The Gift of a Child

by Laura Abbot

  And so Rose began, tentatively at first and then more confidently. “Our Father who art in heaven...”

  Their two voices, joined in supplication, gave Rose hope, especially when they came to the line “deliver us from evil.” When they finished, a silence fell, broken only by the rustling of the cedars in the wind.

  “Now all we can do is wait.”

  Rose knew they must remain alert and positive. “If anyone can find us it is Caleb.”

  “And Seth.”

  “How would he receive word that we are missing? He’s at the ranch,” Rose reminded her aunt.

  “Caleb will think of something.”

  “I’m cold. And I have my cloak, but they took yours.”

  “Perhaps we should get our minds off our discomfort. I think now might be a good time for me to tell you why your Alf is so important to me.” Lavinia paused a long while, as if gathering her thoughts. “Mine has not been an altogether happy life. Louis and I were not able to have children. To compensate, I plunged into the whirlwind of St. Louis society. I distanced myself from other people’s children, even convinced myself that I did not like children. In some ways, I felt isolated from the experiences of other women. It was only when Lily came to visit and I saw her courage and her love for Caleb that I was able to permit a small chink in my armor.”

  “So it must have disturbed you to see me, a spinster, being presented with the gift of a child,” Rose murmured.

  “At first, it seemed unfair that I should’ve been denied what God blessed you with. But then...then little Alf wrapped himself around my heart and Mattie endeared her sweet self to me. It came as a shock to me to realize that I could let down my guard and enjoy my great-niece and—nephew. That I wanted to.”

  “Thank you for telling me that. Your story helps me because there was a time when I was envious of Lily. She had a loving husband and a precious daughter. I had neither. It was especially the lack of a child that broke my heart.”

  “And that, I suspect, explains Bertha Britten’s poisonous reactions. Perhaps, she, too, longs for a child she can never have.”

  Rose let her aunt’s words sink in before replying. “I must exercise forgiveness rather than judgment.”

  “A difficult but important lesson in life, my dear.” Aunt Lavinia struggled against her bonds and turned slightly toward Rose. “Now you have not only a child but a loving husband.”

  “A husband, at any rate.”

  “Child, whatever are you saying? That man adores you.”

  Rose swallowed nervously. “He has never told me so.”

  “I’ve noticed something about your Seth. Words do not come easily to him, but there are other ways to say ‘I love you.’ Through actions, Rose. Perhaps you need to spend some time thinking about the many ways Seth has demonstrated love. Don’t fault him for not uttering the words.”

  Rose couldn’t answer. Her mind was flooded with examples—Seth spending time with her on the porch, inventing excuses to come see Alf, complimenting her on her cooking, praying for a sick Alf when she could not and accompanying her to Council Grove. But most important? Proposing marriage in the attempt to save Alf for her. Her eyes filled with tears. How could she ever have doubted his devotion?

  The sun now sat just above the rim of the hills. What would night bring? If only she could have one more chance with Seth. One more day to tell him how much she loved him. One more evening to say prayers with Alf and tuck him into bed. Forgive me, Lord, for withholding my love and for presuming to know Seth’s heart. If it be Your will, preserve Lavinia and me this night from all dangers, so that we may be restored to live in the new day You have planned for us.

  Rose pulled her knees up against her chest and bowed her head over them in the effort to get warm. She had just nodded off when she heard Lavinia say, “Rose, do you hear that?”

  Rose strained, listening to the night sounds. “What?”

  “I thought I heard a horse.”

  “Pray God it is so.” She straightened up, exerting all her senses in the effort to corroborate Lavinia’s hopeful observation. Alas, it could as easily be Tex and Lester returning as the approach of rescuers. Then, borne on the wind, she thought she heard someone calling her name.

  “Here! Over here!” she shouted at the top of her lungs.

  “Caleb?” Lavinia called over and over.

  Then at the top of the rise, Rose spotted two horses, immediately recognizing Patches. “Seth, oh, Seth!” In the dim twilight, she saw him, racing toward her, Caleb close behind. Caleb, she now saw, was leading their buggy horse. Seth wheeled to a stop right in front of her and slid from the saddle and in an instant was at her side, cradling her face as if examining it for injury.

  “Dear, dear Rose. Are you hurt?”

  She had hardly answered “no,” when he was behind her releasing her hands from the rope. He pulled her to her feet, gently examining her chafed wrists. To the side she could see Caleb helping Aunt Lavinia to stand. Weak-kneed, Rose leaned against her husband’s broad chest. “I am so glad to see you. I hoped you would come, but then it was getting dark and—”

  “I’ve been out of my mind with worry. Rose, I don’t know how I could go on without you. I knew I loved Alf, but never until this night did I realize that nothing and no one in my life is more important to me than you.”

  Rose lifted her head, startled to see tears running down her husband’s cheeks. “Than me?”

  “Rose, sweetheart. Have you any notion how much I love you?”

  She reached up and wiped his tears with the tips of her fingers. “And I, you, my beloved husband. And I, you.” Their embrace went on for what seemed both an eternity and mere seconds.

