Ivy was lying in bed with her baby hugged close. Her auburn hair was fanned out over the pillow like a pinwheel. She looked tired, but happy.
“Ivy! Your baby!” Abby cried as she walked into the room. “How are you feeling?”
Ivy looked at her through tired eyes and had a wan smile on her face. “Better now. I’m tired.”
“Of course, you are, child,” Mrs. York said, bustling to the side of the bed. “Oh, such a beautiful face!” She pulled the blanket back from the baby’s head for a better view.
“My grandchild,” Helen said, coming to the other side of the bed.
Ivy immediately tensed and looked afraid, tightening her arms around the baby. “Mama! What are you doing here?”
“They called me. I’m your mother, the next of kin.” Helen smiled at her daughter, looking from her face to the baby’s and b
