When she heard the front door open, she put a hand to her stomach and took a deep breath before rushing into the entryway to greet him. She hurried to him and brushed her lips across his. Daniel grinned down at her and held her at arm’s length for a moment. “Back to pants? Nice.” He put his hands on her shoulders to turn her around and made a big show of looking at her bottom. “Very nice!”
She laughed and turned back to him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you!” She buried her face against his neck, happy he was home and didn’t mind her new attire. “You sure you don’t mind?” If he did, she would never wear pants again. She badly wanted him to be happy.
He shook his head. “I’ve never minded when you wanted to wear pants. To me they’re just a part of you.”
She sighed happily. “I’m glad, because they’re so much more comfortable than skirts.” She linked her arm through his, leading the way to the dining room where Rebecca was putting dinner on the table. “How did Papa take it that Charles was stealing?” She’d been thinking of him all day while he was at the bank, wondering how it was going. She knew her father wouldn’t be angry with Daniel for telling him, but she expected him to be very angry with Charles.
“He looked at the ledger and agreed that’s what was happening, and then he had me get the sheriff, who said he’d arrest him.” He looked down at the top of her head. “We hired a guard for the bank just as a precaution.”
She looked at him with a startled look on her face. “Do you really think that’s necessary?” She hated the idea of him or her father being in any kind of danger from Charles. She didn’t know how she’d handle it if she lost either one of them.
“I really don’t know, but we want to make sure.”
She bit her lip. “Can you take a little time off work? Just so you won’t be there?” She knew the answer before she even asked the question, but she didn’t know what she’d do if he was hurt.
He pulled her chair out for her and she sat down. “No, I can’t. Not right now, anyway. But it’ll all be fine.”
She sighed. “I’m sure you’re right. I’m just nervous about it.” Knowing there would be a guard there helped, though.
“We’ll be fine.” He gripped her hand in his tightly, making it clear he cared without saying words. “So, if you’re back to wearing pants, how would you feel about going fishing on Saturday?”
She laughed. “Don’t you want to take one of your buddies fishing?” Not that she was complaining, because she loved to fish with him. They always had a good time together.
“I’ve only fished with my father and you. After my father died, fishing was something I only wanted to do alone. Now, I want you there, but not anyone else.” He winked at her. “I’ll take our little girls fishing one day.”
“What if we only have little boys?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye. She wanted boys that were like him. She could already see them wandering around the house.
He shrugged, but frowned. “I’d be happy with little boys, but I want one tiny little redhead who looks just like her mama who likes to climb trees. So at least try to give me a little girl, okay?”
Lily smiled, thinking about the baby she was carrying. “I’d love to give you a daughter, but how will I ever figure out how to dress her? And teach her to be a girl? I haven’t figured any of that out yet!” She could always rely on her mother and sisters though. They’d be wonderful at those things.
“Why would you teach her those things? You’re perfect just the way you are, and you know she would be too!”
She looked at him in amazement. He really did care for her. “I love you.” She looked down at her plate after saying the words. She hadn’t meant for them to just pop out of her mouth.
His hand reached over and he tilted her chin up so she’d meet his gaze. “And I love you. So very much.”
Lily felt tears spring to her eyes, not contradicting him for the first time when he said that to her. She felt terribly relieved to know he loved her for who she was, not for who he thought he could change her into.
Daniel stared at the tears in her eyes and wanted to scream. Would she never believe him? Why had she married him when she obviously felt he was a liar?
* * *
It was late the following afternoon, and Lily found herself once again on her knees in the backyard at the shelter with Laura by her side. Laura’s bruises had faded to a pale green, and she seemed in better spirits. Even though she’d been slightly snobby the first day they’d met, Lily really enjoyed Laura’s company.
“I want to thank you for your advice the other day,” Lily told her as she threw another weed on the pile growing between them. The younger woman had been right on the money about how Daniel felt about her, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was glad she had been.
“What advice was that?” Laura stopped for a moment and studied Lily.
“I think you were right. My husband really does love me and I’ve been rude by not believing him.” She sighed. “It was hard to believe he could even see me past Rose, but he does.” She shook her head, slightly baffled now that she thought about it.
Laura smiled as she returned to the dead plants. “He sounds like a good man. You need to trust him to do what’s best for you both.”
“I do.” She put her hand over her stomach about to burst with her news. She hadn’t told anyone about the baby yet, but she wanted Laura to be the first to know. “I found out yesterday that I’m expecting our first.” Her eyes were sparkling as she told her new friend.
Laura grinned. “Oh that’s wonderful! Do you want a boy or a girl?”
Lily shrugged. “I want a boy, because I have no idea what to do with a girl, but Daniel keeps saying he wants a little girl with red hair who will climb trees and fish with him.” She could see herself as a mother to a little boy, but to a girl? She had no idea how she’d manage.
Laura laughed. “It sounds like the man is head over heels in love with you.” She glanced up. “He’s excited about the baby?”
