Rebecca knew the job ahead of him wasn’t one that he would enjoy. “Lord, please give Seth the strength he needs to do the task at hand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
She patted the baby’s back and then gently laid her down on a thick blanket just inside the wagon bed. “Neither of us will ever be alone again, little one. If Seth can’t find your family, I will be your family.” Rebecca kissed the baby’s soft cheek, as she said her earlier thoughts aloud.
For the next two hours Rebecca kept busy while she waited for Seth. First, she gathered things that the baby would need and transferred them to the other wagon. When the baby started to fuss again, Rebecca decided she must be hungry, but since she didn’t have any milk to feed her with she improvised and dribbled apple juice into the baby’s mouth. After a little while the baby quieted down again.
For now the baby’s needs were basic. How would she raise the little girl on her own? Maybe she could take in laundry and ironing to help supplement her income. She’d find a way. Rebecca refused to let her grow up feeling unloved.
She patted the baby’s tummy. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. And that includes taking care of you, little one. If it’s God’s will for you to stay with me, He will provide a way.” She picked the baby up, knowing she had to believe what she’d just said was true.
Rebecca changed and dressed the little girl. There was nothing to identify the baby or her parents in the covered wagon. Just clothes, a few baby toys, household items and tools. How would Seth be able to find the baby’s family?
Chapter Eleven
Seth asked himself the same question as he buried the couple. The woman had been several feet from her man, but neither of them had had an easy death. There were no clues as to who had murdered them or why.
Lord, how can people do this sort of thing to one another? He fought down the bile that threatened to choke him once more. His stomach had already lost its contents once today; he really didn’t want to do that again.
He focused on finding out who would have killed them and why. He didn’t think it was an Indian attack. The local tribes had been peaceful over the past few years. His gaze moved about the tramped-down grass around him. Seth figured this was the job of one, maybe two men, but he had no clues as to who those men might be. He sighed as he tossed the last shovelful of dirt on the husband’s grave.
Seth bowed his head and prayed. “Lord, I pray that this man and this woman be with You today. I’m not sure who they were or what their lives were like, but Father, I ask You to welcome them home today. And, Lord, please help that baby girl grow up to be a fine young woman someday. Amen.” He lifted the shovel off the ground and carried it back to the wagon.
He stood in the tree line and watched Rebecca cuddle the baby close to her. What if she had gotten there a little earlier and been with the family when they were attacked? His heart lurched at the thought. There would now be three graves instead of two. He didn’t like that thought. He didn’t like it at all.
She hummed and rocked. Her hat still lay on the side of the wagon; her blond hair glistened like gold in the afternoon sun. They hadn’t known each other long, but he felt confident that she would make a good mother to the little girl.
Rebecca looked up. Her gaze met his and she smiled. He stared into her eyes as if he were drowning in a sea of blue. What was it about this woman that pulled at him? He’d asked the question before and still didn’t have the answer. She drew him to her with a simple look and Seth found himself closing the space between them.
He stopped and looked at the sleeping baby. Her little heart-shaped mouth sucked at a chubby thumb. Long eyelashes shadowed plump rosy cheeks. His gaze moved back up to Rebecca. Her cheeks were also a light red and her eyes were soft. Her lips were slightly parted and soft-looking.
She puckered them to shush him. Seth couldn’t resist the urge to lean forward and touch them with his own lips. They were as soft as they looked and tasted mildly like apples. Warmth filled him and he stepped back. Awe filled his voice. “You taste like apples.”
Rebecca’s eyes had turned almost purple. She whispered back, “I just ate one.” He loved the way her warm, sweet-scented breath caressed his lips.
The baby chose that moment to wake up with a hearty cry. Her little fist beat the air and her fat little legs kicked out. Rebecca picked her up and laid her over one shoulder. She patted the baby’s little back until she settled down.
Seth looked on with interest. “How old do you think she is?” he asked.
