But he stopped at the taste of salt.
He pulled back, catching the tear about to fall from her cheek with his thumb. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head, smiling while crying. “I just didn’t expect you to propose to me in front of all those people.”
He smiled at the starry-eyed gaze she was giving him. “Neither did I. This party was for Marianne and Calvin. I was just supposed to act like I could be happy at some point. I didn’t realize that point would be here so soon.” He pressed her head against his shoulder, leaned his against hers, and closed his eyes. “Oh, sweet Lord, I’m glad it was this soon.”
“But . . .” She hiccupped. “Might it be too soon? You didn’t have time to think anything through.”
He backed away and frowned. “What was I supposed to think through?”
“Well, my divorce.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, and she dropped her gaze from his. “Your father said I would make you the social outcast of your set.”
He led her toward the garden bower. “I don’t care what Father thinks. I don’t care about your divorce. I don’t care about your dress. I don’t care how scandalized we’re going to make this town. I love you, and if you love me as much as you said you did earlier, I hope we can make a difference here together. Which . . .” He cringed and gripped her hand tighter. “It’s you who might need more time to think things through.”
He swiped the dead leaves off the bench for her, then sat beside her. “I can’t leave Calvin to work with Father alone, so I won’t be returning to Teaville now.” He intertwined his fingers with hers, relishing the feel of her hand in his before he forged on. “But I realized after Father sold A. K. Glass that I could do plenty of good here. I always considered Father forcing me into his business as a cross to bear, but I now see it as a blessing. Though I still wish I meant more to him, all his business holdings are within my control, and will one day be mine. When Father intended to throw the two prostitutes I’d hired out on the street without even an apology, I realized the only thing keeping him from becoming a terrible man with too much power was me. But you could help me here, right? There are plenty of rough areas in town where I’m sure you’ll find people in need. We could help the women from Teaville’s red-light district find a life in Kansas City, maybe even—”
Her finger stopped his lips. “Wherever you are, David, that’s where I’ll be.” Her eyes warmed him more than a thousand candles. “I’ve never in my life been as miserable as these past two weeks without you.” Evelyn’s hands gripped his lapels, and he leaned in the last inch to meet her lips again. Her kiss was deep and desperate. Her fingers curled into his suit jacket as if she were terrified he’d let her go.
Pulling back, he tipped his head down to keep her from cutting off his words with her lips. “I promise not to desert you, Evelyn. I might have to end a kiss, go to another room, stay late at work, but I’ll never abandon you.”
“I know.” Her voice held the sound of unshed tears. “You’ve already proven that, before I ever had an inkling you’d stoop to marry me.”
He pulled far enough away from her this time to see her entire face. “I didn’t stoop. Don’t you ever think that—no matter what Father may say when I’m not around.” He flashed a grin. “Besides, you’re too tall for me to have to do any stooping.”
She grimaced. “Does that bother you much?”
“Not in the slightest. And I’ll prove it.” He placed his mouth against hers as tenderly as possible, relishing the fact that he could do so, for as long as he liked.
Well, not quite as long as he liked lest he get them in trouble before they married.
But he wasn’t about to pull away until he’d proven that nothing about her bothered him.
She clung to him while he explored her mouth, and a sudden shiver took over her body.
Since the temperature was mild for this time of year, her shudder sent a satisfied quiver through his own frame. He broke away and nuzzled her cheek, placing kisses along those scars she’d once tried to hide, breathing in everything about her. “I hope you aren’t like Marianne and want a huge wedding that will take forever to plan.”
Evelyn put her hand against his chest. “No. Though I would like to marry in front of witnesses who know me this time.”
He placed his hand on top of hers, pressing it harder against his ribs, as if he could get it closer to his heart. “How could anyone marry you with no intention of keeping his vows? I’d like to pummel the scoundrel.”
“I wouldn’t want you to.” She pulled back and took a long look at his face, the huge grin on her lips and the softness in her eyes melting away his anger. “If it wasn’t for James and his abandonment, I probably would not have waited for a love so true, so consuming, and so good. I know if I told you I don’t deserve you, you’d object, but I’ll thank God for every ounce of agony I’ve been through if it means I get to be yours for the rest of my life.”
“No ifs about it.” He hugged her closer. He might not be able to erase the agony of her past, but he would do what he could to help her forget it. “With God’s help, I hope to love you so well I never give you reason to start wishing on stars.”
Epilogue
FOUR MONTHS LATER
The sway of their carriage rolling up the Lowe mansion’s drive should have soothed, but it only highlighted the unnaturally quick pitter-patter of Evelyn’s heart.
“How are you feeling?” David had his arm around her, his fingers playing with the dangling strands of her hair that always refused to stay up.
“I’m nervous.”
“You shouldn’t be.” Her husband pressed a kiss against her temple, then sat back against their seat, his ankle crossed casually over his knee.
“You’re not nervous?”
“Nope.” He flashed her that knee-weakening smile she’d yet to take for granted.
