“No, I have a house about fifteen minutes’ walk.” Massot pointed in the direction. “Built it over a couple of seasons. Moved in a while back. Has space for Kathryn and any other children we may have.”
Nate was silent for a moment. “Ya built most of the buildings here in town, ain’t ya? That be what I’m wanting’ ta jaw with ya about.”
Massot lifted his eyebrows and studied Nate. “Oh?”
“Yep, I’m wonderin’ iffen ya’d be interested in helpin’ me with a project.”
“I’m pretty booked up. I have several houses lined up to build.”
“That’s what I be talkin’ ‘bout. I’m aimin’ ta hire up some men ta come ta town an’ get them houses built faster. Town’s growin’, an’ not just with the House Ladies. There be a need for more houses than what ya can do on yer own.
“I got some young men who need a place ta get some experience. They come from trouble, but want ta work honest. All be God fearin’ an’ know how ta work. Thought ya’d make a good foreman for the crew. Ya’d do the managin’ an’ ramrodin’. Houses would get built quicker and that’ll attract more businesses ta town.
“I’d be payin’ ya good, iffen yer interested?”
“Haven’t ever thought of something like that. Always just hired day labor when I need help.”
“Well, ya think on it an’ let me know. I’m a plannin’ on stayin’ in Stones Creek fer a while. God ain’t done with me here, yet.”
“I’ll do that. Need to discuss it with Ruth.”
Nate slapped Massot on the back. “I done knowed ya was a smart man. Cornsultin’ yer woman afore ya make a decision. Some men never learn that, an’ here ya are doin’ it an’ ya ain’t even married yet.
“Come on. Let’s celebrate yer upcomin’ nuptials with some of my squeezin’s.”
Massot took a last look at Ruth, then followed Nate to the adult libation table.
~~~~~
Ruth was worried about Tadpole. He’d been despondent since the shootout. Or rather after she and Massot had announced their coming marriage. He wasn’t the happy child he’d become since arriving at Sanctuary House. He’d stopped talking about choosing a birthday.
She’d tried to cheer him up by paying special attention to him. They’d danced at the party, but now he was sitting along the wall with his knees up, the cast across them with his chin resting on it.
Evening was progressing as Massot came bringing a glass of punch. “Here, it’s from the non-spiked table.”
“Thank you.”
Massot told her of the offer Nate had made, saying he was only mentioning it now. They could discuss it later. “You don’t look like you are having a good time. I’m not a good dancer, but if you want, I’ll take a turn around the room with you.” He leaned down and whispered, “It’s the only way I can hold you without raising eyebrows.”
Ruth looked up at his face. No fear flooded her. Not even a speck. She felt totally safe with him. She felt other sensations too, but those couldn’t be explored until after the wedding.
“We don’t have to. I’m having a good time, it’s just… I’m worried about Tadpole. He seems so sad. He’s not participating much. Not at home or here at the party. See, the other children are all running around, playing, and dancing. He’s just sitting there.”
“Do you think it’s because of his arm?” Massot asked.
“I know what it is.” Kathryn wrapped her arm around Massot’s waist. She was so looking forward to having him as a father. “He’s upset because Mama and I will be leaving the House when you get married. He doesn’t think we’ll even remember him or want to visit.”
Ruth and Massot looked at each other. It had never occurred to them that Tadpole was that attached.
Libby came up holding onto the hands of the twins. “It’s getting late. I’m taking these two back to the House and putting them to bed. It will be hard enough getting them up for church tomorrow.”
“I’ll take one,” Kathryn said. “I’m ready to go too. I’ll see if Tadpole wants to go. He doesn’t look like he cares to stay.” She picked up Jack and went to speak with Tadpole. Ruth and Massot watched the group leave. Other families were gathering their children to head home too.
“Let’s take a walk, Ruth. We can take the long way back to the House.”
Ruth nodded and they set their glasses on the table and slipped out a side door. Massot placed her hand on his elbow and kept his other hand on hers. They walked in silence along the railroad tracks.
“Massot, what are we going to do about Tadpole? I hate that he’s so upset over our marriage.”
When his silence stretched long, Ruth worried that he would say it wasn’t any of their concern.
Massot stopped and turned to face her. “I have a suggestion, but I don’t know if you will want it.”
“What?” Ruth knew what she wanted to do.
“Tadpole is a smart, fun little boy. He has some rough edges, which are understandable. What he needs to help polish those is a loving family.
“I’m fond of the boy. I know you care more than a little for him. Kathryn too. I think he feels the same towards you. He seems to like and listen to me.
“How about we see if he’d like for us to adopt him? Mae too, if she wants.”
Ruth flung herself into his arms and kissed him. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say. I love that little guy like he was my own. That was the one thing I wasn’t looking forward to about our marriage, leaving him behind.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Massot asked.
“Everything’s happened so quickly, there hasn’t been time. I was planning to.”
Massot held her close against his chest. “My life is certainly changing fast. Getting married, suddenly having children. Possibly a job supervising construction of several homes at the same time.” He tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes. “I never dreamed I’d be someone a woman would want to marry. Now I have you. You’re the one who will make it possible for all those things to happen. I love you.”
