For the next hour Tyler tried hard not to worry. He focused his attention on enjoying the company of the children. Tyler had genuinely enjoyed his time that morning with Jack. He felt he was beginning to really get to know the little boy. Jack had a delightful personality. In spite of the boy's hard life, Jack had a good heart. He was a determined young man. That quality would stand the boy in good stead if he was eventually to settle in Texas. This was a land which rewarded hard work and decent character. Jack had made a good start in life and Tyler desperately wanted that to continue.
Perhaps all the hardship growing up in the orphanage had shaped Jack's young character. It must have been a dangerous life, filled with perils. In the end, the Lord had been kind to Jack. As far as Tyler was concerned, the Lord had brought Jack to the safety of Testament Creek. And into the arms of himself and Grace. Now all he and Grace needed to do was make sure they did what was right.
Marriage and adoption.
That was what was needed, Tyler told himself silently as he observed the joy on Grace's features as she laughed at a joke Katie had just told her.
Surely it wasn't impossible, Tyler reflected.
After the lunch was finished they all left the cafe. Grace suggested they walk off some of the huge cakes they'd just eaten. Jack and Katie ran ahead as Tyler and Grace ambled slowly along the boardwalk. It was a pleasant afternoon. The sky was a clear blue. The air was fresh and cool.
As he walked by Grace's side, Tyler felt a familiar sense of peace settle in his spirit. This was where he belonged. With Grace. Glancing ahead at the two pint-sized troublemakers, he smiled. And he and Grace both belonged with those children, he told himself.
"What did Lyle tell you?" Tyler asked.
"He's going to look into the legal side of adoption. He's going to contact the organization which arranged the adoption in Wyoming." Grace paused and then continued. "And he's going to ask around town and try to find a suitable home for the children."
"He is?" Tyler asked, feeling a heaviness sinking in his middle.
Grace nodded. "It might be the best we can do."
Tyler shook his head emphatically. "You know that's not true, Grace."
"What do you mean?"
Tyler looked intently at her. "There is one thing we can both do for Jack and Katie."
Grace gave him the kind of look which told Tyler she knew exactly what he meant. Neither of them were willing to utter any words about marriage, but he was sure she knew that was where he was leading the conversation.
"But we don't know for sure that the children can even remain in Testament Creek, Tyler," Grace said to him. There was a sudden emotion in her voice. "Even Doc Clanton thinks they might have to continue on to Wyoming."
"But he knows how we feel about each other, Grace," Tyler objected.
Grace smiled weakly. "He did make that clear to me when I spoke to him this morning."
Tyler frowned. "You were talking about us to Doc Clanton?"
Grace shook her head. "More like he was telling me a few home truths. It seems you've been candid about your feelings for me."
"You know what the doc is like," Tyler said. "You can't hide anything from someone like him."
"Not even the fact that you love me?" Grace said softly.
Her words startled him. He slowed and looked at her. "What did you say?"
Grace halted and faced Tyler. "The doctor thinks he knows the cure for our ills."
"What ills?" Tyler asked.
Grace's gaze softened and she smiled gently up at Tyler. "The ones which are stopping us from being honest with each other. That are preventing us from saying what is really in our hearts."
Tyler's heartbeat quickened. He restrained the urge to reach out and take Grace's hands. "What are you saying, Grace?"
Her cheeks flushed pink with emotion and she smiled at Tyler. "I love you, Tyler Smith." Her eyes moistened with joy as she said the words.
Tyler gasped. This was the last thing he'd expected her to say. He'd opened his heart to Grace before, but she'd always held back from doing the same with him. Now, though, she was willing to tell him she loved him. His heart warmed with a delight and joy which knew no limits.
He wanted to sweep her into his arms, but he knew it was out of the question. Glancing along the length of the boardwalk Tyler saw that the children had already halted and were gazing in puzzlement at himself and Grace.
Restraining himself with every ounce of his strength, Tyler gazed into Grace's eyes and said: "And I love you, Grace. You know I do."
