A Dad for Her Twins

by Lois Richer

  “Exactly.” Cade paused a moment, then added, “You’re in charge, Ivor. Can you handle it?”

  The boy’s shoulders went back. A new maturity filled his face. He nodded once.

  “You’re sure?” Cade pressed.

  “I’ll be here for her. And for Ed. No matter what, I’ll take care of them.” Ivor zipped his jacket. “Go do your business. I’ve got this under control.” He sauntered out of the building, his step sure, his confidence obviously restored.

  As Cade watched him leave, he realized he’d been all wrong in his approach to working with Ivor. Apparently the way to connect was to give the boy some responsibility. At least Cade hoped that would be the start of building a relationship with him.

  It took only a few minutes to load Liberty. Then Cade drove to Jake and Karina Denver’s home. Jake was ready and climbed in the truck.

  “Thanks for coming with me,” Cade told him, and meant it.

  “My pleasure but I have to ask, are you sure you want to sell Liberty? Seems to me you’ve had that horse since we were in grade school.” Jake frowned. “Not easy to sell something you love so much.”

  “No.” It took Cade a minute to regain control. “She’s a great horse, but the time has come for her to move on.” He wasn’t going to mention that once he sold the ranch he’d have no place to keep his best friend.

  “Long as you’re sure.” Jake leaned back in his seat. “I sure was glad you joined our Bible study group, by the way. Romans makes a great study.”

  “I just hope I don’t embarrass myself with my questions,” Cade muttered.

  “Not possible,” Jake assured him. “None of us know all we need to about faith. A Bible study is the place to ask your questions and it’s the only way to grow and develop a relationship with God.”

  They chatted as they drove. Cade was surprised by how quickly they reached Liberty’s new home. He made the sale quickly, pausing only long enough to give the horse a good, strong pat before he swung back into the truck, leaving the trailer to pick up later.

  “Abby must mean a lot to you for you to give up something you love so much,” Jake mused as they drove toward Calgary.

  “She’s getting desperate to finish those quilts before the twins come.” Cade tried to sidestep the issue. But Jake wouldn’t let it go.

  “Abby’s been a real boon to the community in helping to make the agency become a reality. So have you.” Jake smiled. “When folks know you sold your horse to buy her quilting machine back, you’re going to be a hero. Again.”

  “I’d prefer if you kept that to yourself.” Cade ignored the other man’s surprised look. “Abby doesn’t need to be worrying about what I spent.”

  “You’re protective of her.”

  “She’s my best friend’s wife and I owed him my life. I figure I’ll still come out owing.” Cade punched the gas pedal to hurry them toward Calgary. Jake seemed inclined to talk.

  “Karina’s getting desperate to have kids,” he confessed. “But the truth is it scares me spitless.”

  “Really?” Cade frowned. Jake did not look like a man who feared children. “Why?”

  “Are you kidding?” Jake shook his head. “First of all, the responsibility for that tiny bit of life is overwhelming. It depends on you for everything. What if I fail? What if I mess up? What if I don’t give that kid what it needs?”

  “I doubt that’ll happen. You have lots of family to depend on and you have a great relationship with your father. You have him to show you how to be a perfect father,” Cade said, slightly envious of his friend.

  “You think my dad was perfect?” Jake shook his head again. “Let me tell you, he wasn’t. I was the oldest kid so I guess I was the one he experimented on. He did lots of things wrong. It took me some time and lots of prayer to forgive him.”

  His comments startled Cade, who’d always believed the Denvers’ home to be the happiest in Buffalo Gap.

  “That’s partly why I signed up for the Bible study. Before we adopt anyone,” Jake said in a firm tone, “I need to study God’s word and find out more about the kind of father He is and wants me to be.”

  Intrigued, Cade asked questions and Jake answered, providing Cade with a deeper insight into what it meant to live out that faith you said you believed in. He decided it was time to do some digging on his own and see if he could learn more about God.

