"We'll have it ready, even if we have to stay up all night," Hope added as she worked on stitching the hem of the dress.
Grace sighed. "Let me help," she said and stood.
Prudence waved a hand at Grace. "No. Hope and I know what we're doing," Prudence said and glanced at Hope. "Isn't that right?"
Hope nodded, although Grace thought her friend didn't exactly look convinced. "Of course," Hope said and immediately focused all her attention on the stitching.
Grace stood in the middle of the parlor and clasped her hands at her middle. From the kitchen she could hear the sounds of the children and Lucia. Jack and Katie had agreed to help Lucia prepare some of the food for the after-wedding celebration. Grace smiled when she heard a crash of crockery followed by a long silence and the the giggling of both children. It seemed like things were going to be busy in the kitchen, too.
Grace sighed. If everything went to plan, she and Tyler would have to get used to listening to the sounds of children around the Circle T ranch house. Just thinking about that made her heart warm. She was optimistic everything would turn out well. The children's enthusiasm about the prospect of herself and Tyler becoming their adoptive parents seemed genuine. Grace looked forward to offering the children a future of hope and joy and security. And, with Tyler by her side, she knew it was a real possibility.
"What are you thinking about?" Prudence asked, looking up from her work on the dress.
"Tyler," Grace said softly. "And the children."
"Everything is going to work out perfectly," Prudence reassured Grace. "Trust the Lord," she added.
Prudence's faith was the strongest of the three of them. Grace had seen plenty of evidence of Prudence's faith since meeting her for the first time when all three of them had inherited the ranch. There had been moments when Grace had envied Prudence's confidence in the Lord. During the summer, she'd barely been able to appreciate it.
Now, though Grace understood the value of faith again. She'd seen the evidence of it in her own life. And in the life of the people around her. There was something about being out here, in this Texas land, which seemed to bring folks closer to the Lord.
Hope had been brought up in a religious family and had been encouraged in the faith. Being a nurse, Hope brought her faith to her work. Grace had seen Hope's diligence and commitment to helping others on numerous occasions since the summer. In the way she'd attended to Rafael Largo's injured men during the catastrophic fire at the Largo ranch. And in the care she'd given to Mary Hardesty. Hope's faith and her work were united in a special way.
Thinking back to her earlier life in Kansas City, Grace regretted the way she had drifted away from the faith. The pressures had been enormous and somehow she'd allowed herself to fall away. But all of that had been put right in the last few weeks. Not only being with Tyler, whose faith was rock-solid. But also in the miraculous way the children had been brought into her life.
"You know something, Prudence?" Grace said. "You're right. It's time I put my complete faith in the Lord."
Prudence smiled warmly. "He has granted you so much, hasn't He?"
Grace nodded. "Sometimes we just can't see how He is working in our lives," Grace said. She sighed. "In many ways, I've been blind."
Prudence put down her needle and thread and rose to her feet. She came to Grace and placed a hand on Grace's arm. "What matters is that you can see now," Prudence said. "The Lord has been gracious to all three of us."
"He certainly has," Hope agreed.
"He's brought Cal into my life," Prudence continued. She touched her belly. "He has given us a child." She smiled at Grace. "He has brought Tyler to you. And given you both the chance to have a family in the most blessed way." She ran her gaze around the interior of the parlor. "And He granted us a blessing in this beautiful home. A ranch where we can all find a place to settle. Where we can all bring joy into each other's lives."
Grace's heart warmed as she listened to Prudence's description of their lives. Every word her friend said was true.
Hope placed her needle down and stood. "All of us have so much to be grateful for," she announced. She came to Grace and Prudence. "And tomorrow is going to be another special day in our lives."
"It is," Prudence agreed.
All three women hugged each other. Grace felt emotion moisten her eyes as she embraced her dearest friends.
Leaning her head back, she smiled through a veil of joyful tears. "I don't know what I would do without you two," she gasped. "When I first came here, I didn't really know what the future held." She tried to smile but only succeeded in crying softly for a brief moment. "And now look at me. I'm about to become a wife and a mother." She laughed. "I couldn't be more happy."
