Chapter 9

Jarrod and Adeline stared in shock at the woman before them. She smiled a little and began explaining everything that had happened.

"Our son, Sam, was in the war. He left when he was 18 and when he returned four years later, we found out he had a leg injury that was slow to heal. We didn't realize it at the time, maybe because we just didn't want to, but he had an addiction to morphine. For the next few years it was a constant battle to help him overcome this horrible..." her voice trailed off and they watched her fight for control. After a few moments, she continued.

"We spent most of our meager savings on keeping Sam out of prison. It came to the point that we were about to lose our home and Charlie's practice. One day, Charlie was contacted by a man stating he had a business proposition for him. Charlie went to New York City and that was when he was hired to deliver your baby. I'll never forget the night he brought Meredith home. Charlie cried as he told me about having to take the baby from you. He had been instructed to place the baby up for adoption, but after seeing your face, Mrs. Barkley, Charlie knew he couldn't do that. So he asked me if I minded if we kept the sweet baby, just until he could figure out how to reunite you. Charlie told the man who had hired him that he would insist on returning later to re-examine you to make sure you were alright. In those six weeks, we came up with the plan to keep Meredith and always let her know that her mama was coming for her."

Adeline began to softly weep. Jarrod too had tears in his eyes.

"Your son," Jarrod asked. "What happened to him?"

Mrs. Morrison closed her eyes briefly. "Sam died a few months later from an overdose. It was difficult, but we had Meredith. She called my husband, Grandpa Charlie and I'm Granna Mabel. She's a delightful child. I suppose you noticed I was staring at you when I first opened the door...it's just amazing how much she looks like you, Mr. Barkley. Your eyes and hair, but I think it is your chin that she has."

Jarrod smiled and looked over at Adeline. He noticed she looked pale and was again worried about her. She gave him an encouraging smile to let him know she was fine and then turned to Mrs. Morrison.

"So Meredith knows I didn't willingly give her up?"

"Yes. She's asked of course, if you didn't want to then why? And we've always told her you loved her very much, but we didn't know the exact reasons."

"Where is Meredith now?" Jarrod asked.

"She's in school." Mrs. Morrison checked the clock. "She'll be home in a few hours. If I may suggest, maybe it would be best if you weren't here when she got home? It might be too overwhelming for her. Would you allow me to explain your visit and since tomorrow is Saturday, you could come by and meet her?"

Jarrod felt that was a sound plan. He looked over at Adeline and she nodded, though he could tell she was reluctant.

"We don't wish to hurt her or you, but Mrs. Morrison, it's our intention to take Meredith home with us. We want to be a family."

Mrs. Morrison smiled, though there were tears in her eyes. "I know Mr. Barkley. Charlie would often tell me I had to prepare for the possibility. That's why he wouldn't allow her to call us Papa and Mama. He said that was reserved for you. I'll miss her. She's been my mainstay since Charlie died. But what's best for her is to get to know her parents."

They all stood then and Adeline hugged Mrs. Morrison.

"Thank you, Mrs. Morrison," she said.

"Please, call me Mabel."

"Then you must call us Jarrod and Adeline," Jarrod said, taking the woman's hand. She nodded in agreement and said goodbye. Jarrod informed her of where they were staying and agreed on a time they would be back the next day. Then Jarrod and Adeline walked back out to their buggy and drove back to the hotel.


That evening, Adeline and Jarrod stayed in their room. Neither felt like going out to dinner, opting instead for Jarrod to go get something and bring it back to the hotel room. Jarrod again noticed that Adeline didn't eat much, mostly pushing the food around on her plate. He watched her for a time and then took her hand in his.

"Addy," he said, "You need to eat something. You've barely eaten at all on this trip. You were so sick on the way out..."

"I'm fine, Jarrod. I'm just so nervous about meeting Meredith. What if she hates me?" Adeline asked tearfully.

"She won't hate you. We'll explain everything and then show her without a doubt how much we love her and want her."

Adeline nodded. Her thoughts turned to Mabel. Adeline felt guilty for taking Meredith away from the older woman. Maybe there would be some way to keep her in Meredith's life.


