Adopted Son (22 page)

Now they would be a family.

T
HE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS
were hectic as they took turns staying with Brady, never leaving him alone. Eli, Caroline and the McCains chipped in and helped to get the house ready for Brady. It became a family effort.

He and Grace had decided to get married before the custody hearing. They wanted to be a complete family before they brought Brady home.

On Monday, Tuck dressed in his best suit and dancing boots. He was getting married today. He was becoming a father today.

He took a moment to savor that, embrace it and to remember the wonderful gifts he’d been given in his life. Those gifts made him the man he was today. Not the least of those was Grace. He now knew why he felt a need to keep her at arm’s length when they’d first met. Because subconsciously he’d recognized she had the power to change him. And he resisted change. Now he was ready to accept the future and to live life to the fullest. With Grace. And with Brady.

He slipped his parents’ rings into his pocket and stopped for a moment in Brady’s room. Grace had made a quick trip with Caroline, picking out what she’d wanted for the room. Elise, Josie, Macy, Eli, Jake, Caleb and Beau had taken it from there.

A new three-quarter bed of maple wood, with a side rail, dresser and chest were there. One wall was brick red, the others khaki. The bed linens were red and green with horses and cowboys on them. The trim on the sheets was like a red bandana, as it was on the comforter. Horses and cowboys were also on the wide red bandana border on the ceiling. A rocking horse sat in one corner and a large toy box filled to the brim with every toy imaginable in another. Stuffed animals littered the bed. The room was perfect for Brady.

Not for the first time he realized that he had an incredible extended family. Brady was going to love them.

Just as he did.

DNA did not make a family—love did. And he was going to make sure Brady felt that from now on.

He straightened his tie, getting ready for the best day of his life.

T
UCK PACED
in the judge’s chambers. It was almost one. Where was Grace? He couldn’t believe how nervous he was.

The door opened and she walked in dressed in a white suit with a flower in her hair. She looked more beautiful than he’d ever seen her.

“Wow! You look great. May I kiss the bride?”

“Not yet.” Her eyes twinkled. “Later we’re going home and getting reacquainted.”

“I can hardly wait.”

“Me, neither.” She smiled, but that was all the time they had as the bailiff announced Judge Farnsworth’s arrival.

He took her hand and they walked forward.

The judge took her seat. “Ms. Whitten, this is quite an unusual twist.”

“Yes, Your Honor, it is. But a very happy one.”

“Thank you for agreeing to marry us on such short notice,” Tuck said.

“Ranger Tucker, after all that’s happened I’m inclined to grant you anything within reason. And I’m a big fan of romance.”

Grace’s heart was about to soar out of her chest, then the door opened at the back of the room and Jennifer stepped in with Brady in her arms. Opal, the caseworker, was behind them.

She glanced at Tuck with a lifted eyebrow.

“Thank you, Your Honor, for allowing Brady to come here today,” he said.

Oh, she loved this man.

“Normally I wouldn’t,” Judge Farnsworth replied. “But this is a happy occasion and I’m anxious to meet this young man.”

Grace saw Eli and Caroline ease into the room followed by her parents, Jake and Elise, Caleb and Josie, Beau and Macy. All their family and friends were here to share their happiness.

Tuck looked at her. “We couldn’t get married without our family.”

She touched his loving face. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“You can show me later.” He grinned.

Brady had had enough. He wiggled in Jennifer’s arms, shouting, “No, no, no,” trying to get down. Tuck nodded at Jennifer and she set him on his feet. Brady toddled quickly to Tuck, wrapping his arms around Tuck’s legs. Tuck lifted him into his arms and they faced the judge.

Eli and Caroline strolled forward. “We’re maid of honor and best man,” Eli said.

Joanna ran forward with a white bouquet. “She has to have a bouquet,” Joanna said.

“By all means,” the judge replied.

“Do you mind if I take pictures?” Caroline asked, holding up her camera.

The judge nodded and glanced toward the back. “Congressman Whitten, are you taking part in this ceremony?”

“You bet.” Stephen walked to stand by his wife. “Normally I would give the bride away, but my daughter is a strong, independent woman and she doesn’t need me to give her away. So I’ll just give her and Tuck my blessing.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” A bubble of laughter escaped Grace’s throat and she thought she was going to burst with pure happiness. She got it right this time and she was going to love Jeremiah Tucker for the rest of her life.

Tuck reached for Grace’s hand while holding Brady in his other arm. Brady made a dive for Grace and she caught him and clutched him tightly, tears filling her eyes.

Looking into Grace’s brimming eyes he repeated vows he would keep for the rest of his life as he slipped his mother’s gold band onto her finger. He had a family and he would cherish that every moment of every day.

He’d once told Eli that he and Grace could work out their problems. He now knew with certainty they could. Whatever the future held, they would work at it together.