She rubbed the baby’s back with gentle circular motion. “She’s small, but I think she’s about six months old. When we get back to town, I’ll take her over to Doctor Clark’s office and see if he can guess any better than I can.” She laid the baby down on a pile of blankets.
“That’s a good plan.” Seth turned to his horse. The sorrel stallion had moved to stand under a tree and munch on the green grass.
After tying his horse to the back of the wagon, he asked, “Do you want to head back to Cottonwood Springs?”
She frowned and then looked down at the infant who was reaching for her bonnet. “I suppose we should go home so that I can take her to the doctor.” Rebecca picked up her hat and placed it back upon her head.
Seth nodded. He took the baby in one arm and then helped her up onto the seat of the wagon. The little girl wrapped her hand around his finger and grinned up at him. At six months old did babies really grin? Or did this little tyke simply have gas? He’d heard something about them being gassy. The thought spurred Seth into quickly returning the baby to Rebecca. He didn’t relish the idea of changing a stinky diaper. Not that he’d know how to, anyway.
Rebecca shifted about on the seat. She tucked a lightweight blanket around the baby and gently rocked.
“Was there anything in there to identify the family?”
She shook her head. “No, just their clothes, cooking supplies and tools. No books, no Bible, nothing. Not even a letter.”
He climbed up and sat down beside her, taking the horse’s reins in his hands and turning the beast around. “I’ll come back out later and see about getting their wagon back to Cottonwood Springs.” He wondered if there might be a hidden compartment in the floor of the wagon. He’d check for that, too, when he returned.
* * *
Rebecca didn’t know what to say so she didn’t say anything. How sad that when those people died they left nothing behind. She would have had her Bible with her if she’d been traveling far. With that thought came another—that maybe they weren’t traveling far. Maybe they had family in Farmington and were returning home.
“Where were you going?”
The abrupt question took her by surprise. She didn’t want to answer him. “To Farmington.”
“I figured you were.” He clicked his tongue and set the little mare in motion. “Why were you going to Farmington?”
Rebecca lowered her head and brushed at a lock of black hair that had fallen into the baby’s eyes. “I wanted to buy something.”
By the look in his eyes, she knew he wanted to know what she had been planning to buy. For the life of her, Rebecca couldn’t bring herself to tell him. Heat filled her face. She felt foolish now, putting her life in danger for an icebox.
Rebecca prayed he wouldn’t ask her any further questions. What if she’d been there when the bandits had overtaken the other family? She’d be dead, too. Her hands grew cold and clammy at the thought.
“Promise me that the next time you want to go to Farmington, you’ll let me come with you or at least ask someone else to go with you.” Seth kept his eyes looking straight ahead, but there was a catch in his voice.
Did he really care that much for her? She relived their kiss. It had been warm and exciting to feel his lips press gently against hers. The thought that she should have pulled away first drifted through her mind. Had she acted indecently by allowing him to kiss her?
He turned hard brown eyes upon her and growled her name
. “Rebecca?” This time there was no nonsense in his voice. He wanted her promise and he wanted it now.
“I promise.”
Seth nodded and then returned his gaze to the road ahead. The wagon rocked along; every time the baby would drift off to sleep the wagon would hit a rock or a chug hole that would jerk it awake. Rebecca would coo at her and promise that everything was all right.
After several minutes of this, Seth asked, “What are you going to call her?” He looked at the sleepy baby, who returned his stare.
“I’m not sure. I wish there had been something in the wagon that would have told us who they were.” Rebecca rubbed the back of the baby’s hand.
“How about the name Jane?”
Rebecca looked up at him. “Why Jane?”
“Because, it means ‘the Lord is gracious.’”
She tilted her head to the side. “Really? And how do you know that?”
Seth lifted his gaze to her. “My sister’s name is Jane. Mother said she’d named her Jane because it meant ‘the Lord is gracious.’”
She smiled at him. “I like that. But I hope you don’t mind if I call her Janie.”
He laughed. “Not at all.”
