She studied his face, not daring to let herself believe what she saw there. It couldn’t be.
Her hand reached up of its own accord and rested against his chest. She could feel the strong beat of his heart, a heart that he was offering to her for the taking.
That crooked smile of his appeared again. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t be pressuring you like this. We can step back for a moment, or as much time as you need, and pray for guidance.”
Those words finally released the last of her fears. This is what God had been leading her toward, had been preparing her for. And she had almost been too timid, too wrapped up in her own insecurities to reach out and take hold of it.
“Oh, Jack,” she said with a laugh of pure joy. “Your faith puts mine to shame.”
She gazed deep into his eyes. “You’re not Leland. You are Jackson Garret Tyler, and don’t you ever dare apologize to me for that again. Because Jackson Garret Tyler is the man I love.” She touched his lips the way he had touched hers earlier. “I love your sense of honor, that heart of gold that you try so hard to hide, and the affection you have for the children. I love the way you look at me when we’re talking, as if you truly care about what I’m saying. And I love all the small things you do without any sort of fanfare to make the children and me feel secure and loved.”
She moved her hand to his cheek. “And I will love you always, for the wonderful person you are, until death us do part.”
With a smile as big as the Texas sky, Jack gently folded her into his arms, bringing her home at last.
Epilogue
Eleven months later
“There,” Ida Lee said, adding one more pillow behind Callie’s back, “that should make you more comfortable.” She gave a little chuckle. “Now, I’d better go tell Jack he can come on up before he wears a hole through the kitchen floorboards and rubs the skin plumb off the back of his neck.”
Callie merely smiled, unable to take her eyes from the miraculous bundle cradled in her arms.
A little boy. And he was absolutely beautiful. She gently stroked his cheek, marveling at the softness of his skin, praising God for this wondrous gift.
The object of her attention gave a huge yawn and peeked up at her, as if annoyed by the interruption, before closing his eyes again. Her smile widened. Those were Jack’s eyes—jaybird blue and oh-so expressive.
She looked up as the door swooshed open and saw Jack crossing the room, his gaze locked on her, his face reflecting a mix of cautious concern and ready-to-burst joy.
He gently brushed the hair from her forehead and placed a light kiss where the strands had been. “How are you feeling?”
“Tremendously blessed.” She loosened their newborn’s swaddling cloth. “Meet your son.”
“He’s so small.” Jack eased himself down to sit on the bed beside her, his eyes drinking in the infant with the rapt attention of an explorer who had uncovered an immense treasure. Then he tentatively reached down to touch a tiny hand and the baby reflexively curled his fingers around one of Jack’s own.
Callie watched powerful emotions playing over Jack’s face, and felt her cup of joy and contentment overflow.
Thank You, Father, for this wonderful family You’ve made me a part of.
Jack looked up and stroked her cheek with his free hand. “He’s beautiful. Just like his mother.”
She leaned into his touch, drawing strength and comfort, as always, from his warmth. “But he has his father’s spirit.”
The baby released Jack’s finger and Jack drew Callie’s head against his shoulder. “Mrs. Tyler, are you calling our son a troublemaker?”
She chuckled. “Not at all. I’m just saying I can tell he will be very self-assured.” She studied the baby again. “We need to give him a name.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. What do you think of the name Leland?”
She straightened slightly so she could study his face. Had his suggestion come from some sense of guilt or dutiful penitence?
Jack met her gaze without flinching. “If it makes you uncomfortable, we’ll pick something else. It’s just that, well—” he rubbed the back of his neck, the merest hint of ruddiness tinting his cheeks “—I know I didn’t act much like it these past several years, but I always loved and respected my big brother. I’d like to do this for him. And I can’t think of a better role model for our son.”
Callie’s eyes welled. “Oh, but I can,” she said softly. Then she leaned her head back against Jack’s chest. “However, I believe one Jack in this family is quite enough. I think Leland is a wonderful name. And Matthew for a middle name, perhaps? It means ‘Gift from God.’”
