Mail Order Baron (The Brides of Tombstone Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to keep up with his long strides.
    He held out his hand when they reached the buggy, to aid her into the conveyance.
    After she was seated she reached her arms out for Hope. Molly gave Hope a cracker and the baby was busy with it, mostly gumming it although she did have front teeth. She looked up at Molly and grinned, then went back to her cracker.
    Molly laughed. She couldn’t help it. That little grin with her four teeth showing was the cutest thing she’d ever seen. The more she was around Hope the more she wanted one just like her.
    She looked over to see Ben was watching her.
    “She’s amazing isn’t she?”
    Molly saw and heard the pure love in his words.
    “Yes, she is.” She squeezed Hope a little, brought the baby back against her chest and cuddled her. “She most certainly is very special.”
    They arrived back in town and went to the doctor’s office first. They walked in and heard Julia moaning, and then a baby’s cry.
    Ben headed down the hall.
    Molly followed with Hope.
    He looked in each of the two examination rooms they passed until he reached the surgery at the back of the clinic and found Matt and Julia.
    “Matt. Julia. I heard a baby cry,” he said from out in the hall. “I wanted to let you know we are back.”
    “Come in Ben. Bring Hope and Molly. I’m decent.” Julia sounded tired.
    The three of them walked in.
    Julia was on the table, propped up by two bed pillows. She held a red, squirming and very unhappy, crying baby.
    “What variety did you get?” Ben went to Julia and kissed her forehead.
    She was covered with a sheet and wore a night gown.
    “We have a boy. We’re going to name him Walt.”
    Ben chuckled. “The old codger should be happy with that.”
    “As much as it pains me to admit it, if it wasn’t for my grandfather, Julia and I wouldn’t be together.” Matt looked down at his wife and smiled.
    “Are Lizzie and Mal standing up with you tomorrow?” asked Julia.
    “Yes, we’ll meet them at ten o’clock outside the judge’s chambers.”
    “Good, good.” Julia looked over at Molly. “Will you gentlemen leave Molly and me for a moment? Please?”
    Molly stayed, but couldn’t figure out why Julia would want to talk to her.
    “I can tell you’ve heard Ben wanted to marry me last year. I can only imagine what you must be feeling, but believe me, Ben didn’t love me. Yes, he thought he did but only friendship is between us. You and he will be making a life together. Love will come. Trust me.”
    “I don’t know.” She knew. There was no chance that Ben would love her and she should get used to it. “You didn’t see him when he was talking about you. He’s still in love with you. He’d marry you in a minute if he could.”
    “Molly.” Julia took Molly’s hand with one hand and held baby Walt with the other. “Give it time. Get to know each other. Love will come.”
    Molly swallowed, knowing it wasn’t true, but there was nothing she could do about it. “Should you feed him.” She nodded toward the crying baby.
    His little cries were getting louder.
    Julia helped him find her nipple and sucked in a breath when he latched on.
    “What’s the matter? Are you all right? Should I get Matthew?”
    “No, I’m fine. The feeling is just not very comfortable when they first nurse. My breasts aren’t used to it, but they will be soon.”
    “I hope we’ll have children, and that Ben will love them, like he loves Hope. She’s very special.”
    “Hope is our baby. Ben’s and mine, because we were there for her birth. She’s my and Matthew’s daughter because we’re raising her and have adopted her, but there’s nothing that says a child can have only two parents. Ben is Hope’s third parent. But your children will be even more special because they will be a part of you and him. Just remember to give everything time.” She took Molly’s hand and squeezed it.
    “I understand. Thank you Julia.”
    “I want us to be friends, Molly. I want you to know