Grace nodded. Before she had a chance to another word Tyler heard the children's pounding footsteps. Jack and Katie slid to a halt next to Tyler and Grace.
"Why have you stopped?" Katie asked, looking quizzically from Tyler to Grace and back again.
Tyler smiled at Grace as he replied to Katie: "Grace and I were just talking about something very important. Isn't that right, Grace?"
Grace smiled and nodded. "It is." Then she squatted down and mussed up Jack's hair. The boy giggled as he took a step backwards, putting distance between himself and Grace.
Grace looked at Tyler. "Prudence and Cal have invited us all to their cabin on Friday. They're having a special dinner and they want us all to come."
"Us too?" Katie asked.
Grace squinted at the two children. "Of course. You two will be extra-special guests."
Jack and Katie looked impressed at that announcement.
"Which reminds me. We have to be getting back to the ranch," Grace said. Tyler walked her and the children over to the buckboard.
Once she and the children were up on the seat, Tyler spoke to Jack. "You did really well today, Jack."
"I did?" the boy replied quickly.
Tyler nodded. "I reckon you have a future in law-enforcement."
Jack's eyes widened with delight.
"And you definitely have a future in medicine," Grace said to Katie.
Katie's delight was equal to Jack's.
Tyler and Grace had arranged for the children to be brought back to town on Wednesday. "See you in a couple of days?" he said to Grace.
For a moment she seemed disappointed. Maybe forty-eight hours apart was too much, Tyler told himself. If he had his way, he wouldn't spend a moment away from Grace. But he also had a job to do. Just like Grace had a ranch to look after.
"We'll be here," she said.
Then with a final smile, she flicked the reins and drove the buckboard up Main Street.
As Tyler started to walk back to the jailhouse he asked himself if it was possible that the day could have gone any better.
Grace had declared her love to him. Tyler's spirits sang as he walked along the boardwalk. Truly, the Lord had been gracious to him. He'd moved Grace's heart and she had told Tyler she loved him. The world seemed like a brighter place now.
All that was left to do was take the next step. And, once they did, who knew what might happen next.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"Can we stop and look at the butterflies?" Jack called out as he pointed toward the nearby field of bluebonnet flowers at the edge of the trail along which they were riding. Grace slowed the buckboard and glanced at Tyler. Katie yelled with delight as a cloud of butterflies lifted into the air close to the buckboard.
Once the buckboard had halted Jack leaped down and raced into the knee-deep flowers. Katie followed close behind, laughing excitedly. The sea of bluebonnets covered the field for hundreds of yards. As the children raced through the covering of flowers the butterflies lifted up into the air, swarming around the children in a multi-colored cloud. Jack and Katie snatched at the elusive butterflies. Katie took a tumble and sank into the deep covering of foliage. Jack reached down and hauled Katie to her feet.
"Be careful!" Grace called out.
Sitting alongside her, Tyler laughed quietly. It was Friday and they were on their way to Prudence and Cal's cabin. The sky was a clear azure blue and the late-afternoon air was cool.
"The
y're going to get their clothes dirty," Grace complained softly.
"They'll be fine," Tyler said and rested a hand on Grace's arm. Grace looked at Tyler. He was wearing a dark suit, waistcoat and matching Stetson. He looked incredibly handsome, Grace told herself.
"We'll be late," Grace said. "Prudence said we need to be on time."
"Well, she was a schoolteacher," Tyler observed. "Before becoming a ranch owner," he added with a lift of his brow. "So she's used to giving orders for folks to be punctual, I guess."
The children squealed with excitement. Grace turned to watch them again and saw Jack racing after a dense cloud of butterflies. Pursuing him, Katie called out to Jack, telling him to slow down.
"They're so happy," Tyler observed.
Grace nodded, recalling her meeting the day before with attorney Lyle Warner. She still hadn't told Tyler about what Lyle had said. It wasn't the best news, Grace reflected. Especially not for the children.
