January 20, 1896
Landon stood outside the main house of Twin Rock. He could hear the crying of a newborn baby.
"Now what?," Landon asked himself. "How can I keep this child from being hurt or killed? This is my own flesh and blood."
Little Irene Ricketts had only just opened her eyes to the world. She had Landon's eyes and Lucinda's nose.
Landon went into the house. Lucinda and the doctor had wrapped the baby up in a blanket. The doctor stood up with Irene in his arms and offered her to Landon to hold. Landon cautiously accepted the squirming the baby. For a moment, he refused to look at her. How could he bond with the baby if there was a chance that he could be killed? She would be without a father.
Landon finally looked at Irene. She was too young to smile yet, but he was sure she knew who he was. Landon felt as if the baby was now stealing his heart. "She's beautiful," Landon said as he sat down on the bedside with her. "My God, Lucinda. I can't believe this. She has my eyes."
"You need to make some changes, Landon," Lucinda said. "Children need their fathers."
Landon was still staring at Irene in awe. Had he heard what Lucinda said? Could he make those changes? He had never even considered fatherhood since he left his parents' home years ago.
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