The next morning, Jarrod awoke slowly and reached out to his wife. He found the other side of the bed empty, but still warm. He lifted his head and noticed Adeline sitting in a chair next to their bed.

"Morning," he said, his deep voice sounding gravely from lack of use.

Adeline smiled slightly. "Morning."

"How long have you been up?" Jarrod asked, swinging his legs over the bed.

"Not too long."

Jarrod walked toward his wife and knelt beside her. He rubbed her arms and leaned in to kiss her gently.

"Are you nervous?" Adeline asked Jarrod.

He took a deep breath and said, "Very. But everything will be fine."

Adeline nodded but couldn't stop the tears that gathered in her eyes. Jarrod drew her to himself and held her.

"I can't believe today is here. I've waited almost ten years for this. I'm so glad you're here with me Jarrod. I love you so much!" she sobbed.

Jarrod continued to hold her as she cried. He knew she was exhausted from having been sick on the way out as well as not sleeping well since they had arrived. Then the added strain of the first time they would see their daughter together.

When Adeline quieted down, Jarrod lifted her and carried her to the bed. She had fallen asleep and he hoped that she could get some much needed rest. They didn't need to be at the Morrison's for another four hours. He gently climbed into bed next to his wife and drew her close to him. She snuggled next to him and the two slept peacefully for the next two hours.


The ride to Mabel Morrison's house took only fifteen minutes. In that time, neither Jarrod nor Adeline said a word. Adeline still looked pale to Jarrod's thinking and she only ate a small portion of her breakfast. He knew she was nervous. He was as well.

Once the horse and buggy were secured, Jarrod and Adeline walked up to the house and knocked on the door. Jarrod smiled at her to try and reassure her, but Adeline didn't notice. The door opened and they were welcomed into the Morrison's home once again. Mabel led them into the parlor and then went to get Meredith.

A few minutes later, they returned. Jarrod and Adeline both stood and watched as a young girl walked into the room with Mabel. Her hair was as black as a raven's wing and her eyes a vibrant blue. There was no doubt that this was their daughter. Adeline seemed incapable of breathing. The last time she had seen her daughter, Meredith had only been a few minutes old. Now, almost a decade later, she stood before her, a beautiful little girl.

"Meredith, these are the people I was telling you about. These are your parents," Mabel said. Meredith didn't say anything but nodded to each one. Mabel gave Meredith a gentle push and the young girl moved toward a chair. She sat down, her eyes on her hands in her lap.

Jarrod and Adeline sat as well and began talking with Mabel. They could all see how tense Meredith was. They hoped that the conversation flowing around her would help to relax her. After a few minutes, Jarrod asked Meredith a question.

"What is your favorite subject in school, Meredith?"

Meredith looked up into eyes that were so much like hers. She swallowed before answering, "I really enjoy reading, but I also like art class as well."

"Meredith, why don't you run up and get some of your artwork for your parents to see," Mabel suggested. Meredith nodded her head and left the room.

"I hate it that she seems so uncomfortable," Adeline said softly.

"It will take some time, Adeline, but Meredith will come around. She's generally shy around people she doesn't know, but once she gets to know you better, she'll open up more. She loves to talk and oftentimes I have to ask her to be quiet just so I can have a few moments of peace."

Mabel smiled, but both Jarrod and Adeline saw the tears that threatened to spill over. Mabel composed herself before Meredith returned. The young girl brought a sketch book and handed it to Jarrod. He opened it up and was amazed at the pictures he saw inside. Adeline's breath caught. The sketches were amazing.

"You drew these?" Jarrod asked, still looking at the pictures.

"Yes sir."

"They're wonderful!" Adeline exclaimed. Meredith didn't respond but took her seat again. Jarrod and Adeline looked through the book and became more and more impressed. Meredith had extraordinary talent for one so young. The sketches were very lifelike. Most were of buildings and landscapes, but there were a few of people as well.

"You do wonderful work for one so young, Meredith," Jarrod said, handing the book back to his daughter. She smiled slightly at his praise.

