Courage to Love (Flynn Family Saga) Read Online Free PDF

time.  “Now how did a girl like you get so wise so young?”
    Maggie looked away.  “A combination of joy and sorrow, Abby, like everyone else.”
    Abby touched her hand gently.  “Yes, but it makes some folks bitter.”
    Maggie turned back to her and smiled.  “Sam adopted me when my parents died.  He is—everything they say about him is true.  He’s strong and wise and kind and tough and loving all rolled into one.  And his wife, Kate, is just the same only gentler.  I was very lucky, Abby.”
    Abby squeezed her hand.  “Yes, you were.  Just give me a few minutes with him.”
    Maggie nodded and squeezed back.  “Take as long as you like, Abby.”
    “Thank you.”  Abby turned to her husband.
    Outside, the sky was clear and free of clouds.  Maggie looked up at the Milky Way and started to cry.
    Flynn came over to her and put his arms around her.
    But for the first time, his touch didn’t comfort her.
    It couldn’t bring back Jed Barrett.
    *  *  *
    Maggie and Flynn rode back to the train in silence.  The Barrett wagon rattled forlornly after them.  When they were a few yards away from the Worthington wagon, Henry ran toward them.  “Mrs. Flynn!”  He drew a deep breath.  “Mrs. Flynn, it’s Samantha!  She’s—something’s wrong.  She’s bleeding, and it won’t stop!”
    Maggie rubbed her eyes wearily.  She ran to the Worthington wagon and climbed into the back.  Samantha lay on the bed.  The sheets were soaked in blood.  Henry stuck his head in the wagon.  He looked as bad as his wife.  Maggie drew a deep breath.  “Get Frank.  Tell him to boil water.  Lots of it.”  With an effort, she kept her voice calm.
    Henry nodded.
    Samantha stared at Maggie in terror.  “What’s wrong with me?”
    Maggie took her hand.  “Did you know that you were with child?”
    Samantha’s face turned beet red.  “A lady doesn’t talk about such things.”
    Maggie sighed.  “Do you want to die?”
    “No!”
    Maggie nodded.  “All right.  Did you know you were with child?”
    Samantha nodded and looked away.
    “How long?  How long has it been?”
    “Four months.  Maybe five.”
    Maggie took her hand.  “It’s going to be all right, Samantha.  But you’re going to have to trust me.  I’m going to do things that, well, a real lady wouldn’t do.  Do you trust me, Samantha?”
    Samantha looked back at her and nodded.
    Gently, Maggie pushed Samantha’s feet onto the bed so her knees were up.  She put a pillow under Samantha’s hips.  Then, she spread Samantha’s legs and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.
    Abby climbed into the wagon.  “Do you need help?”
    Maggie bit her lip.  “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
    Abby nodded.  “There’s nothing I can do for Jed now.”
    “All right.  Start a fire.  When Frank brings the water, keep it hot.  We may need packing.  Do you have any old sheets?”
    Abby shook her head.
    “I do.  In the supply wagon.  Frank will show you where they are.  Get them, and tear them into squares for packing.  Then boil them."
    Abby nodded again.  “Maggie?”
    “Yes?”
    “Are you all right?”
    Maggie nodded.  “Now go.”
    Abby left them alone.
    Samantha’s eyes were glazed with pain.  “That hurts.”
    “I know, honey, but I have to keep pressure on it until the bleeding stops.”
    “My—my baby?”
    Maggie drew a deep breath.  “One thing at a time.  Let’s get the bleeding stopped first, all right?”
    Samantha nodded.
    An hour later, the bleeding stopped.  Maggie packed the uterus with sterile linen.  She sat back on her haunches.
    Samantha was pale, but she was still alive.  “Mrs. Flynn?”
    Maggie smiled faintly.  “I think you can start calling me Maggie, don’t you?”
    Samantha nodded.  “Maggie?  Is my baby...?”
    Maggie drew a deep breath.  “Samantha, I’m sorry.  The baby was gone by the time I got here.”
    Samantha turned away.  “Get out of here!  This is your