“What do you think Mason, do you like cookies?”
“Yes, Sir,” he says and takes another big bite.
His mother turns with a smile and watches as he wraps the second cookie and puts it in his pocket. Tucker stops her from moving with a quick hand on her arm.
“Mom, could you take this bottle to Abbie?” he asks softly.
“Yes, Son,” she hurries from the kitchen.
Tucker grabs the plate of oatmeal cookies and sits down at the table to eat. “I love these. My mom used to make them for me when I was your age.”
“You are lucky,” Mason says and watches him eat.
“I am a blessed man and so are you. The Bible says, ‘Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,’ Mason. It can be hard to trust when we’ve lost someone, but even though we can’t always see where the road leads, God promises there’s something better ahead. Do you understand?” Tucker asks.
“Yes, Sir,” Mason says softly. “I didn’t think God listened when I prayed for help, but he sended Miss Abbie and you.”
“That’s right, and today we are celebrating finding each other and God’s answer to our secret prayers.”
Mason grins and draws his second cookie from his pocket. “Your mom makes the best cookies,” he smiles as he happily eats.
“Yes, she does.” Tucker smiles at him. “Time to feed your sister,” he says and holds out a hand to Mason. “Let’s go find our girls.”
Chapter 52
“Abbilene, she’s precious, but how did you end up with two?” Her Mother asks as she smiles at Coralie and touches her small hand.
“I promise I’ll explain everything once the children are asleep. For now, I need to feed her, don’t I, sweetie,” she blows on Coralie’s belly before dressing her in a sleeping gown.
“It’s been a rough two days on the trail to get here. We didn’t want to take the train into town.”
The baby squeals with excitement and the women laugh as Abbie picks her up just as Tucker’s mother enters with a bottle.
“Thank you, Mrs. Manning, for everything,” she says.
“You’re most welcome, Abbilene,” she walks forward with the bottle. “I trust my son has treated you well on your journey?” she asks.
“Tucker is… amazing in every way, Mrs. Manning,” she replies.
“I see, well I’m pleased to see him opening his heart again.”
“You misunderstand, Tucker deserves better than a broken woman. I can’t give him a family and every man deserves that.”
“Abbilene! Surely you know better than that by now. Look what you’re holding. This is only a question of your faith,” her mother insists.
“True, but I won’t hurt him,” she replies.
“There’s a rocking chair in the family room,” Mrs. Manning suggests, changing the subject, holding Abbie’s Mom back from leaving.
“Perfect,” Abbie says with a smile. Coralie starts fussing the minute she sees the bottle. Abbie hurries from the room.
“Beth, we have our work cut out for us,” Mrs. Manning says.
“Don’t we? Stubborn children!” she hisses.
They laugh and follow Abbie.
Tucker follows the sound of the baby crying and finds the ladies sitting down and Abbie rocking a fussing baby with the bottle.
“Bet you didn’t know that something so small, could be so loud, did you son?” Tucker’s father asks from behind them.
“No sir,” Tucker glances down at Mason when he runs to Abbie to be near his sister.
Mason blanches and looks at the adults and at Coralie who is crying and shoving the bottle away angrily. Her frustration grows and her screams increase.
“She doesn’t mean it,” Mason cries out. “Don’t put her in the closet!”
“It’s okay, Mason, she’s just mad,” Abbie promises and smiles at Coralie when she finally latches on and grabs the bottle, sucking and hiccupping.
Mason continues wringing his hands and watching the grownups. “Mason, come here,” Abbie says softly.
He turns and looks at her with tears in his eyes. “Do you remember my promise?” she asks.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he replies and reaches out to take Coralie’s free hand.
“No one will ever put you in a closet again. The people in this room will love and protect both of you.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he whispers.
Tucker wars with the rage in his soul at those who terrorized this child. He strides across the room and drops to his knees. “Do you still have my badge Mason,” Tucker asks.
“Yes, sir,” he says sniffing back tears.
“Show me,” Tucker demands.
Mason reaches in his pocket and pulls out the star with trembling hands. “What is it?”
“It’s your promise,” he says louder.
“That’s right, and I promise that you are safe here.” Tucker reaches out and swipes a tear from the child’s cheek.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Tucker,” Mason says.
Tucker smiles and picks him up, staring down at Abbie who doesn’t bother to wipe her own tears. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
“Mom, would you finish feeding Coralie?” Abbie asks.
“I thought you’d never ask!” she jumps up and takes the baby.
“Mason needs a bath and a story,” she suggests.
“I’ll show you the way,” Tucker insists and keeps Mason tucked against his shoulder. “I’ll stay with you, if that’s okay.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she murmurs.
The room falls quiet after they leave and Tucker’s mother looks at them and quips, “I say it’s time to start planning a wedding.”
“God is amazing,” Abbilene’s father says with a smile.
“Only he could take their pain and manifest such beauty from it,” her mother replies and rubs a hand over the sleeping baby’s curls.
Chapter 53
An hour later, Abbie and Tucker are looking down on the sleeping boy. “Thank you, Tucker, for everything.”
He wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her into