Ruth grinned. “I love you too. You can do it all. I know you can.”
~~~~~
They had discussed the children and Nate’s offer late into the night, sitting on the porch swing of the House. Massot was planning to accept the job once all the details were worked out.
Tadpole, they thought, would jump at the chance to be adopted. As they thought about the weeks he’d been at the House, it became clear he looked to Ruth as a mother and was starting to place Massot in the role of a father.
Mae, on the other hand, was a question. It was obvious she loved her brother. The ties she was developing went more toward Blanche and her children. Blanche was who she turned to when there were problems or when she was afraid. She liked playing with Nancy who was younger than Mae. Nancy was still interested in dolls which Mae had never had.
The girl still didn’t speak and no one was pushing her. Mae had been through such abuse, no one wanted to force her and place more of a burden on her than necessary.
She was also drawn to Hawk Connor, as her hiding in their wagon and going to the ranch showed.
Ruth and Massot would offer to adopt Mae to keep her with Tadpole, but would let her make her own decision. The children would be near each other even if Mae didn’t want to be adopted. They would make sure she knew she was welcome. Also, if Mae chose to stay at the House, no one would be upset.
Church service was over and they were all walking home. Tadpole lagged behind, kicking at the dusty street as he went. Ruth was eager to talk with him, but they were going to wait until after the noon meal.
As soon as all the dishes were washed and those children who had meal chores dismissed, Massot asked Tadpole and Mae to join he and Ruth in the parlor. Kathryn was there also, though she hadn’t been told what was going to happen.
“You know that Ruth and I are getting married at the same time Hank and Laura are. Ruth and Kathryn will be moving in with me at my house in the woods.
>
“Ruth and I care for you deeply and are willing to adopt you if you’d like that. We’d be your parents, legally, and no one could ever take you away. We’d love you as much as we do Kathryn.”
Kathryn beamed at him. She was bouncing slightly on her chair. Ruth was sitting next to Tadpole on the settee. Or he had been. When Massot mentioned adopting them, he’d jumped up and hugged her, squealing with delight. His cast clunked the back of the settee.
“Yes, yes, yes. I want to be adopted. I’ve wanted you as my mother ever since I came here.” He hugged Ruth again and his cast clunked her on the back of her head. “Oh, I’m sorry. That won’t make you not want me, will it?” Fear filled his eyes and voice.
“No, silly. That was an accident. I love you. I want you to be my son just like Massot wants you to be his.” Ruth held him close.
“This is the best day ever.” Tadpole jumped off her lap and ran to hug Massot. “I’ve decided on the day I want for my birthday.”
“You have? Which one?” Massot placed his arm around the boy.
“It’s a real important decision, you know. I could choose today since this is a real important day too. I get me a mama and papa. But I’m gonna stick with the one I thought up before.”
“Well, are you going to tell us?” Kathryn asked with a bounce.
“I asked Mrs. Blanche what the day was we got brought here. She told me it were April sixth. That’s gonna be my birthday. We all got a whole new life that day. Sort of like being born all over again.”
Kathryn was bouncing even more. “I’m so excited. I’ve always wanted a sister and brother.”
Massot looked at Mae. Her face was white and her eyes wide. He knelt down in front of her. “Mae, it’s okay if you don’t want to. It’s an offer. You can say no. We thought you might like to be with your brother.”
Ruth went to Mae’s chair. She knelt beside it and touched the girl’s cheek, turning her face to her. “We want what you want, Mae. If you want to stay here, that’s fine. We know how much you love Blanche. You’ll see lots of Tadpole and us. You can even come to our house if you want to visit.”
Tears slipped down Mae’s face. She looked at Tadpole, then Kathryn. Finally, she turned back to Massot and shook her head.
“You want to stay here, Mae?” he asked.
She nodded.
He hugged her. “That’s fine. We still love you. We’ll be an aunt and uncle to you. There if you ever need us.”
Mae gave a watery smile, then got up and went to her brother who looked a little confused.
“You’re not getting adopted?” Tadpole asked.
She shook her head.
“It’s okay, Tadpole,” Ruth came and placed her hand on each child’s shoulder. “Blanche loves her and she loves Blanche. That’s not to say that she doesn’t love you. It’s more that Mae feels safest with Blanche. Am I right, Mae?”
The girl nodded.
Tadpole nodded back and hugged her. “I guess that’s good then. I can still be your brother even if I’m living in the woods with my new family.” He smiled at Massot and Ruth and turned his gaze on Kathryn. “Hey, I’m gonna have two sisters.” He looked back at Ruth with mischief in his eyes. “How come you couldn’t have had a boy?”
Kathryn and Mae both grabbed him and rubbed their knuckles over his head as he shouted in protest.
EPIOGUE
RUTH STOOD IN her new nightgown in front of the windows that looked out over Stones Creek. She wasn’t admiring the view. She was watching the door, waiting for it to open and her husband to enter.
The wedding had been wonderful. Kathryn and Mae were her bridesmaids. Tadpole and Newt Riverby stood up with Massot. Laura had Libby and Gema stand with her. Laura’s sons, Eddie and Mark, were Hank’s groomsmen. Red Dickerson stood next to Mark, just in case the boys acted out.
