Bound by Trust (17 page)

“Rafe,
it is Christmas, not one of our beer and barbeque parties. Yes, we need everything
on the list.”

“What
the hell is turmeric?”

“It’s
in the spice aisle.”

“And
just what is it for?” He regretted asking immediately. “Never mind. I don’t
need to know. Do I?”

“No,
you don’t need to know. My directing skills from the couch only go so far, I
cannot help with dinner from here. Mama will be here to take care of it all.”

“Well,
that is a relief.”

At
two o’clock Christmas Day everyone collected for dinner. Nev was busy plucking
away at the new harp that Santa had mysteriously left under Aunt Madi and Uncle
Rafe’s tree, Duncan was carving the perfectly browned turkey, and Liz was
floating around, playing the perfect hostess, making sure everyone’s glass
stayed full and Madi’s plate of appetizers never went empty.

Rafe
watched her face aglow and marveled at how something so simple as having
friends and family surrounding her made her so incredibly happy. He hoped his
Christmas gift made her equally as happy. Quietly he sneaked away and pulled
the letter-sized envelope from the back of the tree and took it to her.

“What’s
this?” she asked, setting her plate down and taking what he offered.

“It’s
most of your Christmas gift.”

She
raised her eyebrows with curiosity and tugged the flap open. Inside was a stack
of official documents. One by one she pulled them out and read them. Her heart
began to race and a lump formed in her throat.

“Rafe,
is this what I think it is?”

“What
do you think it is?” He sat near her feet and rubbed her calves.

“Are
these your retirement papers?”

“Yes.”

“But,
Rafe, what about the promotion? What about moving and doing what you love?”

“Madi,
I found out something. I love you and that baby inside you more than anything
else in the world. Putting you through the stress of deployments and moving,
dragging our kids through one school after another for ten more years—it isn’t
worth it to me. You are more important, your happiness is more important.” He
then pulled another envelope out of his pocket and gave it to her. “This is the
rest.”

She
ripped the envelope open and pulled out yet another official document—the deed
to the property in Montana.

“The
house and barns will be done by the end of the summer. By that time you and the
baby should be feeling well enough to go home.”

Home,
she liked the sound of that.

Epilogue

Nine months later

Madi
had stayed on the couch and in her bed just as she had been directed for the
required five months and on May fifth she delivered a healthy and beautiful
baby girl. They named her Colleen Mary McCarthy. Completely enamored of her,
Rafe was the most perfect father a woman could have wished for her child.

By
August the new house in Montana was finished. By Labor Day they were packed up
and moving with a convoy of horse trailers and cars full of friends and family
behind them. For an entire week, it was like a collective family reunion
between Madi’s family and Rafe’s, with everyone helping them and cooing over
the newest addition to the family. Then before her family had to leave to go
back to Missouri, the last piece of their new life arrived.

With
their new daughter secured in her arms and her husband holding her back against
his chest, Madi watched as the tiny white and pink casket disappeared beneath
the ground that would soon freeze, then be covered with snow, then renew itself
with the incredible pallet of wildflowers in the spring.

All
of Rafe’s family, joined by all of Madi’s family, stood with them in the
pasture under an alder tree, that the two had chosen for her new resting place
behind their newly erected log home. True to his word, Rafe had taken care of
everything regarding Shannon. Madi could rest now. Her family was home, bound
by trust.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lila Munro is a native born
Missourian, but has lived many places to include Okinawa, Japan, Virginia, and
most recently the coast of North Carolina. Always an avid reader, she
discovered her knack for writing in the sixth grade when her creative writing
teacher recognized her ability to maintain a story line and encouraged her to
pursue her talent. A lifelong learner, she holds degrees in psychology,
sociology, and English and holds certificates in children’s literature and
pharmacy technology. She enjoys cooking, reading, spending time on the beach
and hearing from her readers.

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