The Gift of a Child. Laura Abbot

      

      A Family All Her Own

      At twenty-seven, Rose Kellogg knows it’s unlikely that she’ll ever marry. Her dreams of motherhood seem hopeless. Until she rescues Alf, a young boy abandoned in her father’s barn in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. In Alf, Rose finally has hope again, and she’s not alone….

      Cattle rancher Seth Montgomery always felt awkward around people, but that’s not the case with Rose and Alf. Seth instantly bonds with the shy boy and is eager to help Rose make her dream of a family come true. But when their future with Alf is threatened, will Seth and Rose find the courage to embrace the love they’ve found in each other?

      Alf glowed with pleasure. “Now you dance.” He took Seth’s large hand and placed it in Rose’s.

      When she slipped her hand into his, Seth straightened and hesitantly began guiding her in wide circles.

      “See? I told you. You’re dancing.” Alf was jittery with excitement.

      “We’ve made at least one person happy,” Rose commented, nodding toward the boy.

      Seth didn’t immediately answer. Then, squeezing her hand gently and drawing her a bit closer, he said, “Maybe two, or dare I hope, three?”

      Her heart fluttered out of all proportion to the words he’d spoken, words she wasn’t sure how to interpret. Caught up in the spell of the moment, she couldn’t think how to answer him.

      Just as the music ceased, she heard him mumble, “Well, two anyway.”

      As she moved toward a vacant seat, the next dance began.

      “Quite a lad,” Seth said, sitting down beside her.

      “He adores you, Seth.” As do I.

      LAURA ABBOT

      Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Laura Abbot was deeply influenced by her favorite literary character, Jo from Little Women. If only, Laura thought, I could write stories, too. Many years later, after a twenty-five-year career as a high school English teacher and independent school administrator, Laura’s ambition was unexpectedly realized. When she and her husband took early retirement and built their dream home on Beaver Lake outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas, he bought her a new computer and uttered these life-changing words: “You always said you wanted to write. Now sit down and do it!” Happily, she sold her first attempt to Mills & Boon Superromance, a success followed by fourteen more sales to the same line.

      Other professional credentials include serving as an educational consultant and speaker. Active in her church, Laura is a licensed lay preacher. Her greatest pride, however, is her children—all productive, caring adults and parents—who have given her eleven remarkable, resilient (but who’s prejudiced?) grandchildren, including at least three who show talent in writing and may pursue it as a career. Jo March, look what you started! Laura enjoys corresponding with readers. Please write her at [email protected], referencing the book title in the subject line.

      The Gift of a Child

      Laura Abbot

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

      —Matthew 18:5

      My beloved brother Chuck took the time to read an early manuscript of this story aloud to his dear mother-in-law, Olene Roberts, now legally blind. This book is dedicated with love to them both for their encouragement and welcome suggestions.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Epilogue

       Author Note

       Questions for Discussion

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Cottonwood Falls

      May 1873

      Sunbeams danced across the altar. The pump organ filled the church with a soothing prelude. But in a place where she should have been at peace, Rose Kellogg bowed her head in shame. An unwelcome emotion rioted through her. There was no avoiding the issue or assigning a different name to her feelings. She was guilty of envy. Worse yet, it was her beloved sister she envied.

      She and her younger sister Lily had always been best friends. Never had she coveted Lily’s dolls or wished she had her honey-blond hair and flawless complexion. When they had lived at Fort Larned, Kansas, where their father was post surgeon, Rose, the plainer of the two, had understood that Lily, not she, would receive the attentions of the young officers. Nor had she resented her sister’s opportunity to spend months with their wealthy aunt in St. Louis. Even when Lily had married handsome Caleb Montgomery, Rose had rejoiced in their happiness, content in her role as her widowed father’s housekeeper.

      At the ripe old age of twenty-seven, she had made peace with the fact it was unlikely she would ever marry.

      Caleb and Lily sat in a front pew, Lily cradling their toddler daughter, Mattie. Behind them sat Caleb’s father Andrew, his sister Sophie and his older brother Seth, a gentle giant of a man who doted on Mattie just as Rose did. She watched Lily brush a hand across Mattie’s light-brown curls. To escape from her thoughts, Rose nestled closer to her father. What kind of person begrudges her sister her happiness?

      Twisting her hands in her lap, she uttered a silent prayer. Lord, forgive me the sin