Squires nodded. “Yes, I like working with Mack. He asks my opinion and sometimes we do it my way.”
There was a clue there of Squires’ attitude problem, but Peter had more important things to think about now. Maggie and three children.
“Squires. If you had a choice of any unmarried woman in town, more than the six the Peashooters picked out for us, who’s the one you like to spend time with?”
Squires looked up then and looked around the table.
“Maisie.”
Finally! Squires admitted his attraction to the woman!
“Then do something about it,” Gordon challenged Squires.
“Is that an order?” Squires shot back.
“No. A suggestion. You’re in charge of your own life now. It’s not your big brothers’ anymore,” Gordon patiently said.
Squires finally nodded. Hopefully, he’d get it through his head he was free to think and make decisions on his own.
And Peter had come to his own decision. He was going to do everything in his power to keep the Gatti children here. But if it wasn’t meant to be, he was still asking Maggie to be his wife. He loved her and wanted to spend his life with her here in Clear Creek.
Chapter 14
“Oh no,” Ann groaned as she shook her head. “It would have to be ‘Ebenezer’ and ‘Scrooge’ on this trip.”
“Excuse me?” Maggie looked down to where Ann sat on a chair on the depot platform. Even though there was a cold mist in the air, Ann had insisted on being with them when Peter and Maggie handed the children over to the orphan agents. Maggie tightened her hold around Alice, who was covered in a blanket to protect her from the cold. She did not want to give the children to anyone, let alone two people Ann didn't seem to like.
“I’ve enjoyed working with many agents over the years, but not with Mr. Flippin and Mr. Glover,” Ann said in disgust.
Maggie looked at the two men who had agitated Ann. She thought all agents were kindly with the orphans, or at least she hoped so. But these middle-aged men had the air of impatience about them. Maybe they were just anxious to pick up the children and be on their way.
“Ann, I don't know about this,” Peter said as he held a blanket-covered Bonita in one arm and had his hand on Christian's head as the boy clung to his legs.
“I don't either, but as a retired agent, I can't do much about it.”
“You're not retired until the last child of your group has been adopted,” Peter shot back with a hint of...desperation?
Peter had been as involved with the three children as Maggie had been the last week. Christian rarely left Peter's side unless it was to be with Maggie or Ann.
They hadn't explained to the children what was going to happen, just packed their bag and walked to the depot when they heard the train arrive. An agent had telegraphed first thing this morning that they would be picking up the children on the way through town and to be at the depot ready to hand them over.
Maggie's throat was too choked with tears to speak anyway. She'd grown to love these three orphans in only a week's time.
Who would eventually adopt them? Would the three children be adopted by the same family? It tore Maggie's heart to think they'd be separated.
The two men walked quickly to Ann, barely looking up at the children in Maggie's and Peter's arms.
“See you survived, Miss Beasley, but didn't get rid of the last children. I assume these are the orphans we need to pick up,” the first man said.
“Mr. Flippen. Train accidents that kill one agent and gravely injure another put a damper on placement.”
Maggie almost gasped. She'd never heard the woman utter such harsh words to anyone. She was normally so sweet, even if she was hurting and in discomfort from her injuries.
“That’s true. Sorry to lose the young agent. Now, we need to collect the children and get back on the train. We placed all our group of boys in two stops, except for a set of twins no one wants.
“We detoured our route after we received a telegram to pick up the children here in Clear Creek. We’ll try to place the children on our way back to New York,” Mr. Flippen conceded.
“Did the list of the placements of your last group survive the train wreck? I need to bring it back for our files,” Mr. Flippen asked. Ann nodded, and Molly handed it to him.
Mr. Flippen trailed a finger down the list until he came to the children not marked as being placed.
“Gatti family. A boy and two young girls. I was hoping they were all boys. Says the baby is slow and the boy doesn’t talk? Why wasn’t the middle child at least placed?”
“I wanted to find a home where all three would be together,” Ann replied.
“You know the policy is to place only one child in each home. There’s a chance they’ll be in the same community to continue seeing each other, but they are not to be adopted together,” Mr. Flippen pointedly accused Ann of not obeying the rules.
Maggie looked toward Bonita, trying to imagine her being adopted without Christian with her. If the right families were found, the children would adjust, but still…
Squires cleared his throat where he stood behind Peter, reminding Maggie not all children were placed in good homes, Squires was one of the unfortunate ones.
Molly and Maisie stood next to Maggie in support and Squires, arms crossed against his chest, stood defiantly next to Peter. The rest of their friends, plus her uncle Adam and aunt Millie, made a semi-circle around them, as if to protect the children they'd all learned to know. Pastor and Kaitlyn hurried across the street to join the growing group on the platform too.
“I don't like changing diapers,” Mr. Glover spoke up, looking at the baby in Maggie’s arms.
“Actually, both Alice and Bonita are still in diapers,” Ann spoke again. “And yes, Christian has never spoken a word.”
Mr. Flippen sighed and rubbed his forehead in frustration.
“Hello, I'm Pastor Reagan, and this is my wife, Kaitlyn,” Pastor interrupted the agent as he held out a hand to the man. “I conducted the burial service for the other agent. Would you like to pay your respects at her gravesite?”
