She ran to the phone in the kitchen and called 911. The second the operator picked up, she started talking. “I’m at the Curvy Bear Ranch. I have an unconscious pregnant woman. I need immediateassistance.”
“We’ll send someone right away. They’re fifteen minutes out,” thedispatchersaid.
“Thank you,” she said beforehangingup.
Cindy dropped back to the ground. For a split-second, she contemplated trying to call the main house, but she wasn’t sure where they kept the number posted. There was no time to run overthere.
Her medical training kicked in. After double checking Madison’s airway, she retook her pulse. It was weak. She raced into the living room to grab a large pillow off the sofa. After placing it under Madison’s legs, she verified that they were higher than her heart. She ran back into the living room to grab a blanket. She returned to a horrifyingsight.
A wet patch of red spread out across Madison’s jeans. Cindy dropped the blanket across Madison’s chest. She moved the pillow out of the way and unzipped Madison’s jeans. As she pulled them off, her heartpounded.
She carefully parted Madison’s thighs. Holy. Fucking. Shit. The baby was crowning already. She jumped up and filled a pot with water and set it to boil. This was the most unsterile environment she’d everworkedin.
After tearing up the stairs to get clean towels from the hall closet, she returned to find Madisonmoaning.
“It hurts,” Madisonwailed.
“I know, sweetie. I’m a doctor. I’ve delivered hundreds of babies and we’re going to deliver your babyrightnow.”
“It’s too early,”Madisonsaid.
“I need you to listen tome.Okay?”
“Okay,” shewhimpered.
“I’m going to need you to push in a minute, but I have to scrub my handsfirst.Okay?”
“But it hurts.” Madison tried to sit up. “I need to go to thehospital.”
Cindy gently laid her back down. “No. We’re doing thisrightnow.”
She stood and checked the water in the pot. It was only lukewarm. Dammit. She needed it to boil now, but the higher altitude would add to the amount of time itwouldtake.
After checking the baby’s head again, she jumped up to wash her hands. She didn’t have delivery room scrubs or soap or any extra time, but she’d have tomakedue.
Madison puffed a few times beforecrying.
“Are you having contractions?” Cindyasked.
“Yes.”
“How farapart?”
“I don’t know,” Madison half-screamed. “Fast.”
“Once aminute?”
“More.”
Cindy glanced at the clock on the wall. She’d called 911 five minutes ago. There was no way they’d get here in time. She had to deliverthebaby.
“I know you’re scared,” Cindy said. “But I’m going to help youthroughthis.”
“I want Mack,” Madisonsnapped.
“I know. I can’t get him right now, but he’ll beheresoon.”
“Ohhh,” Madisonshrieked.
