Theresa (Orlan Orphans Book 15) Read online

  Gerald sighed. “I don’t know what you expected, showing up to my house like this, but you can at least come in and have a cup of coffee.” He stood back and ushered them into the house.

  Gerald led the way to a small parlor. Veronica came into the room, holding a crying Gabriel. Even though it had only been a few days since she’d last seen him, he seemed like he had grown. Theresa wished she could reach out and comfort him, but Veronica cradled him protectively across the room.

  “These two want to take little Gerald away,” Gerald told his wife.

  “What? Why?” Veronica was startled.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Sibley, we appreciate that you’re willing to take Gabriel—er, the baby—in. At first, my family thought that was the right thing to do. But now I’m getting married, and my future husband and I have a home in Austin. We’ll be able to reunite the baby with his twin sister. We think that’s best for him,” Theresa said, the words rushing out of her mouth. Her eyes pleaded with Veronica. Even though Theresa wasn’t technically a mother, she felt like one. Veronica had to understand.

  But Veronica looked down at the floor.

  Gerald put a hand comfortingly on his wife’s shoulder. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. We’re adopting Gerald.”

  “Is there any chance you could reconsider?” Cody asked.

  Gerald shook his head. “No. We appreciate you stopping by. You’re welcome to come here if you’d like to see the boy.”

  Veronica nodded. “It was a very selfless thing that you did, Theresa, taking care of the babies before they found permanent homes. I can imagine this is difficult for you. Come visit any time.”

  Theresa nodded, fighting back a fresh wave of tears. “Thank you.”

  “We should go now,” Cody said, standing up and taking Theresa’s arm in his. “Thank you for your time.”

  Gerald walked them to the door. “I’m sorry we couldn’t give you the answer you hoped for. I wish you two all the best.”

  Cody nodded and shook the man’s hand. He and Theresa headed outside and got back into the wagon.

  Cody sighed as he sat down. “That wasn’t how I expected things to go.”

  “Me neither,” Theresa admitted.

  “I’m sorry.” Cody set his hand on top of Theresa’s.

  Even in her sorrow, Theresa loved the feeling of Cody’s hand resting on her own. Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to be married to him. She felt foolish for asking, but the words spilled out. “Do you still want to marry me?”

  Cody’s mouth dropped open. “Of course, Theresa! You’re the love of my life. The only thing I am certain about. Of course I want to marry you.”

  Theresa felt a wave of relief wash over her. “When?”

  Cody considered this. “How about now?”

  Theresa blushed. “Right now?”

  “Why not?” Cody countered. “We can get married and go to Austin as soon as possible. If we can’t have the babies back, maybe we can start making a few of our own.”

  Theresa blushed and giggled at the thought. “I’d like that.”

  Cody flicked the reins, and they took off.

  “Where are we going?” Theresa asked.

  “I believe we need a reverend to get married,” Cody explained. “And as luck would have it, I happen to know one.”

  A little while later, they pulled up in front of Sarah Jane and Micah’s house, which was attached to the town church. Cody got out and helped Theresa down.

  Theresa couldn’t believe that she was going to get married. She had thought it would never happen, and now it was not only happening, but it was happening quickly.

  Sarah Jane answered the door, looking surprised to see Theresa and Cody. “Hello! I wasn’t expecting to see you two.”

  “Is your husband around? We have a favor to ask him . . .” Cody began.

  Sarah Jane looked from Cody to Theresa a few times suspiciously. “I’ll go find him.”

  A few moments later, Sarah Jane returned with Micah. “Why don’t you all come in and have a seat?” Micah suggested.

  Cody felt at ease immediately. He was lucky to know a man as calming and compassionate as Micah was. He quickly explained their predicament.

  “Oh, Theresa, I can’t believe it. I’m so happy for you!” Sarah Jane exclaimed. “Don’t you want a little more time, so you can plan out a dress and flowers and things like that?”

  Theresa shook her head. “I’ve never been interested in those things. All that matters is that I’m marrying Cody.”

  Cody beamed at his bride-to-be. There weren’t many women like her in the world, and he felt lucky to have found one.

