The Christmas Journey (13 page)

R
y froze. Viola? Had he heard right? Surely this wasn’t—

Trying to ignore the unease tickling the back of his neck, he studied the child, looking for an indication he’d read this wrong.

Instead, what he saw—the familiar mahogany-colored ringlets, toffee brown eyes and tip-tilted nose—proved just the opposite.

There was no mistaking that this was Belle’s daughter.

What was going on? Why had Belle sent the child to him?

The little girl moved closer to Mrs. Fields and drew the cat to her chin. A trembling in her lower lip brought Ry back to his senses. Whatever Belle’s intent, the child needed reassurance.

“Viola,” he said, keeping his voice soft, “do you know who I am?”

She nodded. “You’re Mr. Lassiter, my momma’s best friend in the whole world. Except for me and my daddy.”

Had Belle still thought of him that way? “That’s right. Your mother and I were very good friends. I knew her back when she was a little girl.”

Viola nodded. “She told me.”

At a loss as to what to say next, he glanced toward Josie.

And, as if waiting for his signal, she stepped forward and smiled. “Viola, I’ll have you know my sister bakes the best honey pecan tarts in all of Texas. What do you say we head to the kitchen and find us a few to sample? And I can introduce you to my nieces, Pippa and Lottie. They’re twins you know, alike as two blades of grass, and I know they’d love to meet your cat.”

Ry was both surprised and grateful at the easy way she interacted with the child.

Viola hesitated a moment, glancing first at Ry and then at Mrs. Fields. Finally she took Josie’s outstretched hand and the two exited the room.

As the door closed behind them, Ry scrubbed a hand across his face. “I’m sorry, Reverend, Ma’am, please have a seat.”

Reverend Fields seated his wife on the sofa and then took a chair next to Ry. Ry finally sank into a chair himself.

The reverend leaned forward, studying Ry with a solemn expression. “I pride myself on being able to read people, and unless I’m mistaken, you were surprised by Viola’s presence.”

“Yes sir, extremely so. It’s been over twelve years since I last saw Mrs. Hadley and I had no idea she had children.”

“But surely you received my telegram?”

“I’m afraid I misunderstood. I assumed you were referring to a musical instrument.”

“I see.”

Ry took a deep breath and asked the question that had haunted him these past few days. “What happened to Belle?”

Reverend Fields steepled his hands. “Mrs. Hadley was passing through Foxberry when she had an accident. Broke her leg. It was bad, but for a while, she seemed to be recovering. Then an infection set in.”

Ry’s stomach tightened as he thought about the pain she
must have suffered. Was there something he could have done if he’d gotten there in time?

“Dr. Holcomb counted it a miracle she survived as long as she did,” the reverend continued. “I believe it was her desire to speak to you before she passed that kept her going.”

And he’d failed her in that. “Did she indicate why she wanted to see me?”

“I assume it was to discuss Viola’s future.”

“Of course.” Ry raked a hand through his hair, then winced as his fingers brushed against his injury.

He still hadn’t quite absorbed what the child’s appearance meant. “Do you know what happened to Viola’s father?”

“Mrs. Hadley indicated he died of a snakebite. Happened a month or so before they arrived in Foxberry.”

So Viola had lost both parents in a short time. “Did Belle leave instructions as to what she expected me to do for Viola?”

Perhaps she needed him to act as escort, to deliver the child safely to her new guardian, whoever that might be. Or maybe she wanted to have Ry provide for the child’s future. It was the least he could do. He would see that Belle’s daughter received a top-notch education, that she never wanted for anything—

“Mr. Lassiter.” This time it was Mrs. Fields who spoke, her voice gentle but firm. “I don’t think you quite understand. Belle named you as Viola’s guardian.”

Ry’s mind rebelled at that thought. It was too big a responsibility. He was a bachelor. What did he know about raising a child, much less a daughter? What had Belle been thinking?
Surely
there was someone else—

“She gave this to me the day before she died.” Reverend Fields held out an envelope. “She asked me to deliver it if you didn’t arrive in time for her to speak to you. Perhaps it provides some of the answers you seek.”

Ry took the envelope but didn’t open it. He wanted to be alone when he read whatever Belle had written.

“Mr. Lassiter, please consider this carefully.” Reverend Fields leaned forward, hands clasped between his knees. “This was obviously what Viola’s mother wanted, but your wishes are important as well. Viola is a dear child who’s experienced a great tragedy. She deserves the comfort and security of being raised by someone who truly wants her. If that person isn’t you, there’s no shame in admitting as much. And I assure you Viola would be well cared for. There are several families in Foxberry who would be glad to give her a loving, God-fearing home.”

Ry was very tempted. Surely the girl would be better off with one of those families the reverend referred to? What if he failed the child the way he’d failed her mother?

“I only want what’s best for Viola,” he said slowly.

Reverend Fields nodded. “Of course, as do we all. Mrs. Fields and I plan to spend the night here in Knotty Pine and return to Foxberry on tomorrow’s train. It’s not much time, I grant you, but I encourage you to use it to get to know the child a bit and for her to get to know you. And most of all to spend time in prayer, seeking the Lord’s guidance, before you make such a momentous decision.”

He motioned toward his wife. “We will pray for you, as well.”

The woman nodded, her smile gentle, empathetic. “I have confidence this will work out according to God’s plan.”

Ry only hoped her confidence hadn’t been misplaced.

Feeling like an intruder, Jo balanced one end of the tray Cora Beth had saddled her with on the hall table and rapped on the parlor door before opening it.

