“Meet your son, John Conner Van Gates.”
“It has a nice ring to it,” Conner said. He touched the baby’s hand, and little John grabbed his finger. “Look, Elsie—He will be a strong boy.”
“And full of little boy mischief. You’d better work on that fence.”
“I’ve ordered the lumber, and Hazel’s handyman has agreed to help me build it.”
Elsie looked up at him. “I love you so much, Conner. Thank you for trusting God enough to let me become a mother. I couldn’t be happier.”
Epilogue
Eight years later.
The Van Gates family usually spent Sunday afternoons together. In the summer, as it was that very day, Conner and Elsie were playing with the children in the yard.
“Johnny,” Elsie called, “be careful of your sister. You’re pushing her too high on the swing.”
“But Ma,” the little four-year-old called out, “I like going high. I want to fly like a bird.”
“Conner,” Elsie said, “please make them stop. Florence will get hurt.”
Her husband walked over, plucked little Florence from the swing, put her on his shoulders, and proceeded to run around the yard. “See—you’re flying like a bird. What kind of bird are you: an eagle or a hawk?”
Without thinking, Florence said, “A Parrot.”
Elsie and Conner laughed.
“That kind of bird fits you perfectly,” Elsie took Florence from Conner. “It’s time for a nap.”
“Can I fly one more time?” Florence asked.
“No, sweetie, but after your nap we’ll have a picnic supper, and Aunt Bertie will join us.”
As usual, when her name was mentioned, she was there. “I’ll take her up for a nap, and I have a job in the kitchen for Johnny.”
“Doing what?” Johnny asked.
“Making sandwiches for our picnic.”
Johnny frowned, but after a stern look from his father, he followed Bertie into the house.
Conner joined Elsie on the bench under one of the trees in their yard. “Did I ever tell you I finally got an answer from the matchmaker? I’d written her to ask how you and I ever became a match, and it seems her cat knocked over the box of matched couples, and her young granddaughter did the best she could, trying to match them again.”
“Sounds like God and the cat were working together to match us up, Conner.”
Elsie felt Conner’s hand squeeze hers. “Yes. I believe God and the cat did. I love our little family. I can’t tell you how happy I am.”
“Would you mind if our family expanded?”
“Elsie! Are you?”
“No, I’m not, but the orphan train is due in Hays City in two weeks. I think we should give some unfortunate child a loving home.”
“Elsie, that’s a wonderful idea.”
“Actually, it was your idea, several years ago. I told you I wanted to have our own child first, and God has blessed us with two beautiful, healthy children. I feel the need to give some of that to an orphan. God is moving me to it, I can feel it.”
Conner kissed her cheek. “Do you think you can treat them all fairly? I mean, we can’t openly favor our real children. That won’t be easy.”
Elsie snuggled closer to him. She loved him more each day. “I was thinking that if we got one young enough, he or she would be just like our own. Maybe someone Florence’s age or a year or two younger. I feel as if we can love him or her as much as John and Florence.
Conner smiled. “I disagree.”
“Of course, you do!” Elsie laughed. “What do you disagree with?”
“I think we should adopt two orphans.”
“Why two?”
Conner laughed. “Just to be contrary.”
They laughed together, and Conner pulled her close. “You know, we haven’t disagreed much lately.”
“I think,” Elsie said with a big smile, “we’re finally a perfect match.”
NEXT IN THIS SERIES:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HSNK3CS Carter’s Klutzy Bride
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MWZTWK1 Brenden’s Bookish Bride
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LR34F5G Harvey’s Bashful Bride
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y4VSRM4 Matthew's Wild Mountain Bride
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V8JD8H4 Dalton’s Dual Brides
Also, consider joining our series reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3021432914636222/ Joining gives you information on the series as well as when each book will be released. We also plan some fun posts, too.
If you love historical westerns join our FB group, Sweet Wild West Reads. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1832790870336744/
Looking for another good book to read?
Other books by Barbara Goss:
1. Forbidden Legacy
2. Captured Heart
3. Stolen Heritage
4. Dangerous Illusions
5. Silent Love
6. The Final Vow
7. The Kissing Bridge
8. Drawn from Darkness
9. Temptation by Moonlight
10. The Romantic Ruse
11. Shadow of Shame
12. Shadow of Deceit
13. Shadow of Regret
14. Shadow of Hope
15. Shadow of Love
16. Shadow of Faith
17. Shadow of Second Chances
18. Sunshine in the Rain and 19. Yesterday’s Rain (Two books in one)
20. Mail Order Mishap Book 1
21. Mail Order Vixen Book 2
22. Mail Order Ruse Book 3
23. Mail Order Calamity Book 4
24 Mail Order Compromise Book 5
25. The Guilty Proposal
26. The Reckless Proposal
27. The Shotgun Proposal
28. The Housekeeper’s Proposal
29. Dan McCall’s Bride
30. Looking for Love
31. Delightfully Deluded
32. Ricochet Romance – (2 books in one) and 33
34. Wanted: Horse Breeder - Silverpines Series
35. Wanted: A Trusting Heart – Silverpines Series
36. Rescued in El Paso
37. A Bride for Nathan (Proxy Brides Series)
38. The Trapper
39. A Bride for Travis (Proxy Brides Series)
40. Hope (Prairie Rose Series)
41. The Secret Diary (Lockets and Lace Series)
42. A Bride for Logan (Proxy Brides Series)
43. The Marshal’s Mission
44. A Bride for Wyatt (Proxy Brides Series, Christmas Edition)
45. A Bride for Adam (Proxy Brides Series)
46. Conner’s Contrary Bride (Matchmaker’s Mix-Up series)
47. Jesse (Bounty Hunter’s of Sunset Creek)
48. A Bride for Cameron
49. A Horsewoman for Harlan
