Fated Memories Read Online Free PDF

the kitchen to lay her down in the middle of a large dining table. After changing her soiled diaper and wrapping the blanket around the tiny body, she went to work on making the formula.
    “ Thank God I listened to Doctor Hinley’s advice on storing bottles in case of an emergency.” She picked up a pair of thongs to remove one of the bottles from the kettle of boiling water. “It won’t be long now, Tia. I just need to pour the milk into the bottle and cool it, and then you can eat.”
    Leaving the bottle sitting on the counter, she grabbed up a large pan. She ran to the back door, throwing it open wide, and uncaring of who might be passing by, she made her way outside. Bending over, she scooped up a pan full of snow. The icy coldness covering her bare feet and wetting the hem of her long robe made her finish her task within moments.
    When satisfied the milk in the bottle had cooled enough, Martha picked the baby up in her arms. “Now see, that didn’t take all that long, did it?” She pushed the blanket away from Tia’s small face and, picking up the bottle, touched the nipple to the baby’s open mouth. The hungry infant eagerly sucked the nipple into her mouth, bringing a sigh of relief from Martha.
    The sound of a neighing horse outside the back door drew Martha’s attention. Drawing back the kitchen curtain, she looked out. “Thank goodness,” she murmured, dropping the curtain back into place, “John’s home.”
    ***
    Later, after Martha had told John what had happened, he presented another problem to be dealt with.
    “ How would you like me to word the telegram to Charlotte and Eathen about Jessie’s death?”
    Her mouth trembled as she stared up at him. “I forgot all about them.”
    “ Small wonder, after everything you’ve been through.” He ran a tired hand through his thick gray-brown hair, his gray eyes filling with concern. “You know, of course, Charlotte may decide she wants the baby after all, now that Jessie is gone.”
    “ Oh, John, she couldn’t!” Martha stood, one hand pressed to her mouth. “Not now. Not…” She shook her head. “No…” Martha shook her head again. Her scrubbed face, free of all the cosmetics she always wore before greeting her husband, looking pale and somewhat older in the early-morning light. “I couldn’t stand to lose her now. Not after I’ve waited all these years for a child.”
    “ She isn’t our child, Martha.” John tried to keep his frustration out of his voice. “If Charlotte wants to take her, there isn’t anything we can do.”
    “ Eathen will never allow that, John.” She looked into his eyes. “He’s already said he doesn’t want anything to do with this baby. And now I know why.”
    “ What are you talking about?” A sudden uncomfortable feeling crept over him.
    “ I always thought it strange that Charlotte never volunteered any information about the man who got Jessie into trouble.” Martha tapped a polished nail against her bottom teeth. “I wanted to ask,” she declared before turning away, “but, of course, I couldn’t.”
    “ Martha, for goodness sake!” John snapped his patience with her at an end. “What about him?”
    “ He’s an Indian, John.” She whirled to face him. “Jessie told me about him last night.”
    His breath rushed from his lungs. “No wonder they had been so anxious to get her away from Montana.”
    “ Yes.” A satisfied smile lit up her eyes. “If it ever got out that Eathen Thornton is the grandfather of a half-breed baby, he wouldn’t be able to hold his head up in Montana. No matter how much money he has.”
    John inhaled a deep breath to bring himself under control. “I admit you present a strong case, Martha. However, don’t underestimate Charlotte. Jessie’s death could change everything. I want you to be prepared.”
    Going into his arms, she allowed him to hold her. He had always been so strong and she had never needed him more than right at that moment.
    “ John, you