"Hurry, Jimmy, ride into town and fetch the doc. Your mama's goin' to have a baby!"

"I'll be quick, pa."

Carter turned the oil lamp down a little and bathed his wife's head with the cool cloth. Nervous shadows jittered across the cabin ceiling.

"It's gonna be fine, my darlin', just fine."
She pressed her head back on the pillow and grunted. "It's gonna be a big 'un, Carter."

"Long as it's a girl, mama. Long as it's a girl."

She groaned and arched her back. Her fingers bunched the sheets and she gritted her teeth, hissing at the pain. Her nightgown, bunched about her waist, was soaked.

"The doc . . . I need the doc now . . . Carter." She finished with a short scream and he held her shoulders, whispering calming words.

"Doc's on his way. Jimmy went to fetch him."

The door burst open and Jimmy, the Doc and the Doc's assistant, Martha rushed in.

"It's comin', Doc, hurry."

They all gathered as the screaming mother delivered her child.

"Well?" Carter asked eagerly.

"It's a girl." Came the cheer.

"YES! Quick now you two," Carter urged Marta and Jimmy.

"Set the table."