Something Borrowed (Borrowed Brides 3)

"I sent a letter to David last week asking about the legalities of Tabitha's will in view of the fact that Maddy is my little girl," Lee said. "And I got an answer this morning. It seems we're in practically the same situation as David and Tessa, except that David isn't Lily's natural father but is legally recorded as such. And although I'm Maddy's natural father, I don't have a legal record of it."

"Too bad we don't have a forged marriage certificate for you and Tabitha like the one Senator Millen paid to have made for Caroline and David," Mary said, thinking aloud.

"Now, there's a thought," Lee teased. "We'll hire a forger."

"If it will guarantee we get to keep our daughter, I'll gladly pay for it."

"Oh no, you won't," Lee said. "We have to do this legally."

Mary sighed. "If only Tabitha had tied this loose end a bit tighter. If only she had named you as Madeline's father. There has to be a way. If only we can find it in time."

Two days later, Ned Sampson delivered a telegram to Lee. It read:

HAVE FOUND LILY CATHERINE STOP SAFE AND SOUND STOP SARRAZIN IN CUSTODY STOP SHALL I BRING OR WOULD YOU PREFER TO COME GET HER STOP REPLY IMMEDIATELY STOP DANIEL WILLIS.

Lee turned to Mary. "It's up to you."

"You've waited a long time for this day," Mary said. "I think you should go get her."

"How do we tell David and Tessa?" Lee asked. "They've waited even longer than I have. Should we send a telegram or a letter, or go in person?"

Mary thought about it for a moment. "You go get Lily Catherine and I'll take Maddy and Judah to the ranch and tell them in person."

"Okay," Lee agreed.

"I'll help you pack."

Lee issued last minute instructions as he stood waiting for the Denver Pacific. Once again Mary, Judah, and Maddy were dressed in their Sunday best to see him off. And once again Lee had ribbon favors from his ladies tied to his arm. "Don't forget that, even with us traveling light and fast, it's going to take a week to get back."

"I know."

"You remember how to reach me."

Mary nodded. "Who are you this time?"

Lee thought for a moment. "I'm Jones again. L.K. Jones."

"All right, Mr. Jones, I'll telegraph you if I think I might be delayed."

"Delayed? Why would you be delayed?" Lee wanted to know.

"When I'll be trying to open a school and settle in the new students who are going to be boarding with us, helping cook meals three times a day for an entire town, interviewing the mining engineers in your absence, keeping track of an active two-and-a-half-year-old girl like Maddy and a dog like Barker, and also making sure Judah doesn't get into any danger during the day, there are any number of things that might detain me." She stared up at Lee. "Especially when I suspect I might be in the family way."

Lee hugged his wife, then kissed her right there on the platform for all to see. "Good Lord, Two-shot, what a time to tell me!"

"I only suspected it this morning when I lost my breakfast. And I did promise that you'd be the first to know."

"I can't go to New York," he said. "I'll just have to telegraph Willis and tell him to bring her here." He raked his fingers through his hair.

"And make David and Tessa wait another day or two? Make us wait another day or two when you know that time is running out? Oh no, Mr. Jones, you're getting on that train and going to New York to retrieve your niece, then you're going to march into Robert Pinkerton's New York office and resign before the ninety days are out. And then, Mr. L.K. Jones is going to become my husband, Lee Kincaid, once again. And that's an order."

"Yes, ma'am." Lee saluted her.

The train whistle sounded its last warning for passengers to board.

"You'd better go," Mary said in a repeat of their last parting.

"This is the last time," he promised. "You'll be okay while I'm gone?"