Part 32 (1/2)

”Do they also see a man and woman who are going to become husband and wife?”

Smokey nodded ”Yes, but I won't promise not to be overcome with fears again.”

”I can deal with that as long as you promise to come to me.”

”I promise.”

Dallas kissed her again, and then stared down at her with childish wonder in his eyes.

”He was really your father?”

Smokey smiled in return. ”Really.”

”Wow,” Dallas said in deep admiration, before he kissed her once again. When he raised his head, it was Smokey's turn.

”Wow,” was all she could get out before he kissed her anew.

271.

fourteen months later dallas paced the small confines of the captain's cabin, imploring the ceiling in frustration as he moved '”Just a quick trip down the coast, Dallas,' she says to me.

'We haven't seen your folks since the wedding, and I miss them,' she says. 'The baby's not due for ages,' were her words.”

He stopped and turned quickly toward the bunk, his expression going from frustration to worry until a small moan escaped his wife.

”I'm sorry,” he spoke breathlessly as he knelt by the bunk and brushed the hair from Smokey's damp face. ”I didn't mean any of that. I'll never say another sarcastic word as long as I live if you'll just wait until we get home to have this baby.”

Smokey panted as the contraction died down. ”I can't help it, Dallas. He's coming, and I can't help it.”

”She's coming,” Dallas automatically corrected her as he had done for six months. ”We'll be there in less than an hour,”

he continued pleadingly, as though she could control the demands of her body.

Smokey opened her mouth to tell him she was trying, but another contraction hit. Dallas watched his wife's agony as the pain of seeing her suffer racked his own body. Smokey 271.

moaned low in her throat at that moment but said nothing; Dallas didn't think he could take any more.

/ don 'tknow the first thing about delivering a baby, Lord.

Please help us, Dallas began to pray. He continued to pray for the next hour.

Smokey didn't seem any more comfortable, but she was wonderful as each pain came and went. An hour later they had docked at Kennebunk, but not left the s.h.i.+p. Da.r.s.ey had gone for help. Just when Dallas didn't think he could go on much longer, someone knocked on the door and entered He breathed a great sigh of relief at the sight of Willa. The older woman checked Smokey with swift, practiced movements and p.r.o.nounced her too far along to be moved Dallas would have groaned at the news, but there was no time. The next 40 minutes pa.s.sed in a blur for the young husband, as Willa coaxed and coached and then presented Dallas and Smokey with a large baby boy. He was red and screaming and the enamored father thought him beautiful.