  “Want to stop for lunch before we pick up the quilting machine?” he asked as they neared Calgary.

  “Sure, but would you mind if we did it at a mall? It’s Karina’s birthday next week and I want to pick out a gift for her,” Jake said. “I’ve never been able to surprise her and I’m determined to do it this year.”

  In a flash the date bloomed in Cade’s mind. March first. Abby’s birthday. He’d filled out the date repeatedly on government forms but hadn’t given it a thought. Now he knew he could not let her day pass without celebrating.

  “Jake, can you help me with something?” When his buddy nodded he explained his problem. “Max used to talk about how he always tried to make Abby’s birthday exceptional. I’m thinking she’ll really miss that this year so I’d like to do something special that will help her get past missing him.”

  “I think buying that quilting machine is pretty special but I guess a more personal gift wouldn’t hurt, though I have no clue what that would be.” Jake made a face. “I have enough trouble choosing something for Karina. You’d better pick up a birthday cake, too, because if Ivor doesn’t know it’s her birthday, I’m pretty sure Mrs. Swanson doesn’t, either, right?”

  Jake waited for his nod, then insisted on waiting while Cade deposited the check for Liberty at the bank. Then he pointed to a store. “Let’s go in here. Maybe they can help us.”

  Cade entered the store with fear and trepidation, but when they emerged an hour later he felt much more confident.

  “If only I could get Abby’s affairs straightened out this easily,” he said to himself.

  They picked up a fancy cake and stored it in the backseat along with their packages, then treated themselves to a steak dinner. Then it was time to visit Boris. The older man looked delighted to see them.

  “God has answered my prayer,” he said as he pulled a box from under the counter. “I wondered how I’d get this to her. This is for Mama Abby. Some baby things my wife made a long time ago.”

  “I’m sure Abby will love them,” Cade told him, cradling the box. “I’m also here to buy back her quilting machine. You do still have it, don’t you?”

  “Of course.” Boris looked grieved. “I have your deposit, don’t I? I would never sell it with that. But I am glad you came so soon because I’ve decided to close the shop.” He told how he’d been robbed, hit on the head, and still didn’t feel recovered. “I want to spend more time with my grandchildren.”

  They chatted about his plans for a while longer but Cade was anxious to get home so he wrote the check to Boris, adding a bit extra.

  “That’s for your grandson’s surgery,” he said. “I hope it goes well. Will you phone and let us know? I’m sure Abby would appreciate that.”

  “Thank you so much.” Boris tucked the check in his pocket. “She’s still staying with you, then?”

  “Yes. Her money hasn’t come through yet.” Cade endured Boris’s speculative look.

  “I see.” Boris patted his shoulder. “You are a good man to look after your friend’s wife so well. Perhaps you have feelings for Abby yourself?”

  Did it show so much? Cade wasn’t prepared to share his personal feelings about Abby so he pretended he hadn’t heard Boris’s remark and called Jake over to help him load the machine. When all the pieces were secure in the back of his truck, he said goodbye to the old man and wished him well. He was almost out the door when he stopped, fixated on an old cradle that sat by the wall
.

  “It needs some work,” Jake said in the understatement of the year.

  “Uh-huh.” Cade bent and examined it thoroughly. “How much, Boris?” he asked.

  “I’m having a clearing-out sale. It is yours for free, my friend. It will be the perfect first bed for the twins, no?”

  Cade thanked him and carried the cradle to the truck. When they were once again on the road, Jake spoke.

  “When are you going to have time to fix that thing?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” Cade twisted his head to grin at him. “I guess I’ll have to ask God.”

  “Never a bad idea, my friend,” Jake said with a chuckle. “I wonder how many problems we’d avoid if we stopped and asked God before we pushed away on our own path. You might want to ask Him how you should handle your feelings for Abby, too.”