Then she hugged Prudence and Hope one more time.
"We love you, Grace," Hope said softly after the hug came to an end.
"We love you and Tyler and the children," Prudence added.
There was the sound of another crash from the kitchen followed by the laughter of the children. All three women smiled at each other.
Prudence wiped away a tear. "This house is certainly going to be busy after tomorrow."
Grace glanced at the wedding dress spread out upon the table. "Are you sure you don't want me to help?"
Prudence and Hope both gestured firmly with an upraised hand. "No. We can do it. You have to prepare yourself for tomorrow," Prudence announced and followed Hope back to the table. "You just let us get on with this."
"I wonder what Tyler is doing?" Grace speculated.
"He said he'd be working for the rest of today," Hope said. "I guess a sheriff's work is never done."
"I hope there isn't any trouble in town tonight," Grace said.
Prudence smiled as she resumed her stitching. "I think the only trouble Tyler will have tonight is dealing with his pre-wedding nerves and getting enough sleep."
All three women laughed at that. More howls of laughter came from the kitchen. "I better go and see what is going on in there," Grace declared.
As she left the parlor, thoughts of Tyler filled her mind. She hoped he was going to be alright.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
By the middle of the Saturday evening, Tyler had come to the conclusion that it was going to be a quiet night. He leaned against the open door of the jailhouse and gazed out onto Main Street. He could hear the distant sounds from the saloon. A solitary rider made his way up the darkened street. The night air was cool.
"Why don't you go, sheriff," his young deputy, Clint, suggested. Seated behind the desk in the office, Clint smiled at Tyler. "I can look after things. You've got a big day tomorrow."
That was an understatement, Tyler told himself. Tomorrow would be the biggest day of his life. A hard knot of nerves twisted in his middle. He asked himself if it was normal for a grown man to feel like this on the night before his wedding. Of course it was, Tyler told himself. Perfectly normal.
"You nervous, sheriff?" Clint asked.
"Me?" Tyler replied. He laughed quietly. "What do you think, Clint? Of course I'm nervous."
"Never mind. I'm sure Grace is feeling the same way," Clint suggested.
Tyler nodded. The young man was probably right.
"Things are quiet tonight," Clint observed. "At least that's something." He rose from his chair and came to the door. He laid a hand on Tyler's shoulder. "Take my advice, Tyler. Have an early night. I can handle anything that happens."
Tyler thought for a long moment. Maybe Clint was right. Tyler had things he needed to prepare for tomorrow. His speech for the celebration back at the ranch; he had to get his suit and shirt pressed; he had to take a bath.
He smiled, thinking all that was nothing compared to what was probably going on back at the Circle T. He imagined Hope, Prudence and Grace would be running around getting everything ready. The food for the after-wedding celebration; the wedding dress; the clothes for the children. And, of course, all the talk would be about the wedding.
Tyler ha
d offered to go up to the ranch in the evening, to help in any way he could, but he'd been told, firmly but politely, that he should stay away. Seeing Grace the night before the wedding would not be appropriate, he'd been told by Hope and Prudence.
Everything had been finalized at the church, so that was good. Now all he could do was spend the time between now and the wedding worrying, Tyler reflected. That was going to be easy.
He turned to Clint. "You know where you can find me if anything happens," he told the deputy.
Clint grinned. "It'll be fine."
Tyler lifted a brow. "Do you have a suit to wear at the wedding tomorrow?" he asked the young man. Tyler figured wearing formal suits wasn't high on Clint's list of priorities. Clint was the kind of man who liked to wear jeans and plaid shirts. Preferably dirty.
Clint seemed momentarily affronted. "I've got one suit I keep for special occasions. And tomorrow sure is special."
"It is, Clint. Getting married is a fine thing," Tyler said. He glanced at Clint. "Maybe you'll find out some day."
Clint's cheeks flushed red. "Not for a long while, sheriff. I've got things I'd like to do before I settle down."
Tyler understood the eagerness of youth. His own young years seemed to have passed so quickly. Maybe he was leaving all that behind, Tyler reflected. Immediately, Tyler rejected that idea. He was seizing a new future, not losing anything, he told himself.