  Finally turning to more practical matters, the men harnessed the buggy horse and helped the ladies onto the bench. Caleb nodded to Seth. “You go with the ladies. I’ll bring Patches along.”

  Seth picked up the reins, and under Lavinia’s approving glance, wrapped his free arm around his wife. Rose happily laid her head against his shoulder, knowing she would never ever forget this night when all the barriers between them came crashing down.

  “All’s well that ends well,” Lavinia said by way of benediction.

  Rose sighed contentedly. She couldn’t agree more. The words! Her Seth had uttered the blessed words.

  Epilogue

  The Sunday after Christmas was cold but sunny, with slate-blue skies stretching as far as the eye could see. Remnants of a recent snow sat atop the hills like cake frosting, but the roads were clear. The bells Seth had attached to the horse’s harness made the trip to town for services merrier than usual.

  Seth eyed the horizon. “Even though the sheriff caught those two robbers, thanks to Lavinia’s ruse about the well, I still want you to learn to protect yourself. The hired men are usually about the place if Pa and I aren’t, but I don’t want to take any chances with my family.”

  Rose nodded, then grinned. “It’s prudent that I learn to handle a gun, but I’m probably more accurate with my iron skillet.”

  Seth laughed. “Remind me never to cross you when you’re wielding such a weapon.”

  “That will never happen, dearest.” Rose bundled Alf closer as she snuggled nearer to Seth. She was beside herself with excitement. Today Alf would be baptized, sealed as God’s own.

  “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?” she said to Seth.

  He gazed down at her with his special smile that warmed her despite the freezing temperatures. “God has been good to us.”

  “Right now, I wonder how it was we ever doubted.”

  “We’re human. In bad times, we get impatient—”

  “And lose sight of God’s timing.” Rose closed her eyes, relaxing into her husband’s shoulder. “‘Our soul waiteth for the Lord,’” she murmured, quoting the psalmist. />
  “Faith,” Seth said leaning down to kiss her forehead. “A lesson we must never forget.”

  “And one we will pass on to Alf.”

  Alf tugged on her cloak. “What about me, Mama? What about me?”

  Rose smiled fondly. “Your papa and I were talking about how much we love you.”

  “God loves me, too, right?”

  “He certainly does. And today He will give you your name.”

  “And everybody’ll be there.” In a singsong voice, he ticked them off. “Grandpapa Ezra, Grandpa Andrew, Aunt Sophie, Aunt Lily, Uncle Caleb and Mattie. But I wish ’Vinia was here.”

  “So do we, son, but you forgot to name someone,” Seth reminded him.

  Alf frowned in concentration, but then clapped his hands. “I know! Bess. She’s gonna be my new grandma, right?”

  “Soon, very soon.” Rose pointed at the church coming into view. “And don’t forget the other people who will be there for you today—all our friends in the town. Aren’t we blessed?”

  “We are,” Seth whispered in her ear.

  As they walked toward the church, the air was fragrant with wood smoke and cedar. Hanging above the door was a huge wreath of greenery bedecked with a red bow. Inside, the rest of the family had already gathered, saving seats on the front row for her, Seth and Alf. Seeing all their family gathered around them, Rose knew a contentment she had long sought. With her dear Seth at her side and her son growing into a fine young man, she lacked for nothing. And now? Beyond her wildest hopes, she was beginning to suspect that God had sent her one more blessing. It was too soon to be certain, so she had told no one, not even Seth. She raised a gloved hand to conceal a satisfied smile. In God’s precious time she would know whether, come late summer, Alf would have a brother or sister.

  The organ pealed with the strains of the opening hymn, and Rose stood with the congregation, singing with an abundance of gratitude. Seth put his arm around her, his deep bass ringing with conviction. “Hark, the herald angels sing!”

  Following the sermon, Pastor Dooley stepped in front of the altar. “Today is a special day in the life of this congregation. Many of you know how God has acted in the life of young Alf. Sad circumstances for him, which could have ended very badly, have instead resulted in his finding a permanent, loving home with our friends Seth and Rose Montgomery. Today we welcome him into God’s fellowship and bestow upon him the name he has chosen.” The minister walked over to Alf and took him by the hand and led him to the baptismal font. “Rose, Seth, please join us.”

  Alf stood in front of Rose and Seth. Rose laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him. After Pastor Dooley blessed the water and prayed, the moment came when he asked them to name the child. Before they could open their mouths, Alf blurted out, “Alfred Kellogg Montgomery.”

  Muffled laughter could be heard in the congregation. Then Rose and Seth repeated the name. “Alfred Kellogg Montgomery.”

  Seth picked up Alf and leaned him over the font as Pastor Dooley poured water over the boy’s head and said in a clear voice, “I baptize thee Alfred Kellogg Montgomery in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.”

  When the rite had been completed, Alf put his little hands on Seth’s cheeks and said loudly, “Now I be God’s son. And yours. And we’re a happy fambly ’cuz you love Mama, right?”

