Mail Order Hannah (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies, #12)

by Wright, Cheryl

  It was nice to finally be in her husband’s bed, and in his arms. She’d had the best sleep she could remember for such a long time. Listening out for Rosie while she slept had left her with only partial rest each night.

  But last night was different. She went into a deep sleep and hadn’t heard the baby at all.

  She suddenly sat up. “Rosie!”

  Cecil wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back under the covers. “Rosie is fine. I looked in on her a short while ago and she was sleeping soundly.” He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. “We have some time before she wakes up.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  Rosie began to cry. “Or perhaps not,” he said, sounding disappointed.

  Hannah sat on the side of the bed and put on her robe. It was a little after dawn, her most favorite time of day. She stretched then stood. “I’ll go and change her. Then I’ll make breakfast.”

  By the time she’d changed the baby’s diaper and dressed her in dry clothing, Cecil was dressed and had filled the kettle, which was now simmering on the stove.

  He had eggs sitting on the side of the counter, and looked ready to make scrambled eggs and bacon. “I thought Rosie could try some scrambled eggs. I’ve never seen you give it to her,” he said. Hannah grabbed an apron and took over.

  “I can’t wait for the high chair to arrive,” she said. “That way she can sit at the table with us. Like a real family.”

  Cecil looked disappointed at her words. “We are a real family.” He turned away, and she wondered if he was annoyed.

  “I know. That’s not what I meant.” She stirred the eggs and threw the bacon into a frying pan. “Once Rosie is in a high chair, she can sit at the table with us, like she did at the diner. We’ll be able to eat in peace, while she plays.”

  “Oh. Of course. Sorry.”

  He toasted the bread while she finished off the main part of the meal, then poured the coffee. “I’m going to start work on the play area before the store opens. I figure the quicker it’s done, the sooner we can spend more time together.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Hannah said. “I’m sure Rosie is going to love seeing more of her Papa.”

  As if on cue, Rosie called out. “Papa,” she said, reaching her arms out to him. Cecil leaned in to pick her up.

  “That’s going to be the problem,” Hannah told him. “You spoil that child.”

  He frowned. “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes you do,” Hannah said firmly. “You will have to learn restraint in the store, otherwise she’ll want to be picked up all the time, and neither of us will get anything done.”

  He frowned but conceded. “You are right, of course.”

  They linked hands and bowed their heads in a prayer of thanks for their food. Hannah picked Rosie up off the blanket where she was playing on the floor, and fed her some scrambled egg.

  She spat it out. Hannah tried again, and got the same result.

  “Put her down and eat your food,” Cecil said. “You can try again when you finish your meal.”

  Hannah did as he asked and Rosie played happily with her toys. “This is why a high chair will be good,” she said, then continued eating.

  As soon as the meal was over, Cecil headed out to the store. It was still early, but getting a head start had been a priority for him. Hannah was excited for the small play area in the store. It meant she could help Cecil in the way she’d promised before she’d arrived. She would get to spend more time with him, and he would spend more time with Rosie.

  The town’s people seemed to have warmed to both her and the baby, which was something Hannah had longed for.

  She had never felt she belonged anywhere. Even back in Idaho where she’d grown up. From the moment she’d arrived in Grand Falls, she felt like she’d arrived home. The people here were all kind and accepting, even of little Rosie who everyone knew was not a blood relative of either her or Cecil.

  It warmed her heart.

  She could hear Cecil hammering out in the store. She should go to help she supposed, but needed to tidy the kitchen. Besides, he’d made it abundantly clear this was to be his project, and he wanted to do it his way.

  The banging continued, and then she heard Cecil yell. “Blast,” he said loudly. She was on the verge of running to the store, but knew he would be displeased if she did. If he was truly injured, he would make his way back to her.

  “Papa,” Rosie said on hearing his voice.

  She looked down at the child playing happily at her feet. “Papa is making you somewhere special to play.”

  Rosie looked up at her and smiled. “Mama,” she said, reaching her little arms up to Hannah. “Mama.”

  “Oh baby!” her mother said, tears brimming in her eyes.

  “Well done, Rosie,” Cecil said, entering the kitchen. He held his hand out to his wife. “I have a splinter,” he said.

  She leaned in and kissed his finger. Not being content with that, he pulled her close and kissed her on the lips. Hannah felt they were finally a family.

  Chapter Ten

  Everything seemed to happen at once.

  The high chair, crib, and stroller all arrived on the train along with the rest of Cecil’s monthly order.

  The letter Hannah had sent before she’d arrived with Rosie finally arrived too. It had taken far in excess of a month to arrive.

  Rosie’s play area was well finished, and Cecil was glad he’d decided to make it. Rosie had plenty of space to play in, but the added bonus was she could see Hannah when she was working behind the counter, and of course she could see him too.