  Sarah Jane frowned. “Isn’t Edna Petunia going to be upset if she’s not here?”

  Micah sighed. “She was just starting to forgive me . . .”

  “Forgive you?” Cody asked, puzzled.

  Micah looked sheepish. “I’ve performed more than a few spur-of-the-moment weddings for Sarah Jane’s sisters. Edna Petunia is never very happy with my actions.”

  Theresa considered this. “Well, we could go back to the house and try to do a ceremony there. But I like the idea of a small and simple service, just the two of us. And the two of you, of course.”

  “Whatever you’d like. I’m going to finish fixing dinner. You let us know what you decide,” Sarah Jane said bossily. Of all Theresa’s sisters, Sarah Jane was one of the most likely to take charge.

  Micah nodded. “I’ll be in my study. Let me know if you need anything.”

  Cody and Theresa conferred quietly. “I can’t wait to marry you. I don’t care if we get married here or at the Sanders’ house,” Cody told her.

  “I don’t care where we get married either,” Theresa said. “I am feeling guilty that we’ll be leaving soon for Austin and I won’t see my family as much as they’re used to. Maybe we should do the wedding at the house.”

  “That’s a good point,” Cody said.

  A few minutes later, Theresa found Micah and Sarah Jane and told them their decision.

  Sarah Jane rounded up the children and loaded them into the wagon. Cody and Theresa took the lead in their wagon. Sarah Jane and Micah followed closely behind.

  When they arrived at the Sanders’ house, Edna Petunia opened the door. “I wasn’t expecting such a big group! I don’t have enough to feed you all.”

  “Actually, you do,” Sarah Jane said. She pulled a large stockpot out of the back of the wagon. “I started making dinner. We can combine this with whatever you were making.”

  Edna Petunia cackled. “I still don’t understand why you all are here, but I can’t complain!”

  “We have an announcement,” Theresa said, smiling at Cody.

  “Oh, no.” Edna Petunia took a gulp from her hip flask. “Is there going to be another baby around here in a few months? I don’t know if my heart can take it . . .”

  “Is that why you’re in such a rush—” Sarah Jane began.

  Theresa blushed. “No, that’s not it at all!” She thought they both knew that she wouldn’t engage in premarital relations with anyone. Although her feelings for Cody were strong, she just wasn’t capable of taking that risk. As she thought about it, she realized that they would be married and soon it would no longer be an issue at all. Theresa giggled.

  Cody looked at his fiancée with amusement. He didn’t know what she was thinking about, but he couldn’t wait to make her his wife. “Do you want to tell them?”

  Theresa nodded excitedly. “Where’s Cletus? I want him to be here, too. And Katie.”

  Edna Petunia led the rowdy group into the formal parlor. “Everyone, Theresa says she has an announcement.” She watched as Cletus’s eyes grow big. “No, it’s not that, dear. Don’t worry.”

  Cody grabbed Theresa’s hand, and Theresa took a deep breath. “Cody and I are getting married. Tonight.”

  Cletus, Edna Petunia, and Katie began cheering. Cletus leapt out of his chair to pump Cody’s hand. “Congratulations, son. And if you do anything t
o harm a hair on her head, you’ll have me to deal with,” he said in a disarming tone.

  Cody nodded. “Understood, sir. It’s my job now to make her the happiest woman in the world.”

  Theresa smiled as she heard this. She knew Cody would do everything in his power to make sure she was happy, but at the moment, she still felt lingering sadness over everything that had happened with the babies. But maybe Cody was right—in time, they’d have their own children, and that would be wonderful. She pictured them with Cody’s hair and complexion but her eyes, or vice versa. She couldn’t wait to bear his children and build a life with him.

  She was even excited about Austin. The home Cody had arranged to purchase was absolutely stunning, everything she’d always dreamed of as a girl. And hopefully her sisters and their families could visit them from time to time. She’d miss everyone terribly, of course, but she also felt excitement about moving to a new city and having a fresh start with Cody.

  Suddenly, Theresa realized they hadn’t told her family about Austin. She cleared her throat. “There’s another thing we need to tell you. We’re moving to Austin.”

