by Sarah Banks
“Are you…?” His voice tapered off as his eyes dropped down to her stomach which was hidden underneath Ben’s sleeping form, then back to hers. She wasn’t far enough along to be showing anyway.
Becca’s smile widened and she nodded happily. “Doc Hilliard confirmed it just this morning.”
He gently framed her face with his hands and pressed a hard kiss against her lips. When he pulled back, firelight and love were reflected in his eyes.
“You’ve made me happier than I ever dreamed possible,” he said huskily, brushing another softer kiss against her lips.
Tears stung her eyes at the love she felt. “I never dared to dream of anything really before. But even if I had, I could have never envisioned somewhere so beautiful, meeting someone like you and having a family of my own - you, Casey, Billy and soon our own children. And not only that, but we’re able to help other people when they need it. You taught me to dream and I can’t imagine a better life than this.”
Alex pressed another kiss against her lips before jumping up from the sofa. He went to his jacket pulling an envelope from the pocket.
“I just about forgot,” he said rejoining her on the sofa. “I went into town today too, first thing this morning. I got the mail while I was there and a letter came for you.”
Becca looked at the return address: New York. She recognized Betsy’s handwriting and felt her eyes fill with tears. This was the first letter she had received from them. That meant that they had received her letter and they were able to write back.
She should wait until Casey awoke to read the letter from the girls but she couldn’t wait. She handed the envelope back to Alex. “Will you read it to me?”
He nodded, breaking the seal and pulling out a single sheet of paper, unfolding it. Settling his arm back around her, she leaned her head against his chest, Ben tucked comfortably in her embrace, and listened as Alex read the letter aloud.
Dear Becca,
We were so happy when your letter arrived. We loved reading about your adventures and hope you will write again very soon.
A lot has changed in the time since you have been gone. Miss Templeton left a few weeks ago. She didn’t even say goodbye but none of us cared. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have taken her place. They were both orphans too, many years ago. They are very nice and we wish that you could have met them. Mr. Peters cooks the best meals we have ever eaten and says he has big plans to spruce up the place. Mrs. Peters is sewing us new dresses and reads to us every evening.
We spent this morning painting the foyer a bright, sunny yellow. Next month we’re to paint the bedrooms blue, like the color of a robin’s egg. Soon it’ll look like a different house. We told Mr. and Mrs. Peters all about how Miss Templeton forced you to leave after Miss Hall died. They said to be sure to write that you’re welcome to come back anytime. Us older girls realize that you probably won’t be returning now that you have a new home and a family, but we do hope that you can visit us sometime.
Both Grace and Lizzie insisted Casey went west with you but you didn’t mention her in your letter. If she is with you, or you know where she went, can you please let us know?
A few of the girls have questions about your new life so here it goes:
Maddie wants to know if your husband is nice.
Alicia wants to know the names of all your animals.
Laura B. wants to know what the inside of your house looks like.
Laura K. wants to know if you’ve seen any bears or Indians.
I want to write more but my hand is starting to get tired. Please write again soon. We love you and no matter what Miss Templeton said, we will never forget you.
Love,
Betsy and all of the girls from Miss Hall’s Home for Girls
Alex folded up the letter and set it aside. He dug out his handkerchief, handing it to her. “Are you okay?”
She swallowed and nodded, wiping away her tears. She had cried quietly throughout the entire letter but they were tears of relief and happiness.
The letter was wonderful. Becca thought about the girls every single day, mostly worried about them, and now she didn’t need to. She wondered what happened to Miss Templeton but perhaps it didn’t really matter. She had never been good with the children. With Miss Hall, Becca and Casey gone, Connie had had no buffer, and it must have been chaos until Mr. and Mrs. Peters finally stepped in. Becca was so thankful they had. They sounded like nice people and the girls seemed genuinely happy.
Becca had already written and mailed two more letters since the first. She would write another tomorrow, right after breakfast and dishes. She would respond to their news, tell them about Casey and answer all their questions. She couldn’t wait, already thinking about what she would write. She had never thought to include little details like the names of the animals or what the house or countryside looked like, but she could see how that might interest and spark the girls’ curiosity and imaginations. She knew that Casey could draw. Becca would ask her to sketch a few pictures to send to the girls.
And most important of all, now that Miss Templeton was gone, Becca felt confident they wouldn’t encounter any problems in becoming Casey’s legal guardians. Soon Casey would be a permanent part of their family. Becca couldn’t wait to tell her.
“After the baby comes, maybe we can all take a trip to New York,” Alex suggested. “We can save up.”
She looked up at her husband. “That’s a sweet offer,” she began, “but my life is here now. With you, Casey and Billy and soon, our children. I know the girls are well now and that’s enough. I don’t ever want to leave our home. I love it here. And I love you Alex,” she whispered.
“I love you too Becca.”
He helped her put Ben to bed before taking her upstairs and making love to her. And as she was falling asleep in his arms, listening to his soft and even breathing over her shoulder, she couldn’t wait to wake up again, to live another day of her blessed life.
The End
Also by Sarah Banks
Brides of Sweet Creek
Mail Order Anna
Mail Order Becca
Mail Order Charlotte
Mail Order Matrimony
His Surprise Bride