"I have to tell you something," Grace said turning to Tyler.
"Yeah?"
Grace nodded. "I spoke with Lyle yesterday."
"What did he say?"
Grace sighed. "There's some good news and some bad news."
"Give me the bad news first," Tyler said. "I usually like to get that out of the way."
Grace glanced at the children, just to make sure they were both well out of earshot. Looking back at Tyler she saw him peering concernedly at her. "There's no-one in town who is suitable to adopt the children,"she said.
Tyler's brows rose in a straight line. He looked surprised. "Is he sure about that?"
Grace nodded. "He's spent a couple of days asking around. Apparently there's no-one who is willing to take the children."
Tyler sighed heavily. "I'm really surprised at that."
Grace frowned. "I was thinking about why that might be."
Tyler peered at Grace. "You were?"
"Maybe folks have seen you and I with the children and have come to their own conclusion."
Tyler's eyes narrowed. "And what conclusion do you think they've come to?"
Grace glanced at the children and smiled. "That maybe there's another solution?" she said quietly. Looking back at Tyler she added: "One that involves a certain sheriff and a ranch owner? Perhaps they don't want to interfere."
Tyler's features turned slightly pale. "I see." He nodded and was silent for a long moment. Then he looked at Grace. "What else did Lyle tell you?"
"Lyle said that, because the children's adoption wasn't formally completed, they are still legally orphans." Grace saw Tyler nod thoughtfully. Of course he understood what all that could mean. There was only one couple in town who would be suitable adoptive parents for Jack and Katie.
Grace wondered how Tyler felt about that fact. From her own point of view, being with the children had become a real source of delight in her life. The prospect of adopting children had never occurred to Grace. There had been so much to get used to after inheriting the ranch. But now, everything seemed to be leading her and Tyler in that direction.
Tyler had spoken to her about the children's future a few times during the last few days. It seemed that she and Tyler shared the same desire to give the children as much certainty and security as possible. During the week, she and Tyler had continued to try and give the children an experience of what it might be like to live in Testament Creek. Katie had visited Miss Hardesty a couple of times. And Jack had spent more time with Tyler.
The simple fact was that Grace and Tyler had grown close to the children. And the children were increasingly comfortable being with herself and Tyler. For Grace, all of this led her to one inescapable conclusion.
The four of them were beginning to feel like a genuine family in the making.
"You know what I believe?" Tyler said.
"What?"
"The Lord is drawing us all together," Tyler said softly. "He wants us all to be a family."
Grace dragged in a deep breath. She knew what would be needed before that could happen. Marriage. Then followed by formal adoption procedures. Still, she was barely able to comprehend what that would mean for all of their lives.
Tyler leaned closer and gazed intently into Grace's eyes. "What do you think, Grace?"
Grace peered at Tyler's handsome features. She could see the emotion in his eyes; hear it in his voice. She smiled gently at Tyler. "Maybe you're right," she replied in a quiet voice. "There is one other possibility, though."
"What?"
Grace looked along the trail in the direction of Prudence and Cal's cabin. "You're forgetting there's one other couple who might like to look after two delightful children."
"Prudence and Cal?" Tyler asked.
Grace nodded. "They might consider it."
She saw disappointment settle on Tyler's features. Grace knew just how much being with the children meant to Tyler. Deep down, she knew her impulsive suggestion was highly unlikely. And that she was probably trying to avoid dealing the truth.
She and Tyler were the only ones who could make the children truly happy. Tyler sank into a long silence, watching Jack and Katie racing around amongst the field of bluebonnets.
After they'd chased butterflies around for a few minutes more, Katie and Jack returned to the buckboard.
"Did you like that?" Grace asked Katie.
Katie nodded. "They're beautiful," she admitted.
