They compromised.
Mostly.
Lara reduced her physical workload but continued managing the business.
She visited the physician regularly and followed his recommendations.
Her employees began treating the expected baby as a community project.
One woman knitted blankets.
Another carved a wooden cradle.
The ranch hands argued about whether the child would become a cattleman or a cook.
An older employee suggested the baby might simply become a banker to keep track of everyone's foolish spending.
Elias laughed harder at that than anyone.
By winter, the nursery was ready.
A small room beside the master bedroom.
Pale curtains.
A wooden cradle.
A rocking chair.
A shelf of simple toys.
Above the cradle hung a tiny carved horse.
Elias had made it himself.
He spent three evenings sanding the wood until it was perfectly smooth.
Lara found him working on it one night.
She stood in the doorway.
“That's beautiful.”
He looked up.
“Still needs another coat of oil.”
She smiled.
“You've said that four times.”
He laughed.
“I want it right.”
She moved closer.
“It already is.”
He studied the little horse.
Then said quietly, “I keep thinking about my father.”
Lara sat beside him.
“What about him?”
“He loved this ranch.”
“I know.”
“He wanted me to have a family here.”
She rested her hand over his.
“He'd be proud of you.”
Elias looked toward her.
“I hope so.”
She smiled.
“I'm certain.”
Then he looked at her belly.
“And your mother?”
Lara's eyes softened.
“She would have loved you.”
He laughed.
“You think so?”
“She would have asked whether you ate enough vegetables.”
“Then perhaps not.”
Lara laughed.
He kissed her.
Outside, snow began falling.
Inside, they sat together imagining a child neither had believed would exist.
Their daughter was born in early spring.
The labor was difficult, and Lara required the physician's careful attention.
Elias remained nearby throughout, frightened but determined not to let his fear become another burden for her.
When the baby finally arrived, her first cry filled the room.
Strong.
Indignant.
Beautiful.
Lara cried immediately.
Elias stood frozen.
The physician smiled.
“A healthy little girl.”
He placed the baby carefully in Lara's arms.
She stared down.
Tiny fingers.
Dark hair.
A round face.
Her daughter opened her eyes briefly, then closed them again.
Lara touched her cheek.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
Elias knelt beside the bed.
He looked at the baby.
Then at Lara.
His face crumpled.
“She has your eyes.”
Lara smiled through tears.