  The room quieted immediately, the jubilation turning to fear, concern, and disappointment. “Austin? Why would you want to do a thing like that?” Edna Petunia scoffed.

  “Cody’s been given a wonderful opportunity,” Theresa began.

  “I’ve been promoted to Vice President of my company,” Cody explained quietly.

  “And we’ll be living in a beautiful home.” Theresa pulled the scroll out of her pocket and laid it flat on the coffee table. Everyone crowded around to look at it.

  “It’s beautiful!” Katie cried.

  “It’s very nice,” Sarah Jane admitted. “But Austin is far. We’ll barely ever see each other.”

  Theresa sighed. “I know it’s a lot to digest. But we’re very happy about this. After everything that happened with the babies, it feels like it’s time to move on.”

  Cletus nodded sagely. “I’m glad to hear that you’ve given that up.”

  “It’s not that we’ve given it up. We tried. But the families that have the babies didn’t want to give them back,” Theresa confessed. Thinking about it made her tear up again.

  “Theresa, don’t look so sad. Today should be a happy day,” Katie instructed. “Come with me, and I’ll fix your hair!”

  Theresa allowed Katie to lead her by the hand upstairs, where Katie began to braid Theresa’s hair.

  Downstairs in the formal parlor, Sarah Jane bossed her children around, instructing them to move the furniture to prepare for a wedding.

  “I’ll never get everything back where it was!” Edna Petunia complained.

  “We need space for a wedding,” Sarah Jane protested.

  Cletus grinned. “Another wedding in the family. I’m not sure if you had anything to do with convincing them to have it here, but I sure do appreciate it, son,” Cletus told Micah.

  Micah smiled in relief. “Actually, it was Sarah Jane’s idea.”

  “In any case, I’m glad that they’ll be getting married here. Don’t tell anyone, but I do have a soft spot for these orphans, Micah.” Cletus laughed.

  Micah smiled. As a father himself, he knew what Cletus meant.

  Sarah Jane frowned at the two men. “What are you two doing, just standing around? We have a wedding to plan!”

  Less than an hour later, Cletus walked the bride down the makeshift aisle Sarah Jane and the children had created in the parlor. Theresa wore a white dress she had borrowed from Katie, and Katie had even sprinkled some flowers throughout Theresa’s braids.

  In his customary suit and tie, Cody looked as dapper as ever. As Cletus and Theresa advanced toward him, Cody reflected upon his luck to have found a woman as beautiful and gracious as Theresa.

  Theresa looked at her family members as she walked toward Cody. It all felt so surreal. Soon, she’d start a new life in Austin, just as she’d started a new life in Nowhere all those years ago. She clutched at the bouquet of flowers Cody had given her hours earlier as part of his proposal. She couldn’t believe that it had only been that morning that he had surprised her at the schoolhouse.

  As Theresa and Cletus approached Cody, Cletus kissed Theresa on the cheek. “You’re a good girl, Theresa, and your mother and I love you very much.”

  Theresa choked up hearing her adoptive father’s kind and generous words. Edna Petunia and Cletus had done so much for her. She would be forever grateful to them.

  Cody bent down and whispered in Theresa’s ear. “You look absolutely stunning. And while I love the way you look in that dress, I’m also curious—”

  Micah cleared his throat, and Cody straightened, winking mischievously at Theresa. Theresa blushed. Micah began the ceremony. “We are gathered here to observe as Cody Witherspoon and Theresa Sanders become man and wife. This is a wondrous, blessed occasion and I feel fortunate to bear witness. Please, join me in prayer.”

  Theresa found it hard to concentrate on portions of the service because of how excited she was. There was a lot she didn’t know about being married, and she couldn’t wait to experience it all with Cody. She sighed, staring at him dreamily. He really was a handsome man, but it was about so much more than that. He was loving and kind. The way he had treated the babies was gentler than anything she’d ever seen before. She knew he cared for them just as much as she did.

  Theresa felt a pang as she thought of the babies, but she tried to focus on the positives. Her time would come. She felt sure of it.