Cake and punch were enjoyed after the ceremony. Hank and Laura were going on a honeymoon to Denver for a week. Eddie would remain at the House, while Mark was spending the time with Red and Gema at Hawk’s Wing Ranch.
Kathryn and Tadpole wouldn’t move to Massot’s house for a few days. Ruth and Massot wanted a few days by themselves. They’d decided to take a honeymoon in the winter when Massot wouldn’t be so busy. It would also give them time to figure out where they wanted to go. Ruth had protested, saying travel would be too expensive. Massot had taken her to the bank and shown her his bank book. She’d given in and was planning on enjoying searching for a place or places they might want to go.
The door opened and her husband came in. He was in a nightshirt. They stared at each other. Massot finally approached and wrapped his arms around her.
“A long time ago, I asked a woman to marry me. She said I’d never be able to give her what she wanted if I was only a carpenter.” His voice was rougher than usual. “I left and came to Stones Creek figuring I’d never marry. That I’d never be enough for any woman. Then you came to town.
“I was hesitant to ask to court you, thinking I wasn’t enough. Then you were reluctant and I thought I still wasn’t good enough.”
Ruth put her fingers on his lips. “It was never you. It was always my fears and protecting myself from them. With you I always felt safe. When you rescued Kathryn, she was so brave. She helped me understand that I shouldn’t hold on to the past, thinking that made me safe. She reminded me of a verse and it made me think of you.
“He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. It’s Psalm 91:4. I know I can take refuge under His wings and also under yours.”
“I’ll always protect you and the children. Together we’ll all be sheltered under His protective wings.”
Massot lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply. Then he scooped her into his arms and carried her to their bed.
Much later, Ruth snuggled against his side, her head on his chest. The sensation of feathers brushing over them made her eyes open. She smiled and kissed Massot softly on his chest. The arm around her tightened and she knew she was safe, protected, and exactly where she was supposed to be.
CHARACTER LIST WINGS
With the growth of Stones Creek and the many people who live there, I’ve decided a list of the main characters might be of interest and beneficial to the reader. Only the major characters are listed. This list includes those who appear in the Stones Creek Series and first book of Stones Creek Ladies of Sanctuary House Series. Children’s ages reflect their age at the end of the book.
Sanctuary House Ladies and their children.
Gema Volkovichna Dickerson
Blanche Basking
Oswald Basking (Ozzie) - Blanche’s son (13)
William Basking (Will) - Blanche’s son (11)
Nancy Basking - Blanche’s daughter (8)
John Basking - Blanche’s son (6)
Laura Duffle -Engaged to Hank Johnson
Edward Duffle (Eddie) - Laura’s son (9)
Mark Duffle - Laura’s son (7)
Ruth Naylor
Kathryn Naylor - Ruth’s daughter (12)
Cora Sepal Levine
Susan Sepal - Cora’s daughter (3)
Libby Trembly
Jack Tanner - Foster son to Libby (18 months)
Arleta Tanner - Foster daughter to Libby (18 months)
Boone (12)
Mae (10)
Tadpole (8)
Other Main Characters
Hawk Conner - Owner Hawk’s Wing Ranch
Hank Johnson - Barber
Noah Preston - Preacher, Gunsmith
Flora Potter
Sally Rife
Nina - Sally’s daughter (3)
Ada (14)
Stones Creek residents
Eli Steele - Doctor in Stones Creek
Leah Steele - Wife to Eli
Lincoln Pierce (Linc) - Foreman of Chasing R Ranch
Elenora Pierce (Norie) - Linc’s wife, daughter of Wes Chase, owner of Chasing R Ranch
Wesley Chase
(Wes) - Owner of Chasing R Ranch, Norie’s father
Ben Cutler - Owner of Cutler’s General Store
Sara Cutler - Ben’s wife
Seth Cutler - Son of Ben and Sara (11)
Abigail Cutler (Abby) - Daughter of Ben and Sara (9)
Clayton Cutler - Son of Ben and Sara (3)
Newt Riverby - Sheriff
Myra Riverby - Sheriff Newt’s wife
Troy Hope - Myra’s son (5)
McIlroy - Blacksmith
Chloe McIlroy - Blacksmith’s wife
Duncan Ashburn (Dunc) - Chloe’s Son (14)
Penelope Ashburn (Lil-Pen) - Chloe’s daughter (5)
Thomas Wilson - Ex-slave
Almeda Wilson - Ex-slave, Thomas’s wife
Spike Hunter - Head wrangler on Chasing R Ranch
Doris Hunter - Housekeeper on Chasing R Ranch, Spike’s wife
Vernie Preston - Noah Preston’s wife
Nugget Nate Ryder - Uncle of Ben Cutler
Penny Ryder - Nate’s wife
Garfield Steele - Eli’s father
Chalmers Jehosaphat Ritter (CJ) - Banker
Arty Massot - Carpenter
Forsyth Franklin Fredrick Farnsworth the Fourth (Four) - Lawyer
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