  Another person who saw through his pretence. Cade said nothing. But while Jake snored all the way home, Cade tried to figure out exactly what it was he felt for Abby. In the end all he would admit was that when she left, it would be very hard to say goodbye.

  * * *

  Cade opened the door and led Abby inside the quilting workroom.

  “Happy Birthday, Abby,” he said quietly.

  “But—but—” She looked from him to the quilting machine and back again. “How—when—why...?” Tears spilled from her lovely eyes as she reached out and gripped his arm, her fingers curling around it as she leaned against him, her gaze on him. “Oh, you dear, sweet man.”

  Cade had never been called that before but now that he had, he kind of liked it. A rush of warmth spread through him.

  “Check it out. Make sure I got the right one,” he said as he fought to suppress a rush of emotion. Abby was the dear one.

  “You got the right one,” she said with a big smile and threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Cade. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome.” He held her, thrilled to once more have her in his arms. Too soon he had to let go so she could hurry toward the quilting machine.

  “Is it okay?” Cade asked anxiously.

  “It’s perfect. I can’t believe you did this.” Abby kept running her fingers over the quilting machine where Cade had set it up in the workroom according to Boris’s explicit instructions. “It’s too much, far too expensive.” Her tear-filled eyes met his. “You shouldn’t have done it, Cade.”

  “Too late. Boris said no refunds.” He watched her smile burst to life and thought he’d never been so graciously thanked.

  “He’s a darling man, isn’t he? I don’t know how you found him but I’m so glad you did.” Abby’s fingers flew over the machine, tightening here, straightening there. “It won’t be long until the quilts are ready now,” she said. Then her forehead creased. “But we still have to get those windows fixed.”

  “Today’s your birthday. It’s not the time to be fussing about the adoption agency’s windows. Let’s go have dinner.” Cade wrapped her arm in his and led her back to the house. He loved the trust she placed in him to guide her safely over the slushy path. “How was your day?”

  “Fine. Except for Ivor hovering over me as if I was going into labor at any moment.” She gave him an arch look as she stepped past him into the house. “You put him up to that, I suppose?”

  “Sort of.” Cade hung up her coat. “I’m relieved to know he took his responsibility to look after you so seriously.”

  “Cade,” she said, exasperation obvious. “I do not need—”

  “How are you feeling, Abby?” Ivor asked as he carried a bowl of potatoes to the table at Mrs. Swanson’s behest. “Nothing wrong, is there? You can tell me if you need something.”

  “I’m fine, thank you, Ivor.” She touched his cheek with her knuckles, then turned so her back was to him as she sent Cade a glower.

  They sat down to eat Abby’s birthday supper, teasing her about her age. Laughter filled the room and Cade soaked it in, wishing this could be his future—a home filled with joy. Ivor carried the cake to the table. Cade winced at the crooked letters the boy had dribbled across the top, but as they all sang “Happy Birthday” he realized that this was another part of making Abby’s day special, another way to show love. It was the kind of thing family members did for one another, maybe not perfect but lovingly done. This was something Jake would learn when he adopted his own child.

  But was it something Cade would ever know?

  When the cake and ice cream were gone, after Abby had thanked them for her surprise birthday supper, Cade held out the package the saleswoman had wrapped for him.

  “Happy Birthday, Abby.”

  “Oh, Cade.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I can’t take it. You already bought my machine. That’s above and beyond.”

  “I bought this for you,” he insisted, embarrassed that the others were watching but determined she should know he’d wanted something specifically for her to enjoy, not something she’d use to make others happy. “Please open it.”

  “Thank you,” she said finally, accepting the package. As if the foil paper was a sheet of gold, she eased the wrapping apart and peered inside the box. “Oh, Cade,” she whispered as she drew the peacock-blue housecoat from the box. “It’s lovely.”

  “I thought you should have something special for when the babies come,” he explained, searching her face for a response. “Is it okay?”

  “Okay? It’s amazing.” She jumped up, threw her arms around him and hugged his neck so tightly Cade thought he might expire. At least he’d die happy, he mused, lifting his own arms to embrace her.

