Dillard Beach Mystery – 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Late July… 1679

“Your neighbors want to know when you will be back visiting patients,” Philippa said, sitting down on the short bench by Rebekah’s bedside. “I’ve taken the liberty of telling them you need another few days to recover.”

“Do you really think I need that much time? I’m feeling quite well, now.”

“No need to rush. Emma is a good midwife. Trust her and let her do more of the work for you. And I am here to help, at least until the end of the week. William left mid-morning for Hyannis Port to meet with Captain Chapman and his trading partners.

“Will he be gone long?” Rebekah wondered.

“Only a day or two. When he returns I am certain William will be anxious to return home to Aptucxet. There is much to do and plan when you are shipping goods both north and south.

“It would appear his business has expanded a great deal, then?”

“Without question,” Philippa responded. “He now has trading partners in both Plimouth and New York and with the new connections he is making in Hyannis Port, commerce is certain to grow.”

Philippa looked down at her friend and tucked the blankets in closely. “But enough talk about business. You need to take whatever time you can manage to get rest. Encourage John to take care of the babe as well. If you want to continue your work as a midwife you will need to balance your time for work with your time for your new son. Take advantage of the help you have as long as you can.”

“You always give good advice, Philippa. I am so grateful for your visit. What would have happened if you had not been at my side?” she wondered.

“You would have been fine,” Philippa answered. “The babe is strong and will do well as he grows.”

“When will you return to Dillard?” Rebekah asked.

“Perhaps in the spring. These days, I leave the decision for our long travels to William. I still have my circle of women to attend to, of course, and that takes me away from home, but otherwise, I stay close to Aptuxcet.”

Philippa smiled down at her friend. “Enough talk. It has been a long day. Close your eyes now and rest if you can.”

Later that evening after all the neighbors were gone, John slipped into bed beside his wife. Their son was securely tucked into the space between. It was the first chance they had to really talk since that morning. For the moment the babe was quiet and secure.

“Whatever you do, don’t roll over onto him,” Rebekah warned her husband.

“Little chance he’ll let me do that without howling.” John looked down at his child. “So much noise from such a little creature.”

“He takes after his father!” she teased.

“Does not!” John retorted. “I barely get a word in around here.”

“Not here, actually, but you do know how to bellow when you’re pulling in your nets.”

“Bellowing is part of the fun!” he declared. “It’s meant to celebrate a great catch. And lets the other lads know you’re doing well of a day.” He paused before continuing. “It’s been a fair stretch of time since I had a great catch. Jasper and I work the nets as well as ever, but it seems the fish have found new shoals to explore. We have better luck at the pond than the ocean.”

“You are lucky you have such a choice.”

“For certain. Having to choose between two good things is a fine place to be. I promise I will not take my luck for granted.” He reached down and touched young Ezra’s hand. “Do you think my son will become a fisherman?”

She met her husband’s gaze and nodded. “I think it very likely. It is noble work you do.”

“I wonder, though, would you not rather have me more like William Pritchett, expanding my work into a wider enterprise? Setting up trading with merchants and the likes of Captain Chapman?” He waited for Rebekah to answer but she remained silent. “You know, Rebekah, it is not likely I shall ever be a wealthy man.”

“Perhaps so, husband. But I believe we will be happy, and that is far more important.” With that, she kissed her husband, hugged her child, and fell asleep.