“All right you two let me take her while you get up, Tad.” Mother lifted the baby from Birdie’s arms and placed her in his.
“I’m going down to show Bethany and Sarah.”
“Be careful going down those stairs.”
“Yes, Mother.” Poor Birdie. Mama would probably try to take over, but he bet Birdie could handle the situation.
Bethany was asleep on the sofa but Sarah jumped up and rushed over for a look. She looked at him with questions in her eyes.
“A girl, Sarah. Her name is Patty.”
“Oh, for Birdie’s aunt. I know Birdie is thrilled. You watch. She’ll have that little pink bonnet on her as soon as she’s up and around.” She stroked the soft downy hair. “Oh, she’s sweet and I can’t imagine two more deserving parents. Congratulations, Mr. Tad.”
“Thank you, Sarah.”
Thirty minutes or so later, Mother called from upstairs. “She’s ready, Tad.”
It was a good thing as Patty’s fussing had increased in volume. He couldn’t resist a grin. She’d suck on his finger a minute and then cry. This little one wouldn’t be easy to pacify.
He took the stairs slowly. His mother waited at the bedroom door and ushered him in. Tad placed the wailing baby in Birdie’s arms. He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched as his daughter nursed greedily. “She was hungry.”
“Yes, indeed she was.”
Mother and Maybelle, smiles on their faces and arms loaded with linens and basins, slipped from the room.
They watched their daughter until her little fists relaxed and she allowed the nipple to pop from her mouth. Birdie lifted Patty to her shoulder and patted gently. After several minutes they were rewarded with a small burp.
Birdie handed the baby to him. “Lay her in the cradle. In a minute we’ll know if she burped enough or not.”
Tad placed Patty in the heirloom cradle that had been in their family since his father’s time. Though she was wrapped in a blanket, he pulled a knitted blanket up to her chest. He straightened, but before he could leave the baby’s side, her little hands came out and she was sucking a fist. “She acts like she’s still hungry.”
“Let’s give her a minute and see if she fusses.”
Well, she was a woman so obviously she knew more than Tad. He returned to the bed, kicked off his shoes, stretched out leaning against the headboard and cuddled her close. “Don’t you need to get some sleep?”
She yawned. “Mmm-hmm, but I want to make sure Patty is going to stay down for a little while.”
The baby started fussing and within minutes had worked up to a full scream. “Wow, she’s got a set of lungs.” Tad lifted his daughter from the cradle and placed her in Birdie’s arms.
“Yes she does, Daddy.” Birdie grinned. “Welcome to our world for probably the next six months.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
January 1920, Waco, Texas
Birdie sat behind her desk in the office. She held a family picture taken in front of Birdie’s Nest when the children were young. Bethany’s husband had taken the photo with a Brownie Camera after a family picnic down by the river. Nathan, the oldest stood with his arm around Patty’s shoulders. The twins, Julie and Jason sat on the grass at their feet. Birdie and Tad were behind the two oldest children, each with a hand on their shoulders. All five of them wore big smiles. With a finger, Birdie touched each of the faces so beloved by her and Tad. Her gaze returned to Tad, the man who was her all. Now, in their sixties, their love was as strong as it had been thirty years ago.
The years had flown by so fast. With the children to keep her busy, she’d had very little time to devote to police work. Occasionally Ethan would come by and ask her opinion about something, but he came less and less as the years passed. He’d married Lauren Smith and they now had five children. Lucinda was ecstatic to have grandchildren and doted on them. Not that Birdie and Tad were any different. They had seven grandchildren and five nieces and nephews.
In 1917, when Germany resumed the use of submarine warfare and sank seven U.S. merchant ships, President Wilson called for war on Germany and on April 6, 1917 Congress declared war and the U.S. joined the other Allied countries in the Great War. In 1918, the United States began sending 10,000 troops a day to France. Both of their sons were drafted. With both of their boys, as well as Patty’s son, overseas, the family spent much of their time in the evenings listening to the radio for any news coming from the front. Those were terrible times. Due to new technology—wireless communication, armored cars and tanks, aircraft and chemical warfare the casualty rate was high. Tad carried his worry silently, but it aged him considerably. The day they came home safe and sound, the sparkle returned to his eyes.
