She would enjoy the time that remained to her here. She would talk with Mrs. Archer about ways she could be more herself when they returned. But she would keep herself to those dreams that were possible.
Eoin had fallen completely to sleep, lying heavy against her shoulder. Patrick happened past in the next moment.
“We’ve a little cradle in the kitchen,” he said in a whisper. “Allow me to take the wee lad in there and lay him down. He’ll sleep better where it’s quiet.”
The transfer was made, and Patrick slipped from the room.
In the very next moment, Joseph and Burke entered through the inn’s front doors. The entire room went silent. Sophie was certain they felt as she did: hoping for the best but knowing the best was not always the outcome.
“Don’t torture us, Joseph,” Mr. O’Connor said.
“We’ve a new member of the family,” Joseph said. “A little girl, and we’ve named her Eimear.”
Enthusiastic declarations of congratulations and delight filled the room. Joseph was all but attacked with handshakes and hugs and smiles all around. The O’Connors immediately began discussing who would get to meet the baby first, who would come next, and how many ought to go at one time.
In the midst of it all, Burke was thanked sincerely and repeatedly, and not just by Mr. O’Connor. Burke nodded and accepted their gratitude, but was sure to tell them that, as midwife, Maura had done far more than he had. Sophie had interacted with doctors now and then. Few were as humble as this man, and yet she’d seen him do remarkable work.
She slipped up beside him. “How is Katie doing?”
“She’s exhausted, as is expected. But there were no complications. And there’s no reason to be worried for her or the baby.”
That was a decidedly good thing.
“Do you know, the comment I heard the most these last few hours was that, between you and Maura, they’d no reason to worry for Katie.”
“I’m glad that proved true. Sometimes, in a delivery, things go horribly wrong.”
“But, having you there increased the chances of everything going right. And you did it even though you’d just completed a whirlwind day of doctoring and could just as easily have left the whole thing to Maura. But you stayed to help in any way you could.”
“The town deserves a doctor who gives his all.”
She took his hand. “They have one already, Burke.”
“They also have a doctor who is asleep on his feet.”
Looking more closely, she could see that he was, indeed, heavy with exhaustion.
“I suspect the O’Connors and Archers are going to have a celebration here. You’ll get more rest if you go back over to your side of the inn.”
“That’s wise.”
She walked with him out of the public room, down the covered porch, and through the door to his house.
“You could go up to your room and simply go to bed. No one would blame you.”
But he shook his head. “Until I’m certain nothing more is needed, I have to be available.”
“Then, at least sit on the sofa. Let yourself rest if not actually sleep.”
He didn’t argue. They walked together into the sitting room, and he sat on the sofa. She sat next to him. His foot tapped a bit, and he shifted positions again and again. He was obviously still a little anxious but trying hard to stay alert.
She leaned against him, suspecting he needed the support. “Lean back and close your eyes,” she gently instructed.
“I’ll fall asleep,” he said.
“Tell me a favorite memory,” she said. “That’ll help keep you awake.”
He shifted again until he settled more comfortably. He leaned his head back against the back of the sofa. Even slouched a little.