“Good.” She turned her attention onto Janie. “Then you shall be named Jane Beatrix Ramsey. What do you think of that, Janie?”
In response the baby reached out and grabbed her finger. A little giggle sounded in her throat and she kicked her tiny feet from the blanket.
“Very nice. I think she likes it.” Seth slapped the reins over the mare’s back and glanced back to check on the stallion. “I’m not sure you should add your last name just yet.”
“I know it’s premature but I wanted to see how it sounded.” When he didn’t say anything, Rebecca added, “I like it.”
He chuckled. “So do I. But don’t get too attached to it.”
Was he warning her not to get too attached to the baby or the name? Rebecca sighed. It didn’t matter—for now she was Janie’s mother.
How long would it take him to ask about the name Beatrix? She waited and smiled down at Janie.
“Beatrix, huh?”
“Uh-huh.” Rebecca tickled the baby’s tummy and waited.
It didn’t take long for him to add, “That’s an unusual name, isn’t it?”
“My grandmother didn’t think so when she suggested it to my mother.”
He pulled the horse to a stop and turned to her. “Your name is Beatrix?” His hand moved to the stray hair that had fallen beside her face and gently tucked it behind her ear.
The breath caught in Rebecca’s throat at his touch. “Yes, my full name is Rebecca Beatrix Ramsey. I thought it fitting that my first child should have my name. Don’t you?”
Sorrow filled his eyes. “Rebecca, if her family comes for her, you will have to give her up.”
“How will we know that they are her real family?” She shook her head and turned from the warmth of his hand. “No, Janie is mine, Seth, and no one is going to take her from me.” Rebecca picked up Janie and hugged her close. The sweet scent of baby filled her nostrils; love filled her heart.
He clucked his tongue at the horse and they began moving again. Rebecca released the air in her lungs. What if he was right? Would her family come looking for her? Did she have grandparents who could stake a claim to her?
Even though she’d only been with the baby for a few hours, Rebecca didn’t know if she could turn her over to strangers. She glanced over at Seth. His jaw was set and he held his gaze straight ahead. Was he planning on taking the baby from her now that he knew she didn’t want to give her up?
She pushed the thought from her tired mind. If Seth entertained those thoughts, he didn’t speak of them the rest of the way back to Cottonwood Springs.
He pulled the horse up in front of the doctor’s house and office. “Would you like me to stay with you and Janie while the doctor examines her?”
Rebecca handed the baby, basket and all, to him. “No. I’m sure Janie is fine.” She climbed down from the wagon and then extended her arms up for the baby.
Seth held her close and studied the infant. Was he thinking about taking her away?
She cleared her throat to get his attention.
“I’ll go put away the wagon. Let me know, if the doctor finds anything wrong with her.” He handed the baby down.
A little later, Doctor Clark smiled and handed the baby back to Rebecca. “You’re right, Miss Ramsey. She’s probably about six months old and I am happy to say she is healthy.”
Rebecca took Janie in her arms and hugged her close. “Thank you, Doctor.” She inhaled the sweet baby scent.
“So, you are going to be her new mama, huh?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know how to take care of a baby, Miss Ramsey?” He wiped down his examination table.
Rebecca smiled. She knew he was only doing what he thought was right by the baby. “Yes, I do. I helped Ma raise my little sister.” She placed Janie in her basket and tucked the blankets around her small body.
“Good.” He put his rag away and walked to the door. “What has Mrs. Kelly said about you moving a new baby into the house?”
What would Eliza say? Would she tell Rebecca they’d have to find a new home? She didn’t think so, but worry still wormed its way into her heart. “I haven’t told her yet.”
He patted Rebecca on the back. “I’m sure Mrs. Kelly will be fine with the baby.”
As she walked to the dress shop, Rebecca prayed the good doctor was right. She opened the door and, not seeing Eliza in the store portion of the house, sighed. Rebecca mentally rebuked herself as a coward. Eliza was a sweet, loving person. Surely she’d fall in love with Janie, too.