“Thank you for doing that, Pastor, but we must get back on the train,” Mr. Flippen said as he quickly shook Pastor’s hand and tried to let go.
“Train stops here in Clear Creek for forty-five minutes for a lunch break. You have plenty of time,” Pastor said after he finally let go of the other man’s hand.
“I think we’ll need that time to settle the children on the train,” Mr. Flippen argued.
Maggie looked down at Christian, noticing his tear-stained face. She couldn’t let these children leave Clear Creek.
“It will only take a few minutes, Mr. Flippen. And I’m sure the agency would think it was the proper thing to do,” Kaitlyn said as she put her arm around the man’s elbow and pulled him away.
“Yes, you need to pay your respects,” Pastor motioned for Mr. Glover to follow the other two.
As soon as the Reagans moved the agents out of earshot, Peter signaled to the group to move around Ann.
“Ann, how do we adopt these children? They need each other, and I don't see these agents keeping them together. They'll separate them the first chance they get,” Peter implored the woman.
“Especially the girls. They'll be given away before the train leaves Kansas,” Maisie huffed.
Maisie and Molly were just as invested in the girls' care as Maggie was.
“When there are planned stops for adoption, married couples check over the children, and put in who they'd like to adopt. Usually, the agents are in that town for a few days to check out the possible parents and their homes,” Ann told them.
“Could we push them to leave them here?” Maggie pressed Ann.
“Maybe, but they'll only let married couples adopt the children. They won't go against that rule,” Ann warned them.
“Maggie, shall we try to adopt all three children?” Peter asked.
“Yes,” Maggie answered with a bi
g smile, knowing what else Peter was asking, and it thrilled her, even with the rushed situation it was.
“But Peter, you and Maggie aren't married,” Ann looked between them, confused as to how they could adopt the children.
“We will be as soon as Pastor is back.”
“And what if the agents won't bend the rule and will only let you adopt one child?” Ann questioned Peter.
Peter looked at his friends for help.
“We'll adopt Bonita,” Barton said after looking at Amelia. “Then Lyle Elison can draw up papers for you to adopt her from us.”
“Count on us to do the same for Alice,” Gordon told Maggie and Peter.
“As long as we get to be her godparents and spoil her whenever we want,” Avalee added with a smile.
“And Christian will be our son,” Peter smiled at Maggie while stroking the top of Christian's head.
“They're coming back. Please let me do the negotiating,” Ann said as Squires helped her stand. “I want my last orphans placed in Clear Creek. Amelia and Avalee, please hold the girls.”
“Time to go,” Mr. Flippen said as he motioned Amelia to hand over Bonita.
“No, Mr. Flippen. As my last act as an agent, I have found a home for the children here in Clear Creek.”
“It better be three homes, because I won't go against the rules.”
“Yes, I have three couples who want to adopt the children,” Ann continued without missing a beat. “They are all employed and own their homes.”
“As the town's marshal, I can vouch for all of them,” Maggie's uncle added. “And that would save you changing diapers.”
“Sounds good with me,” Mr. Glover said, probably happy to not be looking for homes for these three children.
“Let's go into the depot and fill out the paperwork. Barton and Amelia, please come in first with Bonita,” Ann said as Squires opened the door for Ann, the agents, and the couple.
“What did we miss?” Pastor asked perplexed.
“Pastor, you need to marry us, right now,” Peter told the pastor as he pulled Christian up to his chest.
“Now? But—”
We're going to adopt Christian, but we need to be married,” Maggie added, looking back at the depot, hoping Ann was dragging out the first signing.
“But we'll have to go over to the church. I need my Bible and a wedding certificate.”
“Here,” Kaitlyn said as she struggled to pull something from her reticule. “Here's a small Bible, and I have several certificates in case we needed more than one.”
Pastor stared at his wife. “What? Was this planned and you didn't tell me?”
Maggie felt Peter's gaze, and she lifted her head to smile at him.
“What were you planning if I hadn't asked you to marry me, Maggie?” Peter asked, looking a little perplexed.
“I would have asked you to marry me, Peter. We women are always prepared in these types of situations.”
“It's a typical Peashooter Society stunt, Pastor. We should be used to them by now,” Marshal looked at his smiling wife, knowing Millie had been in on the plan too.
“This was all planned by the young women. Now get them married, Patrick,” Kaitlyn told her husband.
“All right. Let's be quick before the agents see us,” Pastor said while reaching for the Bible in Kaitlyn's hand. Apparently, he felt he needed the book in his hand to make the wedding official.
“Peter Gehring and Maggie Brenner. Do you both promise to take each other, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance?”
“Yes,” both Maggie and Peter said at the same time.
“Then I pronounce you husband and wife. Quickly sign the wedding certificate because Squires is ushering Gordon, Avalee, and Alice in the depot now,” Pastor rushed through his words as Kaitlyn handed him a certificate and a pen.
The pastor laid the paper on his Bible and hastily scribbled in his name, and then handed the pen over to Peter to sign.
“Convenient all the lines are filled in already, including the witnesses,” Peter said as he handed the pen to Maggie next.
