“We’re happy to be stuck with you,” David said.
Addie leaned over and kissed David’s cheek. “That makes me so happy you feel that way, David.”
“Will we have cake?” Jane asked.
“We most certainly will, a great big one,” Rose said.
“Papa, can I have cake?” Claire asked.
“You can have all the cake your little tummy can hold on that special day,” Jack said.
“Well, if we’re having cake, I’ll have to come back,” Marshal Holt said.
“Bring Sheriff Trent with you,” Jack said.
When Marshal Holt asked why they were marrying in the pines, Addie explained about the special place where the sisters had played when they were children. “Rose and Morgan were married there earlier this year.”
“It sounds like a special place,” Marshal Holt said.
“It may be a bit chilly, but it will be worth a few goose bumps,” Addie said.
“Maybe I’ll get married there one day,” Jane said.
Jack hugged her. “I hope you stay my little girl for a while yet. Don’t hurry to grow up.”
“I can’t believe we are going to be a real family,” Jane said.
“You can believe it, honey. If anyone tries to take you children from us, they’ll have to go through me. And that’s a promise.” Jack didn’t make a promise he didn’t intend to keep.
Granny shook her finger at Jack. “Your new pa is not so easy to go through. But I’d rather not have to patch him up again.”
“You children can rest easy, you have a whole family willing to fight for you,” Morgan said.
“And you will have a new cousin in a few months, and we are going to need your help,” Rose said.
“I hope we get another boy. We need more boys in our family,” David said.
Jack smiled. It was heartwarming to hear David say our family. “I expect we will be blessed with many nieces, nephews, brothers, and sisters in the years to come.”
The children started debating how many brothers and sisters they wanted, and the adults laughed as the numbers grew.
“Jack, I’ve been thinking you and Addie need to draw up those papers for your orphanage and your adoptions. I’ll take them back to Denver with me, talk to the judge and explain the situation. It might not even be necessary for you to go to Denver.” Marshal Holt had already made his mind up to help these folks out with the judge.
“I appreciate that. We’ll have everything ready.” Jack prayed the judge would listen to Marshal Holt, but if not, he was determined to find one who would.
* * *
On Saturday, Jack and Morgan were at the kitchen table at the farm having coffee, waiting for the women and the children to come downstairs. Pastor Hunt arrived with Jack’s deputy, and Marshal Holt and Sheriff Trent were right behind them.
Jack met them at the door. “It’s good to see you. Come on in and warm up while we are waiting for the women.”
The children ran into the room, and Jack said, “Sheriff Trent, you remember my children, don’t you?”
Sheriff Trent smiled. “I sure do. They were mighty helpful the last time I was here.”
Each time Jack introduced the children as his children, they smiled wide.
“Papa, where is Mr. Joseph?” Claire asked.
“He’s in the pines praying to the Great Spirit.” Joseph had had a cup of coffee earlier with Jack, and he’d told him he was going to get prepared.
“Is his Great Spirit our God?” Jane asked.
“Well, Joseph describes him as the Creator of all, and that’s how we describe God.”
“Why doesn’t Mr. Joseph go to church with us?” Jane asked.
“All of nature is Joseph’s church,” Morgan said. “His people were here long before us, and their church is where they are.”
“Are the ladies ready?” Jack asked.
“Yes, we are,” Granny said as she walked in with Rose.
“Children, get your coats,” Rose said.
Addie walked into the kitchen and everyone immediately stopped talking. She was wearing a high-neck, creamy white satin-and-lace dress that skimmed enticingly over her voluptuous figure. It was gathered snugly at the waist and softly floated to her ankles. Her hair was styled in a loose bun on top of her head, secured by antique combs decorated with seed pearls. Wisps of curls fell seductively to her shoulders.
Jack had never seen a more beautiful woman. “Here’s my lovely bride.” He held his hand out to her, and when she placed her hand in his, he twirled her around so he could see her dress from every angle. He didn’t care if the men admired her full curves—she was his.
Addie blushed as she twirled. “Granny made this dress.”
Jack winked at Granny. “I expect she started sewing when she sat with me when I was shot back in the summer. She told me you were the one for me, and she was right. I’ll never argue with her again.”