Once they were all back on the buckboard they resumed the journey to the cabin. They reached the cabin a short time later. Hope had gone ahead an hour earlier on her horse and was standing outside the cabin talking with Prudence and Cal. They called out to the buckboard, greeted one another, and soon everyone was making their way into the cabin. Hope and Prudence had worked together to create a delicious meal. The table was set for seven and they all took their places.
Prudence said grace and then it was time to start eating the delicious food. The small interior of the cabin was soon filled with the sounds of happy folks enjoying a home-cooked meal. Tyler and Cal were good friends. They both told jokes, and teased the women and children with good-humor. Grace was delighted by the good feeling around the table.
During the meal, as she helped clear some of the plates getting ready to bring the next servings, she saw a serious expression on Prudence's features. "Is everything okay, Prudence?" Grace asked her friend as they stood at the dry sink area.
Prudence laid a hand gently on her belly. "I'm fine." She smiled. "I'm just not very hungry."
Grace frowned. "You're not feeling unwell, are you?"
Prudence shook her head. "No." She glanced across at the table. Grace saw that Cal was watching his wife with a concerned look on his face. "Everything couldn't be better."
Grace felt unease tugging at her heart. She'd grown close to Prudence during their time at the Circle T. What had started out as a mutual ownership of a ranch had turned into a deep and true friendship.
Grace helped Prudence bring the plates with the fruit and cakes to the table. For the rest of the meal, Prudence glanced occasionally at Prudence and Cal. They kept looking knowingly at one another. Soon, Grace started to think that the couple were sharing some kind of secret.
Grace thought about what she'd said to Tyler earlier, about adopting the children, and considered whether she should speak with Prudence after the meal.
Just as the last course of dinner was finished, Cal stood at the head of the table and smiled at everyone. "I'd like to say that we are so pleased you could all come," Cal said smiling at Grace, Hope, Tyler and the children. "Prudence and I have an announcement to make."
Grace's heart leaped. She glanced urgently at Tyler. His expression was blank and unreadable.
Cal reached down and took Prudence's hand. She looked up at her husband and her cheeks flushed pink with delight.
Cal cleared his throat and drew in a deep breath. "Prudence and I are expecting a little one."
Prudence smiled. "We're going to have a baby!"
Grace and Hope
squealed with delight in perfect unison. The children looked at one another with total surprise. Tyler stood, went to Cal and shook the man's hand. "Congratulations," he declared. Then he went to Prudence and hugged her gently.
Grace and Hope went to Prudence and embraced her excitedly. "I'm so happy for you!" Grace declared, her voice shaking with joy.
"You and Cal must be so happy," Hope stated enthusiastically.
"We are," Prudence said and gazed lovingly at Cal.
"It'll be a springtime baby," Cal said.
Grace ushered the children to her. Jack and Katie obeyed Grace's request and came to her side. "Isn't it wonderful, children?" Grace said to them.
Jack and Katie grinned at Prudence. The children were still speechless.
For a while longer everyone took time to enjoy the good news. A toast was proposed by Tyler and glasses of apple juice were drank. The conversation around the table was excited and animated. Grace was so happy for Prudence and Cal. She realized this news made her and Tyler's situation even more straightforward.
She and Tyler were the only ones who could adopt the children.
The celebration continued for another two hours. Then it was time to return to the Circle T ranch. Hope rode alongside the buckboard as they all made their way back to the ranch. The talk during the ride was all about the exciting news. Tyler seemed delighted and he spent some time explaining to the children how Prudence and Cal would live in their cabin with the new arrival. Cal had plans to extend the cabin before the winter arrived. There'd even be plenty of space for even more new arrivals in the future. Prudence and Cal were starting a family, and Grace couldn't have been more delighted.
Finally they arrived at the ranch. Drawing into the yard, Grace saw a man standing on the porch. Looking closely as she drew the buckboard to a halt she guessed the man was in his fifties. He was dressed in a dark suit and black derby hat. He watched the buckboard from beneath dark, bushy brows. A horse was tied up at the hitching rail.
The Texas Sheriff's Family Blessing (Testament Creek Book 2) Page 12