention, it was on his birthday.

In fact, Anthony’s father had always made sure that every year when they celebrated Anthony’s birthday, something special transpired.

Pop did the same thing for both of Anthony’s sisters when their birthdays rolled around.

Too bad my sisters couldn’t have taken part in my birthday supper , Anthony thought with regret. Seems like Connie and Eva always have something going on in their lives. He gave a huff. My life seems boring in comparison to those young women and their busy schedules.

“Well … I’d better quit thinking and get myself fully awake with a cup of coffee and a piece of raisin-bread toast topped with peanut butter.

Then I’ll need to get in my riding clothes and head on out the door,” Anthony said aloud, as a feeling of excitement welled up in his chest. “Time’s a-wasting, and I need to fire up my bike and head out on the road for another thrilling birthday ride.

Guess my sisters don’t have anything on me—at least not today. ”

Belleville

“Mom, I need you,” Rosa called from the guest room. “I need you right now!”

In the living room, Elsie dropped what she’d been doing when she heard Rosa’s cries. “Oh dear, something must be wrong with your sister,” she said to Tena. She handed her the dustrag. “Please take over my job. I need to go check on her right away.”

Elsie quickly rushed down the hall. When she entered the guest room and saw Rosa sitting on the edge of the bed in a bent over position, she knew something was wrong. “Has your labor started?”

Rosa nodded and pointed to a puddle on the floor. “My water broke, Mom, and the contractions are coming fast. Is it supposed to be this way?”

“Not always. Labor can be different for everyone,” Elsie replied. “Are your contractions coming regularly?”

“Yes, and I believe it’s time to call my midwife.”

“I agree with you. I’ll send Tena out to the phone shed to call Ida, and then I’ll come right back to the room with something to clean up the floor.”

“What should I do while you’re gone?” Rosa’s eyes were wide with obvious concern. “Should I get into bed, walk around the room, or sit on the end of the bed, holding my belly and trying to be brave?”

“Do whatever makes you the most comfortable.” Elsie gave her daughter’s back a few gentle pats and quickly left the room. She fully understood the fear Rosa must feel, because she felt the same way when she was in labor with her firstborn.

Rosa’s hands and legs shook in tandem. She was a ball of nerves.

Never having been pregnant before, she hadn’t really known what to expect, and so many questions ran through her head.

What if the midwife doesn’t get here before the baby decides to make his or her appearance?

What if she does come but I have a serious problem and can’t get to the hospital in time?

What if Alvin gets home from school before the baby is born and he hears me screaming in pain?

That would probably scare the wits out of my little brother.

Rosa squeezed her eyes shut and tried to block out all the what-ifs.

For a while, Rosa wasn’t sure that she could even use the services of the midwife she had chosen soon after Anthony returned to New York.

When the bleeding had started and she’d been on bed rest several weeks, Rosa figured she might need to have her baby in the hospital with a doctor present.

But once the bleeding had stopped and she’d been allowed to be out of bed, Rosa was thankful the doctor had given her permission to have the birth at home with the help of her capable midwife.

But he’d cautioned Rosa not to overdo it and said she should seek emergency help immediately if any problems arose.

Rosa began to pace, striding barefoot from the end of the bed over to the window and back. She hoped walking wouldn’t cause the baby to come too soon, but she couldn’t sit still and do nothing, so there was no point taking a seat on the bed. And for sure, she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

Another pain shot through her abdomen, and she winced. I hope Tena gets in touch with Ida right away and she comes here real soon. I can’t imagine doing any of this without her help.

“What did the midwife say?” Elsie asked when Tena entered the house. “Is Ida available to come right away?”

“Apparently not, because she didn’t answer her phone,” Tena replied.

“Did you leave a message?”

“I tried to, but her voicemail was full.”

Elsie heaved a weighted sigh. “Oh dear, that’s not good. Not good at all.”

“Maybe Ida is doing something outside and didn’t take her cell phone into the yard with her. Or maybe she went to town to do some shopping today.”

With a shake of her head, Elsie said, “That’s doubtful.

When Ida was here a few days ago to check on Rosa, she clearly stated that since the baby had dropped, she’d be staying close to home and would come right away when we called.

” She pursed her lips tightly. “If Rosa’s midwife lived closer, we could run right over there, but Ida’s home is nearly five miles from here. ”

“I could hitch one of our horses to the buggy and go see if she’s home.”

“Jah, I suppose you’d better do that, but you should try to call her again first.”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll do that right now.” Tena started for the door but turned back around. “If she still doesn’t answer her phone, should I come back here and notify you, or would you rather that I just get the horse and buggy ready to head over to Ida’s place?”

“Please come back in and let me know that you’re going. In the meantime, I need to get back into Rosa’s room to clean up the floor and see how she’s doing.”

Tena hesitated a few seconds, like she might have more to say, but then she gave Elsie a quick hug and dashed out the front door.

Elsie paused briefly to say a quick prayer before grabbing the cleaning supplies and hurrying back to the guest room.

She sure didn’t relish the idea of having to tell Rosa that they hadn’t been able to get ahold of her midwife.

