Sneak Peek: A third child born in the desert

Here is a sneak peek (free to all) of the first draft of a scene from a novel-in-progress by Markus Mcdowell, about the man who founded Desert Center, California.

The doctor called Steve back into the surgical room. He picked up Thurman, where he was playing with a wooden soldier in the waiting room outside. Lydia was lying in the bed, resting, baby in arms, nursing. She gave her husband a tired smile. He smiled at her and their new daughter.

“She’s healthy, Mr. Ragsdale. A fine birth. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, doctor. Sure glad you were open and willing to see us. We didn’t expect her to go into labor. Glad we were here and not traveling in the middle of the desert.”

“Oh, indeed. You were headed back from Los Angeles?”

“Yes. Got a new cotton farm south of Blythe in the Palo Verdes Valley. Didn’t think she was due for another week or two.”

“Ah, yes, your wife told me that. Fine woman you have there, easy birth, and you’d have been able to deliver if you had to.”

“Sure…sure. I’ve delivered animals. But I ain’t married to them.” He laughed.

“Yes, quite different. Anyway, she’ll be fine to travel tomorrow. How far is the trip back? About three hours?”

“About that. Depends on whether we lose the tracks in the sand or not. Sometimes the winds can obscure the trail. Or the truck breaks down from all the sand and I gotta do some cleaning.”

“I’m amazed those vehicles can make it that far through the desert.”

“Aw, they are pretty tough. Simple. Machinery, easy to fix as long as you have the right tools.”

“Sounds like you are quite the handyman.”

“Learned everything from my dad, back in Missouri. He could fix anything. Don’t think he expected me to be driving some mechanical contraption across a sandy desert, though. Ought to be a proper road, and some mechanics and maybe even a fuel stop along the way.”

“Perhaps, but that’s a lot of empty desert.” He stood up from his desk. “Anyway, she needs to rest overnight. You and the little boy cab sleep on the couch in the waiting room, if you’d like, then get on the road in the morn. She’ll be fine.”

“Mighty kind of you, doc. I’ll get our blankets out of the truck.”

“Of course. Now, let’s fill out this birth certificate. Full name of you and your wife?”

“Steve Albert Ragsdale and Lydia Isabelle Ragsdale.”

“And the little girl’s name?”

“Thelma Isabelle Ragsdale.”

The doctor scribbled on the paper in front of him, then took out a second form and copied the information. “Now, Mr. Ragsdale, when you get back to Palo Verde, you should have a doctor there in Blythe do an exam on little Thelma. In around two months.”

“I thought you said everything was fine. Is there a reason for concern?”

“Not at all. It’s just like to keep tabs on new births. We’ve discovered we can prevent a lot of later problems with some preventative care.”

Steve grinned. “Or a good way to keep business busy.”

The doctor laughed. “Not the first time I’ve heard that! But it is true that regular examination do catch problems before they get bad. Most important for newborns.”

“Just joshing you, doc. I ain’t never done that before, but I’ll allow that it makes sense. I do that with my animals here on the farm.”

“Indeed. Now, I have one more patient to see here in my office, but you are welcome to the waiting room. Make yourself at home.”

“Thank you. I’ll go see my wife and then probably go into town and get some vittles for dinner and breakfast. Then we’ll be on our way. How much do I owe you?”

They settled up, and Steve gathered Thurman again and headed to the room. “Come on, Thurman, let’s go see your new little sister!”