After the Armistice Treaty in 1918, the country faced the Spanish flu, an illness of pandemic proportions. It was first identified in troops at Camp Funston, Kansas in March of 1918. By October it had spread worldwide and affected one-third of the world’s population, the casualty rate higher than that of the war. Several in the family contracted the disease, but by the grace of God, no one died.
The front door opened and closed. “Mother.” Nathan called from the entryway.
“In the office.” Birdie smiled. She’d not seen her eldest son in several weeks. She stood as he entered the room and gave him a big hug. “It’s about time you came to see us. Your father will be here shortly.”
“I’m not sure I can stay that long.”
“You can’t stay for supper?”
“No, I better get home to Angela and the kids. With the baby close to arriving, she tires easily.”
“I understand. Tell her hello for us and to bring the children by when she needs time to herself.”
“I will. She’ll like that.”
“Come on, let’s take a seat over here on the sofa.”
As was his habit, he sat close to her with an arm behind her—so much like his father. He’d always been protective and the bond between them was close. She reached up and patted his cheek. With his hair dark like Lucy’s, his blue eyes were startling against his tanned complexion. Though his coloring was different from the other children, he’d always been the first born in her heart and number one son. Not that she loved the other children any less, because she didn’t. But Nathan appeared to need her more.
When he decided to go into law, she and Tad decided he should inherit Birdie’s Nest and Jason would take over the ranch. At twenty-six, Jason was already an integral part of running the large operation. The girls, Patty and Julie were both married and each had been given a tract of land. Fortunately, all their children lived near in and around Waco so they were able to get together often.
Nathan patted her shoulder. “It’s done, Mother, just as you stipulated.”
Thank you, Lord.
Now the future of Birdie’s Nest was secure and wouldn’t be razed to build condominiums or some resort.
Tears stung her eyes and she dropped her head to his shoulder. She spoke around the lump in her throat. “Thank you, son. I can’t tell you how much that eases my mind.”
“I think I do, Mother.” He chuckled. “After all, you told me often enough as soon as I was old enough to understand.”
She swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “You’re right, but I couldn’t let you forget. They didn’t mind the stipulations we placed on the bequest?”
“Nope. The members of the legal department were pleased with the arrangement.” He took a document from his inside coat pocket. “Here is your copy. The University has several copies and will serve the paperwork to Patty Braxton on July 15, 2012.”
“But, the title is in my name.”
“True, but your document supersedes any will left after the date your bequest was signed—June 1, 1920. A court would have extreme difficulty trying to over turn it.”
Birdie exhaled a sigh of relief. “And they have the note for Aunt Patty, the brooch and my silver star and will deliver them to her?”
“Yes, ma’am. I think you’ve thought of everything, but Mother, I’m curious as to how our ancestors are going to be named Braxton.”
“I can’t remember for sure but a Braxton inherits somehow. It will work out, Nathan, don’t worry.”
* * *
July 15, 2012
Patty’s heart thumped in alarm as the doorbell sounded. Was it someone with word about Birdie? She hurried to see who had stopped by. It could be Captain Smith and Sergeant Weaver. The two Rangers checked on her often. She knew they were doing all they could to find Birdie, but dragging of the Brazos had stopped. Divers believed she’d moved south and her body might never be found. Thank goodness she’d baked a fresh batch of teacakes. Those two men enjoyed them so.
She opened the door to see two men, both dressed in fancy suits and one carried an attaché case. “Yes, may I help you, gentlemen?”
“Ms. Patricia Braxton?” He held out a card and she opened the screen door to take it. The first thing she noticed was the embossed Baylor University symbol and then his name—Jonathan Sanders, Legal Department.
“Yes, I’m Patricia Braxton.”
“I’m Jonathan Sanders and this is my co-worker, Lane Price. May we come in and talk with you about a legal matter?”
“Well I can’t imagine about what, but yes, come in.” She stepped back and the two men entered, closed the door behind them and stood in the entry hall waiting for her directions. “Come into the parlor and have a seat. Could I get you a cup of coffee?”
“No, ma’am, but thank you.”
They sat on the sofa and she sat in one of the chairs facing them. “Now, what’s this all about?”
Mr. Sanders laid his briefcase on his knees, opened it and withdrew a large manila envelope before closing and locking the case. “From what I understand, you have no idea about the legal documents I’m going to show you today, so, if you’d like to call someone to be here with you for advice, please feel free to do so.
