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Chapter Nineteen

Late July… 1679

Rebekah slept soundly, only waking when she heard sounds coming from the loft above. John was always up at first light, eager to check his nets or catch the outgoing tide. She could hear him fumbling about now, putting on his trousers and socks before descending the ladder and heading outside. Half asleep, she watched as the bright rays of the morning sun sent fingers of light across the edge of the dirt floor towards the hearthstone. John returned a few minutes later carrying a wooden bucket full of well water. She watched in silence as her husband filled the cast iron kettle with the water and set it on the fire hook to boil. As he turned back towards the loft, he caught her eye and smiled.

“Good morning,” he whispered. “You slept well?”

She nodded but did not move.

“Stay abed as long as you can. I must go out for a short while. I am meeting Jasper Atkins at Long Pond this morning. Rumors tell of a large school of trout eager for my hook.” He leaned over and kissed Rebekah’s forehead. “With luck, I should be back by mid-morning with fresh fish a-plenty for our guests to enjoy. Will you be all right?”

“You are too good, John.” She reached out and touched his arm. “Take your time and do not worry for me. Philippa is here now and Emma is due by mid-day. But you should eat something before you go.”

“I will take bit of bread and brew to slake my appetite, then, I am off.”

She nodded, rolled over and slipped back into sleep. An hour later the child in her womb began to shift about, waking her. It was time to get up and start her day.

“Are you awake?” Rebekah whispered, peeking over the rumpled bedcovers at her companion.

Philippa grunted and rolled over. “Not awake yet.”

“Stay where you are, my friend.” She threw the covers back and slipped out of the bed reaching for the light shawl she had left over the end of the bedframe. “It is too beautiful a morning to stay abed too long.” Wrapping the shawl about her shoulders, she selected the large straw basket and headed out the cottage door towards the garden.

She knew the herb cabinet needed replenishing and a fresh vegetable to add to the pot for the midday meal. She walked to the end of the garden. Wild berry bushes grew along the stone wall and she quickly harvested red raspberry leaves for her morning tea. From the raised bed, she picked a small bundle of chives to mix with the morning eggs and dug in the dark soil to harvest several large  carrots. By the time she returned to the cottage, Philippa was dressed and teasing her husband William to get out of bed and start his day.

“He is such a lay about if given half the chance,” she declared to Rebekah. “But I should not complain. He is a hard worker. It is because of his dedication  we enjoy such success as can afford us time to travel and visit good friends.”

“And I am glad you have come.”

“Tell me what I can do to help you, Rebekah? Have you everything prepared for your coming child?”

“Most everything, I think. It has been a very busy summer. So many women are expecting now.”

“Last winter was harsh and cold.” Philippa agreed, “And you know when the weather is that cold in winter, you can be certain late summer and fall will be a busy time for midwives.”

Rebekah laughed. “And so it is. My own delivery is not far off, and falls into such a pattern. John and I were hand fasted near to late autumn last year, and now, as you can see, I hold clear evidence of your theory.” She pulled her skirt taut across her swollen belly. “It won’t be long now.”

“Judging by your size,” Philippa commented, “I wager you will deliver before the coming sabbath.”