A Love to Last Forever (40 page)

It was just after midnight when the baby’s cry filled the Cromwell house. Beth marveled at the wrinkled, squalling infant. The baby boy squinted his eyes against the light and seemed all the more unhappy when the doctor began cleaning out his mouth.

“It’s a fine little boy,” the doctor told Millie.

She laughed. “I could have figured as much. Evan told me our first would be a son.”

Gwen took the baby from the doctor, and Beth and Lacy moved with her across the room to help with cleaning and dressing the infant.

“He’s so tiny,” Lacy said. “Is he big enough?”

“For what?” Beth asked with a grin. “He isn’t going to be playing ball with Justin anytime soon.”

Gwen laughed. “They’re always small like this when they’re born.”

“He didn’t feel small,” Millie called out.

“He’s a perfect size,” the doctor said as he continued to work on Millie. “Felt like he might be about seven pounds.”

“Not even as big as Calvin J. Whiskers,” Gwen said, gently smoothing the baby’s blond hair in place. “That cat must weight at least ten pounds.”

Beth continued to stare in awe. He was surely the most marvelous of all God’s miracles, she thought. What a perfect wonder. Her heart flooded with longing to have her own child. Justin meant so much to her, but she wanted to give him brothers and sisters. She wanted to give Nick a baby, as well.

She almost laughed out loud. It was so like God to change her perspective with something so little—yet so intricately special. Leaving this community of hers no longer mattered in light of the idea of bearing Nick another son or even a daughter.

“I’m sure glad it’s all over,” Lacy said, easing onto a chair. “I just kept thinking of Mama and all that we went through.”

Gwen nodded. “I know. I thought of her, too. She went through so much.”

“Most women do,” the doctor said, throwing a smile over his shoulder, “but they endure it because of the joy to come.”

“But in the case of our mother,” Lacy said, “there was no joy. She died.”

“She knew the risk,” the doctor said, turning his attention back to Millie. “Most women do and face it willingly—even knowing it could take their life.”

“He’s right,” Millie said. “I would have gone through far worse for my baby—for Evan.”

Beth knew the truth in what was said. Their mother loved them very much and her desire for a large family was well-known to each of them. She hadn’t died unaware of the risk; she died knowing the possible cost.

“She understood,” Beth said.

“What?” Gwen asked.

“She knew having babies was a danger because she already had the three of us,” Beth explained. “But that didn’t stop her from having more, and I suppose it really didn’t have much to do with Pa moving us around from place to place.”

“And it didn’t have to do with curses,” Gwen said softly.

“But if I’d been able to find Pa . . .” Lacy’s sad words caused Beth to go to her sister.

“No. It didn’t even have anything to do with that. It’s just the way life and death can be.”

“I wish I could believe that,” Lacy said.

“Well, we’ve turned rather maudlin on this happy occasion,” Gwen said, straightening. “I suggest we put aside our sorrows and focus on the joy of this new life.”

Beth crossed the room. “I’ll go let the men know.”

She went to the bedroom door and opened it to find her husband, as well as Evan, Forrest, and Hank. Beth laughed. “You all look fit to be tied.”

“Is it . . . is she . . .” Evan couldn’t finish the question.

“Millie is fine. So is your son. Congratulations.”

“A boy!” he gasped. “It’s a boy! I knew it. A boy!” Evan slapped at his father’s arm. “Didn’t I tell you?”

Forrest laughed. “Indeed, you did. Guess we’ll be hearing about this for some time to come.” The other men laughed and went to congratulate Evan.

Beth caught her husband’s gaze and smiled. She hadn’t been able to talk to him all evening, and now that was all she longed for. She hoped the smile would convey her heart until they could be alone. Nick watched her for a moment and gave her a hint of a smile. There was no real joy in his expression, but Beth didn’t expect it. She’d hurt him, and she knew that she needed to make things right.

“So what are you going to call this boy of yours?” Hank asked.

Evan sat down hard on the nearest chair. “I . . . ah . . . can’t . . .” His eyes rolled back and he slumped over. Had Forrest not been there, his son would have passed out cold on the floor.

“I guess we’ll have to wait for that information,” For-rest said, laughing. “The proud papa has just fainted dead away.”

“Nick, I’ve been a fool,” Beth confessed once they were alone in their bedroom. She hoped he’d be patient enough to hear her out.

He propped up his pillow and looked at her from the bed.

“Go on,” he said, putting his hands behind his head.

“Well, to begin with, I want to apologize for the things I said and how I acted. I know you were hurt, and that was never my intention.” She toyed with the robe of her dressing gown and began to pace.

“I realized today when I was talking to Justin—and then later tonight when Millie had the baby—that all I really need or want, I have. I have you and Justin and more love than I could ever have hoped for. The place I live shouldn’t matter, so long as you two are there.”

Nick said nothing, and Beth was afraid to look at him. She drew a deep breath and continued to move from one end of the room to the other. “I guess it took me a long while to realize that, but now that I have . . . well . . . I’m hoping you will forgive me. I’ll go wherever you want me to. It would be hard to leave and never see my sisters again, but if that’s what you want, I’ll stand beside your decision.”

“What makes you think I would ever want that?” he asked softly.

Beth looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“Why do you think I’m heartless enough to ever take you so far away that you would never see your sisters again?”