Jack nodded, but anything he might have said was forestalled by the clattering of footsteps on the stairs.
“The children have been champing at the bit to come up here ever since Doc Haynie left.” Jack grinned. “You should have heard Simon’s cheer when Doc said it was a boy.”
Callie laughed at the thought.
“Selfish man that I am, I told Ida Lee to hold them off a for a bit so I could have a few moments alone with you.”
Callie sat upright again, but didn’t leave the circle of Jack’s arm. It was her favorite place to be.
She gently stroked the baby’s head.
“Leland Matthew Tyler, prepare to meet the rest of your family.”
Dear Reader,
I’ve always enjoyed both reading and writing marriage-of-convenience stories. There’s so much built-in conflict and room for growth when two people are forced together to know each other and work through their differences after they are joined in marriage rather than before.
This particular story started with a few “what if” questions on my part. What if a woman who felt physically unattractive found a chance to have a family through an arranged marriage with a man who understood her shortcomings? And then what if this woman arrived at her new home to find her husband had died hours after their proxy wedding, so that she had become a widow without ever meeting her husband?
Callie and Jack’s story is born from this one little kernel. And oh, how they surprised me as I captured it on paper. Their story brought me joy and tears and laughter as it unfolded. I hope you, too, will find something to celebrate in their story.
Wishing you love and blessings in your life,
Winnie Griggs
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
During the ride in the stagecoach at the opening, Callie spins stories in her mind about the other passenger. What impression did this leave you with about her personality? Do you ever find yourself making up stories about passing strangers you encounter?
What do you think about Jack’s decision to take Callie to the cemetery to break the news about Lanny’s death rather than telling her immediately?
Jack seemed to have conflicting emotions about becoming guardian to the children. He was terrified of the prospect, yet he refused to take the out when Callie offered to take on the responsibility herself. What does this say about him? Do you ever find yourself of two minds when faced with making a key decision?
Callie hides her disfigurement beneath her bonnet even when she is alone with her family and close friends. Do you think this was done more out of concern for the feelings of others or as a coping mechanism of her own? How did this affect the people around her?
Was Jack’s resentment of growing up in his brother’s shadow and being the recipient of his brother’s hand-me-downs believable? How did it color the man he became?
Mrs. Mayweather gave advice to both Callie and Jack. Do you think she was something of a busybody or more of a wise mentor? If she had not stepped in and suggested the two marry, what do you think might have been the outcome of their tug-of-war over the children?
Jack made an early admission that he “was not the praying kind.” Do you think one can be a true Christian and not spend time in prayer?
How realistic do you feel Callie’s adaptation to life on a farm and the chores t
hat go with it was? Did you feel this transition was adequately portrayed?
Emma carried a tremendous load of guilt over the death of her parents. It was only when she discussed it with Jack and Callie that she began to heal. Do you find this to be true in real life? Have you experienced this yourself?
The evening discussions between Jack and Callie on the front porch became a ritual of sorts. How important do you feel this was in drawing them closer together? How important do you feel it is in general for a husband and wife to have some time when they sit down alone together and just talk?
Simon exhibited his feelings of loss with anger and resentment directed toward Callie and toward having to live on the farm. Do you feel like his actions were understandable for a boy his age in this situation? Did Callie and Jack respond to his actions appropriately? Should they have done anything differently?
What purpose did the building of the tree house serve in bringing healing to this family?
The whittling that Jack did changed over the course of the book. What, if anything, did that signify to you?
Simon was surprised by Callie’s defense of him in the incident with the squirrel. How did this affect their relationship? How did it affect Callie and Jack’s relationship?
Did you believe the change that occurred in Jack as a result of his renewed understanding of God’s grace? Did his subsequent actions ring true based on this experience?
ISBN: 9781408938058
The Hand-Me-Down Family
© Winnie Griggs 2009
First Published in Great Britain in 2009
Harlequin (UK) Limited
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