Tyler bid goodnight to Clint and started to make his way down the boardwalk. It was a peaceful night. Perfect, really. He figured he'd take a stroll. His final one as an unmarried man, he told himself. That thought made Tyler shake his head. Tomorrow he'd have a wife.
And then, in a few days, two children he would call his own. He was confident he could do what was necessary to adopt the children. Earlier, Tyler had spoken with Lyle Warner, the attorney. Lyle had told Tyler that the appointment with the judge in Austin had been confirmed for Monday. All Tyler needed to do was turn up with the wedding documents and some papers Lyle had drawn up. The judge had already indicated by telegram to Lyle that he already looked favorably on the request.
Tyler sighed. Hopefully everything would go well. Then, he'd return to the Circle T ranch house with all the necessary paperwork. Mr Morgan would be sent on his way, leaving the precious children in the capable hands of Grace and Tyler.
Everything was going well. Tyler lifted his heart and thanked the Lord for this blessing. Tyler had never felt this grateful before in his life.
A movement up ahead caught Tyler's attention. Out of the semi-darkness emerged a figure. Tyler halted when he recognized who it was.
Nathaniel Morgan was walking straight toward him.
Morgan saw Tyler and touched the brim of his dark hat. "Evening, sheriff. Out on patrol?" Morgan asked casually.
Tyler wondered if Morgan had heard about the wedding. "Actually, I'm having an early night," Tyler told the man.
"On a Saturday?" Morgan asked lifting his brows in surprise.
"I've got something to do tomorrow," Tyler said casually. "I figured I might need some extra time to get ready."
"What's that?" Morgan asked.
Tyler took a step toward Morgan. Tyler paused a moment, wondering how he could say the next words. He decided to just get straight to the point. "Grace Murray and I are getting married."
Morgan's brows rose in a straight line. His mouth opened and he stared at Tyler for a long moment. The man seemed genuinely taken aback.
"Is that so?" Morgan said slowly. "I can't say I'm surprised. I saw the way you and Miss Murray looked at one another up at the ranch."
"We're getting married tomorrow at the church," Tyler said.
"Am I invited?" Morgan asked abruptly.
Now it was Tyler's turn to be surprised. "You?"
Morgan nodded. "I was planning on going to church, anyway. I'm a regular back at my own place."
"Everyone else will be there," Tyler said. He thought about the children, recalling the way they'd reacted to seeing Morgan up at the ranch. "But maybe it might not be the best idea."
"Why?"
Tyler frowned. "Jack and Katie didn't seem too pleased to see you up at the ranch. I figure they might not enjoy the wedding as much if you're there watching."
Morgan nodded. His expression darkened. "Perhaps you're right. Things haven't been easy for them. What with the robbery and Miss Hardesty getting shot. They're probably wondering what on earth is happening in their lives."
"That's what I was thinking, too," Tyler agreed. "They need stability. A place they can call home." He asked himself if he should tell Morgan about the plan to apply for adoption. Gazing at Morgan, Tyler thought the man looked like he had a lot on his mind. Tyler decided to wait before revealing anything else.
Morgan peered at Tyler. "Have you and Miss Murray been planning this marriage for a while?" Morgan asked. His eyes narrowed. "Or was the decision brought on by my arrival?"
Tyler stared at Morgan. "Why would that be?" Tyler asked, feigning ignorance. He wanted to see how far Morgan was willing to go with this.
"I saw the way you looked at me back at the ranch. When I said I was going to take the children back," Morgan admitted. "Seemed like you made your mind up about something after I said that."
"You reckon?" Tyler said.
Morgan nodded. He glanced up the length of the boardwalk. There was no-one else in sight. Tyler and Morgan were completely alone. "I have a confession to make to you, sheriff," Morgan said.
"You do?" Tyler replied, lifting a brow.
"When I saw how the children were living up at the ranch, I was relieved."
"You were? Why?" Tyler asked.
Morgan moved closer to Tyler and lowered his voice. "Because my role in all of this is to find places for children where they can be safe and happy. Sometimes, when I send them to far away to places like Wyoming or Montana, I don't always know for sure how they are going to be treated."