“That’ll be the day, Jack Roper. You’d argue with the devil himself.” Granny held out Addie’s coat to Jack. “Now quit ogling your bride and help her into her coat. If we don’t get there soon, Joseph will be frozen.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jack wrapped Addie in her coat and kissed her behind the ear. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“I have the most handsome groom,” she replied softly.
* * *
Jack didn’t hesitate when the pastor told him he could kiss his bride. He held her close and gave her a kiss she would remember for the rest of their lives. “I love you,” he said when he ended the kiss.
Breathlessly, Addie replied, “I love you.”
After everyone kissed the bride and shook hands with the groom, Jack said, “Let’s go home.”
“Granny made punch,” Jane said.
“You really are our Granny now,” David said.
“I certainly am your Granny. I’m the luckiest granny in the world to have you as my great-grandchildren.”
“We are lucky too,” David said.
“I think I’m the most blessed man alive,” Jack said.
“I will agree with that,” Marshal Holt said as they turned to walk through the pines back to the house. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, but I saw Judge Stevens. I don’t know if you heard, but he had a heart attack. He’s going to survive, and I can tell you I think it scared the daylights out of him. I’ve never seen a man change so much. When I told him of your situation with the children, he didn’t hesitate to sign all the papers. The children are now yours legally.”
The children heard what Marshal Holt said and started jumping up and down.
“Can we call you pa now, and Miss Addie ma?” David asked.
Tears were in Jack’s eyes when he responded. “I’d be honored if you called me pa.”
Addie was so happy she couldn’t stop her tears. “That would be wonderful.”
* * *
Everyone was enjoying their cake and punch around the table when Granny inquired about the marital status of Sheriff Trent. “So you’re a bachelor too. You may be interested to know that I have a third granddaughter coming to Denver in a few weeks. She’s an opera singer.”
“You mean Emma Langtry is your granddaughter?” Sheriff Trent asked.
“Yes, do you know her?” Granny asked.
“No, ma’am, but I saw her sing in New York a few years ago. Her pictures are all around Denver advertising her arrival next month.”
“Now, Granny, I thought you told Clay that Emma was meant for him,” Jack teased.
“She may well be, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have to win her hand. I’m not so sure the pastor wants to marry.”
“When did that ever stop your matchmaking schemes?” Morgan asked.
“Are you complaining about my matchmaking, Morgan LeMasters?”
“No, ma’am.” He grinned at Rose. “I’ll never complain about that.”
“You have beautiful granddaughters, Granny. Maybe I’ll hang around Den
ver until she arrives to give the sheriff more competition,” Marshal Holt said.
Granny liked the sound of that. “Good. We are all going to Denver to see her sing, and we’ll meet you two there.”
It was time for everyone to leave, and Morgan and Rose planned to take the children to the ranch with them so Jack and Addie could have the house to themselves on their wedding night.
The children were saying good-bye, and Jack pulled them into his arms along with Addie. They hugged each other for several minutes. “I have everything in life I ever wanted right here in my arms.”
The children were almost out the door when Jack said, “David.”
David stopped and turned to look at Jack. “Did you want me?”
“I finally figured out the reason.”
David walked back to him. “You did?” He didn’t need to ask what his new father was talking about.
“Yeah. I think He was saving the best family for me.”
“Are you mad that it took so long?”
“Nope. I’ve been blessed beyond anything I could have imagined. I’d go through it all again for what I’ve gained.”
David threw his arms around Jack’s waist and hugged him fiercely. “Thanks, Pa. I think He saved the best for us too.”
Addie and the others remained silent, knowing something momentous had just passed between father and son.
When Jack’s gaze met Addie’s, he saw she was on the verge of tears. He pulled her to his side and said, “Thank you for giving me this wonderful family.”
Addie couldn’t find the words to describe her happiness. Instead, she followed David’s lead and wrapped her arms around her new husband.
Jane and Claire ran to them, and Jack wrapped his long arms around all of them.
When they said good-bye for the second time, Jack looked at Morgan and said, “Take good care of our children.”
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