With promises to keep in touch, they finally took their leave, and rode out of town.
“What’s in the parcel?” Josh asked.
“Mrs. Schmidt knitted me a scarf.”
“That was kind of her. Why don’t you wear it?”
“It’s not for me, it’s for little Lizzie.”
“Who?”
“The little girl in the canyon I told you about.”
“You are not going near that place.” He scowled. “I forbid it, Eddy.”
She shivered. “I’ll never set foot near there again, I swear it, but the grandfather goes into town occasionally. I’ll leave it at the livery for him.”
“I don’t know whether that’s wise.”
“I’ll get the livery man to tell him it’s from Eddy, not where we live. Apparently the grandfather dotes on the child, so he would give it to her, if she’s still alive, that is.”
“Stop it. Stop torturing yourself over this. There’s nothing you could have done for her, but give her the scarf if it makes you feel better. I don’t want you going there, or them coming near us, though.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t go near them.” The thought sent shards of distaste all the way through her.
They rode in silence, until Josh suddenly burst out laughing. “Don’t be angry at this my love, but I couldn’t resist.”
“What did you do?”
“I went to the telegraph office and sent Amy a message.”
“That was thoughtful. What did you write?” She had a horrible suspicion she might not like what he had to say.
Amy, home in a couple of days.
Wedded and bedded, Josh.
They both laughed, then Eddy sobered on thinking of the ramifications. “It will be all over town that…”
“I know Wilfred at the telegraph office, he’s discreet. Only he and Amy will see it.”
***
Eleven months later.
Eddy sat in a comfortable armchair in the parlor of the farm feeding two week old Luke.
“Do you still think he looks like me?” Josh hovered over them.
“Of course he does.” She removed the little rosebud mouth, and tried the baby on the other breast.
Josh’s nostrils flared when he saw her exposed breast. “I envy him,” he said.
“Oh, stop it. Go off and run your farm.”
A knock came at the door, and Josh went to answer it.
“I don’t know why you bother to knock, Amy, because you come in any way. How’s my niece doing?” He whipped the baby out of his sister’s arms when she entered the room.
Amy dashed over to Eddy. “Ooh, he’s getting a big boy. You obviously have plenty of milk. I hope my next one is a boy.” She patted her stomach. “I’d like to give Tom a son.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind what it is, as long as it’s healthy. Like some English tea? Mrs. Schmidt, the dear lady, sent me some.”
“To go with the china teapot, she gave you when they visited?” Amy laughed.
“Yes.” Eddy smiled. “She means well, but I much prefer a decent cup of coffee.”
“Here’s your daughter back.” Josh handed Jessica to his sister. “I’ll get the coffee for you, then head off and do some work. You can gossip to your heart’s content.”
“Josh, don’t go yet.” Amy held Jessica in one arm. “I hope I’m doing the right thing, but Simon gave me this letter, which the man at the livery had given to him.” She pulled a grubby envelope from her pocket.
“Don’t you touch it, Eddy, not with a new born baby.” Amy shuddered. “He could catch germs.”
“What are you up to now?” Josh gave an exasperated snort. “You’re trouble on two legs, Amy, you really are.”
In a childish scrawl, on the front of the envelope was written Eddy.
“For me?” Eddy’s heart pounded, her stomach nerves contracted. Read it for me please.”
Amy pulled out a single sheet of paper and read aloud.
Lizzie be passed on to a better place, her granny too. The scarf and doll you gave Lizzie was with her all the time. I be thanking you for that. Abe Nesbitt.
Tears welled in Eddy’s eyes, and she blinked them back.
“It was a real Christian thing you did, my love,” Josh said, as Amy sniffed too. “It obviously brought the child great joy. That’s how you must think of it. Life down here would have been bleak for her.”
“Josh is right, Eddy. If you look up in the sky at night, pick out the brightest star, and it will be her.”
Eddy knew they were right. She stared through the window at the trees in the garden, now dressed in all their fall glory, red, russet, brown and gold, and she knew that God in his wisdom had sent his angels to collect Lizzie.
She glanced down at her now sleeping son, her handsome, caring husband and Amy, and knew that even though sadness had come her way today, she was truly blessed.
THE END
If you enjoyed reading this book, there are 49 more in the series! Find out about the rest of the American Mail-Order Brides here
http://www.newwesternromance.com/
Margaret Tanner also has a short story published in a Western Romance Anthology – Rawhide ’N Roses
Margaret Tanners Westerns
The Cowboy and The Quaker
Cowboy Christmas
Margaret Tanner’s historical romance novels.
Published by Books We Love
Lauren’s Dilemma
Make Love Not War
A Mortal Sin
Fiery Possession
Savage Possession
We Never Said I Love You (novella)
Allison’s War
Daring Masquerade
Frontier Belle
Falsely Accused
Dangerous Birthright
A Wicked Deception
Haunted Hearts
Daddy Dilemma
The Loves We Left Behind (WW1 Special Centenary Edition)
Published by Amazon Encore:
A Rose In No-Man’s Land
About the Author
Margaret Tanner is an award winning multi-published Australian author. She loves delving into the pages of history as she carries out research for her historical romance novels, and prides herself on being historically accurate. No book is too old or tattered for her to trawl through, no museum too dusty, or cemetery too overgrown.
As part of her research she has visited the World War 1 battlefields in France and Belgium, a truly poignant experience.
Margaret has won numerous writing awards including the 2007 and 2009 Author of the Year at AussieAuthors.com. Frontier Belle, with a title of Frontier Wife, won the historical romance section of the 2010 Readers Choice Award. With a title of Wild Oats, Allison’s War, was a 2011 Finalist in the EPIC awards. With a title of Ruthless Seduction, Fiery Possession was short listed in the 2012 Find An Aussie Star Unpublished Manuscript Award from ChocLit Publishers, U.K. In 2015, Falsely Accused, won the historical romance section of the Easy Chair Literary competition.
Rawhide ‘N Roses anthology is a 2015 Rhone Award Finalist.
Margaret is married with three grown up sons, and two gorgeous little granddaughters.
Outside of her family and friends, writing is her passion.
Over the last few months, with the encouragement of her friend, Western Romance author, Susan Horsnell, Margaret is writing Western Romance.
All Margaret’s books are available in various formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and most other on-line book stores.
Contact Margaret Tanner at: [email protected]
Margaret Tanner’s Website: http://www.margarettanner.com/
Margaret Tanner’s Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/margarettanner
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