A Baby Between Them

by Winnie Griggs

She smiled back at him, wondering at his strange mood.

  “Oh, yes. I looked out over the ocean and thought about all your nonsense talk of sinful pride and different standards, and I finally came to one very important conclusion.”

  “What was that?” She was finding it difficult to breathe normally.

  He stepped forward and took her hands in his. “That it was not nonsense talk after all.”

  She searched his face, trying to discern his meaning. Could he really have taken her words to heart?

  “I’m ready to put it behind me now. And I have you to thank for that.”

  She squeezed his hands, heart swelling with happiness for him. “Oh, Cam, that’s wonderful. But all I did was show you the truth that was already in front of you.”

  “You did so much more than that. You are amazing and generous and beautiful. And I love you.”

  Her heart actually stuttered at those words. But she didn’t hesitate. “Oh, Cam, I love you, too. I have for quite some time.”

  He led her to the bench and sat down next to her. “I want to build a life with you, Nora honey. I can’t give you a big fine house like Will and Flynn gave your sisters, but I can love you with every fiber of my being, every day of my life. Say you’ll marry me and I promise to do my best to see that you never have cause to regret it.”

  She loved it when he called her “Nora honey” in that tender way he seemed to reserve just for her. “Oh, Cam, I don’t need a big house, I just need you by my side. Yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you and count myself blessed to do it.”

  Cam pulled her into a fierce embrace. “Nora honey,” he said, his voice low and husky, “unless you have any serious objections, I’m going to give you the kiss I’ve wanted to give you since you first came into my life and this time I intend to do it proper.”

  He’d wanted to kiss her even then? She smiled and raised her face. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  With a strangled laugh, Cam did just as he’d promised.

  Epilogue

  Faith Glen, Massachusetts, June 1851

  Nora and Cam stepped out on the ribbon-bedecked terrace at Mrs. Fitzwilliam’s home. Nora’s eyes immediately locked on the adorable toddler with the golden curls and sparkling blue eyes who was holding court at the far end of the terrace.

  The little girl spotted Nora at about the same time and her face lit up. She lifted her arms and took a few shaky steps forward. “Na-wa!”

  “Grace.” Nora took a few quick steps, then halted when a familiar arm looped around her waist.

  “Whoa there, Mrs. Long. No mad dashes for you, remember?”

  She rolled her eyes as she turned to face her husband. “That was not a mad dash.”

  He tucked her hand on his arm. “No point taking any chances. Now, let’s not keep Ladybug waiting.”

  Together they crossed the terrace at a much-too-sedate pace for Nora’s liking. Finally reaching her target, she stooped to give Grace a hug. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. You’re looking so pretty today.”

  Grace returned Nora’s hug and gave her a loud, sloppy kiss. Then she turned to Mollie who was seated at her side, snatched something from her lap, and held it out to Nora. “Bee-bee”

  Nora admired the rag doll. “Yes, baby. Very nice.”

  Grace giggled and snatched back her doll, then toddled over to Gavin, demanding he pick her up.

  Before Nora could rise, she felt Cam’s hand under her elbow. She allowed him to help her up, then put her fists on her hips. “Cam, you’re hovering. Why don’t you go join that group of men over there while I find Maeve and Bridget?”

  “Maybe I should stay—”

  “I want a word alone with my sisters,” she said firmly.

  He nodded reluctantly. “Of course. I know you’ve been fair to bursting to talk to them, but promise me you won’t go haring off and that you’ll be careful on the stairs.”

  Nora rolled her eyes again. If he was going to be like this for the next seven months it would drive her plumb crazy. Then again, it was nice to have someone who cared this much about her. More than nice. “I promise.”

  Cam dropped a lingering kiss on her cheek, then stepped back. “I’ll be right over there with Will and Flynn if you need me.”

  She smiled. “I will always need you.”

  His eyes darkened at that and she laughed. “Now run on so I can find Maeve and Bridget.”

  But before she’d taken more than two steps, Mrs. Fitzwilliam found her. “Nora, I’m so glad you could come.”

  Nora smiled. The woman had softened considerably over the past year. “Thanks for inviting me. Everything looks lovely.”

  “Goodness, we couldn’t have Grace’s party without her Aunt Nora. Oh, and that birthday cake you made for her is marvelous. Thank you for sending it.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  Mrs. Fitzwilliam patted Nora’s arm. “You just run along and enjoy yourself. I believe I saw your sisters strolling on the lawn.”

  “Thank you.” Nora descended the terrace steps, stopping to greet a number of friends and neighbors, trying not to let her impatience show. Where were Maeve and Bridget?

  She finally spotted them sitting on a stone bench in the formal garden. No doubt their current state had them tiring more easily then normal.