Like a family should.

Eight months later…

D
ECEMBER WAS WARM
and festive in Waco. The home of Althea and Andrew Wellman reflected the cheer of the season, but the McCain family wasn’t gathered to celebrate the holidays. They’d gathered at the home of Jake’s, Beau’s and Caleb’s mom and stepfather to celebrate new life.

Brett Andrew had been born to Caleb and Josie. Faith Jane had been born to Beau and Macy. Both babies were healthy and basking in the glow of their loved ones. Today the babies had been christened and their grandparents honored them with a catered barbecue.

The whole family and the in-laws gathered. Boone Beckett, Cousin Ashley, Lencha and Gertie were there for Josie. Macy’s mother, Irene, and her father, Ted, were there with their respective spouses. The Stephen Whittens, Aunt Vin and Elise’s mom were also there. No one had been left out.

Since the weather was so nice the Wellmans had the dinner outside under the live oak trees. Later in the week, the temperature was forecasted to drop into the thirties. But today they’d been blessed with a beautiful day.

Tables with white linens dotted the backyard. White roses with baby’s breath adorned each table. More flowers decorated the covered patio where two white lacy bassinets sat. The women were “oohing” and “aahing” over the infants. The men clustered together, talking sports, mostly about upcoming Bowl games.

The kids played in the yard. Jesse, Zoë and Brady sat in a wagon and Ben pulled while Katie pushed the smaller kids around. Bandy, the Wellman’s dog, barked and played with them.

Tuck watched his son. Brady had adjusted so well over the past few months. He didn’t bite or hit anymore and he was now saying words. Once he started talking, they couldn’t seem to stop him. Nor did they want to. Daddy and Mommy were favorite words around their house. Even though Brady was a little older, he and Jesse were becoming very good friends. They would grow up as best friends, just as Tuck and Eli had.

All of Brady’s progress was due to Grace. He couldn’t have done it alone. He could admit that now. Never again would he want to do anything alone. It was so much better with Grace—a woman he loved with all his heart.

The remodel on their house was now completed and they had a larger master bedroom and an extra bedroom and bath downstairs. Upstairs they’d added a bath and a large playroom. It was now their house, made that much more special because they’d done it together.

Grace only worked half days and some days not even that. Brady stayed in the day care while she was at the office. Brady was learning that his parents would always come back.

Stephen had won the election, but after this term he planned to retire. At that time, Stephen and Grace would sit down and make a decision about the firm. Tuck and Grace had talked at length about this. He wanted her to do whatever would make her happy and he knew she would probably never completely leave the firm. That was fine with him. He didn’t want her to give up something she’d worked so hard to achieve.

He’d always thought of Grace as perfect and she was as close to perfect, in his mind, as one could get. She was now on the board at the hospital and she also volunteered her attorney services for an advocacy program for abused and battered children. She wore many hats and did every job wholeheartedly, most of the time with Brady on her hip.

Every day he loved her more, if that were possible. She kept in touch with Barbara and they had visited Molly several times at home. He now saw that Grace had a need to help others. He had never seen that in her before. Opal had called about a little girl who had been beaten by her stepfather. She had multiple injuries plus a broken leg. Opal wanted to know if they could keep her until the grandmother arrived from Tennessee.

Tuck hesitated, but Grace said to bring her. The child was nervous and frightened, but Grace made her feel at ease. She held her, hugged her, kissed her and made her feel loved. Grace had to bathe her, help her dress and take her to the bathroom. Not once did she complain. He’d watched Grace with love in his heart so big that it completed him in ways he’d never imagined. He’d found the perfect woman—for him.

At first, Brady didn’t take this new child in their lives too well, but Grace had a way of making him understand that Kayla needed them. She had him carrying Kayla’s food or getting things for her. She made him part of helping the little girl.

When Kayla’s grandmother arrived, Kayla didn’t want to leave. They all had tears in their eyes as they said goodbye.

After that, they agreed to take children who needed a place to stay for a few days. Emergency cases like Kayla. When Brady was older, they would look further into helping more children. They made decisions as a team and it was working well. At night when he held her, he knew he had everything he’d ever wanted. More than he’d ever planned.

Grace stood on the patio, peering into a bassinet with Caroline, but her eyes never strayed too far from Brady. Stephen was now pulling the wagon while Ben pushed. Katie ran to look at the babies.

Stephen stopped and squatted in the grass, talking to the kids. All three kids giggled and toppled out into Stephen’s arms. Joanna hurried to help. She picked up Brady, hugging and kissing him. Stephen and Joanna treated Jesse and Brady equally and Tuck and Grace were very grateful for that. Brady now had grandparents.

Caroline glanced at Macy. “May I hold Faith?”

“Of course,” Macy replied. “She loves to be held. Beau is spoiling her rotten.”

