Grace heard Jack draw in a sharp breath. "Katie! Look." the little boy said.
Katie squealed quietly. Grace looked at the little girl and saw Katie's eyes widen.
Tyler glanced quizzically at Grace. He'd taken note of the children's reaction to seeing the man.
Katie leaned suddenly against Jack and moaned. Grace's heart froze. The girl seemed perplexed by the sight of the stranger.
Tyler leaped down from the buckboard seat. The stranger stepped down from the porch and advanced toward Tyler. He halted in front of Tyler and peered at the children. Grace remained next to Jack and Katie. For some reason she felt an urgent need to protect them. Whoever this man was, he clearly had affected the children.
A thought struck Grace. The children knew this man. And that could mean only one thing.
The man lifted his hat and peered at Tyler. "Good evening to you," he said in a deep voice. "Do I have the pleasure of addressing the owner of the ranch?"
Hope got down from her horse and walked toward the man. "You do." She pointed at Grace. "Myself and this woman own the Circle T."
The man seemed surprised that Tyler wasn't the owner. "In that case, I apologize for intruding. But I have business with whoever has been taking temporary care of those two delightful children, there on that buckboard."
"Who are you, sir?" Tyler demanded.
Grace already knew the answer to that question. And, by the look on Hope's face, her friend had come to the same conclusion.
The man stepped around Tyler and walked toward the buckboard. "My name is Nathaniel Morgan. I run the adoption agency which sent these children on their way to Wyoming."
Then the man peered at Grace. When he uttered his next words she felt a chill race up her spine. "I've come to speak about their future."
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jack and Katie were taken into the house by Lucia while Tyler and Grace escorted Mr Morgan into the parlor. Mr Morgan sat on the smaller sofa while Tyler sat together on the long couch. After settling the children in their room, Lucia brought coffee to the parlor. Mr Morgan had been silent since entering the house. He sipped his coffee and gazed approvingly around the interior of the parlor. Finally he placed his cup down on the small table.
"You say you own this ranch, Miss Murray," Morgan said with an obviously skeptical tone of voice.
Tyler saw Grace stiffen. He knew when she was indignant about something, and this was one of those moments.
"Miss Murray and her two friends own the Circle T," Tyler explained. He saw Grace frown at him. "They do a fine job, if you ask me."
"And who are you, exactly?" Mr Morgan asked. Once again there was a weary tone in the man's voice.
Now it was Tyler's turn to feel annoyed. He lifted his chin and peered at Morgan. "I'm the sheriff of Testament Creek."
For the first time since he'd arrive, Mr Morgan seemed impressed. "A lawman," he said and nodded.
"I'm glad you approve," Tyler said with a hint of irony in his voice. Tyler saw the corner of Grace's mouth crease with a hint of a smile. Tyler peered at Morgan. "You claim to be the man who sent those two children on their journey to Wyoming," he said. "I suppose you have some proof you can show me."
Morgan's eyes narrowed. Perhaps he hadn't expected to deal with a lawman when he'd decided to come all the way to Testament Creek. Morgan pointed to a black valise which he'd laid on the floor next to the sofa. "I have all the proof you require."
Morgan started to move toward the bag, but Tyler lifted a hand. "There's no need for that now," Tyler said. "I can see that later. But I have some questions for you."
Morgan's gaze met Tyler's. The man had a stern look in his eyes. This was a man who was used to having his way, Tyler told himself. "What kind of questions, sheriff?"
Tyler glanced at Grace and saw that she was watching him intently. "You know what happened to the children and Miss Hardesty, don't you?"
Morgan nodded. "I was informed about the train robbery. And the fact that the children were removed from the train by a local lawman. It took me a few days of inquiries to find out exactly where the children had been taken."
"And what about Miss Hardesty?" Grace asked sharply. "Have you no concern about her well-being?"
Morgan frowned. "Why would I?" he said dismissively.
Tyler heard Grace draw in a sharp breath. Before she exploded, Tyler interrupted her. "Are you aware that Miss Hardesty was abducted by the train robbers?"