  What would it be like to be free to hug Abby whenever he wanted? But how could that be? Once the ranch was sold he’d have nothing to give her, no place where he could help her raise the twins, even if she’d let him. Even if he somehow learned what it took to love and care for her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, pulling back, her face a bright pink. “I didn’t mean to choke you. But I really do love it.”

  “Good.” He leaned back in his chair and watched as Mrs. Swanson presented Abby with a white scarf-and-mitts set she’d made. His father handed Abby a check.

  “B-babies,” he said. Abby thanked him with a kiss on the cheek.

  “You always like my stories so I wrote you one of your own,” Ivor said, not to be outdone. He read it aloud then flushed at Abby’s praise.

  “It’s been such a wonderful day,” Abby said tearfully. “Thank you all.”

  Cade knew it had been the right decision to call ahead and tell his father about Abby’s birthday. Each of them had helped make her day memorable. Now he handed Abby Boris’s gift, accepted another cup of coffee, leaned back in his chair and savored the combination of family, joy, sharing.

  A flicker of hope wavered inside him.

  Maybe, somehow, God could give him that dream?

  Dare he hope it would be with Abby?

  Chapter Twelve

  “Three more quilts finished.” Two weeks later Abby almost danced down the pathway filled with puddles from the melting snow. “And you raised two more donations.” She clutched Cade’s arm, forcing him to stop. “We’re actually going to reach our goal and get the adoption agency open. Aren’t we?”

  The last sentence came out uncertainly. Cade couldn’t bear to hear the sound of desperation overtake the joy in her voice.

  “We’re doing it,” he agreed, forcing certainty into his words when, truthfully, he wasn’t certain at all. But he needed to protect Abby, to keep her outlook positive now, when she was in the hardest stage of her pregnancy and counting the days until her babies arrived. “You’re going to get that job so you can care for your kids and for the ones who come to Family Ties.”

  “From your mouth to God’s ear,” she murmured.

  “Getting that billboard made and selling sp
ace on it was genius. We’ll have to find a way to thank Ms. Vermeer for suggesting it.” He tugged on her hand and grinned. “Don’t think you can sidestep me, Abby. We are going to finish this walk.”

  “Taskmaster,” she chided but after a heavy sigh she began to walk again. “You think it’s easy being this pregnant? I feel like a house.”

  “You look beautiful. Are you too warm?” Cade no longer felt strange asking about her personal needs. It was his job to protect her and he intended to do that job to the best of his ability.

  “Yes. I love this spring sunshine.” She paused to unbutton her coat and lifted her face to the sun. “Did I tell you Hilda has also designed a logo for the adoption agency and fashioned little labels to sew on our quilts?”

  “Sounds like she’s really taking an interest in Family Ties.” Cade nudged her forward. “I thought she was against it.”

  “I believe God is working on her. She’s getting less and less judgmental.” Abby rubbed her back. “Could we sit down for a minute?”

  “Sure.” Cade checked her face for a sign that something was wrong as he led her to a wrought-iron bench. He waited a moment, then asked, “Okay?”

  “Yes. I’m just tired.”

  “Not much wonder,” he scoffed gently. “You go nonstop from dusk to dawn. You need to slow down.”

  “I will. Eventually.” She closed her eyes and lifted her face into the sun’s rays. Cade used the opportunity to admire her beauty until she opened her eyes and he got caught. “We’ve worked well together on the fund-raising, haven’t we?”

  “Amazingly well, given that you’re so bossy,” he teased.

  This woman, this amazing woman. She never failed to fill him with confusion and wonder and joy. Somehow she’d crept into the secret parts of his heart and taken up residence there. Now Cade wondered how he’d bear it when she left the ranch.

  “I’m quite proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Abby said, her chin thrust upward.

  “Are you?” He could look at her forever and never tire of her loveliness, inside and out.