Kaitlyn had already filled in all the blanks except the ones that needed the three signatures.
“Your good wife was prepared, Peter,” Kaitlyn answered while Maggie signed the paper.
Maggie blew on the ink to be sure it was dry, then folded the paper and put it in her reticule.
“The agents are ready for Christian's adoption, Mr. and Mrs. Gehring,” Avalee said as she walked out of the depot.
Gordon's head whipped around to stare at his wife and then to Peter and Maggie.
“When?” Gordon whispered as Maggie and Peter walked by him.
“Two minutes ago, but don't say a word about it,” Peter whispered back.
“So, you want the boy, even though he can't speak?” Mr. Flippen asked as Maggie walked in with Peter, holding Christian.
“Yes, we do. Please make it legal now, and you can get on your way,” Peter said in an even tone, although Peter's jaw was ticking with anger.
Peter loved the boy as much as Maggie did, but he knew firsthand the trauma the orphan was going through.
“Fine. Sign here with your names and address, and it will all be legal.”
Maggie watched Peter sign, “Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gehring,” and then Mr. Flippen signed on his line and gave the paperwork to her. Maggie sighed with relief and excitement. Their plan worked!
“You're going to live with us, Christian. I'm really your papa now,” Maggie heard Peter whisper in the boy's ear. The boy gave Peter a smile, meaning he knew what that meant.
The crowd outside the depot clapped when they walked out of the depot. The agents didn't realize how much the group had to celebrate tonight. They'd be toasting their wedding besides the adoption of three children.
Joy replaced the tension in Peter's face as he leaned toward Maggie. “We still need to kiss to make it official.”
“I think I'm due several kisses after we put the children to bed in their new home tonight.”
“That’s very true, wife, and I'll be happy to give them to you.”
“Thank you for finding homes for these children, Miss Beasley. We wish you a speedy recovery and hope you can travel to your retirement home soon,” Mr. Flippin said, now cordial since he didn't have to worry about three young children.
“I've decided to retire here. Clear Creek is a wonderful community where I've already made good friends,” Ann answered, surprising everyone standing around her.
“I've already talked to the barber about renting his downstairs apartment,” Ann smiled up at Peter.
“I didn't know that!” Maggie whispered to Peter.
“I can plan secrets too,” Peter grinned, happy he could surprise her.
“Sirs!” The conductor yelled, and everyone turned his direction. “Your wards ran off the train! They went that way!”
“I thought they were sleeping,” Mr. Glover groaned while he turned on his heel and headed in the direction the conductor pointed.
“This is the third time this had happened this week,” Mr. Flippen sighed. “Anyone in town wants to adopt our last two boys? Be warned. They are deaf, red-haired, five-year-old twins who are more than a handful. I'm afraid they'll be going back to New York City with us.”
“I might be interested in them if they can be adopted together. My parents were deaf, and I know sign language.”
Mr. Flippen turned to look for the speaker, and everyone stepped back for him to talk to Tobin.
“Really?” Mr. Flippen sized up Tobin. “I'd bend the rules in this case, since they are twins and could be counted as a 'unit.' Stay here while we find them.”
“Tobin? What are you thinking?” Barton asked the question everyone else was wanting to know.
“If those boys are deaf and red-haired, they'll need someone like me to help
them understand life. It's hard. And I can afford to send them to a school for the deaf if they need to attend.”
“But you'd need to be married, Tobin,” Ann told the man. “That rule cannot be negotiated.”
Tobin sighed but walked over to Molly with a determined look.
“Miss Molly, would you consider marrying me to raise those boys? It can be a marriage in name only if you prefer it that way, but I can promise I'll always take care of you, the boys, and any and all livestock you want to buy.”
“Livestock?” Molly asked for clarification.
Shouldn't her sister be asking more important questions?
“You and the boys would need horses—or in their case, ponies for a while—to appreciate animals and nature as you go on daily rides. I'll put up a barn behind our house for the horses. And you can have dogs, sheep, goats, pigs—even a peacock if you want one.”
Tobin had Molly's attention by offering her animals.
“And I know you love children and would be a good mama to two troubled boys,” Tobin pleaded his case. “I might not look like a catch in the looks department, but I would love, cherish, and honor you until my dying day.”
“I know you would be a gentle husband and father, Tobin. Let's meet the boys first,” Molly suggested as the agents practically drug the two boys toward the depot.
“May Molly and I see the children in the depot first?” Tobin asked as he pointed to the door of the depot.
Maggie held her breath as the agents agreed, and the six of them went inside.
“Will Molly agree to this? I didn't realize she and Tobin were a couple,” Peter asked as he glanced around the group.
Maggie and Maisie smiled at each other, knowing Molly liked Tobin and could handle the boys. Molly had herded their little triplet brothers better than their parents had, even if she was only five years older than they were.
Tobin and Molly rushed out a few minutes later.
“Pastor, marry us quickly while the agents start the paperwork for us to adopt the boys,” Tobin hissed as he grabbed Molly's hand.
“Molly, is this what you want?” Pastor asked, making sure she wasn't being pushed into the marriage because of the situation of the boys.
Maggie Shifts Her Gent Page 10