Linda Ford by The Baby Compromise

Author:The Baby Compromise
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The next morning, Colton rose with his heart alive with anticipation and anxiety. He felt that he and Rebecca had drawn closer during the work bee, shared a common concern for Heidi’s future. He hoped it might be enough to convince her to stay. Maybe they could work something out. But everything he considered ran into a dead end. Too many things conspired to keep them apart.

Both Heidi and Rebecca emerged from their room with swollen eyes. Rebecca refused to meet his gaze and Heidi kept her head down.

Ma and Pa exchanged troubled looks.

“Heidi, my dear,” Pa said, “what’s troubling you?”

Heidi’s shoulders rose and fell. “Can I bring Happy in?”

“We have to leave for church soon,” Pa answered. “But yes, you’ll have time to visit for a few minutes.”

Pa waited until Heidi left to ask Rebecca, “What’s happened to our little ray of sunshine?”

“She cried out for Jakob in the night. She misses her brother.”

“Poor child,” Ma murmured. “She has every right to feel sorry for herself, and yet, for the most part, she seems to love to help others.”

Everyone was quiet and watchful as Heidi returned.

Pa pulled the stool close to his rocker and Heidi sat there, quiet as she clutched the kitten to her face. The kitten licked her cheek and Heidi laughed, though she sounded close to tears.

Colton looked at Rebecca, certain he saw the same sorrow and regret he felt. This child deserved a loving home. As did Gabriel.

He planned to see that they both got that.

“Time to take the kitten back to its mama.” Pa spoke gently, as if he hated to end the peaceful moment.

They left for church soon afterward. Folks were in a joyous mood after a successful Saturday. Everyone except Heidi, who clung to Rebecca.

Reverend Turner’s text came from James, Chapter 1, Verse 27. “True religion is this—‘to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.’”

Miss Ward, in her customary spot in the second pew, could be heard to sniff all the way to the back of the church, but Reverend Turner paid her no mind and continued, exhorting the congregation to apply the words of scripture at every opportunity. “Sheriff Mason tells me Wyatt Reed will soon be returning with orphans. We need to have the building ready. Agreed?”

A murmur of consent rippled across the congregation.

“Let us dedicate ourselves to the work.” The reverend gave the benediction and closed the service.

It took a few minutes for them to leave the sanctuary as so many wanted to talk to Rebecca and thank her for the work she’d done. Others stopped Ma and Pa to ask after their health.

Dr. Simpson approached Ma. “Mrs. Hayes, I’d like to pay you a visit, if I may. I think I might be able to help you.”

Colton half expected her to refuse. More than once she’d said she didn’t want to try any more dubious remedies. But Dr. Simpson waited, his gaze unblinking.

Ma finally agreed, “You’ll find us home anytime.”

In the buggy she said, “That man can be very persuasive without uttering a word.

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