“We will have to try harder then.” Thomas smiled down at his son. “Say pa-pa,” He mouthed the words slowly for his son.
Robbie looked up at Rosaline.
“Pa-pa,” she encouraged him.
He looked at his father. “Pp-a,” He tried.
All three looked at him in surprise. Thomas was the first to break the stunned silence. “That’s it, my boy. You can do it. Pa-pa,” he annunciated slowly.
“Pa-pa,” Robbie said.
“That’s it! You did it!” Thomas scooped up his son and held him above his head, to Robbie’s great delight as he squealed with joy.
Rosaline was overcome with joy as she watched them play, Robbie repeating papa, again and again, every time he getting a round of applause from the men. She felt very lonely all of a sudden. It was her deepest wish for this sweet child to bond with his father, but now that it happened she felt a need for him to say ‘mama’. A need that she told herself was selfish. She was, after all, not his mama, just the lady who looked after him.
She looked up to see Thomas staring at her. His eyes were intense and happy. He pointed to Rosaline and mouthed the words ma-ma for Robbie to repeat. Rosaline’s heart swelled with love as Thomas smiled at her.
Robbie looked from his father to Rosaline.
Thomas said ‘ma-ma’ slowly again.
Looking at his father’s lips in concentration and screwing up his tiny nose, Robbie said. “Ma.”
Grateful tears streamed down her face as she held out her arms to Robbie and he lunged into her lap, wrapping his chubby little arms around her neck.
In that moment she felt like everything had fallen into place. Everything was coming together. For the first time in her life, she felt like she was suitable for the task God was calling her to. Thomas’ acceptance made her sure of that. Nothing could possibly go wrong...
***
Rosaline walked along happily as the empty basket swung on her arm, singing quietly to herself. The wild sunflowers were still in full bloom, though Thomas had said they would be dying out soon as the weather grew colder. She smiled at the thought of Thomas.
Their friendship was blossoming along with the flowers as they strived to create a happy home for Robbie, their son. Their son. Her smile broadened as she almost skipped along the path to town. Thomas had been referring to Robbie as their son since that evening when he first said Papa and Mama.
She admitted to herself that she was in love with Thomas. She knew that he had said he would never love another woman again, but she couldn’t contain the growing feelings she felt every their eyes met, or their fingers accidentally touched when she handed him coffee in the mornings. She was content to be Robbie’s mother and Thomas’ friend, even if it would bring her even more joy for Thomas to return her feelings.
Her life had changed so much in the past few months. Back on the Vosses’ farm, going to shops had been an escape that she relished, taking her time. Now she loved her leisurely walks whenever Arthur watched Robbie. The difference was that she now longed to get home. Home. She had a home now. She smiled to herself as she entered the town.
People were bustling about, doing their shopping and selling their wares. They waved happily at Rosaline as she passed their stalls and made her way to the mercantile store.
The bell over the door jingled as she pushed open the door and made her way through the tiny aisles to the counter. Baxton’s store was smaller than the one owned by Donna’s parents in Delaware. She greeted the kind older lady behind the counter and handed her the list of things they needed on the ranch.
“Of course, Mrs. Stratton,” the old lady smiled. Her hair was salt and pepper and tucked beneath a light pink cap that matched her apron. Rosaline loved the way she looked over her half-moon spectacles whenever she read a list. Even more than that she loved it when anyone called her Mrs. Stratton.
“It’s a good thing you came by,” the lady said in her gentle voice. “A letter came for you just this morning.” She retrieved a pile of letters from beneath the counter and sorted through them. “Here we are.” She handed Rosaline the letter. “Save our Reggie a trip to the ranch.” She hurried away with Rosaline’s list.
Rosaline’s heart sank into the pit of her stomach as she read the return address.
Mr. Voss. Wilmington, Delaware.
Her fingers were trembling as she tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter.
Rosaline,
I have surmised your whereabouts from your friend Donna. It took me a while, but she eventually turned on you. I can only say that I hope your childish fantasies of marrying a strange man have come to nothing. I will be giving you a week to come to your senses and return to where you belong. If I do not hear from you within that time, I will be going to the police to report the things you stole in your hasty departure.
Patiently awaiting your response.
-Mr. Voss.