  The customers loved seeing her too, but because of where he’d built her play area, no one could touch her. He hated to think what it would have been like if he’d made it out in part of the store.

  He shuddered. The thought of strangers touching his daughter gave him the creeps.

  The bell over the door tinkled and Rosie looked up. She seemed to enjoy seeing customers arrive, and always called out to them.

  “Hello!” she called.

  Gideon Garrison smiled. “Hello.” He turned to Cecil. “Is this your daughter?” the lawyer asked, leaning over the counter to get a better look. “She is very cute.”

  Cecil’s heart thudded. He’d been waiting for news for weeks. Now that he and Hannah were husband and wife in every way, it made perfect sense to make everything official.

  “Yes, this is Rosie,” he said. “Rosemary.”

  “I have the paperwork prepared,” Gideon said. “It just needs both your signatures.”

  Cecil leaned in toward him. “It’s a surprise for my wife – she doesn’t know.” He looked about the store. Hannah was nowhere to be seen. “Could we come to your office later today? Say, noon? I’d rather not do this here.”

  “Are you sure she’ll agree? I don’t want to waste any more time on this if you think...”

  “She’ll sign,” Cecil interrupted. “She’ll be ecstatic, I’m certain.”

  They shook hands and Gideon left the store. Cecil stared at his back. It was finally happening, and now all he had to do was tell Hannah.

  “I DON’T UNDERSTAND,” she said as the three of them headed toward the lawyer’s office. “What’s it about?”

  He just grinned.

  The color drained from her face. “You want to end our marriage? Why didn’t you...”

  “No! Nothing like that.” Why would she even think that. They’d been happy together for some time now. An annulment was the last thing he wanted. “It’s to do with Rosie.”

  She went whiter still and stumbled. Hannah looked like she would faint, and he held her around the waist, then backed her onto a nearby bench.

  “It was meant to be a surprise,” he said. “But I’m going to have to tell you, aren’t I?”

  She still looked beyond pale. Would she even be able to walk the short distance between here and the lawyer’s office?

  “I asked Gideon to look into Rosie’s status, to e
nsure there were no family members who could claim her.”

  Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. “We’re losing her?” Tears rolled down her face.

  Cecil stared at her. “Do you honestly think I would do that to you? To either of us? I love that child, totally adore her. I don’t want to give her up.”

  Hannah swiped the back of her hand across her cheeks. “Then why?”

  “Hannah,” he said gently, pulling her toward him. “We’re adopting her. Rosie is about to become our legal daughter.”

  Cecil saw now why he should have told her at home. Tears flooded her face, and she snatched Rosie up out of the stroller. She reached for Cecil and they all hugged. “Thank you,” she whispered. “But please, next time you do something like this, a little warning would be good.”

  After she had composed herself, Hannah was ready to move forward.

  They continued on their way to the lawyer’s office, where they each signed the documentation. Hannah leaned back in her seat, and held Rosie tight.

  “Now you are my daughter in every way,” she said quietly.

  “Mama,” Rosie said, and Cecil’s heart exploded.

  Epilogue

  One year later...

  The store was busier than it had been for a long time. With the summer months upon them, people were getting out and about more.

  Cecil would not complain.

  With Hannah laid up, he was struggling to manage the store alone, and had vowed to get help a few hours a day. There were a number of teenagers in town who would rejoice at the opportunity.

  There were also some he wouldn’t allow anywhere near his store.

  The bell over the door tinkled. “Ah, good morning, Mrs Baker,” he said pleasantly. Mrs Baker was one of the few people who he really enjoyed seeing.

  “Good morning, Mr Delbert,” she said. No matter how long they’d known each other, she refused to call him Cecil. On the other hand, she insisted her call her Mrs Baker. “I had a disaster at the diner. My kitchen towels were dropped onto the stove by the help and caught alight.”

  “My Lord!” Cecil said. “Is everyone alright? Your diner...?”

  She put a hand in front of herself to stop him. “Everyone is fine, and the diner is not scarred in anyway. Only my kitchen towels were damaged, and now I must replace them.”

  He sighed in relief. “That is good to hear,” he said, then went out from behind the counter. “They’re here, if you’d like to choose your designs.”

  “Papa, Papa!” Rosie came running into the store on her chubby little legs.

  He leaned down and picked her up. “What is it, little one? What has you so excited?”

  She leaned into his ear and whispered. “Baby.”

  He pulled back from her. “Baby?”

  “Mama said baby coming.”

  “Oh!” Still holding Rosie, he ran into the residence. They knew Hannah was close, but he thought they still had some time.

  He heard the front door of the Mercantile lock behind him. Mrs Baker thought of everything. She followed him into the residence, and he was grateful for the support.

