Mary Holder - Second Chance Mom

On top of all that Eve had even gotten out in the fields and shearing shed at different times to help out where she could.

That was what life on the land was all about, he thought, watching Annie now. It was a partnership, a mutual goal and a willingness to work for that goal. He couldn’t promise her the trappings of a real marriage but he could promise her the most important things.

Jared made the move to head off home a little before nine that evening. The kids, all still wide-awake, took their time saying goodbye.

“Caroline, you can sit in the back with the boys tonight.”

The little girl paused on the way out the front door and turned to look at him.

“But Uncle Jared, I always sit up front with you.”

Annie came up behind him. “Jared, I don’t mind sitting in the back. This is just the first day. We’ll take it slowly.”

Jared didn’t see the look of triumph Caroline gave Annie as she climbed into the front seat. The girl was letting her know that the first round had been played and won.

Annie wanted to pull her close and hug her, to let Caroline know it wasn’t a contest—that no matter what happened after this weekend she would always come first with her uncle. But Annie knew her hugs would not be welcomed, not yet. It would be a slow process. Perhaps even a painful one for Caroline, if Jared agreed to the marriage.

Annie remembered what one of the nurses had told her the morning Toby was born. You do what you are able with hope in your heart and leave the rest in the Lord’s hands.

Her heart squeezed tight the moment Toby came up to her and held out his arms. He was ready to go in the car and he wanted her to put him there.

Annie reached down and caught him securely in her arms, hugging him close to her, inhaling that sweet baby smell that all little ones seemed to have. He was so soft in her arms, warm and yet quite heavy though he was an average size for his age. At one point he looked straight into her eyes and smiled.

Annie smoothed a hand over his forehead and gathered herself. “Let’s get you in the truck, little man.”

“Tuck!”

She smiled at him and tickled his belly as she settled him in the car seat. “Very good.”

His giggle melted her heart. Soon they were headed home. Luke was talkative. Annie asked one question about his pets and the little boy had come alive, telling her all kinds of details.

Toby was content to play with the teddy bear he clutched in his hands and Caroline tuned the radio to a music station and stayed silent all the way home.

Back at the farm, Caroline and Luke were waiting on the porch for the adults by the time Annie managed to get Toby out. She set him on the ground and he made his way up the steps in what had to be record time. Jared unlocked the front door and they raced inside, heading straight for the laundry.

Moments later Annie heard the slamming of the back door.

“They always check the animals before bed. I think it would be okay if we skipped baths tonight.”

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