by Leah Atwood
He wrung his hands. “I can’t promise I’ll be a good father, but now that I’ve been here, I can’t abide the thought of not helping one of these children when we have the ability to.”
Josie’s heart melted. No one would ever convince her Cord didn’t have a good heart, and at that moment she fell in love with her husband.
CHAPTER NINE
What had caused him to make such a dizzying suggestion? Ah, yes, the despondent look on Josie’s face. He would have promised her anything to see her smile return. Granted, adoption was a decision one should think heftily upon before acting on it. But they had decided, only some of the circumstances had changed.
He didn’t regret it even if the very thought stole the breath right from his lungs and scared him down to the tips of his boots. Married life was more blissful than he could’ve imagined, perhaps fatherhood would be similar.
“Do we choose a child today?” Josie stood and began to pace. “How does one decide? Sissy found me. This isn’t like going to Mac Jordan’s ranch and picking out a puppy. It’s an actual person we are talking about.” The more she spoke, the quicker her words poured out, matching the increased speed of her steps.
Part of him wanted to let her ramble because he enjoyed hearing her talk. Another part of him, which won, knew she needed to calm down before she worked herself into more of a frenzy.
He stood and took two strides to reach her. “Why don’t we talk to Mr. Jeffers and go from there?”
“You’re right.” She brushed a loose hair behind her ear.
“Do you know where the dining hall is?”
She pointed a finger. “Yes, it’s down the hall, on the left.”
“Let’s begin there, at least inform Mr. Jeffers of our intent.” Returning to the chair, he grabbed his hat he’d removed upon arrival.
They left Mr. Jeffers’ office and proceeded down the wide hallway. Had Josie not directed him into a room, he never would have known from the outside it was a dining hall. In reality, it was more a room than a hall. Three rectangular tables were set up with a bench on either side. There were six kids at one table, five at another, and three at the last.
Performing a quick arithmetic in his head, he calculated the number of kids at fourteen. One couple took care of all these children? His head spun just thinking about it. The Jeffers must have patience beyond all measure. Beside him, Josie was looking at each child as a potential son or daughter. Her expressions were easily read, and he had a feeling this could rapidly escalate into taking home a whole passel.
Fortunately, Mr. Jeffers stepped through a doorway, presumably leading to a kitchen area. He came to them and ushered them back into the hallways. “Did you have further questions?”
“We came here to adopt a child. Since Sissy has already found a family, we’d like to give another child a place in our hearts and home.” Josie spilled the words on top of each other, then wiped her hands on the skirt of her dress.
Mr. Jeffers beamed. “That is wonderful news. I wish we could find a home for each child. Have you thought if you’d prefer a boy or girl?”
Josie and he exchanged looks. They hadn’t.
“Either?” she mouthed and tilted her head.
He nodded, then turned his attention back to Mr. Jeffers. “We have no preference.”
“After meal time, the children will go outside for exercise. There’s not much of a yard, but it does give them the room needed to stretch and move.” Mr. Jeffers glanced back at the orphans. “The best thing to do is join us for the rest of the meal and exercise time. Interact with each child and get a feel for how they will fit into your family.”
“Is that agreeable with you?” Cord didn’t want to make any assumptions on Josie’s behalf.
“Yes.” Josie’s nod was eager.
“Are you hungry? I can ask Mrs. Jeffers to fix two more plates.” Mr. Jeffers took a step toward the door.
“I’m fine.” Cord shook his head.
Josie’s hand rested against her stomach. “I don’t think I could force down a bite right now. This day has been full of surprises.”
“Come in, then. I’ll introduce you to each of the children.”
When they walked back in the room, the children looked up, their attention caught this time. At the far table a young girl looked up and her brown curls bounced when her head turned. Her eyes opened wide with recognition.
It couldn’t be. His heart simultaneously rejoiced and sank. Why was his sister here? Where were his parents?
“Coralie.” His uttered words drew stares from Josie and Mr. Jeffers.
The little girl came running to him, confirming she was, indeed, Coralie. She threw her arms around his waist. “I knew you’d come for me.”
He patted her back while casting a questioning look to Mr. Jeffers. “What is going on?”
Mr. Jeffers visibly inhaled a sharp breath, his chest rising then deflating. “Oh my. This day is turning out very peculiar.”
“Cord?” Josie’s features were scrunched into confusion.
“Meet me back in my office. I’ll inform Mrs. Jeffers of this latest update, and then we will talk.”
“Can I stay with you?” Coralie’s tearful plea was enough to break his heart.
“There’s no way I’m going to leave you.” He lifted her up, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Josie, Coralie and he all went to Mr. Jeffers’ office. “Josie, I’d like you to meet my sister. Coralie, this is Mrs. Josie, my wife.”
Coralie refused to loosen her grip, but she pivoted her head and looked at Josie. “You’re really pretty.”
Soft pink hues blushed Josie’s cheeks. “Thank you. So are you.”