  “If any man or woman knows of any reason why this couple should not be wed—” Micah’s words were interrupted by a loud banging on the door.

  Everyone looked around in confusion, stunned.

  “Don’t just stand there staring at each other! Is someone going to get the door?” Edna Petunia yelped.

  Katie jumped to her feet and sped to the door.

  Theresa looked at Cody nervously. Suddenly, she felt nervous. Were they rushing their marriage? Did she really know Cody well enough to be married to him? She wondered about who was at the door. She hoped it wasn’t someone trying to break up the wedding. After the difficult day they’d had, Theresa didn’t know if she would be able to handle yet another disappointment.

  Katie returned to the room beaming. “I think you’re going to want to see who’s at the door,” Katie told Theresa and Cody.

  Perplexed, the bride and groom followed Katie toward the entrance.

  Outside, Theresa saw a jumble of people on the porch and two wagons parked outside. She recognized Veronica Sibley immediately.

  “Sweetheart, we got to thinking about what you said, and you were right. This baby deserves two young, loving parents who can give him the best possible chance in this life,” Veronica said. She handed the baby to Theresa.

  Gerald Sibley shook Cody’s hand solemnly.

  Theresa was overwhelmed. “Thank you, Veronica,” she whispered. Having Gabriel back in her arms made Theresa feel happier than she thought possible. Her heart felt full and content.

  Veronica moved out of the way, and Belinda Thomas stepped forward. “When we heard that the Sibleys were going to let you adopt their baby, we thought about what you talked about when you were here. What’s best for the babies. And we truly believe the best thing for this child is to be with her twin.”

  Theresa gasped. She couldn’t believe that both Veronica and Belinda had made such a difficult and generous decision. She knew they had made the right choice, and she felt honored that they’d chosen her to take care of the twins.

  Belinda held Faith out to her, and Theresa readjusted so she could cradle Faith in one arm and Gabriel in the other.

  Belinda looked at Theresa’s white dress and the flowers in her hair. “Oh, my. Have we interrupted something?”

  “It’s not an interruption. I really appreciate everything you and your families have done,” Theresa told Belinda and Veronica. “But, now that you mention it, we are in the middle of a wedding cerem
ony. Would you like to join us?”

  Belinda grinned. “Of course!”

  Veronica looked at Gerald, who was deep in conversation with Cody. “Gerald! The man’s getting married. We need to let him get back to his bride!”

  Gerald looked up, startled.

  From inside the house, Edna Petunia shouted. “What’s going on out there?”

  Theresa laughed. “Follow me, everyone.” She led the group into the house, and Micah resumed the ceremony, barely batting an eye at the new guests. “A little help, please?” Theresa gestured to Cody, indicating that her hands were full.

  Cody rushed forward and scooped Faith from Theresa’s arms. With Theresa holding Gabriel and Cody holding Faith, Micah officially declared them husband and wife.

  Afterward, as everyone celebrated and congratulated the newlyweds, Cody pulled Theresa aside.

  “How badly do you want to go to Austin?” Cody asked.

  Theresa frowned. “It sounds exciting, like a fresh start, but it would also be difficult to be away from family. Especially with these two.” She was feeding Faith while Gabriel sat in his bassinet until it was his turn.

  “Gerald Sibley offered me a job at the Nowhere bank,” Cody said. “He’s got a plot of land we could build our dream house on. I know it wouldn’t be the house in Austin, but we could make it into our own.”

  Theresa gasped. “But what about your job?”

  “Mr. Clarkson will understand. I’ve worked with him for a long time, and he’s been good to me, but he’ll understand that I have my family to think about now. I think it will be wonderful for the children to be raised in this environment instead of the city, where people can be cruel and greedy. The more I think about it, the more I think that I was meant to end up in Nowhere,” Cody explained. “With you.”

  Theresa broke out into a wide smile. “Cody Witherspoon, I think you’re absolutely right.” Cody kissed her deeply on the lips, and the crowd around them erupted again in cheers. It was a wonderful ending to a wonderful night.

  Epilogue

  Five months later, Theresa fidgeted nervously on the table as Dr. Iris Harvey examined her.