The Christmas Child: Chapter Six
[Surprising News}
The food is delicious, Josie. Thank you, Lottie. I'm glad you like it. Its perfect for a cold day like this. Where in Texas were you born, Lottie? Well, my mama told me I was born in Austin, Texas. Austin is my middle name, Lottie. It is, Jamie? But I don't remember it much. Mama told me she and my daddy moved right after I was a year old. Where did you live after that?, Jamie asked. Lots of places. Houston, Amarillo, Galveston, some smaller towns. They're all postmarked on some letters my mama got from my aunt. Have you had any schooling, Lottie? Yes, Josie, some. When Mama was alive, she always made sure I was in school. And Daddy taught me some after she died. Some of the ranchers daughters and wives helped me, too. When school resumes after Christmas we'll get you enrolled, Lottie. Won't we, Uncle Henry? Of course we will, Josie. I got a letter from some of my kin back East, Judge. That's good to hear, Randy. What did they have to say? Well, they're comin for a visit and they should be here by Christmas. That's wonderful news, Randy. I hope it all goes well for you. Who is coming from your family? Well, there's my brother Brett and his wife and kids, my Uncle Dell, my cousins Peck and Razz, and my grandma and granpa. My great-grandparents, right, Daddy? That's right, Ellie, honey. And they'll love you to death. I can't wait to meet them. And they're bringin Glory, too. Who's Glory, Daddy? Well, honey, a long time before you were born, I was gonna marry her. And she said she'd come back when all the scars had healed. And she just may end up being your new mama, honey. I never had a mama before. The closest thing I ever had to a mama was Miss Dulcie. Who was she, Randy? Well, Judge, after I left Shiloh I got hired on at the Colby ranch. Ellie and her real daddy were already there and we got to be good friends. Dulcie was Ben Colby's sister and she looked after Ellie from the time she was a baby. And then a year before we came back here, her daddy was killed in a wagon accident and I took her in. Wes had no kin, so he told me that if anything ever happened to him, he wanted me to raise Ellie. Will she like me, Daddy? She will love ya to death, honey. No girl or woman could'nt love you, Ellie. Just you mind that. Thank you, Josie. And that goes for you too, Lottie. I've only known you a day and I love you already. And both Jamie and I hope you will stay. That's right, Lottie. You're one of the sweetest little girls I ever met. Just like my little Lottie that I'm searching for. Am I, Jamie? I'm glad you think so. And I like you, too. I don't ever want leave you or Josie. I'd rather have you than family I don't know. Then we'll have to see what we can do about that, then. Really, Judge? Yes, Lottie. Josie and I would like to keep you for good since you want to stay. The next time I go into town I'll talk to the judge about adoption papers. And tomorrow if you like, Lottie, we'll take you to get registered for the upcoming school year. What's the teacher like? Oh, she's really nice. You'll like her, Lottie. I've met her several times. I'm sure I will, Josie. That was a delicious lunch, Josie. Thank you, Uncle Henry. My, its starting to get dark already. Then me and Ellie better be gettin on home, Judge. Thanks for the hospitality. Your welcome, Randy. Safe ride. Bye, Granpa. Goodbye, Ellie. You be a good girl now. So long, Josie. See you later, Randy. Have a safe ride home. Bye, Josie. Bye, Ellie. You be good now. Have a good visit with your family, Randy. Thanks, Josie, I will. So long, Randy. So long, Jamie. Take care of these two, now. Oh, I will. Goodbye, Randy. Bye, Ellie. Goodbye, Lottie. I'm sure we'll be seein ya again, honey. You mind Josie, now. I will, Randy. Goodnight, all. See you all later. Well, I'd better get this mess washed up, Uncle Henry. We'll help you, Josie. Thank you, Jamie. I'll help too, Josie. The towels are right over there, Lottie.