Morgan's features turned pale. In an instant, his harsh demeanor was transformed into one of deep shock. "Abducted? Did she come to harm?"
Tyler shook his head. "Thankfully, we managed to rescue her." Tyler grinned. "And we captured the outlaws who robbed the train."
"Tyler did that," Grace interjected. Tyler felt his cheeks flush with heat. Grace's comment had embarrassed him.
"With the help of some local men, of course," Tyler added.
"And Miss Hardesty. Was she harmed?" Morgan asked, clearly concerned.
"She sustained a gunshot wound during the rescue attempt," Tyler announced.
Morgan gasped. "Good Lord!"
"She's recovering under the care of the local doctor," Tyler told Morgan.
"And one of my friends who happens to have been trained as a nurse," Grace added with a triumphant tone in her voice. "The doctor believes Miss Hardesty will make a full recovery. Although it might take some time."
Morgan nodded thoughtfully. "I'm relieved Miss Hardesty did not suffer permanent harm."
Tyler recalled Miss Hardesty's concerns about come aspects of Mr Morgan's conduct prior to her leaving for Wyoming with the children. Tyler wondered what secrets the man might be hiding.
"Of course that means Miss Hardesty will not be able to leave Testament Creek and continue her journey to Wyoming," Tyler said. He knew he was also trying to get to the subject of whether the children would be leaving town any time soon.
Morgan took a long sip of his coffee and leaned back against the back of the sofa. "I can see that a great deal has happened. And that you both have been closely involved in all the events."
"Don't you want to know about Jack and Katie?" Grace snapped.
Morgan peered at Grace. "Of course I do. They're well-being is paramount to me and my Society."
"And what Society is that?" Tyler asked.
Morgan smiled. "I administer The Texas Child Welfare and Benevolent Society." Morgan seemed suddenly filled with pride.
"I've never heard of it," Tyler said abruptly.
Morgan squinted at Tyler. "We send orphaned children to various parts of this fine country of ours. The children are placed with families and then accompanied there by our chosen representative."
"Like Miss Hardesty?" Grace asked.
Morgan nodded. "Jack and Katie were orphaned a few years ago when we had that terrible hurricane on the coast. Many children suffered as a result of that. But the Lord saw fit to bring them to us and we did our best to look after them until such time that a suitable family were found."
Tyler narrowed his eyes at Morgan. "You're a man of faith, Nathaniel?" Tyler asked, deliberately using the man's first name.
"I am indeed," Morgan confirmed.
Once again, Tyler recalled Miss Hardesty's reports of overhearing some kind of conversation between Mr Morgan and another person. A conversation which suggested something was amiss about the children's adoption arrangements. If Morgan was a man of faith, Tyler wondered how he could have been involved in something outside the law. Somehow it didn't fit.
"Since you're a man of faith, as I am, you'll understand that sometimes the Lord works in ways that we can't quite comprehend."
"I do understand that, sheriff," Morgan said. "I've seen some real miracles in my dealings with the many unfortunate children who've benefitted from our help. The Lord does work in mysterious ways. But everything is for the good. Of that I am in no doubt."
Tyler leaned forward and peered at Morgan. "Then you'll understand me when I say tha
t I believe that the Lord has brought Jack and Katie to the Circle T. And that He has brought the children into the lives and safekeeping of the good people who live here."
Morgan's gaze was steady. He looked at Grace and smiled. "I appreciate that you've taken care of them while they've been here, ma'am."
"Miss Murray and her friends have done a wonderful job of caring for the children since the moment they were rescued from the train," Tyler said. "In fact, Miss Murray was with me on the day we found the children on the train. It was my decision, as the local lawman, to make sure Jack and Katie were safe. Since Miss Hardesty had been taken away from them, Miss Murray kindly offered to look after the children."
Morgan smiled. "I'm most grateful, Miss Murray."
Grace smiled. "It's been a true delight. The children have taken to ranch life like they were born to live here."
Morgan's eyes narrowed as if he suddenly realized where the conversation was being led. Tyler glanced at Grace. She was getting ahead of herself, he reflected. Tyler was trying to show Morgan that the ranch and Testament Creek was where the children truly belonged. Tyler knew Morgan had come to take the children away. But Tyler was determined that wouldn't happen.