Mabel excused herself to get some refreshments. Meredith moved to go with her, but Mabel said for her to stay. The fact that she was uncomfortable was evident and Adeline wanted to help her feel more at ease.

"Have you had formal training?" Adeline asked.

"Just the classes in school."

"Have you always liked to draw?"

"Yes."

Adeline looked to Jarrod and he winked at her. Meredith shifted in her seat. She then raised her head to look at the couple before her. These people were supposed to be her parents. She had always been told that her mother would come for her one day, and that when she did, she would probably go and live with her. Meredith was trying to be brave, but in truth, she was scared. These people looked nice, but what if they weren't? She knew her Granna wouldn't let her be harmed, but if she moved away, how would Granna know if she was alright or not? Meredith again looked to the couple sitting before her and realized she had let her thoughts wander. She knew Granna would scold her for not paying attention.

"I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't listening," Meredith said, a little fearful of what Jarrod's response would be.

He smiled at her. "That's alright, Meredith. I know this is all very new to you."

Jarrod and Adeline watched as Meredith relaxed just a little. Mabel had done a good job raising Meredith. She knew her manners and seemed a delightful child. Adeline ached to see her smile and hear her laugh. She had waited so long for this moment.

"Granna says that I'm to go and live with you," Meredith said simply.

"We want you to, Meredith. Very much," Jarrod said.

"Where? Where will we live?"

"My family owns a ranch in Stockton, California."

"You're a rancher?" Meredith asked, her eyes wide. She loved horses and had always wanted to learn to ride. They had never had the money for lessons.

"No, I'm a lawyer. I have an office in Stockton and one in San Francisco. My brothers, your uncles, run the ranch, though I have been known to help once in a while," Jarrod replied. He smiled and Meredith smiled back.

"California is a long way from here," Meredith said. Adeline's heart twisted and she longed to reach out and touch her daughter. "When will we leave?"

Adeline looked over at Jarrod.

"We don't want to rush you, but we would like to leave soon. Maybe in week, two at the most."

Mabel returned to the room then. If she was shocked by the fact they wanted to leave so soon, she didn't show it.

"That will give us enough time to pack up your things and you can still enter that art contest at school Meredith. The judging is this Wednesday and the winners will be announced on Friday in an open assembly at school."

Mabel smiled broadly, though the other adults in the room could see it was strained. Meredith smiled at her Granna and nodded.

"What picture will you be entering?" Adeline asked.

"Go and get it, Meredith. It's her best so far. She's been working on it for over a month now."

Meredith left the room and soon returned with a small canvass. On it was painted a rose. If Jarrod had not already seen Meredith's work, he wouldn't have believed she had painted this. It was so lifelike. He knew even the roses in his mother's garden would pale in comparison to the one Meredith had created.

"It's lovely," Adeline said.

"Yes," Jarrod agreed. He smiled at his daughter and she smiled back. Meredith may look like her father, but she had her mother's smile. Jarrod felt his heart constrict.

"Meredith, would you go to your room for a while. Allow us to talk for a few minutes?" Mabel asked.

"Yes ma'am," Meredith said. She took the small canvas from Jarrod and walked from the room slowly. The adults waited until she was up the stairs and then Mabel began talking.

"I'm glad you aren't waiting a long time to take her. It's right that she be with you, though I will miss her."

"Mabel, we don't wish to hurt you," Jarrod said.

"I know, Jarrod. But I will hurt. Meredith is a delightful child. She needs her mother and father. I've enjoyed filling in the role of her mother, but that job is over now. Charlie made sure we both kept it in the front of our hearts and minds that Meredith was loaned to us."

Adeline smiled through her tears at the older woman. She reached out and grasped Mabel's hand.

"I can't thank you enough for what you've done. She's a beautiful little girl, inside and out."

Mabel smiled. "Just take good care of my little girl, Adeline."

"We will, Mabel. You don't have to worry about that," Jarrod assured her. Mabel smiled. She knew Meredith would be well taken care of.