“Sorry for the interruption,” she said as she entered, “but my sister thought you might like a glass of lemonade.”

Ry’s expression was that of a prisoner who’d just received a reprieve. “No need to apologize,” he said quickly. “That was quite thoughtful of your sister.”

As Jo set the tray down, he added, “Reverend and Mrs. Fields plan to stay the night in Knotty Pine. I suggested they take a room here rather than the hotel.”

“Of course.” Jo wondered if Ry was trying to toss a bit of business their way, or wanted to have the Fields close by to make it easier for Viola.

Either way, he was still living up to his hero image. “We have a very comfortable room available and I can promise you my sister sets a much finer table than any you’ll find at the hotel.”

Reverend Fields turned to his wife. “What say you, my dear?”

She nodded. “It sounds lovely.”

Jo moved to the door. “That’s settled then. Let me just step over to the kitchen and talk to my sister about getting the room prepared while you enjoy your lemonade.”

She didn’t miss the dazed look on Ry’s face, and couldn’t say she blamed him much. The poor man had been blindsided by Viola’s arrival.

A few moments later Cora Beth bustled into the room. “Reverend and Mrs. Fields, I’m so pleased to have you as our guests for the night. Allow me to show you to your room so you can rest and freshen up a bit after your trip. We’ll be serving lunch soon. I hope you like black bean and ham soup.”

“That sounds delicious. We appreciate you taking us in on such short notice.”

“Not at all.” Cora Beth motioned for them to precede her. “And I’ve already sent over to the depot for your bags.”

Reverend Fields turned to Ry. “The large trunk with our bags contains Mrs. Hadley’s and Viola’s things.”

Ry nodded. “Thank you. I’ll see to it.”

After the others left the room, Jo studied Ry. “You okay? Want me to help you back to your room?”

“I’m fine.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Belle appointed me Viola’s guardian.” He rubbed his temple. “Heaven help that child.”

“So you’re going to take the job?”

“How can I not? I have to believe Belle had her reasons for doing this. Besides, it’s not the kind of responsibility one can just walk away from. You of all people should know that.”

“That’s different. This is my family.” Did he truly realize what he was taking on?

“And now it seems, Viola is mine.”

She saw the determination reflected in his eyes. Well, it was his choice. She had to hand it to him, though. As much as he seemed bumfuzzled and downright scared spitless, he also appeared ready to step up and do what was required.

“Raising a kid is not an easy thing,” she warned. “Especially for a man on his own. Even Cora Beth, as good as she is with young’uns, moved back in here when Philip died. It was just too much for her to handle by herself.”

He raised a brow as one corner of his mouth kicked up. “You trying to change my mind?”

“Just want to make sure you know what you’re taking on.”

“Believe me, I know it won’t be all sunshine and daisies. I suppose I’ll wind up hiring a nanny.”

That’s right, he had money. Well, it was going to take more than money to raise that little girl. Leastways if he wanted to do it right. Which she was pretty sure he did.

But that’s something he’d figure out for himself soon enough.

One thing for sure, whether he knew it or not, his traveling
days were about over. If he went through with this, he was going to get a taste of what
her
life had been like the past six years.

Actually, this would work right into her matchmaking plan. With a kid of his own to care for, he’d be more likely now than before to be looking for a wife. And who better than Cora Beth?

Sure, Cora Beth had said she didn’t intend to marry again. But Ry was the kind of man who could melt any woman’s heart. In fact, if she wasn’t careful, she could fall for him herself.

Jo straightened. That was not going to happen. Ry might be a good man—charming, handsome, heroic even—but marriage didn’t fit into her plans for her future, at least not short term.

Time to put some distance between them. “If you don’t need my help, I’d better head back to the livery. Don’t want to leave Uncle Grover on his own for too long.” She gave him a pointed look. “Viola’s in the kitchen with Cora Beth and the twins.”

After she’d gone Ry fingered Belle’s letter. This was it—his best chance to find the answers he’d been looking for ever since he received her telegram.

Mentally bracing himself, Ry opened the letter.

My dearest Ry
,

If you are reading this it means I did not survive to see you. And, knowing you, you are riddled with guilt for not getting here in time, but there is no need. I believe God is in control of all things and whatever comes to pass, all will be well in the end
.

There is so much I wanted to say to you. But mostly I want to thank you for taking me under your wing at a time when I had no one else. You’ll never know what your friendship meant
to me—still means to me. You brought back joy and light into my life when both had been all but extinguished
.

I took those memories with me when I left Hawk’s Creek, and my life was the richer for it. Horace and I had a good life, truly blessed, and it was made even better when Viola came along. It was only after Horace was taken from us so unexpectedly that I realized what our child missed because of our nomadic way of life.

Viola has never had a permanent home, has no aunts or cousins, no close friends except for her cat. And now she will not even have parents.

She will be very much alone once I am gone—just as I was all those years ago when I arrived at Hawk’s Creek. Which brings me to why I wrote this letter. I had hoped to take the little bit of money Horace and I had put aside and use it to give Viola a real home. It seems, though, that the Good Lord has other plans for me. So now I am asking you to do for my daughter what I cannot. I know this seems a heavy burden to hand you, but I would not ask it if I did not know firsthand how well suited you are to the task. And I feel in my heart that it will bring you an equal measure of joy.

Please do for her what you did for me. Bring joy and light into her life. Show her she’s not alone, that someone cares for her. Give her a home. Teach her to see the beauty in the world around her. Allow yourself to take joy in her as well.

And above all, raise her in the Word.

Yours in our Lord,

Belle