“Why are you here Coralie? Did something happen to Ma and Pa?” He asked as gently as he could, but wanted answers.
“Ma died and Pa said he didn’t want me.” The tragic events which had befallen her, made him angry. Not at her, but at his father for putting such an innocent life through that. There’d be time later to deal with grief over Ma’s passing, but at this moment, he needed to focus on Coralie.
“How long have you been here?”
“Six days. I told Mr. Jeffers I had a brother, but Pa told him I had no family left.”
Cord sank down in a chair, Coralie still wrapped around him. He pinched the bridge of his nose. What if they’d come last week for Sissy? Coralie wouldn’t have been here yet, and goodness only knew what would have happened to her. Eventually, someone should have been able to track him down, even though everyone back home knew him as Dell, not Cord. When he’d set out on his own, he’d decided to go by the first half of his given name, Cordell, as a means to separate himself from his father’s reputation.
All the what-if possibilities made his stomach knot. It doesn’t matter now. You’re together again. You can take care of her. She will have a happy life from now on.
CHAPTER TEN
Several tears trailed down Josie’s cheek as she watched the reunion between Cord and Coralie. It was a sweet and tender moment that she was honored to witness.
“This changes things.” Cord’s firm but gentle words interrupted her contemplation.
“I know.” She didn’t need him to tell her that they’d be taking Coralie home with them. It was the only thing to do, and she had no objections. She addressed Coralie. “Would you like to come live with us?”
“Will Dell be there?” Coralie’s waiflike voice barely reached the few feet to her.
She tilted her head to the side. “Dell?”
Cord cleared his throat. “My full name is Cordell, but no one calls me that. Coralie knows me as Dell.”
The things you find out about your husband after the ceremony when you marry a stranger. She almost laughed. What else didn’t she know? At least she knew what really mattered—that he was a good man. The name didn’t make a person.
Turning her attention back to Coralie, she answered her question. “Yes, your brother will be there too. When we got married, he moved in
to my house, that’s in the back of my bakery.”
Coralie’s eyes turned to saucers. “You have a bakery?”
“Yes. You can even help me some days, if you’d like.”
“Really?” Her tiny arms finally relaxed a notch. “Do you work at the bakery, Dell?”
“Sometimes, but my job is in the livery.” He adjusted Coralie’s position so that she no longer clung to him.
Mr. Jeffers knocked on the door then stepped inside. “Some day this has been, eh?” She and Cord both chuckled nervously. Hopefully there’d be no more surprises this trip. “Am I correctly assuming that Coralie is your sister?”
“Yes, sir. Recent events have kept me from returning home and I’ve been trying to contact my mother for several weeks to no avail. Now I know why.” Cord squeezed Coralie’s shoulders.
For the first time, Josie took a really good look at Coralie. The resemblance between brother and sister was uncanny, and she wondered if they’d inherited their ma or pa’s physical traits.
“My sincere condolences and apologies, Mr. McGraw. Had I known about you, I would have done my best to find you.” He pursed his lips, looking genuinely remorseful. “I should have listened to Coralie and not your father.”
“We all make mistakes, Mr. Jeffers.” Cord caught her eye, and she detected a sliver of a smile on his lips. “Sometimes those mistakes turn out to be blessings.”
“I believe I know the answer already, but I have to ask. Will you be taking custody of Coralie?” Mr. Jeffers moved to his desk and sat down.
“Absolutely.” Cord rubbed his jaw. “What if Pa tries to come back for her? What would happen?”
“Everything will be properly recorded so that he has no claim to her. Coralie will be under your and Josie’s guardianship.”
Josie sighed, full of relief. She’d been wondering about that for several minutes. The next hour was filled with more questions and signing papers. Soon she was on her way back to the hotel with Cord and Coralie. She didn’t have Sissy, but the day had a much happier ending than she ever could have dreamed.
“ARE WE ALMOST home yet?” Coralie had been bouncing up and down from the wagon seat for the last hour, and not from the natural bumps in the road. She was full of energy, which made Josie smile.
“Not much longer, dear.” Josie exchanged a smile with Cord. Home held an entirely new meaning than it had a month ago. “Only another fifteen minutes or so.”
“How long is that?” Coralie asked.
Cord laughed. “Remember the stream where I would take you fishing? Fifteen minutes is how long it would take us to walk there.”
Coralie settled down, just about the time Mucksbe came into view. “Is this the town I’m going to live in now?”
“Yes, it is.” Adjusting her bonnet, Josie peered out at the sight. “Welcome to Mucksbe, Coralie.”
“I’ll take you and Coralie home first and then take care of the wagon and horses.” Cord slapped the reins, and the horses took them the final distance.
All the joy Josie had experienced since yesterday evaporated in an instant when she saw Sheriff Daniels waiting on the bakery’s porch with a scowl marring his otherwise handsome face. Her muscles tightened. She reached behind Coralie and put a hand on Cord’s shoulder. He was just as rigid and tense.
