PART 2 — THE SECRET THAT COULD DESTROY THEIR MARRIAGE

Nathaniel Cole stood motionless.

For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the wind rattling the shutters.

“I’m expecting a child,” Adeline repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know what your advertisement said. I know you were told you could never have children. But I couldn’t come here and let you believe something that wasn’t true.”

Nathaniel slowly lowered his hat onto the table.

“How long?”

“Almost four months.”

He looked at her stomach, then back at her face.

“Does the father know?”

Adeline’s eyes filled with tears.

“He was supposed to marry me.”

Nathaniel pulled out a chair but didn’t sit down.

“Was supposed to?”

“He was the son of a wealthy merchant in Denver. His name was Charles Whitmore. He promised me a home, a family, everything.” She swallowed. “When I told him about the baby, he said I had ruined his future. His father threatened to have me thrown out of town if I ever mentioned his name again.”

Nathaniel’s jaw тιԍнтened.

“So you left.”

“I had nowhere else to go. My aunt died the previous winter, and the boardinghouse where I worked wouldn’t keep an unmarried pregnant woman. When I saw your advertisement, I thought perhaps I could find a place where my child wouldn’t be considered a disgrace.”

She lowered her eyes.

“I should have told you before accepting your invitation. I was afraid you would turn me away.”

Nathaniel finally sat down.

For years, he had dreamed of hearing a child call him Father. Now, a woman carrying another man’s baby stood in his home, terrified that he would send her away.

He rubbed his hands together.

“Adeline, look at me.”

She slowly raised her eyes.

“I didn’t put that advertisement in the newspaper because I wanted a perfect wife. I put it there because I wanted someone to share my life with.”

“But the baby isn’t yours.”

“No,” he answered quietly. “Not by blood.”

Adeline’s lips trembled.

Nathaniel continued.

“But that doesn’t mean the child has to grow up without a father.”

She stared at him as if she hadn’t understood.

“You would really accept us?”

“I won’t pretend this is what I expected. But I won’t punish an innocent child for the cowardice of a grown man.”

For the first time since arriving at the ranch, Adeline began to cry.

Nathaniel stood and offered her a clean handkerchief.

“There’s something else,” she whispered.

He waited.

“I don’t want you to marry me out of pity.”

“I wouldn’t.”

“Nor because you feel sorry for the baby.”

Nathaniel looked toward the dark window.

“I spent half my life believing I would never have a family. Perhaps I was wrong about what makes one.”

That night, they sat together until the fire burned low.

They didn’t speak of wedding rings or promises.

But when Nathaniel retired to his room, he stopped outside Adeline’s door.

“Good night, Adeline.”

“Good night, Nathaniel.”

“And tomorrow, we’re going into town.”

She frowned.

“Why?”

“Because if we’re going to build a life together, I believe we ought to start by making sure you have everything you need.”

For the first time in months, Adeline fell asleep without wondering where she would go next.

But neither of them knew that someone in Denver had already discovered where she was.

Three weeks pᴀssed.

Nathaniel and Adeline were married in the small church in Casper on a bright Sunday morning.

There were only twelve people present, including the pastor, two neighboring ranchers, and the elderly couple who owned the general store.

Nathaniel wore his best black suit.

Adeline wore a simple cream-colored dress with tiny pearl ʙuттons.

When the pastor asked whether Nathaniel accepted Adeline as his wife, he answered without hesitation.

“I do.”

When Adeline said the same words, her voice trembled.

Afterward, Nathaniel took her hand outside the church.

“Mrs. Cole,” he said, smiling faintly.

She looked up at him.

“I think I rather like the sound of that.”

Their marriage was not a fairy tale.

Nathaniel was accustomed to living alone. He sometimes forgot that Adeline needed help carrying heavy things. Adeline was accustomed to protecting herself, and she sometimes interpreted his silence as disappointment.

But they learned.

Nathaniel built a small rocking chair for the nursery.

Adeline planted flowers beside the kitchen window.

One evening, she found him standing in the unfinished nursery, holding a tiny wooden horse he had carved.

“You made that?”

“I thought the little one might like it.”

Adeline placed a hand over her stomach.

“You really are looking forward to this baby, aren’t you?”

Nathaniel nodded.

“More than I know how to say.”

She stepped closer.

“Then there’s something I want you to promise me.”

“Anything.”

“When the baby comes, don’t ever let him or her believe they were unwanted.”

Nathaniel looked at her.

“Adeline, that child will never have to wonder about that.”

She leaned against his shoulder.

And for a moment, the house felt complete.

Until the following Thursday.

A black carriage appeared at the end of the ranch road.

Nathaniel was repairing a fence when he noticed it.

A well-dressed man stepped down, brushing dust from his expensive coat.

“Mr. Cole?”

“That’s me.”

“My name is Charles Whitmore.”

Nathaniel’s expression changed.

He looked toward the house.

Then back at the stranger.

“What do you want?”

Charles smiled coldly.

“I’ve come for my child.”