“Why is he upside down?” Shep asks with a chuckle.
“Motivation,” Coop grins.
“Don’t worry he’s gagged,” Wyatt laughs.
Cooper tosses his chicken bone and grins. “Let’s get some answers.”
Two hours later, Shepherd is loading his bag inside a carriage and helping Maggie to load hers. Cooper stops him before they leave.
“Don’t worry about anything else, Shepherd. I’ll send a telegram to you when it’s safe.” Wyatt insists.
“We’re heading for Nebraska. Hopefully we will get their before Tucker and Abbie. I will keep this information close until we know who to trust,” Cooper says.
“Stay safe,” Shepherd demands.
Chapter 37
Allegra Workhouse
Bodega County
“Your paperwork certainly looks to be in order,” Master Bentley says as he removes his spectacles and glances at the couple before him.
“Of course. The orphanage didn’t know we were coming, but I’m here now.” Abbie smiles and waits expectantly for the older man to speak.
“I will have the Matron of the children’s ward bring him to you in the interview room. He just finished his shift at the mill. In the meantime, we will get the paperwork signed.”
“I’m sorry, did you say after his shift?” Tucker asks softly.
Mr. Bentley cocks a bushy silver eyebrow at Tucker and rises quickly to call the maid. “Tell the Matron that Mason Gilbert is to be brought to me immediately.”
The maid leaves quickly, and Tucker reaches for Abbie’s hand and squeezes it softly.
“Now then, let me explain.” He returns to his desk chair. “The Allegra Workhouse offers the inmates a place to live, work and earn money. In return for that, they receive free medical care, food, clothes and a free education, which mostly consists of job skills.”
“Why are exceptions not made for the youngest?” Abbie asks.
“They are.” He digs through a large file cabinet and pulls a folder with Mason’s name on it. “I wish I could say that the workhouses are no longer needed. That isn’t true.” He glances at their concerned faces and sighs.
“The children only work four hours a day. It provides them with necessary skills to be able to take care of themselves someday.” He sits down and opens Mason’s folder. After signing paperwork, he slides it to Abbie. “I need you to sign everywhere I signed.”
Tucker reaches for Coralie and sits back with her cuddled against his chest. Master Bentley smiles at the baby while Abbie signs.
“Mrs. Gilbert, I suggest you tread lightly with the boy. He’s been through a huge transition in his time with us. In fact, I’d suggest you read over our rules and discipline policy. Familiarize yourself with it. It may help explain his behaviors.”
“What does that mean?” Abbie asks.
The maid returns, “The Matron said he is waiting.”
“Excellent,” Master Bentley jumps to his feet. “Perhaps it’d be better if you met him first, Mrs. Gilbert, to explain things to him.”
“No. We are staying together,” Tucker says.
“Of course, that’s fine.” They walk down a hallway to a door. “Please come back to my office before you leave.” He returns to his office.
“Thank you,” Abbie wipes her sweaty hands on her skirt and stares at the door. “Tucker?” she whispers.
“I’m here.”
Abbie takes a deep breath and turns the nob. Inside the room is a brown desk with two chairs. One lantern lights the dim room and sitting in the chair is a child dressed in a dirty brown uniform.
He sits in the chair staring down at his feet but doesn’t turn to greet them. Abbie glances at Tucker who frowns.
Abbie is shocked that no one is inside to help with the introduction. Her eyes drink him in. He has a head full of blonde curls that seem to be covered in dirt. Though big for a five-year-old, he looks so small and alone.
“Hello, Mason,” she says as she walks over to sit across from him.
Tucker decides to stay by the door with the baby and give them a minute. He watches and prays silently for them.
“My name is Abbilene Gilbert.” She waits to see if he lifts his eyes from the ground to look at her.
Mason’s blue eyes lift to hers. She stifles a gasp. He looks so much like Burton. “That’s my name,” he whispers.
“Yes, it is.” She prays for the words. Though she’d rehearsed them in her mind hundreds of time, it is different when looking into the eyes of an innocent boy.
“Mason, this may be confusing, but I was married to your Father, Burton Gilbert.”
Mason stares at her unmoving and she seeks the words in her heart. “Your father loved you very much. So much that he left a letter stating that if anything happened to him that you were to come live with me.”
“They said he died,” Mason says and for the first time a spark of life shimmers in his eyes.
“That’s right, and I’ve come to take you home.”
His eyes trace over her face and he nods, “Yes, Ma’am.”
“Do you have any questions for me?” Abbie asks.
“No, Ma’am,” he says and looks back down at his shoes.
Abbie’s heart swells. Mason Gilbert is shattered by this world’s cruel realities. It’s her job to make sure that he is healed and given a chance to become the man God intends.
She stands and walks over to Tucker and plucks Coralie from his arms. When her eyes meet his she smiles, and he grins back.
Abbie walks back over and squats down beside Mason’s chair. “Mason?”
He glances at her sideways and then his head