She bit at her lower lip for a moment and shook her head. “I don’t have an answer for that. I suppose because our father brought us out here so far away from everyone we knew, it just seemed possible that my husband might do the same.”

“Come here, Beth.”

She walked slowly to the bed and stopped. “I’ve loved you for a long time, even before you were willing to admit your love for me,” he said. Reaching for her hand, Nick pulled her down to sit beside him.

Beth nearly melted into a puddle when he put his hand on her cheek and caressed her face. “I will never hurt you on purpose. I know I’ll fail you somewhere along the way, but it won’t be for lack of trying. I love you. You’re my heart—my life. We’ll stay here if we can. If the stage company is willing to renew my contract for another year, I’ll do so and work things out with Hank.”

“You will?” She could hardly believe his words, yet they were exactly what she had longed to hear.

He grinned and pulled her against him. Nick kissed her gently and pulled back. “Only if you’ll be here with me,” he breathed against her lips.

“Wild horses couldn’t drag me away,” she said with a giggle.

“I think you should know,” Dave Shepard told Nick a week later, “the sheriff doesn’t think your fire was an accident.”

Nick looked at Dave and shook his head. “What are you saying?”

“The sheriff had a friend of his take a look at the remains. His friend used to be a fire chief in a big city back East and has been trained to recognize arson. When I told Sheriff Cummings that it seemed suspicious to me, he asked his friend to ride out and take a look. He did, and the fact of the matter is, the fire didn’t start anywhere near the forge.”

Nick looked at the remains of his shop and home and felt sick. “You mean someone
meant
to do this?”

“It looks that way. I immediately thought of the fellows who tried to kill Simon. You don’t suppose they came here thinking to pay him back for whatever grudge they held against him?”

“I don’t know. Most folks in the area know that Simon and Ellie moved off. I can’t imagine anyone thinking that burning down the place would punish Simon.”

Dave looked at him quite seriously. “Do you have any enemies, Nick? Anyone you’ve offended of late?”

Nick shook his head. “No one that’s told me to my face.” He tried to think of anyone who might want to cause harm to him or his family.

“Well, I have my suspicions,” Dave said, “but for now I’ll keep them to myself.” He kicked at the dirt with the toe of his boot. “I wouldn’t want to start something without more proof.”

“If you know who it is, then tell me. That fire could have killed my family,” Nick said angrily. “I deserve to know.”

“It’s just speculation at this point,” Dave replied. “I don’t want to get you thinking in one place, just in case something comes to mind later that might lead us in another direction to finding the real culprit. I’ll let you know if I get something more solid to go on.”

“I suppose I understand,” Nick said, not exactly happy to let the matter drop.

“I hope you’ll stick around for a while,” Dave told him. They turned and walked back toward Gallatin House. “Here, I mean. I think it would benefit everyone.”

“I’m here for the time being. I told Beth we’d wait and talk to the stage company. If they renew my contract for another year, then we’ll be around at least that long.”

“Good. That ought to give us time to decide what to do with the town, as well.”

“That was kind of my thought on the matter. Your father has offered to give me hay for the horses.”

“It’s been a good summer with plenty of moisture. Pa’s got quite a bit of hay put up; I don’t think he’s gonna miss it.”

With screeching laughter, Beth and Justin came bounding from around the side of the house, both their faces covered in white powder. They ran as fast as they could and were laughing so hard, they could hardly stand by the time they spotted Nick and Dave. Beth came to an immediate stop and pulled back on Justin’s collar to keep him from running into his father.

“What’s going on with you two?” Nick asked, looking at the ghostly features of his wife and son.

“Mama’s teaching me to play a joke.”

Nick raised a brow and looked to Beth for explanation. She only shrugged and acted innocent of the matter. “Our son has a . . . vivid . . . imagination.” She nudged Justin. “You’d best go wash your face.” He frowned, but when she bent and whispered in his ear, he giggled and was quickly off and running for the house. Beth pulled up her apron and wiped at the mess.

Dave grinned and tipped his hat. “I believe I’ll go see what’s for lunch.”

Beth looked up, powder still dusting her hair, and nodded.

“Oh, I think that’s a splendid idea.” She started to follow after Dave, but Nick pulled her back.

“Oh, no you don’t, Mrs. Lassiter. I want to know what kind of corruption you’re teaching my son and why.”

Beth sighed in his arms and kissed him on the neck. “Someone has to carry on the tradition.”

“What tradition is that?”

She kissed him again, and Nick very nearly forgot what it was they were talking about. “Wouldn’t you rather talk about something else?” She rose on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. “Or maybe not talk at all?”

Nick tightened his grip on her. “I suppose it can wait until later.” He grinned down at the woman he’d loved for so very long. “And then again, maybe it’s best I don’t even know.”

She nodded solemnly. “I think you’re right. It’s better you be surprised.”

Nick chuckled. “With you, Bethany Lassiter, I’m always surprised.”

“Good,” Beth replied. “Lady Effingham would be pleased to know that I’ve carried on her legacy of keeping the menfolk in her life guessing.” She closed her eyes for a kiss, but when it didn’t come, she looked up in confusion. “Aren’t you going to kiss me?”

“Maybe. But first tell me: Who in the world is Lady Effingham?”

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