“We heard you had been ill, but this was the soonest we could come to see you. Cabe wants to meet you.”
The nun extended her hands. “I’ve been just as anxious to meet him.” Cord crossed the expanse and lowered the baby into her arms.
The sight of her husband with his little dark-haired replica brought a lump to Ashley’s throat. That lump expanded as Sister Bernice kissed Cabe and spoke to him with all the tenderness of a loving mother.
As she put the baby to her shoulder and patted his back, unworried that he might burp on her scapula, she darted Ashley a loving glance. “Do you know you were only a month old when your mother brought you to St. Anne’s, Ashley?
“You had a lot of hair, too. But you were tiny and suffered from colic. This robust son of yours is bursting with health and acts totally contented.”
“You haven’t heard him when he’s hungry. During the night he cries out for his mother and probably keeps the neighborhood awake.” Cord grinned.
“Of course,” she quipped. “How else is he going to grow up to be tall and straight like his handsome father!”
Ashley’s eyes shone like stars as she stared at her husband. “Cord helps by getting up and bringing him to me. Half the time it’s a fight to see who gets to hold him after he’s been satisfied.”
Sister Bernice chuckled. “You’re a very lucky, very blessed little boy, Cabe.”
“We’re the lucky ones,” Cord interjected with emotion. “I suggested to Ashley that we drop by today. She thinks we’re here simply for a visit, but I had another motive, as well.”
The nun crossed the baby to her other shoulder, her look attentive as she waited to hear what he had to say. Ashley was no less curious.
“I don’t know how much my wife has confided to you about me and my upbringing. Needless to say, I was born to wealth, but it didn’t bring me a great deal of happiness. My real happiness began when I met Ashley.
“Therefore, I would be ungrateful if I didn’t thank you for being the person you are, for always being there for her. You were the one who challenged her to fight for our marriage.
“Because she listened to your advice, we’re back together and we’re moving to the Tetons where I’ve accepted the position as chief ranger.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. As my way of showing appreciation for all you’ve done, I’ve turned over the deed of my family home to St. Anne’s, to use as you might see fit. My attorney will contact your people next week.
“It’s very large, and has a big yard. Perhaps it could serve as a kind of halfway house for your older children who work part-time and go to college. Or maybe a place for children who are ill or handicapped. That will be entirely up to you. Except for a few personal mementos, I’m leaving all the furnishings as is. Ashley and I have no need of the home or the money. It will make me happy if I know it is being used for a worthy cause.” Ashley bowed her head, so touched by his generosity, so moved, she couldn’t talk. Sister Bernice seemed to be having the same problem.
“I’m also setting up a fund to provide for its maintenance. St. Anne’s will always have a special place in my heart. After all, it was Ashley’s home.”
The nun’s eyes misted over. “Do you know that just the other day, we were informed that because the building doesn’t meet the earthquake code, we have to find another place to tem
porarily house everyone. I have no idea if they’ll raze the building and start over, or try to remodel it. You can’t imagine what your gift would mean, especially coming right now.”
Cord smiled. “I’m glad then.”
Ashley couldn’t wait any longer. She got out of the chair and threw her arms around Cord’s neck, hugging him so hard she almost knocked him off the chair.
The nun stood up, still holding Cabe. “On behalf of St. Anne’s, I’ll accept your gift. On one condition.” Curious, Ashley’s head swerved toward Sister Bernice.
“That you let me keep this little fellow for a couple of nights. I want to really get to know him, but I can’t do that when parents as doting as you are around. Of course, it has occurred to me that the two of you could use some much needed private time together.”
Cord’s dark blue eyes darted Ashley a private message of desire that made her heart leap right out of her chest. Not only had they both been exhausted because the baby kept them up during the night. But they’d been following doctors orders which prohibited intimacy until her six weeks’ checkup.
But for a fussy baby, the last few nights those orders would have been impossible to follow.
If they left Cabe with Sister Bernice now, Ashley knew exactly what would happen. So did Cord. In fact, his elation was so palpable, Sister Bernice secretly winked at Ashley who blushed a deep rose.
“We accept your condition,” Cord spoke with unabashed eagerness. “If you need anyth—”
“I won’t,” the nun assured him with a satisfied smile. “We have everything your little boy could want right here, don’t we? Say goodbye to your mommy and daddy, Cabe. Tell them to have a good time and not worry about you.”
Though Sister Bernice was the only person in the world besides Cord Ashley trusted with her baby, it was a wrench to leave him.