  Hannah lay on the bed, a pile of sheets and towels underneath her. “I’m sorry, Cecil,” she said quietly. “My waters broke. There’s a mess in the bathroom.”

  He brushed her concerns away.

  “Mama!” Rosie sat on the bed next to her Mama and hugged Hannah tight. “Mama sick?”

  “No sweet Rosemary,” Mrs Baker said gently. “Mama will be alright. Come to Aunt Edna.” She lifted the child and held her tight.

  “I’ll take Rosemary and get Doc Spencer,” she told Cecil. “You put water on to boil and try to stay calm. Keep your wife calm too.”

  He watched as the pair left the house. “What can I do,” he asked as Hannah groaned.

  “Put on water, like Mrs Baker said.” He put a blanket over her. “I’ll be fine, don’t fuss,” she said. She waved for him to go, but he didn’t want to leave her alone.

  He knew he had to go. The doctor would be here soon, and he would need boiling water. Cecil went out to the kitchen and filled as many pans with water as he could fit on the stove.

  Doc Spencer soon arrived with his medical bag, then sent him packing along with Rosie. “This is no place for a child,” he said sternly, sending them out of the house.

  “I’ll be fine,” Hannah said. “I love you,” she said, and it broke his heart. Far too many women lost their lives giving birth. He desperately prayed that she wouldn’t be one of them.

  He leaned down and kissed her. “I love you too,” he said, his voice breaking. “More than you’ll ever know.” He reluctantly left her in the more than capable hands of Doc Spencer.

  Mrs Baker stayed behind to help, for which he was very grateful.

  He walked the streets with Rosie for what seemed like hours, but was not long at all. Then he went to the diner for coffee, knowing Mrs Baker had staff who would be keeping the place running smoothly. He explained the situation.

  He ordered coffee for himself, and a glass of milk for Rosie. He also ordered a muffin for her.

  When the coffee arrived he took a sip. It tasted bitter, but he was convinced it was him. There was too much on his mind for him to enjoy his coffee.

  Had their baby arrived? Was Hannah alive, or had he lost her giving birth? He couldn’t bear the thought of a life without her.

  He’d been selfish getting her pregnant. Too many women lost their lives this way – even Rosie’s mother had died giving her precious daughter life.

  He couldn’t continue to sit her doing nothing. He had to get out of here.

  Cecil pulled some notes from his pocket and handed it over as they left. He pushed Rosie in the stroller and walked. He had no plan, he just walked.

  He soon found himself back at home, wanting to get some sort of update on his wife’s progress. As he began to open the door, he heard a heart-wrenching scream, then nothing but silence.

  His heart pounded. Had he lost the love of his life?

  And then he heard it. The crying of a newborn baby. His baby.

  Their baby.

  “Papa,” Rosie said excitedly. “Baby.”

  His heart still pounded and he wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to take Rosie inside due to his deep fear, but he wanted to see his wife. Needed to see for himself if she was alright.

  The door suddenly opened wider. “Congratulations, Mr Delbert,” Mrs Baker told him. “You have a beautiful baby boy.”

  He couldn’t let himself be joyful until he had the full story. “And what of Hannah? Is my wife...” His voice cracked, and tears filled his eyes. He’d never cried in his adult life before, but he couldn’t bear to lose her.

  “Hannah is perfectly fine,” she said. “The doc needs a few more minutes to clean her up, and then you can both go in to see her.”

  He stumbled at the news, he was so overwhelmed with joy.

  “Cecil, Rosie.” It was Hannah’s voice and his heart thudded. He didn’t think anything could ever sound so wonderful to his ears. “You can come in now.”

  He pulled Rosie from the stroller and took her into the bedroom to meet her new brother. Her little eyes opened wide, and Cecil got a glimpse of what he probably looked like.

  He leaned in and kissed Hannah on the cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “Baby.” He held Rosie so she could get a better look at her baby brother. She leaned further and kissed his cheek, then kissed her Mama.

  “What do you think of Leroy Arthur Delbert? Arthur was Rosie’s father’s name.”

  “I think that’s perfect.” He glanced at Rosie. “Say hello to Leroy.”

  “Hello Roy,” she said, unable to pronounce his name correctly.

  “Well, I guess he already has a nickname,” Cecil said. “Time to let Mama rest,” he told Rosie. He kissed Hannah again, and they left the room.

  They went to the sitting room where he picked up his well-worn bible and said a prayer of thanks for bringing his w
ife safely through this ordeal.

  Cecil couldn’t imagine his life without his little family. He added another prayer to the Lord for bringing them to him.

  The End

  From the Author

  Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.

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  About the Author

  Multi-published, best selling and award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.

  She writes both historical and contemporary western romance, as well as contemporary romance.

  She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren.

  When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.

  Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.

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