Bargain For Baby (Cowboys & Angels Book 10) Read online

  “I understand. He seemed very unbending when I met him, but perhaps he really did have a change of heart. I hope so.” He handed Becky up into the wagon before giving her the baby. “We’ll know in a few minutes.”

  When they got to the house, Becky was shaking, she was so nervous. She prayed that her father wouldn’t have changed his mind, and he would still accept her. She felt terrible for letting him down, but she couldn’t regret the baby in her arms.

  She waited for Amos to take the baby and help her down. Though she wanted to run into the house, she walked sedately into the only home she’d ever known less than a year before. So much had changed in the past year that it was as if she was a completely different person.

  Her mother was waiting in the kitchen, and when Becky saw her face, she knew that everything really was all right. “How is he?”

  “He’s hurting, but he’s changed. You’ll find him more forgiving. I don’t know what happened, or how it happened, but he wants to see you and the baby. He’s been waiting for you all morning.”

  “May I go up?” Becky was so excited to see him. She wanted to show her father her beautiful baby and tell him about the time she’d been away. She needed to tell him about the boarding house and his beautiful granddaughter. Hopefully her mother was right, and he’d want to listen to her.

  She walked up the stairs, aware that Amos was right behind her, carrying the baby. She would still have to be careful for a while, and he was working hard not to fatigue her.

  Her parents’ bedroom door was open, but she knocked on the door anyway. “Papa?”

  He looked at her, and she knew she’d been forgiven. His blue eyes were sparkling, and his smile was bigger than she’d ever seen. “Did you bring the baby?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Amos is carrying her. I’m still supposed to take it easy.” She sat down on the bed beside her father. “Have you met my husband, Amos?”

  He shook his head. “Not while I was in my right mind, I haven’t. It’s nice to meet you, Amos. Thank you for taking good care of all three of my girls.”

  “It’s been my pleasure, sir.” Amos handed the baby to Becky, and she held little Belle where her grandfather could see her.

  “This is Anabelle. We call her Belle, which means beauty. It seems to suit her so well.”

  Her father grimaced as he moved closer to her to see the baby. “She looks just like you did at her age. Definitely a beauty.”

  Becky smiled. “I’m sorry I messed up, Papa. I’m so glad to see you again!”

  “I’m sorry I was so rigid. I love you so much, and when I thought you were ruining your life, something inside me just broke. I need to remember that none of us is perfect, and we’re all human.” Her father’s arm wrapped around her, and she buried her face in his shoulder, crying.

  Amos stood by, wanting to help, but understanding this was a moment between father and daughter, and he had no business there. He looked up and caught the eye of the stranger across the room, who smiled at him before fading from view. Whoever the man was . . . angel or ghost . . . he’d saved lives, and for that, Amos was grateful.

  Amos crept down the stairs, not wanting to intrude, and he sat down at the kitchen table. Almost immediately, the stranger was there with him. “Happy now?” the man asked him.

  “I’m very happy. I do have one question for you, though.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Why did you tell me she needed to fall in love with me before the baby was born?” Amos asked.

  “Because she needed to have that love to cling to during the dark hours when she almost died. Without her love for you, she would have just drifted away…”

  “So she really did love me then?”

  The stranger nodded. “Of course she did. I won’t see you again, Amos. You’re ready to be on your own now.”

  Amos frowned. “If I need you, will you come?”

  “There’ll never be a need for me. You get to live happily ever after.” With those words, the man faded from view, but Amos knew he’d always remember him and the help he’d given him.

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