“I haven’t told him yet. I think I will tonight. It didn’t feel like the timing was right yesterday.” She got to her feet. “I’m going to go get some water. Would you like a glass?” They’d been working for a while by that point, and she’d built up a strong thirst.
Laura stood up too, rubbing her back. “I’d love one.”
They walked toward the back door just as Mildred flung it open. Her eyes were frantic as they met Lily’s. “There’s a man at the bank holding everyone inside hostage.”
Lily’s heart sank. “Daniel? Papa?” What could she do? There had to be some way she could get in there and help out.
Mildred shook her head. “I’ve told you everything I know.”
Lily picked up her skirts and ran through the house and out onto the street. She knew she probably shouldn’t be running while she was pregnant, but she didn’t care. What if Daniel died without ever knowing about the baby they’d created together?
She rushed through town, noting that most people were crowded around the bank, watching the situation. She walked to the sheriff, a longtime friend of her father’s and tapped his shoulder. “What do we know? Is it Charles?” She wanted to plead with him to get her family out of there safely, but she knew it was all in her eyes, and he’d do the best he could.
The sheriff gave a brief nod. “I know you’re worried, Lily, but we’ll get them out of there.” He pointed to a spot behind a buggy parked in the street. “Please crouch down behind there. We don’t want him seeing you.”
Lily did as she was told, panicking as she prayed for her husband and father. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see James. “Do you know anything?” he asked.
Lily shook her head. “I don’t know any more than anyone else does. I’m worried about them.” She clasped her hands together, shaken to the core. James needed to just go away and leave her alone. She was too upset to deal with him just then.
James looked down at her. “You really love him, don
’t you?”
“Of course I do. I never would have married him otherwise.” She kept her eyes on the door to the bank, hoping against hope they’d all walk out the door any second.
“I hate it that you’ve come between us.” James shook his head at her.
“I haven’t done anything to come between you. I’ve told him to stay friends with you.” She still didn’t look at the man, wishing he’d go away.
“He won’t even talk to me anymore. He said I don’t respect you enough.” James’s voice was bitter as he said the words.
Lily looked over at him for the first time since they’d begun their conversation. “But I heard you say that I was the silliest flower in the garden and he laughed like he thought that was really funny.” She was confused about what she’d heard that day.
James looked at her in surprise. “He told me then that I wasn’t allowed to talk negatively about you. He hasn’t spoken to me since.”
Lily blinked in surprise. “Really?” A slow smile covered her face, and then she remembered where Daniel was and turned back to the building. “He’s got to get out of there!” She had to tell him how she felt and that there was a baby on the way.
James patted her shoulder. “He’ll be okay.”
She shrugged him off, not wanting him touching her. Her eyes stayed glued to the door as she prayed silently.
* * *
Daniel sat on the floor with Fred on one side of him and Walter, the new man, on the other. He looked up at Charles. “Fred will drop charges if you’ll just let us go.” He knew his voice was pleading, but he could see a crowd gathering outside, and he was afraid Lily was part of it. He knew she’d be frantic with worry both for him and her father.
Charles kept the pistol pointed at Daniel. “You’re the one who started all this, aren’t you? You couldn’t leave well enough alone.”
Daniel shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Daniel carefully kept his voice and face blank.
“It wasn’t enough for you to get me fired. You had to say that I was stealing and sic the sheriff on me.”
Daniel sighed. “Yes, it was me. Let the others go.” He didn’t want to die, but better just him than both him and Fred. Lily needed one of them to lean on.
Charles laughed. “I don’t think so. It would kill you with guilt to see me kill them, wouldn’t it?” He pointed the pistol at Fred’s head. “Maybe I’ll start with your new father-in-law. Then you can tell your sweet little wife that you killed him.”
Fred stared up at Charles. He’d made them all line up sitting on the floor with their backs to the wall. “I’ll get you all the money from the safe. There’s no reason to kill any of us.”
“You really think they’re going to let me out of here, Pops? I’m not that stupid. As soon as I set foot outside, the sheriff is going to pull that trigger. I’ll take as many of you with me as I can.”
Fred and Daniel exchanged a look. They’d talked multiple times about what to do in the event of a bank robbery. Daniel wasn’t about to risk his life for an idiot like Charles. When the guard hadn’t come in that morning, they should have known something wasn’t right. Charles had already admitted to knocking him out and tying him up on his way to the bank that morning.
At Fred’s nod, Daniel got ready to spring. Fred groaned loudly, clutching his left arm. “Oh, it hurts. I think I’m going to die!”
Daniel wanted to laugh at his father-in-law’s pathetic attempt at faking a heart attack, but he was too busy watching Charles. The man looked down at Fred with a frown, and Daniel jumped up, knocking Charles back.
Fred was on his feet in an instant helping to wrestle the pistol from Charles. The gun went off and shot out one of windows at the front of the bank just as they rolled Charles to his stomach and held his hands behind him. Daniel held him down while Walter ran to get the sheriff.
