Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [124]
Right now, the park revealed little of what the town council had planned for the future. By next summer, there’d be play equipment for the kids, including swings and a slide. The Boy Scout troop that met at the church on Tuesday nights was building a huge sandbox, and there was talk of installing a wading pool in a year or two. Lily Quantrill would be proud of what they’d accomplished in such a short time. A park would draw the community together, and Bob suspected that was what she’d intended all along.
Feeling good about life in general, he wandered over to the post office to pick up the mail. Merrily was busy with her friends, who were holding a baby shower for Sarah Urlacher at the restaurant. Bob used the shower as an excuse to leave. He’d prefer not to get involved in a women’s gathering, with gossip and giggling and lots of talk about diapers and such.
He was greeted by a few friends as he headed into the post office, where he collected a handful of envelopes. Included was a statement from the attorney, and a few flyers. He’d open the bill later. He shot the breeze with Joshua McKenna and talked motorcycles for the better part of an hour.
By the time he returned to 3 OF A KIND, the baby shower had ended and the last of Merrily’s friends was leaving.
“Is it safe?” he teased. He liked claiming that these women’s get-togethers were really “weanie roasts” where no man was safe.
“Anything in the mail?”
“A bill from the California law firm.”
Merrily frowned. “I thought we paid them off last month?”
Come to think of it, she was right. Merrily disappeared into his office with the mail, and Bob went into the kitchen where the prep cook was getting ready for the dinner crowd. Within a few hours, Buffalo Bob’s would be bustling.
“Bob.”
Merrily’s voice shook, and it frightened Bob. Not understanding, he found her still in his office, her face streaked with tears. Instead of explaining, she handed him a handwritten letter.
“The attorney forwarded this to us,” she whispered.
Puzzled, Bob reached for it.
July 5th
Dear Friends,
Forgive me for not using your names, but I don’t know them. However, I felt compelled to write to you. Our attorney has spoken with the lawyers who represented you, and he didn’t think it’d be inappropriate for me to write this letter. I beg your forgiveness if it brings you any sadness, because that isn’t my intention.
After that rather lengthy prelude, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Jenny and my husband, Michael, and I are the couple who adopted Axel. We understand there were rather unusual circumstances that led to his adoption and were given only a brief history of his life when we applied with the state adoption agency. Axel’s personal history left a great deal unexplained.
When we asked to speak to his foster mother, we learned that he’d only been with the family a few weeks. For several months before that, we were later told, Axel lived with you. The caseworker informed us you’d saved Axel’s life. It’s hard to imagine parents who would abuse their own child and actually be willing to sell him. The purpose of my letter is to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for saving Axel from what would certainly have been a horrible fate. I can’t bear to think what might have happened to him if not for you.
Our son is the joy of our lives. We waited five years for him, and had almost lost hope of ever receiving a child. You cannot imagine our delight when we learned we’d been chosen to raise Axel. He’s a bright, cheerful boy, full of love and happiness. Every day is an adventure for him.
One day, when he’s better able to understand, my husband and I will tell him about the brave couple who risked so much to save him. We want him to know the story of how you nurtured and loved him when he needed it most. My husband and I will forever be grateful to you both. We wanted you to know we appreciate the