She felt like her happiness should light the world. “James, I love you, too.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I didn’t dare to hope.”
“I think I fell in love with you when you stood in the hot sun and decided to be a father to Robbie. You’re kind and gentle, and a good father.” She tugged one hand free and laid her palm against his jaw. “And you’ll be a wonderful husband.”
“Then marry me.” He dropped to one knee, keeping her hand in his. “Esther Jane Travers, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife, my helpmeet, my very heart? Will you become Robbie’s mother in truth and help make us a true family?”
She urged him to his feet and moved into his arms. “As you will be mine. Yes.” She threw both hands in the air, making him laugh. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”
Robbie started cooing and shrieking from his bed across the room, joining in the celebration. Oh, yes, they would make a wonderful family.
EPILOGUE
Four years later…
A four-year-old definitely knew his own mind. At least that one did. Esther stood at the back door and watched as Robbie led Tad Porter up the hill toward the cemetery. While she was still carrying their daughter, James had hired Tad to help around the place, doing odd jobs like keeping the wood box full, feeding the chickens and gathering eggs. Though he was twelve years old, and nearly as tall as James, he didn’t seem to mind the work. Or keeping up with a toddler.
Last spring, when his mother died, they’d brought Tad to live with them, and Esther loved him like a son.
Robbie looked up to him as a big brother of sorts and Tad did all he could to be worthy of that place in the boy’s life. They looked so alike, she mused, watching Robbie change his mind and start back down the hill. Their hair color, the way they swung their arms when climbing the hill, even sharing a similar, pronounced nose. Anyone just meeting them would think they really were brothers.
Esther stilled. Was it possible…?
Shaking off the thought, she checked that their daughter was still napping before opening the oven door to check on the cake. In the last few weeks, that child had become quite fast on her chubby little two-year-old legs.
“Smells good.” James came in the back way from the church, crossing to wrap her in a hug and give her a kiss that made her long for the night. Though they’d expanded their little cabin into a comfortable dogtrot style home with a single bedroom downstairs and two more upstairs, they still congregated here in what had been their original cabin and was now the kitchen.
With Tad’s help around the house, James was able to do more for the church and the congregation, which was growing weekly. But today was Saturday and he’d spent the morning finishing his sermon for tomorrow’s service.
“James, I was watching Tad with Robbie earlier. Have you ever noticed how much alike they are? They walk alike.”
“I think little Robbie imitates Tad because he wants to be just like him.”
“But they even have the same color hair, the same nose.”
James frowned, something he often did whenever he was thinking. It was one of many little things she loved about her husband. “Do you think… No, Geraldine would have said something if Robbie was her kin. She wouldn’t have taken that to her grave.” Shaking his head, he crossed to scoop their daughter, Jane, from her bed. “There’s my princess.” He swung her in a circle, making her laugh. “Were you good for Mama today?”
“She was her ever-charming self.” Esther arched one eyebrow, only half teasing.
“Uh-oh. Does that mean no piece of Robbie’s birthday cake for you?”
“Cake,” Jane echoed. “Me cake.”
“You cake, all right. You nearly took a bath in the batter, you little imp.” She tapped a finger lightly on Jane’s tiny button nose.
“That’s because she wanted to be as sweet as her mama.” James wrapped his free arm around her and kissed her again. She let go of the last of the day’s challenges and leaned on his support.
“Flatterer.” She snuggled close for another moment. “Call the boys in. Dinner is almost ready.” As her family crowded around their kitchen table, and James offered thanks for their many blessings, Esther decided it didn’t matter how Robbie came to them. She was just thankful he was their son. And that he didn’t seem to mind having a little sister. Smiling at James, she laid a hand on her growing tummy. Hopefully he’d come to love his new sibling just as much.
“Are you feeling all right?” James brushed a hand down her back, from shoulder to waist. Esther loved that he touched her, whether they were alone or with others.
“I’m fine, dear. Just a little tired. Between chasing that one and preparing for Harvest…”
“Don’t overdo it this year. You need to take—”
“It easy. I know,” she interrupted with a laugh, making Jane laugh, too. She stared deep into his blue eyes, wondering how she’d gotten so lucky. She’d left the Dakota territory to find a home for herself and her child, and found a home for her heart, instead.
James had been right the day they met. God had put them all here for a reason, after all.
Books in the Bachelors and Babies Series
Trace
Book 1 ~ Pam Crooks ~ June 1
Logan
Book 2 ~ Margaret Tanner ~ July 1
Carter
Book 3 ~ Cynthia Woolf ~ August 1
Barclay
Book 4 ~ Charlene Raddon ~ September 1
Dallas
Book 5 ~ Cyndi Raye ~ October 1
Sawyer
Book 6 ~ Winnie Griggs ~ November 1
Jared
Book 7 ~ Charlene Raddon ~ December 1
Grayson
Book 8 ~ Linda Carroll-Bradd ~ January 1
Kendrick
Book 9 ~ Zina Abbott ~ February 1
Stuart
Book 10 ~ Caroline Clemmons ~ March 1
Zach
Book 11 ~ Hebby Roman ~ April 1
Chase
Book 12 ~ Charlene Raddon ~ May 1
James
Book 13 ~ Tracy Garrett ~ June 1
Tanner
Book 14 ~ Cheryl St.John ~ July 1
Brady
Book 15 ~ Carra Copelin ~ August 1
See all the Bachelors & Babies Books on our Amazon Series Page:
https://amzn.to/31ks9XC
About Tracy
Award-winning, multi-published author Tracy Garrett has been a life-long reader. She always loved to disappear into the pages of a book. An accomplished musician, Tracy merged her need for creativity, love of history, and passion for reading when she began writing western historical romance.
First published in 2007 by a New York house, Tracy joined Prairie Rose Publications in its inaugural anthology in 2013. She is a regular blogger on the Prairie Rose Publications blog.
In addition to her writing, Tracy is the Director of the Greater Lake Area Chorale, a group of more than sixty volunteer singers. She is a part-time secretary and serves as the Choir Director and Coordinator of Worship and Music for her church. She performs as a flutist and vocalist in concerts around the area and the country, and enjoys Cowboy Action Shooting as a member of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS). As “Ozark Belle” she has been privileged to develop cherished friendships with others who share her love of the Old West.
Tracy resides in Missouri with her husband and their fuzzy “kid,” Wrigley.
ALSO BY TRACY GARRETT
Grace
Wild Texas Hearts
Texas Rose
Texas Gold
Her Christmas Wish
THE RIVER’S BEND SERIES
Coming Home
Wanted: The Sheriff
No Less Than Forever
Her Sanctuary
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JAMES Page 12