  Seth found Rose’s eyes over Alf’s shoulder. “Yes, son, I do love your mama.”

  Looking at her two menfolk, Rose was nearly overcome with happiness.

  “And, Mama, you love Papa Sett?”

  Rose blinked away her tears. “Alfred Kellogg Montgomery, I love you and your dear papa with all my heart.”

  Seth held out his arm and drew her into a three-way embrace.

  Pastor Dooley nodded approvingly, then turned to the congregation. “I can think of no better Amen.”

  The family and friends gathered in Christian fellowship must have agreed, for Amen, Amen, Amen rang from every corner of the church.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from A HOME FOR HER HEART by Janet Lee Barton.

  Author Note

  For some, the Flint Hills of Kansas are an acquired taste. From my first introduction to that region when I attended college in Manhattan, Kansas, to spending time with friends who grew up in the area, to the pleasure of a recent visit to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and charming, historic Cottonwood Falls, I have loved the area. In fact, my first book, Mating for Life (Harlequin Superromance, 1995), was also set in the Flint Hills.

  What fun it has been, then, to relocate Rose and Ezra Kellogg from Fort Larned to Cottonwood Falls to reunite with Rose’s sister, Lily, and her husband, Caleb Montgomery. Lily and Caleb found each other in Into the Wilderness (Harlequin Love Inspired Historical, 2013), and I long ago decided that Rose and Seth Montgomery needed their own love story. (Fortunately, my editors agreed.) Never ones to take the spotlight, Rose and Seth must overcome both their lack of self-confidence and the spiritual questions challenging them. Neither is looking for love, but isn’t it usually the case that romance just happens to find people like them?

  If you think Seth and Caleb’s sister, Sophie, already has her happy ending, stay tuned. Her story is in the works. I have appreciated readers’ positive responses to all the Kellogg-Montgomery characters. Some have even indicated they may make a real-life trip to Kansas as a result. I hope so.

  Meanwhile, as always, I enjoy hearing your reactions to my books. I can be reached at lauraabbot@msn.com or on Facebook. My website address is www.lauraabbot.com.

  Blessings,

  Laura Abbot

  P.S. An architectural wonder in its day, the Chase County Courthouse still stands and is open for tours. Where I have taken literary license with historical details, I have striven to remain faithful to the spirit of the place and the era.

  Questions for Discussion

  Rose regards herself as a Plain Jane. To what extent does her self-image affect her behavior and decisions? In your own life, how does self-image play a role?

  Social standing and others’ opinions of her are very important to Lavinia Dupree. How do these manifest themselves in her actions? Lily, in particular, sees through the facade her aunt adopts around others. In what ways is Lavinia’s “mask” a self-protective device? How do others get through her mask to see the inner Lavinia? Do you ever wear “masks”? For what purposes? What would happen if others saw the “real you”?

  Much like Rose, Seth has trouble believing others’ high opinion of him. What in their pasts is responsible for such a lack of confidence? Why is coming to grips with the past an important step in facing the future?

  Settling the West was fraught with challenges and hardships. In the book, how does the community help to make frontier life more bearable? In our modern world, where do you find a sense of community? Are we more or less likely to find it than Rose or Seth? Why?

  What is the role of the Chase County Courthouse in the story? What does it tell us about the values and aspirations of those who settled in the Flint Hills?

  What characteristics and actions show Rose and Seth to be admirable parental figures? What might we learn from them about parenting?

  In the story, there are several sibling relationships (Rose and Lily, Seth and Caleb, Seth and Sophie, Caleb and Sophie). How would you characterize each relationship? If you have siblings, how has your relationship with them affected your life? What, if any, is the effect of birth order?

  Both Rose and Seth have issues with God, His timing and His action in their lives. What led to such doubts? How do they overcome their lack of faith?

  Periods of doubt or despair are often part of one’s faith journey. Think about such “dark nights of the soul” in your own experience. What helped you deal with your questions? Where did you find God amid
your doubt?

  The main characters in the story have all been “scarred” in some way by events in their lives. What can we learn from the ways in which they coped with their problems? With which main character do you most closely identify? Why?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

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  Chapter One

  New York City

  June 1896

  John Talbot had barely reached the top step leading to Heaton House before Elizabeth Anderson rushed out the door and slammed into his chest. He reached out to steady her.

  “Whoa there! Are you all right, Elizabeth?”

  Her hazel eyes appeared a little dazed as she looked up at him and she seemed to be trying to catch the breath he was certain had been knocked out of her. He was nearly a foot taller than her and she was a trim woman. She had to be shaken by the collision. He felt a little breathless himself, looking down at her.

  “Elizabeth, are you all right?” he repeated, keeping a firm grip on her slender arms.

  She gave a short nod and took several deep breaths before finally finding her voice. “I’m fine. I think.”

  She looked fine—better than fine actually. He’d never been quite this close to her, near enough to notice how thick and long her eyelashes were or how much green shot through her hazel eyes. “Are you sure?”