Page 13 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
Madeline pushed herself to her feet, exhaustion evident in every movement. She looked ready to fall asleep on her feet and yet she lifted her arms.
“I’ll take him.” She reached for her son.
Wally wanted to protest. Say he’d take care of the little one and she could get some rest. But it was too soon. He shifted the sleeping child to her.
She nodded and went to the nursery, closing the door behind her.
A sigh came from the room. Two sighs. One from Madeline. The other from the bed as she sank to it.
Wally stood rooted to the spot for a moment. He pressed his palm to where Jonathan had rested his head so trustingly.
Was there anything better than the love of a child?
Precious and sweet as that was, Wally yearned for something more—the love of a woman. He stared at the closed door.
And prayed it was only a temporary condition.
4
Afloorboard creaked, instantly waking Madeline. Her heartbeat exploded. She held her breath willing herself to lie still, not move, not give away her presence. Remembrance crept in with slow reluctance. Her nerves settled as she took in the four walls, the quilt covering her and the crib to one side. She was in a different room. A different place. A different life. She was at the Shannon Ranch. She was married to Wally Edwards. She had Jonathan. Where was he?
A warm lump at her side informed her he was still there. Sleeping.
Relief flooded through her, and she lay still, adjusting to her surroundings. Her gaze settled on a hanging on the wall at the foot of the bed. A picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In his arms, he held alittle lamb who looked up at him with calm trust. Jesus’ expression indicated such love and concern that tears stung Madeline’s eyes.
It had been a long time since she’d known that kind of love. In her heart, she knew God had not changed. But she had. Her trust had been stolen when her brother’s friend entered her room and found her half asleep in her bed. He’d robbed her of far more than her innocence that night. She shuddered. Swallowed back the bitter taste rushing up her throat. Her life had taken a dramatic turn after that.
Air that was trapped in her lungs eased out and she settled her thoughts.
Here in her new life, she meant to find the stability and acceptance she longed for.
Careful not to disturb Jonathan, she slipped from the bed. The only sound the shush of the quilt as it fell back to the mattress. Quickly she donned her clothes.
Beyond the door, metal clanged on the stove. Otis said something, his tone guarded.
Madeline groaned. She’d meant to be up early enough to be ahead of the children, to make a pot of coffee and fresh biscuits, fry eggs and do all the things that a good wife would do.
Jonathan stirred and whimpered. He grabbed his ear and cried.
She changed him into something for the day,foregoing the diaper. “You can use the potty,” she said in her softest, most encouraging voice.
He tossed his head from side to side.
She carried him into the kitchen.
The twins stood before the window, Wally behind them as they all looked out. Even from where she stopped, she caught a glimpse of the bright outdoors. The sunshine beckoned but she’d gladly hide inside the walls of this house. And until Jonathan was better, she had a good excuse to do so.
Wally turned toward her, a smile curving his mouth and filling his eyes. Then he saw how Jonny pulled at his ear. “I have everything ready for him.”
Madeline sat and held her son in a now-familiar routine as Wally dripped warm oil into Jonny’s ear and then pressed a heated towel to his cheek. Jonny held it as if welcoming the comfort.
Otis called from his post at the window. “There’s the boy. He’s got a bucket. I’m bigger than he is.” Otis sounded equally curious and competitive. “He’s opening that wire gate.” He giggled. “Look at the chickens running to him. He fed them and now they are all around him scratching at the ground.”
“I thought there was a girl.” Longing for a friend rang through Ivy’s words.
“That’s her.” Otis leaned forward. “She’s carrying something. What’s she doing?”
“The children have chores,” Wally explained. “Lindy takes scraps to the cats.”