No doubt that would not sit well, and it would probably cause Rosa to feel even more stressed than she already was.

Anthony had been on the road for four hours, and he was more than ready to get off his bike.

When his destination came into view, he heaved a sigh of relief.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me a safe trip.

Now please give me the right words when I go inside.

If I’m allowed to go in , he added before ending the prayer.

Anthony slowed the motorcycle as he turned onto the driveway and came to a stop when he saw Rosa’s sister Tena come out of the phone shed. He leaned forward and hollered, “Is Rosa here? I need to talk to her.”

The young woman’s hand came up as she shielded her eyes against the glare of the sun and squinted. “Anthony?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” He removed his helmet and grinned at her.

“I didn’t know you had a motorcycle.” Before Anthony could respond, Tena added, “What are you doing here?”

“I just told you, Tena. I came to see Rosa.”

Her brows pulled downward as she stared at him. “After the made-up story you told my folks about being married to Rosa, I’m surprised you had the nerve to come back here. And furthermore, how do you know that Rosa will even want to talk to you?”

“I don’t, but I’ll take my chances. And I’m not leaving till I have the opportunity to tell Rosa what’s on my mind.” Anthony drew a quick breath and released it before speaking again. “Pretending to be Rosa’s husband was wrong, but I’m here now to try and make things right. Is she at home or not?”

“Yes, my sister is here, but you can’t talk to her right now.”

“How come?”

“She’s in labor, and we can’t reach her midwife on the phone, so I need to get a horse and buggy ready so I can go to the woman’s house and see if she’s there.”

“There’s no need for that. I can take you there.”

With widened eyes, Tena pointed to Anthony’s bike. “On that?”

“Well, sure, but you’re not really dressed for it.”

She looked down at her Plain dress and grimaced. “You’re right, and I don’t have a helmet either.”

“Can you give me the woman’s name and address?”

“I suppose, but—”

“I can get there a lot faster on my motorcycle than you can by horse and buggy.”

“You’re right, but I’m not sure—”

“Rosa needs the midwife, correct?”

“Yes, she does, and from my mother’s wide-eyed expression when she asked me to call the midwife, I’d have to say that Rosa’s contractions are moving along quickly.”

“Okay then. You’d better give me the midwife’s name and address.”

“All right, I’ll get a piece of paper and pen from the phone shed and write it down for you.” Tena stepped inside the small building and returned moments later. “Here you go.” She handed him the slip of paper. “I hope for Rosa’s sake that you’ll find Ida at home when you get there.”

He nodded. “I hope so too.”

As Anthony headed out of the yard and onto the main road, he prayed for Rosa and that he would find the midwife at home.

Rosa stopped pacing and turned to look at her mother when she entered the room.

“How are things going?” Mom asked as she bent down to clean up the floor.

“The contractions are coming quicker.” Rosa spoke forcefully, through clenched teeth. “Is Ida coming?”

“Not yet. Your sister couldn’t reach her on the phone, but she’s trying again. She said that if she still doesn’t make contact with her, she’ll come back to the house and let me know.”

“Then what?” Rosa’s chin trembled.

“Tena will hitch one of our horses to the buggy and be on her way to Ida’s house.”

“But that will take a while. And what if Ida’s not home?” Rosa grimaced as another contraction overtook her. Each one was getting more painful, and they were coming closer together, which she knew was not a good thing.

“Try not to worry,” Mom said, gently rubbing Rosa’s back. “If by some chance Tena doesn’t find Ida at home, I’ll do my best to deliver your baby.”

“Seriously?”

“Jah. I’ll have no other choice, and neither will you, so you need to calm down and try to relax.”

“Calm down? How can I do that, Mom?” Rosa pinched the skin at her throat, hoping the pain from that might take her mind off the situation at hand. “Have you ever delivered a baby before?” she questioned.

“Well, no, not a human baby, but I’ve had plenty of experience helping mama katze and a few of our hund when they had trouble giving birth to their little ones.”

Rosa clutched the bedpost with both hands. “Bringing a human baby into the world is a little more complicated than helping a kitten or a puppy get born, don’t ya think?”

“Well, yes, but …”

Mom stopped talking, and Rosa angled her head toward the bedroom door. Someone was knocking on it, really hard.

“Who’s there?” Mom called.

“It’s me, Tena.”

“Did you reach Ida on the phone?”

“No, I didn’t, but I’m going back outside to hitch a horse to the buggy, like we talked about, but …”

Rosa screeched as another pain overtook her.

The sound of her scream reverberated on the bedroom walls, drowning out whatever else her sister may have said.

Part of Rosa wanted Mom to deliver this baby right now, but the fearful part of her dreaded the thought of her own mother delivering this baby who seemed so determined to make his or her entrance into the world.

“Never mind, Tena, It’s too late for trying to get the midwife,” Rosa heard her mother say.

With a steady, lower-pitched voice, Mom took Rosa by the shoulders and said, “We need to get you in position, Rosa, because there’s not enough time for Tena to go after Ida now.

Like it or not, it appears I’ll be the one who helps you bring this baby into the world. ”