“That’s true. Oh, thank you for letting me do this. I’ll help the girls and receive a much-needed vacation from my normal duties.”
Bernard wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad you’ll get the reprieve.”
“Speaking of reprieves...Angela said we should go out for supper. Do you think Boston is too far away?”
Bernard laughed. “The children aren’t that unruly.”
“Which children do you live with?” Elizabeth asked. Their children weren’t truly unruly. It was more they were young and boisterous. They weren’t doing as Elizabeth’s younger siblings had and hanging upside down from trees over the road as they threw rotten vegetables.
He chuckled. “I would love to take you for supper. There’s a new restaurant near the general store. They are purported to have exceptional food.”
“Purported,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head. “You use words like that, and my insides turn to mush, and I think about canoodling!”
“Keep that thought in mind. We’ll have supper and sneak up the stairs to canoodle for a while.”
She giggled. “The children make everything a little more difficult, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
Bernard stopped the buggy in front of the foundling home. As he jumped down to help Elizabeth to the ground, she drew his head down for a quick kiss. “You’re a better man than I deserve, Bernard Tandy.”
Without waiting for a response, Elizabeth hurried up to the front door of the home, opening the door and calling out.
Within moments, both Mrs. Jackson and Amy had joined her in the parlor.
“Listen to this,” Elizabeth said, unable to keep the elation from her voice as she read parts of the letter aloud. “Susan is thrilled! And she assures us they’ll make arrangements for the girls, even though the specifics are yet to be worked out.”
Mrs. Jackson, who had been watching Elizabeth with a mixture of anticipation and fondness, sighed in relief. “Bless her. That’s one worry off our minds then.”
“It is,” Elizabeth replied, folding the letter with care. “We’re set for Texas. Our little adventure is about to begin.”
Amy shook her head. “I don’t know if I should be happy or shaking in my boots.”
Elizabeth smiled. “We’ll find the perfect man for you.”