Dear God, please let the sheriff be understanding. Cord doesn’t deserve to go back to jail, not when he was only trying to do the right thing.
Cord looked at her, his expression saying, “Don’t worry.” Through a silent agreement, they didn’t say anything. They wouldn’t risk causing Coralie undue fear. He parked the wagon in a temporary location.
“Coralie, stay in the wagon for a few minutes please. Mrs. Josie and I want to tell the sheriff all about you before we introduce you to him, okay?” Cord slid out of the wagon.
Bless him, he covered his fear well. Only a hint of it was visible in his eyes, none evident in his tone and action, until she saw him take a gulp.
“We knew it was a possibility.” His hushed tone sent cold shivers through her. “Promise me, if anything happens, that you’ll take good care of Coralie.”
“I promise, but Cord…” A lump in her throat made speaking difficult.
“Yes?”
“Can you all finish that conversation later?” The sheriff stepped down off the porch. “Some of us have work to do.”
“Yes, sir.” Cord stepped forward to meet him. “What brings you by today?”
“I hear tell you’ve been to Dallas.”
Josie gripped Cord’s arm. “He had good reason, Sheriff.”
Sheriff Daniels looked at her, his expression unreadable. “It’s still a violation of the terms he signed his name to.”
“I’m not a begging man, but I implore you, Sheriff, that’s my sister in the wagon. I’m all she has left in the world.”
“I won’t drag this out any longer than necessary.” The sheriff reached into his pocket and Josie’s heart stilled. “I’m an understanding man, though I do wish you’d sought out permission before making the trip, violating your agreement.”
“You’re right. I should have.” Cord looked at her, his cool, unaffected front he’d worn when she first saw him back in place.
“Be that as it may, I have a telegram here from Belleton. Seems your old boss, Bardell, has found himself in some legal troubles.” He handed Cord the paper. “As part of an agreement to keep him from hanging, he’s agreed to make restitution to numerous people he has cheated, including those he’d had arrested for stealing, with the stipulation they be freed.”
Her fist clenched against her heart. Was the sheriff saying what she thought he was?
“I’m a free man?” Cord looked skeptical.
“Yes, you are. You’re no longer bound by any terms of the Freedom Brides programs, and you will also find an account at the bank with your restitution funds.” Sheriff Daniels scratched his neck and hesitated before speaking further. “I hate to tell you this part, but you are also free to have your marriage annulled.”
Josie swallowed. She hadn’t seen that coming. Would he choose to dissolve their commitment?
Taking her hand, Cord looked at her. “Is that what you would want?”
She shook her head. “No, but I don’t want you to stay on my account.” They were the hardest words she’d ever said.
“What if I want to stay on your account because I love you?”
“You love me?” She’d hoped. She’d even considered it a remote possibility, but she’d never believed it.
“I do, Josie. You’ve shown me the goodness that can exist, freed my heart to love. I can’t offer you much in the way of tangible things, but you have all my love, if you’ll only accept it.”
“I love you too.”
“Ahem.” Josie had forgotten the sheriff was there. He tipped his hat to Cord. “That’s a wise decision, Cord. I think you’re going to be all right. If you’ll both excuse me, now that I’ve wasted half my day waiting for your return, I have more business to attend to.” He turned and walked in the direction of the jail.
Cord squeezed her hand. “Did you really mean it? You love me, too?”
“Yes.”
“I think we should seal it with a kiss.” And that he did, right in front of the bakery for anyone outside to see.
When he backed away, she couldn’t undo her smile, not that she wanted to. She looked back at the wagon and saw Coralie also grinning. It was unconventional, but she finally had a family to love.
Dear Reader,
I have had so much fun plotting this novelette series with my good friend, Susette, and we hope that you’ve enjoyed the first story of the Texas Wildflowers.
The Freedom Brides program is a complete figment of our imaginations, and, as far as we can tell, there were no similar programs in reality. However, it does make for a great story! These women are brave and independent, but live in a time and place where a husband was often a necessity. That won’t stop these ladies, though.
If they have to marry to get what they want, they’ll find a way to make it work!
Look for the next story, Free to Heal, in late-April 2015.
Until Next Time,
Leah
Connect with Me:
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Other Books by Leah Atwood:
Come to Me Series: Contemporary Christian Romance Novels
Come to Me Alive
Come to Me Free
Come to Me Again
Brides of Weatherton
After the Rain
Fire and Ice
Winds of Change
Freedom Brides Novelettes
Free to Love
Free to Heal
Free to Protect
Free to Serve
Free to Roam
Free to Forgive
Mail-Order Short Stories and Novelettes
The Ultimatum Bride
A Man to Be Proud Of
Their First Noelle
The Not Quite Mail-Order Bride
The Mail-Order Bride’s Quilt
Riches of the Heart
Unlikely Substitute
The Most Wonderful Bride of the Year