She’d taken to Lettie quickly. Mollie watched the two of them grinning at each other, amazed at how different this “adoptive” grandmother was from Nell’s own real grandmother, who had spirited her away from the arms of her mother. She pushed back such dark thoughts. Not today. Today is a happy day.
“Well then, let’s get going,” Lettie urged. “We don’t want to be late to Mass, or we’ll wind up sitting behind that lady with the enormous hat again. I don’t know how we keep ending up behind her.”
“Probably because getting this ‘little bundle of sweetness’ ready keeps making us late…and those are the only seats left when we get there. No one wants to sit behind the lady with the enormous hat.”
“Nor do I! Go on now, out the door with you,” Lettie shooed them both out the back door, then pulled it shut behind them. “And while we’re on the way, I’ll tell you all the little tricks I had for getting Noah ready in plenty of time for church, when he was growing up.”
Mollie smiled, knowing her mother-in-law only meant well. Lettie had been so excited to meet Nell, in spite of not approving of that Nell was born out of wedlock. She was quite taken with Nell, and was already hinting about more “grandbabies.” She’ll be doing handstands in the street when she finds out about the little one on the way, Mollie thought with a smile.
Epilogue
September 10, 1891
Mollie held the letter in her hands that had arrived earlier in the afternoon. She couldn’t help but read it again, and revel in the relief that it brought her.
Dear Mrs. Jamison,
I thought long and hard about not troubling you by writing, but I decided it might put your mind at ease if I did. It’s been difficult here at the asylum, and so many times I thought about ending my own life, or lashing out at those around me. The only thing that kept me through was thinking about Ramona, and my promise to her that I’d get well and see her again.
In the last few months, there has been a new doctor here who has been very different from the rest. He’s been trying a new treatment with me, and it seems to be helping, according to him. I can see things more clearly now. The world isn’t a fuzzy mass of confusion anymore—at least, not most of the time. I realize now that Ramona really is dead, and that the baby I took wasn’t her. It was your baby all along.
After all the pain from losing Ramona, I was devastated to know I’d put you through the same thing. So I wanted to write to you and let you know that I understand what I did, and I’m grateful that you talked me off that ledge that day. And I’m glad that your baby was safe.
I hope this letter finds you well, and that your Nell hasn’t suffered any from the entire affair. I won’t contact you again, as I’m sure this only reminds you of a difficult time in your life. But if you ever feel moved to do so, please keep me in your prayers. I am working hard at regaining my senses fully—I’m still not sure exactly what happened the day that Ramona died—but I hope to someday be released, when I’m better. Maybe then I can move back to Boston, where everything is familiar, and try to make amends with my family.
May God bless you and yours,
Eugenia J. Fulton
Mollie folded the letter and slipped it into the pocket of her apron. She rubbed her burgeoning belly as she stood basking in the sunshine. She knew it would only be weeks before they felt the first Montana cold snap settle in. She wasn’t looking forward to giving birth in the winter again. Then again, it’s better than the heat of summer, she thought.
Nell toddled around in the yard in front of her, picking dandelions and examining them closely.
“No, no, don’t eat it,” Mollie called.
Nell frowned at her mother, throwing down the crushed yellow flower, then toddling off to find another.
Mollie laughed at Nell’s consternation. She was going to be a handful—she didn’t like hearing the word “no.”
“Well now, if it isn’t my two favorite girls in the world.”
Mollie glanced up, startled from her thoughts, to see Noah walking up the sidewalk. “You’re home early!”
“I figured the last two repairs could wait until tomorrow morning,” he said. “I couldn’t wait to see you. I thought we could go for a walk together.”
“You read my mind,” she smiled. “My back is aching, but I think a short walk would actually help.”
He leaned across the fence to give her a peck on the cheek, then opened the gate. “You want to go for a walk, Nellie?”
Nell’s looked up from her intense study of a dandelion, only then realizing her daddy was home. Her face lit up, and she tossed aside the dandelion, running as fast as her chubby legs could carry her.
She made it three steps before she fell. But she wasn’t even fazed. She clambered back up, steadied herself, and ran the rest of the way to Noah, who scooped her up eagerly in his arms.
“Walk,” Nell said. “Walk.”
“That’s right,” he said. “We’re going on a walk.”
“Walk!” Nell insisted.
“I think she’s telling you she wants to get down and walk,” Mollie laughed.
“Oh! My, aren’t we an independent soul?” He set her down, taking hold of one plump little hand and starting down the walk.
Mollie closed the gate and caught up to them. “I got a letter today. It was from Eugenia.”
“Who?”
“Eugenia Fulton.”
He stopped short. Nell tugged on his hand, but he ignored her.
“Why? What could she want? They didn’t let her out, did they…?”
“No, not at all. She wrote to apologize.” Mollie shared the contents of the letter with him.
“So…she’s better?”
“I don’t know how much better, but yes, it seems that she has a better grasp on the real world.”
He sighed with relief. “That must make you feel better.”
Mollie nodded. “I think that maybe now, the nightmares will go away.” She still dreamed about the day at the cliff…but in the dream, Eugenia always jumped. And in other dreams, Eugenia showed up at their house, demanding “Ramona”. She shivered, and pushed the images of the nightmares from her mind.
Noah put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure they will. You don’t need to worry about her escaping and coming back. So there’s no longer any reason to fear.”
Nell pulled on Noah’s hand again, and they continued walking.
“Eugenia said she’s going back home to Boston if she is ever released,” Mollie went on. “She wants to make amends with her family.”
Noah cast her a sidelong glance. “That’s good…right?”
“Absolutely. I’m glad to hear that she’s making plans to move on. It’s the best thing for her.”
“You constantly amaze me, Mollie. I already admired you for persevering after Nell was taken from you, and then being willing to give Nell up, for her sake. And now, seeing how forgiving you’ve been toward Eugenia after what she did…sometimes I wonder how I ended up with a woman as kind and loving as you are.”
Mollie blushed. “Thank you. But being strong…that was for Nell. I had to go on for her. And forgiving Eugenia…well, I think that’s just the right thing to do. And if she’s able to go to Boston and start over, maybe someday she’ll be able to find what I’ve found in you.”
Noah grinned. “And what have you found, Mrs. Jamison?”
She swallowed over the thick lump in her throat, emotion clouding her words. “Everything I’ve ever wanted, and everything I’ve ever needed.”
She stopped, taking a furtive glance around to make sure there was no one to observe them, then planted a swift kiss on his cheek.
“Kiss! Kiss!” Nell held up her arms to Noah.
He laughed and swept her up, letting her pepper his face with wet kisses.
It’s true. I have everything a woman could ask for, Mollie thought, and then some.
###
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Mail Order Devastation, look for Book 5 in the Montana Mail Order Brides series, coming soon!
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Julianna Blake is a historical romance author who was born in the wrong century, and enjoys creating worlds where she (and her readers) can walk around in a lovely silk day dress and feel right at home!
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Mail Order Devastation (Montana Mail Order Brides, Book 4) Page 24