“Coralie,” he murmurs and lays his head on her belly for a second as if listening to her breathe. Abbie doesn’t try to wipe her tears.
“That’s right, Mason. She’s coming home with us too. Families belong together, don’t you think?” Abbie asks with love shimmering in her eyes.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Mason lifts his tearstained face and looks at Abbie for the first time. “They wouldn’t tell me where she was,” he whispers.
“She’s with us now. Let’s go home,” Abbie smiles and stands up. When she offers her hand, he grips it like a life line and Abbie knows that this was God’s plan all along. Thank you, her heart whispers.
Chapter 38
Tucker is so thankful that he didn’t miss this. God’s plan coming to fruition and he is grinning when they turn and walk to him.
“Mason, I’d like you to meet Sherriff Tucker Manning. My good friend. He’s here to make sure that nothing bad happens to us.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mason. Have you ever ridden on a train before?” Tucker asks squatting down to be eye level with the boy.
“No, Sir,” Mason replies and scrubs his tears away.
“You’re in for a treat.”
“Let’s say goodbye to Master Bentley.” Mason stiffens and grips her hand tighter causing Abbie’s heart to clench.
Mason stops walking and stares at them with fear in his eyes.
Tucker reaches in his pocket and holds out his badge. Mason’s eyes light up when he looks at the metal star.
“Do you know what this is?” he asks.
“Yes, Sir.”
“The star is my shield, Mason. It’s my promise to protect and serve. My job is to keep people safe. I promise you that no one will take you and Coralie from Mrs. Gilbert. In fact, I want you to hold it and keep it safe for me until we get home.”
Tucker holds out the badge and Mason takes it with a small smile. “It’s heavy, Mr. Tucker,” he stares at the star in the child’s hand and his heart is struck by the truth in the words.
“Yes, it is. Keep it safe, son.”
Mason stares at him and clutches it to his chest. “Yes, Sir.”
Master Bentley is smiling when they return. “Well, now. I guess it’s time. You’ve made my week, Mrs. Gilbert. Not many people who enter a workhouse have such a good ending. You’re a lucky little boy, Mason.”
“Yes, sir.” Mason says and steps closer to Abbie’s skirt.
“I’m afraid we don’t keep anything of the inmates to remind them of the past,” the man explains and walks them to the front door.
“That’s quite alright, Mr. Bentley. Thank you for caring for Mason,” Abbie says as she bounces Coralie who has started to fuss.
“No problem, safe travels.”
Tucker helps guide them to the carriage and gives the driver directions to the hotel.
Mason sits quietly beside them and stares out of the window as the workhouse fades away from view.
“Are you a hungry baby?” Abbie asks and strips the blanket off Coralie, to cool her off. She squeals with delight when she sees Mason.
He jumps and his eyes grow wide when Abbie and Tucker laugh at her excitement.
“She didn’t mean it!” Mason says loudly.
“It’s okay, Mason. Babies learn to talk by making lots of different noises. Coralie likes to scream.” Abbie chuckles.
“I almost fell over the first time she did it,” Tucker teases. “She has powerful lungs.”
“My mother didn’t like noise,” he murmurs and watches them closely.
“Well, we don’t mind,” Abbie says softly. “We have a lot to learn about each other.”
They return to the hotel and Abbie hurries to make Coralie’s bottle while Mason watches quietly.
They are staying in a family suite with two bedrooms that are connected by a private bathing room.
“Abbie, I’m going to run to the general store and see about the arrangements for our trip tomorrow,” Tucker says.
“Thank you, Tucker. Coralie will be ready for her nap after this bottle. I need to get Mason bathed and fed. I have money in my bag, take what you need.”
“Not necessary, Abbs. Don’t open the door unless you ask who it is first.”
“Yes, Sir,” she teases.
Mason walks over to the corner of the room and sits in the floor, never taking his eyes off them.
Tucker’s eyes darken as he glances at them. “I don’t like leaving you, but I don’t think we should drag them all over.”
“Tucker, it’s fine. We will just be getting acquainted. Go on.”
Abbie watches him leave and her eyes glance at Mason and her heart breaks when she finds him asleep, leaning against the wall. “Oh,” she sniffs.
“Time for your nap, little dove,” she places the baby inside the cradle provided by the hotel. Coralie fusses for a few minutes before settling down and falling to sleep.
She walks over and picks Mason up and lays him down on the bed. Abbie is shocked at how light he feels, despite his height. Carefully she covers him with a blanket and brushes back the blonde curls.
“Everything is going to be okay, Mason.”
After she checks on Coralie she stops in the middle of the room and stares at the sleeping children.
“I’m a mother!” she whispers in shock. Fear has her settling down to read her bible and pray. “Father guide my steps. Keep us safe and protect over these children. Help me raise them as you’d see fit, amen.”
Chapter 39
Abbie grabs the discipline and workhouse policy and settles in to read. She swipes a tear