What on earth were they talking about? Were they here to take Birdie’s Nest before August first? “Yes, I believe I will. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.””
She telephoned Captain Smith and briefly explained her situation. “We’ll be right there, Patricia.” She hung up the phone and brewed a pot of coffee. She stacked five cups on a silver tray and a china plate filled with teacakes. When the coffee was finished she poured it into the silver coffee pot, added containers of cream and sugar and carried it into the parlor.
When she entered the sitting room, Mr. Price jumped up and rushed to take it from her. “Thank you, young man.” She cleared a space off on the coffee table. “Set it right here.” The doorbell chimed. “That will be Captain Smith and Sergeant Weaver.”
She let them in and made the introductions. The two Baylor officials stood and shook hands with the two officers. Captain Smith asked, “May we see your business cards and a drivers licenses?” Both were quick to present their identification. He nodded. “Looks like everything is on the up and up, Ms. Braxton. Let’s hear what they have to say.” He added. “Let’s all take a seat.”
Mr. Sanders took a long paper from the envelope. “This is the original deed to Birdie’s Nest, issued in December 1892.” He handed it to Patricia. She flipped through the pages and gasped at what was on the last page. The signature at the bottom was Birdie Leigh Braxton Lockhart.
“I can’t believe it. It’s signed by Birdie. I’d know her handwriting anywhere.” She handed the papers to the captain. “But… Lockhart?” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
When they’d all perused the deed, Mr. Sanderson handed her another document. “This is a bequest document saying that on August 1, 2012 Baylor University will inherit this home. To do so, they must fulfill the following stipulations. Pay the back taxes and undertake to preserve the building and grounds in current condition for the enjoyment of the town of Waco or Baylor University, whichever Baylor decides. Any living relatives of Birdie Leigh Braxton Lockhart will be allowed to live in the carriage house for free until death and be able to bring his/her favorite items from the main house.” He handed the record to Patricia.
Patty could only stare at the words. Again, there was Birdie’s signature. How could this be? She handed the document over to the two rangers. Both looked it over and then sat deep in thought. Captain Smith leaned forward and handed the paper over. Mr. Price took it and placed it with the growing stack on the table.
The captain poured himself a cup of coffee. He sipped quietly for several minutes. “The date on these documents is June 1, 1920. Rather odd, isn’t it?”
“It’s quite common for people to bequest their property to Universities years before their expected death,” said Mr. Sanders. “However, this is the earliest one we’ve ever handled.”
Ted filled several cups with coffee and offered them to Sanders and Price. They both accepted the hot brew, but Sanders was quick to move the papers to a safer spot. “Thank you.”
“Aunt Patty, would you like coffee?”
She smiled. The young man had started calling her Aunt Patty when he’d visited with Birdie. Both Rangers had visited on occasion since her disappearance. It was just a month and a half, but felt like years. “Yes, thank you.”
He lifted the plate of teacakes and held it forward. “Cookie anyone?”
Patty smiled as all four men took one. No one could resist her teacakes.
Captain Smith frowned at Ted. “How is it that you call Ms. Braxton Aunt Patty, Ted?”
The younger man grinned. “I’ve been eating her teacakes for a long time. I’ve earned the right.”
Captain Smith snorted. “You’ve been over here mooching, huh?”
“Actually, Captain, he’s been a blessing to have around since Birdie disappeared.”
A shocked Sanders and Price traded glances. “Disappeared?” asked Price.
“Yes,” said Smith. His eyes narrowed as he studied the reaction of the two men. “She was one of our best Texas Rangers. She disappeared on June 1st of this year.”
Price stammered, “I can assure…you…we knew nothing about a disappearance.” He tapped the papers. “This has to be a different Birdie.” He glanced around at them all. “Right?”
“I don’t know what to think.” Patty rubbed her temples in confusion.
Sanders sat his cup down. “I suggest you contact your lawyer, Ms. Braxton. We know the arrangement is legal, but you need to be reassured. You will not be tossed out of your home and your taxes will be paid. This house will probably become a museum of sorts for Baylor University.” Price handed the documents to her. “These are your copies. We have a different set. We also have some personal items to give you when you vacate the main property and sign the documents signifying that you’re conceding to Mrs. Lockhart’s wishes.”