“Why not?” She rubbed her hands atop her skirt. So silly of her to be this anxious.
“Because you’re their mother.”
Mother. The court had given her that title only an hour ago. It felt so foreign, and so right. When the carriage stopped at the top of the drive, they’d get out and “meet” their son and daughter.
David laced his fingers through hers. “You’ll be guiding them. So I’m not worried.”
“You’re too sweet.” She leaned over for what would likely be their last good kiss until they returned home. Hopefully she would never tire of showing David just how much she enjoyed the affections of the man God had blessed her with for the rest of their days.
After a few seconds, David responded to the slow caress in a way she knew would get her flustered if they continued much longer.
The moment she broke away, he followed after her and kissed her more soundly.
The carriage stopped.
He groaned, his eyes flashing hot. “What a tease you are, Evie.”
She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “But you like it.”
“More than you know.”
Their hired driver opened the door.
As David crossed in front of her to get out, he gave her a long look that turned her insides to jelly. And she’d thought his charming grin made her toes melt.
He helped her down, the Kansas wind greeting them with fine dust and the small of new grass.
Mr. Parker pulled up behind them, and Nicholas helped Lydia exit their carriage. Lydia met her halfway to the house and looped her arm around Evelyn’s. “You ready?”
Evelyn nodded, but inside the butterflies were wreaking havoc. Which was ridiculous since she used to be in charge of twelve children at a time, and they were only adopting two. But now, she’d never have to tell them good-bye.
Nicholas led them to the side door that went directly into the orphanage’s office. Once inside, he motioned to the sofa in front of his desk, but no one sat. “Since you don’t have much time, let me get Mercy to bring you the children.”
Lydia let go of Evelyn
’s arm. “And let me get my baby. I want you to see how big Jake has gotten. He just started smiling and cooing.”
Evelyn nodded mutely and watched Nicholas and Lydia walk out the door. When she’d heard Mercy and her older brother and his wife had taken over the mansion for the Lowes, she couldn’t have felt more relieved. Mercy would be a wonderful caregiver to the children and they couldn’t help but fall in love with her. But what if the children had become attached to Mercy and wished to stay?
David came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her torso, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Almost time.”
She leaned into him, trying to absorb some of his calm.
“Come sit.” He led her to the green upholstered camelback sofa, then put a hand around her neck and massaged.
A minute later, Daddy walked in the door.
“Daddy?” She left David and wrapped her father in a huge hug. “I thought you weren’t going to be able to see us.” The court date had been pushed back, David had to return to Kansas City for a big business deal, and Daddy was supposed to be in Oklahoma preaching a revival. He’d not been able to return to pastoring a church, but he preached in the area’s little rural churches when there was a need.
He planted a kiss on the top of her head. “We rearranged things so I could be here.”
She took a step back and examined his face, not a sign left of his apoplexy. Heat pricked the back of her eyes at Daddy’s huge smile.
David’s father had frowned at their plans to adopt so soon, and she couldn’t help but wish Daddy would be the grandfather these kids knew best. “You do know anytime you want to move in with us, all you have to do is send us a telegram, or better yet, show up on our doorstep.”
He kissed her on the forehead again. “We’ll let you know, pumpkin.”
Momma came out from behind Daddy and gave her a tight hug.
“Mr. and Mrs. Kingsman?”
Evelyn looked over Momma’s shoulder to see Mercy with her good arm around Alexandria and her shortened arm nearly parallel to the ground, resting across Scott’s shoulders. He must have shot up at least three inches since they’d seen him last.
Mercy smiled. “I brought your children.”
My children.
Alex ran straight over and wrapped her arms around her legs.
Evelyn held out an arm for Scott. He ambled over, but then gave her a hard, desperate hug. She kissed the crown of his head, too choked up to say anything.
David’s hands clamped onto her shoulders, and he steered them all toward the sofa.
She sat, and Alex curled herself up against her like a pill bug. “I’m so glad you came back for me.”
Evelyn sniffed. How she’d wanted to come and take all the children home. But four of the orphans she knew were already gone, two others couldn’t be adopted without their surviving parent’s consent, and Robert and Max wanted to finish school in Teaville.
David pulled out a small box from his pocket. “I have gifts for you two.”
Evelyn raised her eyebrows. When had he gotten them gifts?
He handed Scott a small square box.
Scott sat beside her and pried off the lid. On a velvet cushion lay a pocket watch—the initials engraved on the cover were SJK, with the K large and prominent in the middle. “Scott Jonathan Kingsman,” Scott whispered to himself.
Alex looked over at Scott’s watch and then turned back to David. “What did you get me?”
“This.” He pulled out a smaller box and opened it for her.
Inside lay a heart-shaped locket, her initials engraved on the front, just like Scott’s. “These letters are for Alexandria Marie Kingsman, and if you push this button”—he opened the locket—“I put a picture of your mother and me in there for you.” The tiny picture they’d taken on their honeymoon in a little shop in Eureka Springs had been cut to fit.