"Mr Morgan," Tyler said. "The children are very happy here. In fact, I can't believe they would be any happier in Wyoming. They have everything they could possibly want here. A secure home. Sufficient means for their support. A local schoolhouse. A community of godly people." Tyler sighed gently. "Why, the other day we took them to church here in Testament Creek."
"You did?" Morgan asked apparently impressed.
Tyler nodded. "And they've been welcomed into this community with open arms."
Morgan was silent for a few long moments. Tyler glanced at Grace and saw her smile tentatively at him. He hoped she knew how much this meant to him. And how hard he was willing to try to convince Nathaniel Morgan that the children could stay in Testament Creek.
Morgan nodded. "I can see you and Miss Murray have worked hard to do the best for the children. And I appreciate that. I truly do." Morgan's brows furrowed.
Tyler felt a heavy sensation in his middle. "So what's your concern, Mr Morgan?"
"Concern, sheriff?" Morgan asked.
Tyler nodded. "I can see you're worried about something."
Morgan nodded. He glanced from Tyler to Grace. "May I ask how you and Miss Murray are related."
Tyler furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
Morgan glanced down and pointed at Tyler's hand. "I see no evidence of matrimony on your fingers, sheriff. Nor on Miss Murray's hand. I can see that you both are very close to one another. But I take it that you are not married to each other."
Tyler heard Grace sigh heavily. He looked at Grace and saw the concern written on her features. "We are not married," Tyler admitted heavily. Then suddenly, he added: "Not yet, anyway."
Tyler and Grace exchanged an urgent glance.
"Not yet?" Morgan repeated. "Does that mean that marriage is imminent?"
The room was silent for a long time as Tyler stared at Grace. He saw her eyes moistening with emotion. He saw the almost visible panic on her features. Her gaze flickered with doubt and trepidation.
Tyler recalled the conversations he and Grace had had about this very subject. They'd both declared their love for one another. How much more did they need to do before they realized what was necessary for their happiness and that of the children? Before they took the final step.
It was time for courageous action, Tyler told himself. But he wasn't going to take that final, decisive step in front of a complete stranger. However, the truth had to be spoken.
"Miss Murray and I love each other and it is our intention to be wed as soon as possible," Tyler stated.
Tyler saw Grace's mouth open. Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed pink with emotion. She looked stunned by Tyler's bold words. Tyler waited for her to deny what he'd just said. His heartbeat was racing furiously. He could hardly draw a breath as he waited for Grace to say something.
But she didn't.
Grace remained silent for a few moments and then, turning to Mr Morgan, she smiled. "What Tyler said is true," she said softly.
Tyler's spirits soared when he heard Grace say those words. He just about managed to stop himself from crying out loud with delight and joy. Tyler saw Morgan glance from him to Grace as if he wanted to confirm that he wasn't being lied to.
Morgan cleared his throat and then sighed. "You realize that the adoption process still includes the family in Wyoming. They will be waiting for the arrival of the children. Strictly speaking, they are the still the adoptive family."
Grace leaned forward. "I have some professional background in the law, Mr Morgan. I have taken advice, and it is my understanding that, because they haven't yet arrived in Wyoming, the children's adoption arrangements can be altered."
"You've taken legal advice?" Morgan asked.
"We have personal connections with the judge in Austin," Tyler added quickly. It was true that the judge and Tyler were acquainted. It was the judge who'd personally appointed Tyler as sheriff during the summer.
"You do?" Morgan added, apparently impressed. Morgan though for a moment. Then he took one sip of coffee and laid his cup down on the table.
"I can see you've both thought about this in considerable detail," Morgan said. "But it doesn't change the simple fact that the children can only be adopted by a legally married couple." Morgan sighed. "In view of the fact that there appears to be no legally married couple currently willing to adopt the children here in Testament Creek, I shall be taking them back with me on the next stagecoach which I believe leaves on Wednesday."
