Page 58 of The Gold Rush Bride

Sadie lifted her arms, eager for the baby to be in them. When Clara laid the baby in her waiting arms, she brought her to her chest.

“Here love, I’ll sit behind you and you can sit up and lean on me.”

“Yes, that would be perfect.”

He lifted her to a sitting position and then sat behind her, acting as her pillows.

She laid the baby in her lap and unwrapped her. “She’s beautiful. Perfect.”

The baby girl stared up at Sadie when she talked.

“That’s right, little one. You’re perfect, and your daddy and I love you very much.”

Barnaby reached over Sadie and gently spread his hand on the baby’s head. “She’s so small. My son was never this small. He weighed ten pounds when he was born. I didn’t think my wife would speak to me ever again.” He turned toward the nurse. “How big is she?”

“She’s seven-and-a-half pounds and twenty-one inches long. She’s going to be a tall one.”

“Well, her daddy and I are not small.” Sadie laughed. Then she looked up at her husband. “What are we going to name her?”

He pulled on his chin like he had a goatee and was pulling it to a point. “I’ve been thinking about that. What do you think about Riley? I know it’s unusual, but it’s an old family name. Or maybe we could use it as a middle name. Would you like that better?”

“I like that. I was thinking about naming her after my mother.

What do you think about Grace Riley Drake?”

“I think it’s beautiful, just like she is.” He put a finger in Grace’s hand.

Grace clamped her tiny fingers over his big one.

Sadie watched him as the changes overcame him. Wonder. Awe. And finally, pure love.

The doctor came over to them, wiping his hands on a towel. “I want you to stay in bed for a full week. Then you can get up, but you must take it easy. I don’t want you to do anything strenuous.”

“That won’t be a problem, Doctor. I’ll see to it,” said Barnaby.

Sadie could hardly take her gaze off Grace but she managed it. “Thank you, Dr. Wilcox. I think I would like to be home with my daughter and my husband.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll come by in a few days to see how you’re doing.”

“Doctor, will you hold Gracie while Clara and I help Sadie get dressed?” asked Barnaby.

The doctor beamed. “I would love to.”

Barnaby eased the baby out of Sadie’s arms and passed her to the doctor. Then he helped Sadie into a new, pristine white nightgown.

Clara whisked away the dirty bedding and oilcloth, then put down a fresh sheet.

When she was ready, Sadie took the baby back.

Barnaby scooped both of them into his arms and laid them in the center of the bed. Then he sat on the bed with them.

“Why don’t you lie down next to me?” Sadie asked.

He sat on the bed with his back against the headboard and stretched his long legs. He leaned down and kissed her. Then he leaned forward a little and kissed Gracie on the forehead. “My two girls. I love you both more than I can express.” He lifted Sadie’s head with a knuckle under her chin. “Thank you for taking me back and giving me the most wonderful gift I could ever get. A beautiful baby girl to love and spoil.”

“You can’t spoil her yet. I fully believe that babies can’t be spoiled. You cannot spoil her by holding her too much, kissing her too much, or loving her too much.”

“Looking at my child now, I’d have to agree with you.” He stopped and gazed at Sadie. “I’m so glad you came into my life.”