Seconds later Annie crawled over and pulled herself up to Jacob. “Pa-pa.”
Magdalena couldn’t stop her tears from flowing.
Epilogue
Twelve months later…
The screams coming from his wife were heart-wrenching.
Doc Franklin and his nurse had been brilliant. Jennifer was there too, and had ordered him to leave and take Annie with him.
In some ways he was relieved – Jacob couldn’t take it any more. Besides, Annie shouldn’t be hearing that. What must she think was happening to her mother?
Why did childbirth have to be so cruel?
He bundled Annie up in warm clothes and covered her with a blanket, then placed her in the stroller.
He had no idea where they were going, but headed toward town, despite the flurries around them.
Before long, he found himself in the Mercantile.
“Morning Jacob.” Cecil greeted him warmly.
“Oh, yes. Good morning.”
“You seem a little distracted today. Is everything alright?” He looked down into the stroller. “Good morning Miss Annie.”
Annie lifted a glove-covered hand and waved, grinning at the same time. “Hello Mider Del,” she said, still unable to pronounce his name correctly. It was difficult after all.
“Magdalena is in childbirth,” he said, feeling more worried as the time ticked by. “We were ordered out.”
Cecil frowned. “I’m sure they’ll both be fine,” he said. “I’ll pray for them.”
Jacob knew he would and nodded his thanks.
“What say we find a new toy for you, Annie?” her father asked.
He was rewarded with little hands clapping and the biggest grin he’d ever seen. They worked their way to where the toys were kept, and he picked her up so Annie could study the selection.
She pointed at a stuffed lamb. It was pure white, soft and cuddly and had a huge red bow around its neck. “Dis one, Papa,” Annie said, her eyes sparkling.
Jacob handed it to her. She snuggled into it, and he knew she’d made the right choice.
They returned to the counter, and Cecil added it to his account. “I hope everything goes well,” he said as they were about to leave.
Jennifer stormed through the door. “You need to come back, Jacob.”
He stared at her. “Is everything alright?”
“Look at my new toy.” Annie held the toy in the air to show her aunt.
“It’s beautiful, sweetie,” she said, then turned to Jacob. “The baby has arrived,” she said, grinning this time. “Come on, hurry up!” Then scurried off again before he could ask if it was a boy or girl.
Jacob looked lovingly down at his new daughter, Elsa Rose, Annie standing nearby. “Baby,” she said, gently touching the baby’s cheek.
He’d been excited and hesitant all at the same time when Magdalena had told him the news. With Annie, their legally adopted daughter, being so young herself, he knew it would be a handful for his wife.
She refused his offer of a nanny, as he knew she would. She wanted to bring up their daughters herself. Neither of them wanted to miss a moment of their young lives.
Suddenly Annie turned tail and ran into her bedroom, returning with the doll and teddy bear she loved so much. He’d spoiled her with many toys since she’d arrived, but those were still her favorites.
He was touched when she tried to give them to the baby.
Jennifer stood over him as he sat on the edge of the bed. “She’s beautiful,” she said, her voice wavering despite having been there when Elsa was born.
“Yes, she is,” Magdalena said, still recovering from giving birth. She turned to Jacob. “Don’t think this is going to become a habit,” she said forcefully.
He grinned then sobered. “I have been given such a precious gift two Christmases in a row,” he said, then leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you so much.”
Jacob reached down and pulled Annie up onto his lap, and hugged her tight. A little over a year ago, he had no idea he would have a family for Christmas.
He didn’t know what the coming years would bring, but he knew no matter what happened, their family would be full of love for each other.
THE END
From the Author
Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.
I would greatly appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon, even if it is only a one-liner. It helps to have my books more visible on Amazon!
All my books can be seen on my Amazon Author Page.
You might also enjoy reading other books in the Spinster Mail-Order Brides:
Bonus Book – A Shadowed Groom for Christmas – Marisa Masterson
Book 1 - A Marshal for Christmas - P. Creeden
Book 2 – A Bride for Christmas – Cheryl Wright
Book 3 - A Husband for Christmas - Margaret Tanner
Book 4 - A Farmer for Christmas- Marisa Masterson
Book 5 - A Family for Christmas- Cheryl Wright
Table of Contents
Copyright
Thanks
About the Author
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
From the Author
A Family For Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides Book 5) Page 7
