A Daughter's Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray

bit queasy.
    He sat on the bed and took her hand. “Rachel, you being so tired and sick ain’t good. Maybe we should take you to the doctor.”
    â€œAgnes says this is normal.”
    He frowned. “Agnes is as old as the hills.”
    â€œShe’s not that old. Plus, she knows a lot more about being pregnant than I do. We need to trust her.”
    â€œI haven’t wanted to say anything, but I don’t want her delivering our baby.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œShe’s got to be seventy years old.”
    â€œThat may be, but she still is capable. She delivered me and probably you, too.”
    â€œI don’t know about that. Even if she did, she delivered us years ago. I think we need to go to someone else.”
    â€œWho?” Sure her husband wasn’t thinking straight, Rachel added, “She’s the midwife , Marcus.”
    â€œShe’s not the only option. I want you to go to a real obstetrician who delivers babies at the hospital.”
    â€œBut I want to have my baby here at home. Just like my mother did.”
    â€œIt’s safer to be in the hospital.”
    â€œMy mother did just fine.” Though it was a struggle, she attempted to lighten the tension between them. “I am fine, too.”
    â€œThat’s not the point. We need to be prepared in case something goes wrong.” His voice was strong and deep as he continued, oblivious to the look of dismay that was written on her face.
    â€œBut I am healthy. Nothing is going to go awry.” Since he didn’t look so sure, she added, “You know what, I’ll ask my mother to be in the room, too.”
    â€œMy mind is made up, Rachel. This is for the best. For both you and the baby.” Before she could get in another word, he continued. “While we’re talkin’ about the future, I think you need to quit your job, too.”
    She relaxed. This, at least, she agreed on. “Of course I will. As much as I’m going to miss being in the classroom, I know that being a mother will be my most important job after the baby is here.”
    â€œTo be sure. But it is your job now, too, jah ? I fear it may be too tiring for ya. Rachel, dear, you need to take care of yourself.”
    â€œNow?” She examined his face. Tried to understand what was going through his mind. Usually, Marcus was easygoing, and he seemed proud of her teaching job.
    â€œ Jah , now. Being around all those kinner can make you sick. Or you could be on your feet too much.” Sounding as if he’d just come up with the best idea ever, he said, “It’s much better if you stay around here and rest.”
    She shook her head. “ Nee , Marcus. I’m going to teach as long as I can.”
    â€œI don’t want to argue with you. And I shouldn’t have to. What I am saying makes sense. Ain’t so?”
    Actually, it didn’t make any sense at all. At least not to her. Searching his face, she said, “Marcus, what is going on? Why are you so worried about my health and the baby?” Grasping at straws, she added, “Did something happen to your mother or your sister that I don’t know about? Or . . . or is it about the mill? Are you thinking about the men at the mill?” She knew thathe’d been affected by both the fire and the men’s deaths. Yet, while some of the employees hadn’t been shy about admitting how devastating the experience had been, Marcus had always insisted that he had gotten over it.
    But maybe that hadn’t been the case?
    He moved from her side and got to his feet. “I am not going to talk about the fire.”
    â€œIf you are still haunted by the experience, there’s no shame in admitting it.” Reaching out to him, she added, “I would be more than willing to talk about what happened that day.”
    â€œI would never burden you with such things.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t be a burden.” Keeping her