Morgan stood and peered down at Tyler and then at Grace. "No!" Grace cried out and stood.
Tyler stood and went to Grace's side. He swept an arm around her waist and held Grace tightly against him, eager that she say nothing more. As if sensing what Tyler wanted from her, Grace remained silent as Morgan started to walk toward the parlor door.
Morgan turned before leaving. "I am staying at the hotel in town. I'll be there until I leave on Wednesday."
And then he walked out of the ranch house and closed the door firmly behind him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Grace felt Tyler's arm tighten around her waist as they both stood in the parlor, watching through the window, as Nathaniel Morgan rode away from the ranch. For a long moment neither Grace nor Tyler spoke. Her mind was foggy and she was still in a state of shock about Morgan's arrival. By the time her mind had cleared, Morgan was a distant figure near the horizon.
Grace turned to Tyler. "What are we going to do?" she asked him.
Tyler slid his arms around Grace and held her against him. It felt good to be in his arms, Grace reflected. She'd listened to the determined way Tyler had spoken to Morgan and she'd been proud of her handsome sheriff. He'd stood up for her and the children.
Tyler gazed into Grace'e eyes. There was a look of appreciation in his gaze, she told herself. He'd spoken some plain truths to Morgan. Not the least of which was Tyler's declaration that he loved her.
When Tyler had said those words, Grace had felt her heart fill with joy. Tyler had also made it abundantly clear how much the children meant to him.
Tyler brushed the back of his fingers softly against the side of her face. She leaned against his hand, savoring the warmth of his touch. She held his gaze, wanting to simply enjoy the look of love in his eyes. Because that was how Tyler was gazing at her. With sheer adoration and love.
Grace felt delight sweep through every nerve in her body. "You haven't answered my question, Tyler."
He smiled warmly. "Morgan says he'll be here until Wednesday. That gives us a few days."
"To do what?" she asked, even though she knew exactly what he was talking about.
"To do what we should have done a long time ago," Tyler said softly. There was no anxiety in his voice. Just a sense that what he was about to say next was unavoidable.
<
br /> Inevitable.
"And what's that?" Grace asked. Her heartbeat was racing and her breath was tight in her chest. Anticipation was building, stretching every one of her nerves to breaking point.
Tyler took one step back and took hold of Grace's hands, holding them with great tenderness. Then, slowly, he sank down onto one knee.
Grace gasped. Even though she'd known what he was about to do, gazing down into his eyes, and realizing what he might say next, made her legs feel unsteady. She just about managed to stay on her feet as Tyler held her hands and gazed up into her eyes.
"Tyler!" she exclaimed in soft murmur of delight.
He smiled warmly at her. "Grace Murray. I love you. And I always will love you."
Grace smiled at Tyler. "And you know I love you, Tyler."
Her reply seemed to embolden him. Tyler gazed into her eyes. "Grace. Will you do me the greatest honor of all by agreeing to become my wife?"
The world shifted beneath her feet. Time seemed to stand still. Tyler's expression was a curious mixture of joy and apprehension. The parlor seemed unusually silent for a few, interminable moments.
Tyler lifted his brows and gazed expectantly at Grace. It looked like waiting for an answer was proving to be excruciating, she told herself. Seeing his handsome features gazing up at her, melted Grace's heart. Joy swept through her as the significance of what was happening sank in.
Grace squeezed Tyler's fingers gently and smiled down at him. Her heartbeat quickened. There was only one answer to his question. And she'd known the truth for a very long time. There was nothing else she wanted to be except Tyler's wife.
"Yes," she murmured.
Tyler's face brightened. "You will?"
Grace nodded quickly and laughed. "I will marry you, Tyler Smith."
In an instant, Tyler rose to his feet and swept Grace into his arms. He let out a whoop of delight and drew her close to him. She felt the warmth and tender power of his embrace. He kissed her with a passion mingled with obvious relief. She sank into his embrace, feeling that there was no other place for her in the world except in the arms of her handsome sheriff. The wonderful man who wanted her to become his wife.
The Texas Sheriff's Family Blessing (Testament Creek Book 2) Page 13