She squared her shoulders and walked into the sitting room of the house. Still no Eliza. Maybe the other woman wasn’t home. Rebecca continued to the kitchen. She wanted to make Janie a nice warm bottle.
“There you are. I have been worried sick. Did you get the icebox? What’s that?” Eliza’s statements and questions came at Rebecca faster than sand off the desert on a windy day.
Rebecca set the basket on the kitchen table. Turned to smile at Hannah, who was sitting at the table, and then answered Eliza. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting. No, I didn’t get the icebox.” A smile pulled up the edges of her lips. “I got something better.”
Janie let out a small gurgle.
Hannah’s eyes grew round. “Is that what I think it is?”
Eliza rushed to the basket. “What is it? I want to see. Do you mind if I lift the blanket off? Oh, I love surprises!”
Rebecca nodded. She held her breath as Eliza pulled the blanket off. Her mouth shaped into an O and she turned to Rebecca. “There is a baby in here.”
“I know.” Rebecca would have laughed, but worry concerning her and Janie’s future home kept her sober.
Hannah stood and looked into the basket. “Oh, she is beautiful,” she breathed.
Again Rebecca answered with, “I know.”
Eliza reached inside and picked her up. Janie grabbed one of the strands of hair that hung beside her face and pulled. “Whose is she?” She untangled the baby’s fingers.
The moment of truth had come. Rebecca licked her lips before answering. “She’s mine.”
Hannah jerked her gaze from the baby. “Yours?”
“How is that possible?” Eliza pulled the baby back and searched her face.
Rebecca couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, she’s mine. I found her and the marshal said I can keep her, if her family doesn’t show up for her.”
Eliza plopped back into her chair. “I think you have some explaining to do.”
Hannah motioned for her to sit down. “Have a cup of tea and tell us what happened. If Eliza wasn’t so shocked, I’m sure she’d be asking you a million questions right now.”
Eliza was brushing soft black curls off Janie’s forehead. Her eyes were focused on the baby’s face. She seemed to have forgotten that Hannah and
Rebecca were still in the room.
Rebecca picked up a cup and poured warm tea into it. She dropped two teaspoons of sugar into the liquid and stirred. Still Eliza said nothing, simply stared into Janie’s eyes. “Eliza, are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Tell us how this baby came to be in your care, Rebecca.”
After Rebecca told the whole story, she looked to Eliza. “I was hoping it would be all right for me to move Janie in here with us.”
Eliza tickled the baby. “Of course it is all right. Aunt Eliza wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Relief oozed from Rebecca’s shoulders. “I’m so glad. Thank you.”
Her gaze ran over her friend and Janie. How long would they be together? Fear knotted her stomach as the thought came to her that Seth might find the baby’s family.
Chapter Twelve
Rebecca hung the clothes on the line and yawned. The ever-warming sun beat down on her head. She glanced at the sky and realized it was early afternoon.
Janie rested in her little basket. Even breathing told Rebecca that the baby was asleep. The desire to join the infant in a nap pulled strongly at her. Having a baby was proving to be a tiring job. Over the past week, Rebecca had gotten little rest. Between that and her job, she felt as if her bones were getting heavier by the day.
She scooped up the sleeping baby and the empty clothes basket, then headed back to the house. Her thoughts turned to Seth. He hadn’t said any more about Janie’s family and they had fallen into a routine. She, Grace and Janie spent breakfast with him. He was gone for the day and returned each evening at supper time. Then he walked her home each evening. Nothing he’d said this morning indicated today would be any different. Rebecca decided to go curl up on the guest bed and take a short nap with Janie.
In the house, she kicked off her shoes, found a light blanket and then lay down. The feather mattress’s softness engulfed her.
Later she awoke to the sweet smell of frying bacon. Rebecca yawned and stretched as she came fully awake. She inhaled the delicious scent and her stomach growled. Her gaze moved to the dark window.
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