"But you send them with companions," Tyler objected. "Like Miss Hardesty. Surely they check that the families will be good to the children."
Morgan smiled. "Of course they do. And that is important. Women like Miss Hardesty are indispensable to my organization. In fact, I paid her a visit today. At the doctor's house."
"You did?" Tyler wondered if Miss Hardesty had been pleased to see Mr Morgan. Especially since she'd raised some concerns about the adoption in Wyoming and Mr Morgan's conduct in arranging it.
Morgan smiled. "She said she was pleased to see me." He frowned. "But I'm not quite sure that she was."
"She is unwell," Tyler reminded Morgan.
"I know. And I did express my regrets to her about what had happened." Morgan sighed heavily. "If I had done my job correctly, perhaps none of this would have happened. And Miss Hardesty would not be recovering from a gunshot wound."
Tyler peered at Morgan. The man's demeanor had undergone a dramatic change. Yesterday, up at the ranch he had been stern and difficult. Even suspicious of Grace and Tyler.
Now, though, he was like a man overcome with remorse. Perhaps seeing Mary Hardesty had brought home the truth to Morgan. Sending women and children off to the west was fraught with dangers. Tyler refused to believe that Miss Hardesty was the first of Mr Morgan's employees to have fallen into trouble.
"I had a feeling this placement wasn't correct," Morgan complained.
Tyler squinted at Morgan. "Why do you say that?"
Morgan sighed and peered at Tyler. "Can I be frank with you?"
"Of course you can."
"I did not wish to send Katie and Jack to Wyoming," Morgan confessed.
"Why not?" Tyler asked.
"Because of the manner in which the arrangement was made." Morgan cleared his throat and looked suddenly worried. "To put it bluntly, I was persuaded to send them with the promise of future assistance for my organization."
"You mean money?" Tyler said bluntly.
Morgan nodded. "Some weeks ago, a man came to my office and said he was looking fo
r two children. He wished to arrange adoption for them with his brother and his sister-in-law in Wyoming. Strangely, he offered me an inducement to make sure it happened."
Tyler frowned. "He paid you to send the children to Wyoming? Is that the way you normally arrange these things?"
Morgan groaned quietly and shook his head. Now he was beginning to look like a shadow of the man who'd arrived at the ranch the day before. "I allowed myself to be tempted by the promise of easy money, sheriff. My Benevolent Society is always in need of funds. After last year's hurricane, we found ourselves inundated with orphans who needed to be placed as quickly as possible."
"Like Jack and Katie," Tyler said.
Morgan nodded. "They, and many others, urgently need to find suitable families."
"I know that," Tyler said firmly. The time had come for Tyler to lay his cards on the table. "That's why Grace and I are applying to adopt Jack and Katie. I'll be taking all the paperwork to the judge in Austin the day after Grace and I marry."
Morgan's brows lifted and his features brightened with sudden delight. Morgan seized Tyler's arm. "You're doing that? Really?" he asked excitedly.
Tyler nodded. "We're determined to give those children a good home."
"Have you told the children?" Morgan asked.
"They know what we want for them. And they're happy about it," Tyler said. "In fact, they're ecstatic."
Morgan laughed quietly. "That is wonderful news, sheriff," he declared. "The best news you could possibly have given me."
Tyler peered at Morgan. Moments ago Tyler had feared the man was going to stand in his way. That he would raise objections to the proposed adoption. Instead, it seemed he was completely delighted with such a solution to the children's difficulties.
Morgan came to Tyler with an eager expression on his face. Stretching out his hand, he said: "May I shake your hand, sheriff. Thank you."
Tyler took Morgan's hand. Morgan handshake was so enthusiastic it threatened to dislocate Tyler's shoulder.
Releasing Tyler's hand, Morgan took a few paces in front of him. Morgan was lost in thought for a few moments. Then he turned to Tyler. "If there is anything you need from me, sheriff, I will provide it."
The Texas Sheriff's Family Blessing (Testament Creek Book 2) Page 15