Caroline carefully lifted Faith out of the bassinet. “Eli, come look at this angel.”

“Oh, no, I’m not falling for that. There’s yours.” He pointed to Jesse, who was now rolling around on the grass with Brady.

“He’s getting so big. Hold Faith. Just for a minute,” Caroline pleaded.

“Hey, what’s wrong with Brett?” Caleb asked, lifting his son into his arms.

“He’s adorable,” Caroline replied. “But I have one of those.”

“You’re damn right he’s adorable,” Boone, Josie’s grandfather said. “He has Beckett blood.” He reached for a cigar in his pocket.

Gertie, a cousin of Andrew Wellman, snatched the cigar out of his mouth. “Like that’s something to be proud of.”

“Give me my damn cigar, woman,” Boone snapped.

“Act your age, Boone,” Lencha, Josie’s mother’s friend and Boone’s worst enemy, piped in. “And stop using bad language.”

“Don’t start with me, Lencha.”

“Enough.” Josie held up a hand. “This is our son’s christening and I expect good manners from everyone. And I mean everyone.” She looked directly at Boone.

“Ah, all right.” Boone slumped in his chair.

“Thank you,” Josie said.

“We all appreciate it,” Ashley piped in, kissing her grandfather’s cheek.

Caroline placed Faith in Eli’s arms. “Oh, my,” Eli said. “She’s light as a feather. I don’t think Jesse was ever this light.”

“Daddy, Daddy,” Zoë called. “Get me.” She held out her arms, waiting for Beau.

“Ah, three women always wanting my attention,” Beau joked on his way to Zoë. He swung her up in his arms and kissed her. “How’s my baby?” She wore pink ribbons in her pigtails to go with her new dress.

Jesse and Brady ran toward the house, their shirttails hanging out of their pants and grass and dirt stains on their clothes. Jesse looked up at Eli with the baby and said, “Daddy, me, me, me.”

“See, Caroline. I’ve got a problem here.”

“Let me have Faith,” Irene said, and Eli gladly handed off the baby and picked up Jesse.

Brady ran straight to Grace and held up his arms. “Mommy, Mommy.” She lifted him, kissing his flushed cheek.

“Is my baby tired?”

Brady buried his face in Grace’s neck. “I tired, Mommy.”

Tuck immediately went to her side. “Let me have him.”

She smiled at him and his heart wobbled. “I’m fine.”

Tuck held out his hands. “Come to Daddy.”

“Daddy.” Brady leaped into his arms.

Stephen and Joanna strolled leisurely to the patio. Tuck looked at his wife. “Do you want to do it now?”

She stroked his face. “You’re just dying to tell everyone, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” He kissed her fingers. “Everyone, I’d like to make a toast.”

“We need beer, then,” Jake said, and handed Tuck a glass. Elise gave Grace a glass of tea and between the two of them they made sure everyone had something.

“Can I…toast, too, Mommy?” Ben asked.

“Yes, baby,” Elise replied. “I’ll get fruit juice for you and Katie.”

When Elise had handed the kids drinks, Jake took her hand. Ben and Katie stood in front of them.

Everyone waited.

“I know what this is about,” Eli said. “You and Grace have decided to adopt another child.”

“No, that’s not it.” Tuck shook his head.

Caroline slipped an arm around her husband’s waist. “Let him talk.”

Tuck raised his glass. “Here’s to family, love and happiness. I’ve experienced all three firsthand as a husband and as a father. It’s better than I’d ever imagined.”

Everyone made to touch their drinks together. “I’m not finished,” he said in a rush.

“Tuck, I’ve never known you to be long-winded,” Beau said, holding Zoë with an arm around Macy, who now held baby Faith.

“That’s Beau’s department.” Caleb laughed, laying his son gently into his bassinet and wrapping both arms around Josie.

“Be nice,” Althea said to her sons. “Let Tuck finish.”

“Here’s to new babies, new beginnings and new lives.” He took a deep breath. “And here’s to the new baby we’re expecting in June.”

“Hot damn, now isn’t that something?” Eli said. “I told you. I told you it would happen.”

Stephen and Joanna rushed forward to hug Grace and Tuck.

“Andrew, we need champagne,” Althea said to her husband.

“Yes, dear.” Andrew disappeared into the house.

They were bombarded with well wishes, hugs and love. This was family and they had endured the good and the bad times. Their bond would sustain each of them through the future and make them stronger. Tuck was now a part of it.

Glancing toward the sky, he knew three angels were watching over him. The fourth angel was there, too. He’d come to terms with his biological father. He had an inner peace about his past. These days there were no doubts or insecurities about who he was. He was a husband, a father, a friend and a Texas Ranger.

He wrapped an arm around Grace, his fingers resting on her slightly swelling stomach. In the other arm, he held Brady.

He had it all.