  She moved toward them, reined into a walk by her promise to Cam.

  “Nora.” Bridget saw her first and started to get up.

  Nora waved her back down. “Please don’t get up on my account.” To her amusement, Maeve didn’t even attempt to stand.

  She came to a halt in front of the bench and smiled down at them. Both sisters were glowing with health and happiness, and both sisters were very obviously with child. Maeve was due to deliver next month and Bridget two months later.

  “We were wondering when you’d get here,” Bridget said. “It’s not like you to be late, especially when Grace is involved.”

  Nora hugged her secret close for a few more minutes. “Cam and I had something to take care of first.”

  Maeve sighed. “Can you believe it—Grace is one year old today.”

  Nora smiled fondly. “It seems like she’s learned something new each time I see her.”

  “You know what this birthday means, don’t you?” Bridget asked.

  Nora nodded. “It’s an anniversary of sorts for us, as well. One year ago today we were just setting out on our voyage to this country.”

  Maeve rubbed her very round tummy. “How could we have ever imagined what this past year would bring? New homes, wonderful husbands, loving families.”

  “Blessings beyond measure,” Nora agreed. Then she clasped her hands in front of her. “I have a question for the two of you. Have your husbands been treating you with a ridiculous amount of extra care since you each found out you were going to have a baby?”

  Bridget laughed. “Oh my goodness, yes. Will wanted to move us into a bedchamber on the first floor so I wouldn’t have to climb the stairs.”

  Maeve shook her head. “My normally pragmatic husband has decided he will only take emergency cases from now until the time I deliver so that he can watch over me. I’m surprised he isn’t here with us now.” She shifted as if trying to get more comfortable. “I do believe every husband on the planet turns into a mother hen when his wife is expecting.”

  Bridget patted her little sister’s hand. “True, but I find it can be quite nice to be so cherished.” She laughed. “When it’s not annoyingly smothering.”

  Nora smiled. “It’s good to know that Cam is not the only one who is taking the news that way.”

  Maeve understood the implication of her words first and let out a loud squeal. “Oh my goodness, Nora, you’re expecting, too!”

  “What!” Bridget did stand now. “Nora, why didn’t you say something when you first walked up? When are you due?”

  “We’re thinking we’ll have a Christmas baby.”

  She sat down next to Maeve, and Bridget sat beside her. Nora put an arm
around both of her sisters and let the joy of the moment wash over her. “As I said, blessings beyond measure.”

  * * * * *

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read Nora and Cam’s story. I was honored and excited when my editor invited me to participate in this continuity series. Not only is this my first continuity but it is my first book set in this time period and this setting. The research was fascinating and I learned so many amazing tidbits about this time in the history of our country.

  It was also great to be able to work closely with the two other authors involved in this project. Both Renee and Cheryl are great writers and amazingly generous women. Brainstorming different aspects of the three sisters’ stories with them was a real joy.

  I love to hear from readers and would be interested in hearing what you think of this particular book. If you’ve a mind to comment, please contact me via email at winnie@winniegriggs.com, or you can write to me at P.O. Box 14, Plain Dealing, LA 71064.

  Wishing you a life filled with love and blessings,

  Winnie

  Questions for Discussion

  In the opening line of the book we see Nora feeling an unwanted touch of jealousy at her sisters’ good fortune. Did this make her seem selfish to you? Do you think this was a natural reaction?

  What do you think of Nora’s refusal to move in with one of her sisters when they genuinely wanted to take care of her and Grace?

  What do you think was Nora’s primary motivation in her decision to start a bakery business? Do you find this motivation admirable? Why or why not?

  How do you feel about the way Cam manipulated Nora into agreeing to buy a means of transportation and then later convinced her to buy a horse and wagon rather than a pony and cart?

  Cam believed his upbringing had a strong influence in shaping the kind of father he would become. How do you feel about that in “real life” situations?

  Was Cam’s gradual warming toward Grace believable to you or did it seem contrived?

  How did you feel about Nora’s attack against Cam when he came home without Grace the night of the kidnapping?

  What did you think about Nora’s decision to take Mollie in? What do you think you would have done had you been in her situation?

  How did you feel about Mollie when she announced she was Grace’s mother? How did that feeling change after she revealed the circumstances that led up to her current situation? After she had lived with Nora for a while?

  Why do you think it took so long for Gavin to forgive Mollie?

  Did your feelings about Cam change after he revealed the dark secret from his past? If so, in what way?

  Was Nora’s ultimate decision to release Grace into Mollie’s keeping believable? How did it make you feel? Do you believe it was the best thing for Grace?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

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  ISBN: 9781459230941

  Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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