The Gift of a Child

Rose could do that. But she quailed at her father’s words, “For as long as we have him.” Right then and there, she made a bargain with God. You have given this child into my care, Lord, and I will tend him with all my heart and soul. Help me to be part of Your greater plan for Alf and to accept Your will for him.

As she carefully redressed Alf in his tattered clothes, her father picked up his hat and turned to her with words that scalded her ears. “I’m off to the mercantile store to find some new togs for the little feller. After that, I’m obligated to notify Sheriff Jensen.”

Rose shrugged, unable to summon words of farewell.

* * *

Seth glanced with satisfaction at the lumber stacked in the wagon. Last week he’d hired two more ranch hands, necessitating an addition to the bunkhouse. Before he hauled his load home, he needed to stop at the mercantile to pick up items for Sophie and Lily. Entering the store, he was greeted by Horace Clay, the proprietor. “What brings you to town, Montgomery?”

“We needed supplies from the lumberyard. No way, though, would the ladies let me escape without filling their list.” Reaching in his pocket, he handed Clay a creased piece of paper.

Scanning it, Clay nodded. “Shouldn’t take long. Make yourself at home.”

Seth looked around, uncomfortable in the cramped space crowded with bolts of cloth, tobacco tins, cosmetic potions and ladies’ fineries. After walking aimlessly up and down the aisles, he decided to wait on the bench out front. When he opened the door to leave, he was nearly bowled over by Doc Kellogg.

“Whoa, Ezra. What’s your rush?”

“Sorry, Seth. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m in a hurry.”

Clay looked up from filling Seth’s order. “Doc, can I help you?”

“I certainly hope so.” He glanced around uncertainly. “Do you carry any ready-made children’s clothes?”

Curious about the doctor’s request, Seth edged closer.

“Not many. Some dungarees and shirts. A few pairs of shoes. What size?”

When Ezra shrugged in bafflement and held his hand thigh-high, Clay rounded the counter and led him toward the back of the store. “Let’s see what I’ve got.”

Seth scratched his head. He’d rarely seen the doctor so agitated or secretive. After a few minutes of mumbled conversation, the two men reappeared with a stack of clothing and one small pair of shoes. “Lemme get Doc fixed up,” Clay said, “and then I’ll finish your order.”

When Ezra turned around with his wrapped bundle, he ducked his head at Seth in a follow-me gesture. Once outside the store, Ezra mopped his brow, then looked straight at Seth. “We’ve got us a...situation. One Lily needs to know about today. Can you get her a message?”

“Sure can. Is it anything I can help with?”

The older man sighed as if considering options, then spoke quietly. “Before you leave town, stop by the house. You’ll see.”

“Certainly.”

Without saying more, Ezra walked quickly away.

Seth watched him, puzzled by their exchange, then went back inside the mercantile to claim his packages. Climbing into the wagon, he guided his team toward the Kelloggs’ home. Leaving the wagon by Doc’s barn, he knocked on the kitchen door. Ezra answered and ushered him inside. “We had a visitor last night,” he said in a neutral tone.

Just then Rose entered the room carrying a thin, raven-haired boy who buried his head in her shoulder when he saw Seth. Surprised by the sight, Seth turned to Ezra. “A patient?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“He’s more than that.” Rose looked at her father as if daring him to contradict her. “This is Alf. He’s been given to me.”

“Temporarily. For safekeeping,” her father said.

Seth sank into a chair, discomfited by the uncharacteristic tension between father and daughter. “Where did he come from?”

“God,” said Rose at the same time her father said, “A desperate parent.”

Seth looked from one to the other, confused. “What’s going on?”

Rose and her father joined him at the table. The boy took a peek at Seth, and Rose bent her head, kissing the top of his head. Then she looked up. “I found him.” In words laden with wonder, she explained about the note.

“Alf,” Seth said, nodding. “A strong name.”

Again the boy peeked at him. “Nawah,” he said in a tiny voice.

Seth looked quizzically at Rose, who nodded encouragement. “Nawah,” Seth said.

“Big,” the boy answered.

Seth couldn’t help himself. He laughed and spread his arms wide. “Big? Yes, I’m big.” Impulsively he slipped to the floor, sat and folded his knees to his chest, making himself as small as possible. “Little.”

The boy eyed him as if trying to decide whether he was friend or foe.

“Little man now.” Then the boy smiled.

Seth would never be able to explain what happened next, but to his astonishment, Alf wriggled from Rose’s grasp, edged toward him and sat facing him, mimicking his position. “Boy. Little, too.”

Seth nodded, then, seized by an inspiration, hooked his hands under the child’s arms, stood and lifted him above his head. “Now the boy is big.”

This time Alf giggled aloud, and in the background Seth heard Rose gasp. “I don’t believe it,” she said. “You have a magic touch with him.”

Lowering Alf and cradling him to his chest, Seth was overcome by an emotion he couldn’t name—part protectiveness, part an inexplicable kinship. He pointed to Alf and repeated his name. Then he pointed to himself. “Seth. I am Seth.”

Alf eyed him curiously, then stroked Seth’s trimmed beard. “Sett. Big. Little. Good.” Then he squirmed around in Seth’s arms to look at Rose and Ezra. “Sett,” he said decisively, as if introducing the man to them.

In the next half hour, Seth heard the full story—Alf’s discovery, their concern for his safety and health, the need for clothing and Ezra’s plan to notify the sheriff. Seth noticed Rose’s frown when her father mentioned the sheriff. From her earlier comments, he had deduced she hoped to claim the boy as her own.

Before Seth rose to leave, he set Alf down and knelt to be nearer eye level. “Alf, I am happy to meet you. Miss Rose will take good care of you.” Then he stood and picked up his hat.

Alf waved at him. “Bye.”

Ezra, too, picked up his hat. “Rose, I’m off to see Lars Jensen now.”

Seth could hardly bear to look at Rose, whose wistful expression tore at his heart.

When the two men reached the barn, Ezra laid a hand on Seth’s shoulders. “You will let Lily and Caleb know. Rose will need Lily’s advice.”

“I’ll go there directly.”

The older man’s shoulders slumped. “I know what Rose wants, but I can’t ignore the ramifications of what has happened. I must inform the sheriff.”