Page 56 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
Maddie knelt before the child but when she tried to hug her, the girl pushed her away. “It’s not your fault.”
“Yes, it is. I told him I wished he’d get sick and never be able to play again.” Sobbing, Ivy fell into Maddie’s arms.
Maddie guided her to a chair and pulled her to her lap. “Honey, that wasn’t kind, but your words didn’t make him sick.”
“Well, he wouldn’t let me play with Scamp. Said Scamp was his dog. Said I was nothing but an orphan.”
“I suppose that wasn’t nice, but you are an orphan. And so is he.”
Wally knelt beside them and put his arms around around them both. “I’m an orphan too. Do you know what an orphan is?”
“Someone nobody loves?”
The words shocked clear through Maddie. “But you are loved. We love you.”
Ivy sat up. “That’s not what Kit said.”
Wally pressed his hand to the child’s head. “He’s made a mistake. An orphan is someone whose birth parents are dead. Sometimes they end up in an orphanage like I did. Other times they get a new family like you and Lindy and Kit have.”
Ivy nodded. “And you too?” Her firm wordsinformed them that she understood he had love and family.
“Especially me.” He kissed Ivy on the forehead then planted a quick kiss on Maddie’s mouth.
Ivy’s eyes grew wide. She giggled and then sobered. “I hope Kit gets better.”
Wally wrapped his arms around them both, sheltering them. He bowed his head. “Father God, thank You for loving us and always being our rock and shield. Help Kit to get better. Thank You.”
Sweet peace and overwhelming love flowed through Maddie’s veins. They remained in Wally’s embrace a moment longer and then Jonathan trotted up to them and grabbed one of Wally’s hands. “Me, too.”
Wally roared with laughter as he scooped up Maddie’s son and tossed him in the air.
The sound of Jonny’s giggles bubbled through Maddie’s insides. The joy of this life was beyond her expectation. She hugged her arms around her middle and turned to look out the window, breathing deeply to still the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She hadn’t known this sort of happiness in a long time. Maybe never. She’d been through a difficult, painful time and emerged into a life full of sunshine, love, acceptance…so many things that she couldn’t begin to name them all.
Wally stood behind her and wrapped his armsaround her, resting his chin on her head. She leaned back against him. How blessed she was.
She would do nothing to upset this joy. She’d say nothing to mar it.
What about Delroy? It wasn’t as if she’d lied. And Wally had never asked for details regarding Jonathan’s father.
That knowledge jolted through her. Wasn’t he the least bit curious?
Were those questions yet to come?
How was she to answer them without lying?
Wally felt Maddie stiffen.He tightened his arms around her wanting nothing more than to erase every sorrow from her life. Make her forget her past. He would have stayed there all day, holding her, her hair tickling his nose, her scent filling his senses, but Otis called to say he was thirsty. Jonathan tugged at Wally’s leg begging for attention and Ivy studied them. He knew from the look on her face that she struggled with mixed feelings. Perhaps liking the sight of them loving each other but also feeling left out.
Wally kissed the top of Maddie’s head. He picked up Jonathan and held out a hand to Ivy. “Let’s take some fresh water to your brother.”
A long sigh fluttered from Maddie’s lips makingWally smile. Seems she’d been enjoying the moment as much as he.
She turned from the window. “I’ll make something and take it over to Honor.”
While Wally took care of Otis’s needs, Maddie hustled about the kitchen, preparing food. Only one thing threatened his happiness. Would Jonathan’s father want the boy when he was old enough to work? It was a question he meant to put to her. His chance came later that evening when the children were sleeping.
He and Maddie settled in the living room the Bible open on his knees. Not that he read it. But it served as a reminder to him of the value and necessity of truth. He hoped it would do the same for Maddie.
She picked up the book she’d been reading but before she opened it, he spoke.