* * *
Lily flinched at the gunshot, wondering who Charles had shot. Was it her husband or her papa? Tears streamed down her face as she saw the new man, what was his name? He ran for the sheriff who followed him in. A moment later, he brought Charles out of the building with his hands cuffed behind his back.
As soon as she knew Charles wouldn’t hurt her, she jumped and ran for the bank, her skirts hiked to her knees. Being afraid of being hurt wouldn’t normally have stopped her, but she couldn’t risk the baby.
She rushed into the bank, her eyes searching. Daniel and her father were together in a corner, talking in low voices. She didn’t care what they were saying, because she had to get to Daniel. She threw herself between the two men, holding Daniel tightly. “Are you okay?” Her panicked voice was too loud, she knew, but she couldn’t help it.
Daniel smiled down at her, stroking her hair that had fallen down around her face. “I’m fine. No one was hurt.”
Lily sucked in a deep breath, the tears continuing to fall. “I heard a gunshot!” She looked around frantically to be sure no one was bleeding.
“Just a window as we were fighting the gun away from him.”
She lowered her head to Daniel’s shoulder and cried. “Don’t ever do that again!” She knew she was being unreasonable, but she just didn’t care. She’d never been so frightened in her life.
“It’s not like I planned to do it this time!”
“I thought you were going to die, and I hadn’t even told you about the baby yet!” Her voice was a wail, tears streaming down her face.
Daniel held her at arm’s length for a moment as a smile transformed his face. “Baby? We’re having a baby?”
She nodded, her face glowing with happiness. She turned to glare at Fred who was grinning from ear to ear. “And no telling Mama! I’ll tell her later!” Why had she blurted it out that way? She’d wanted to tell him at home, privately. Couldn’t she do anything right?
Fred nodded. “Why don’t you two come to dinner tonight? She’s going to want to know why I’m so happy after what happened today otherwise.”
Lily grinned. “I think we can do that.” She loved the idea of telling her mama there was another baby coming.
“More grandsons. I need lots more grandsons.”
Daniel shook his head. “This one’s a girl. A pretty little redhead like her mother.”
Lily laughed. “I just hope it’s a healthy baby.” Secretly, though? She wanted a boy. A little boy who would be just like Daniel.
“Well, we’re closing up shop for the day,” Fred told them. “I don’t think any of us need to work again before morning.” He hugged Lily and pushed her toward the door. “I’ll see you at dinner, and you make sure to take good care of my grandson!”
“My daughter will be just fine.” Daniel laughed at the look on Fred’s face as they walked away moving slowly through the streets. “Have you see the doctor?” he asked, his face concerned.
She nodded. “I haven’t had any symptoms at all. No morning sickness or anything.” She patted her flat belly. “It’s kind of hard to believe there’s really a baby in there.”
“But the doctor confirmed it? And said you and the baby are healthy?”
“Yes, we’re both fine. The doctor examined me yesterday morning.” She was thrilled he was so concerned. She’d married a good man.
Daniel looked at her with a frown. “Why didn’t you tell me last night?”
She shrugged. “It just didn’t seem like the right time.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. Later, she promised herself. Later the two of them would have a long talk and they’d discuss everything they were feeling. They had to.
Chapter Ten
The whole family gathered at her parents’ house that evening. Even Rose and Dr. Shawn were there with little Freddie. Lily stayed close to Daniel, afraid to stop touching him for fear he’d disappear. It had been a trying day for all of them. She wasn’t sure how she was going to feel about Daniel working for a while. She didn’t want to let him out of her sight.
After dinner, they sat in the p
arlor, most of the girls on the floor, but Rose and Lily sitting on the small sofas with their husbands. “I’m so glad you were both okay!” Mary exclaimed for the fiftieth time looking between Daniel and Fred.
Fred smiled, touching her cheek. “We’re fine. Daniel and I have discussed many times how we’d handle it if there were ever an emergency or robbery attempt. We just did what we always said we’d do.”
“I’m so glad you thought to have that talk ahead of time!” Mary had never considered that the bank could be robbed. She knew it should have crossed her mind, but she was too busy raising girls to worry about things like that.
Lily looked at Daniel and smiled, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. “I have some news,” she said loudly over the sounds of her sisters talking. The whole family had treated the evening as a celebration. Two of their own had faced a terrible situation and come out healthy and whole. They couldn’t be happier.
Mary’s eyes lit up as they met Lily’s. “Please tell me that news is a grandbaby.”
Lily laughed. “Of course it is, Mama.” She watched as her mother flew across the parlor and pulled her into her arms. How could a woman with eight children still get that excited about a baby?
“I’d like a little girl this time,” Mary announced with a grin, as if she thought Lily could just make that happen.
Lily laughed. “I want a boy. Papa wants a boy. You and Daniel want girls. Maybe we should all pray really hard for what we want and see who God listens to!” She grinned impishly at Daniel.
All of the girls crowded around her to hug her. When it was Amaryllis’s turn, she said, “I’m so jealous, Lily. I’m happy for you, but I’m jealous for me.”
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