Mabel had spent most of the night crying.
Marie had stopped by and offered to give her something to make her sleep, she refused. The doctor left a sedative with Jack and suggested he put it in Mabel's coffee, but he decided against it. After Marie left, he talked to his wife about what had happened.
"Talkin' helped," he told her. Something he hadn't realized until he met Mabel, she had made him talk about everything. He remembered once when she wanted him to talk about Jaunita and Sarah Ann, he had said it was too painful. Mabel had told him ' Keeping it inside makes it hurt more Jack' .... she was right.

They lay on the bed in each others arms and talked, while Mabel cryed....it was hours before sleep finally overtook them.
Jack didn't sleep easy, he was worried. The thought of Mabel dying in childbirth had haunted him for the past few weeks, now the possibility took on new meaning. It had happened to Emma, who had already given birth twice before. What if Mabel couldn't have this baby? He couldn't deal with loosing another family, he couldn't even bear to think about it.

When the marshal woke, it had just turned daylight. He rolled over towards his wife and discovered her gone.

"Mabel !" He shouted.

"I'm in the kitchen Jack."

Craddock jumped out of bed and wandered barefoot out of the bedroom. The smell of freshly baked molasses cookies was strong, Mabel was standing at the table ironing clothes.

"What in tarnation do you think yer doin' ?"

"I'm getting things ready for the funeral. I've been neglecting the ironing, and all your shirts were wrinkled." she spoke as though she were planning a picnic.

"I ain't goin'....I ain't leavin' ya here alone."

"I won't be alone Jack, I'm going with you."

"Oh no you ain't ! Marie says you shouldn't be drivin' in no wagon.... O'Brian's farm must be two...three miles from here, ya ain't goin' !"

"Marie doesn't know as much about having babies as you think she does...otherwise Emma and her baby wouldn't be dead." Mabel replied calmly.

"This ain't up fer discussion woman! I said ya ain't goin' !"

"You're right Jack, this isn't up for discussion...I am going." She hung the shirt on the pegboard by the stove and placed the iron back in the warming oven. "Now, let's get some breakfast, I'm starving."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

It seemed the entire town was going to be at the funeral. By 9 a.m. there were several wagons hitched up and ready, the street was lined.
The funeral would be held at the O'Brian farm and not the church in town, at the request of Dennis O'Brian. His wife and stillborn daughter would be buried near the family home.
Marshal Craddock had resigned himself to the fact that his wife was going... he would drive the wagon slowly and avoid as many holes in the road as he could. Marie was furious with him, but as he tried to explain to her, Emma was Mabel's friend, the devil himself couldn't keep her away.
He also told the doctor she would have to find a ride with someone else, as he thought it best if he and Mabel made the trip alone. The truth was that he knew having Marie there would upset his wife, she blamed the doctor for the tragic events of the previous day.

As a number of wagons started moving down the street past the Craddock's cabin, Mabel stepped outside. The Denny's wagon passed by slowly, carrying Zack and Diane as well as Sally Duffield and Dom Bertino. Their somber faces looked away as they passed by the Craddock's.

"They think I'll be next." Mabel observed as she stood beside the wagon and waited for her husband to help her.

"Don't be talkin' like that! It's just.. they know you and Emma was close."

As he put his arms around her waist, Jack looked down at his wife.
"Mabel, I wish you would mind what I'm sayin'....You shouldn't be travellin' in this here wagon...and funeral's are upsettin' enough on a good day. A woman in yer condition, well... it ain't right fer ya ta go ta somethin' so sad. I'll wager that Emma would tell ya ta stay away."

Emma would tell her to stay away, she knew that. But her heart wanted to go, to say good bye to her best friend. She wanted to be there for Emma's children, to make sure they were all right.
But she knew Jack was right, the trip would be dangerous in her condition, and the funeral would be more than she could bear. Reluctantly she moved away from the wagon and sat down on the cabin step.

"I'll stay home Jack." she said with tears in her eyes. "But you have to go...for both of us."

"I can't leave ya here alone." he protested, although he was relieved at her decision to stay behind.

"Yes you can, I'll be fine. Wendell is across the street in the bank and Ardamous is over at the saloon waiting for it to open. They'll be here if I need anything." she insisted.

Jack agreed he would go, "Soon as I tell MacWherter ta keep an eye on ya. I can't see as Boone would be much help." he said looking towards the old man passed out by the saloon door.

Mabel smiled in Ardamous' direction, she loved him.
Jack returned from the bank and Mabel passed him the basket of cookies, with instructions that he was to give them to Mr.O'Brian for the children. Then she kissed her husband, assured him that she loved him and watched him ride off alone to Emma's funeral.

- - - - - - - - - - - -- -

Sitting by the small brook that ran behind Marie's house, Mabel soaked her feet in the cool water.
She had cried so much the night before that it seemed she had no tears left to cry, but her heart was very heavy. ' Emma would want me to be strong ' she reminded herself.
She thought about all the times they had laughed together, Emma could always make her laugh, no matter how sad or angry she was.
The thought of having a baby had frightened Mabel, but Emma could always calm those fears....now she was the reason for them.