“Can I wear it?” Alexandria turned around and picked up her braids.
He fiddled with the tiny clasp, clearly having difficulty, but Evelyn didn’t bother to offer to help since she could barely see through the tears welling up. Under the influence of such a man as his father, she didn’t know how David had become so caring and thoughtful, but she couldn’t help but be grateful he had.
David finally got the necklace clasp to work, then kissed Alex on the back of her head. She turned around and bear-hugged him. “I’ve never had anything this pretty. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
“We have a gift for you too.” Momma handed Evelyn a heavy rectangular box.
She opened it up. Her family’s Bible lay inside.
“We figured you should have it now, so you can record the names of our grandchildren in it.”
Evelyn had to pull out a handkerchief to keep her tears from ruining the Bible’s cover. “Thank you, Momma.”
Daddy walked over to David and wrapped him in a side hug. “I couldn’t be more proud or thankful for you, son. I haven’t the slightest worry about the happiness of my girl and my grandkids in your care.”
David turned to clamp Daddy in a hard embrace. After a few seconds, he stepped back, eyes red rimmed. “When your daughter told you that you’d be welcome to show up on our doorstep”—David’s voice was raspy—“she wasn’t lying. Any day, sir.”
Daddy smiled at him and then stepped back to put his arm around Momma. “We’ll definitely visit as often as we can. We have grandchildren to spoil.”
Scott sighed beside her, his watch cover open, but he wasn’t looking at the time. It looked like there was an inscription on the inside.
She leaned over to take a peek.
Love, Mom and Dad
She cut her eyes toward David, still standing beside Daddy, who was uncharacteristically rubbing at his eyes. David was right—there was absolutely no reason to be nervous raising these children, not with the father God had provided them.
Scott clicked his watch shut and swallowed it up in his hand. He looked up at David. “Thank you, Dad.”
David seemed only capable of nodding, his throat working overtime.
“Thank you too, Mom.” Scott leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
Mom. A title she’d thought was lost to her forever. Thank God, He really did have something better in mind for her life. He’d forgiven her missteps and rewarded her with a family that surpassed the desires of her heart. “No, thank you for agreeing to be our son.” She slipped her arm around Scott’s shoulders and pulled him in tight. They might not be able to give these children a perfect life—she’d had the best of parents and gotten off track—but they could give them lives filled with love, encouragement, and security.
She could sense David’s eyes on her, and she looked up to give him her best smile. Thank you, she mouthed.
He came over and sat on Alex’s other side, put his arm around them all, and then leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Whatever you wish for, love, star or not, I’ll do my best to make it come true.”
Author’s Note
For readers wondering if there was anything wrong with baby Hope, there was. However, the term Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) was not coined until the 1970s, when the detriment of alcohol consumption during pregnancy was beginning to be understood; therefore, I couldn’t outright explain Hope’s problem in the story.
In the early 1900s, when the temperance movement was at its peak, it was believed that the offspring of men and women who consumed alcohol were predisposed to live a life of vice. Since grown-up children and adults with FAS are in a higher risk group for being substance abusers, being in trouble with the law, and having unwed pregnancies, the assumption of the doctors of the era was not completely off base. The long-term social and behavioral problems that some people with FAS exhibit are not always under their control, considering they’ve had permanent damage done to their central nervous systems, and they often need intervention services to cope.
In regard to infants, as you could see in my portrayal of baby Hope, FA
S often makes them irritable, inconsolable, unable to sleep well, extremely sensitive to stimuli, colicky, uncomfortable with being touched, tense, smaller than expected, and a challenge to care for. Methods my characters employed to try calming baby Hope, like swaddling, cuddling, bouncing, patting, singing, etc., may make FAS infants feel worse.
Alcohol damages preborn children more than any other drug, and no amount is safe to consume during pregnancy at any time. A pregnant mother has one-hundred-percent control of keeping her child from experiencing the long-term social and behavioral problems caused by alcohol. If you know of someone or are someone who struggles with alcohol and is pregnant, please seek out help immediately. Your local Alcoholics Anonymous should be able to point you in the right direction.
Acknowledgments
My biggest thanks this time around goes to Naomi Rawlings, who prayed for me through a big life change that made this book difficult to write, was inundated by my racing to finish by deadline, and had to deal with an overwhelmed, grumpy critique partner. And who’s still on board with doing this with me all over again.
My mother and mother-in-law gave up chunks of their time to watch my children so I could go hide and write this book. I’m very grateful they were willing to come even though we’ve added even more hours of driving for them to do so.
I want to thank my literary agent, Natasha Kern, and the Bethany team for caring about my stories and advising me on ways to make them better.
Glenn Haggerty, Heidi Chiavaroli, Julie Cowles, and Amy Parker all read this book or at least parts of it and gave me insight on how to make it better for readers. Thank you for doing so quickly and with care.
The people who pay the most for my stories are not the ones who hand over their dollars, but rather the ones who lose their mommy and wife time to the fictional world in my head. Thank you for your sacrifice and support.
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