Fated Memories by Judith Ann McDowell Read Free Book Online Page A

never do that to Tia. I want her to have the best life possible.”
    “ Of course you do. John and I can give her everything she could ever want, Charlotte.” She ignored the warning look John directed her way. “If you will let us adopt her, I promise you, you’ll never regret your decision.”
    “ I’ll have to think about it, Martha. Right now, I’m under too much pressure to make a sound decision. But I give you my word, before I leave, I’ll let you know what I’ve decided.”
    ***
    That night, as she lay awake waiting for John to come to bed, Martha thought about what she could do to push Charlotte into making the right decision. The right decision of course being that she and John would adopt Tia. Folding back the covers, she got to her feet. She picked up her white satin robe from the chair by the bed. Without hesitation, she pushed her arms through the sleeves, tying the belt around her waist, and then she slipped her feet into the matching slippers lined up beside the bed. Being quiet, she opened the door to peer into the hall and, seeing no one there, she proceeded on her way to the nursery.
    Her feet made no noise as she made her way down the wide hallway. She stopped for a brief moment to right a picture – one of many hanging on the walls on both sides of the long hall. Most of the pictures were of relatives long since passed, but a few were of her and John, taken soon after their wedding.
    “ There should be pictures of children hanging here.” She traced her fingers over the empty frames she had insisted be hung with the others. “John’s and my children.” Martha continued on her way down the hall to stop outside a halfway opened door. Pushing the door the rest of the way open, she walked inside to stand for a moment, allowing the smells of baby powder and baby oil to fill her senses.
    She felt giddy as she walked over to look down at the sleeping infant. “If only you knew how long I’ve waited for you, Tia.” Martha pulled the soft blanket up around the small shoulders. The light from the gas lamp cast a pale glow over the room. With the tips of her fingers, she touched the black hair falling over the neck of Tia’s pale pink gown, noting how the child’s dark color contrasted with the pastel-colored night wear. “I can’t allow Charlotte to take you back to Montana where you will be an outcast. It isn’t your fault your father is an Indian.” She drew her hand away from the baby to bring it up to her mouth, pressing it there to stifle a sob. “She can’t take you away from me, Tia, she just can’t!”
    Unable to stay any longer, Charlotte backed out of the doorway, telling herself the scene she had just witnessed would have no bearing on her decision of what to do about Tia. At her bedroom door, she hesitated for a moment, trying to decide whether she wanted to go back to the nursery and talk to Martha or let well enough alone. Finally she pushed open her door and walked inside, pulling the door closed behind her. Reaching up, she turned down the gas lamp until a soft glow filled the room. “If I didn’t think I’d run into John or Martha, I’d go downstairs and fix me a drink.” She pulled back the coverlets on the bed then plumped the down-filled pillows. “But knowin’ Martha, she’d think I made a habit of drinkin’ myself to sleep and I’d never hear the end of it.”
    At last she stretched her body out straight on the bed, not bothering to turn off the gas lamp. For long moments she lay there, willing herself to fall asleep; but instead she found her eyes wide open and staring at the ceiling. “Tomorrow’s gonna be a long day,” she reminded herself, turning onto her side. “If I’m gonna get through it, I’ve got to go to sleep.” Her tired eyes gazed at the still curtain until she realized what was wrong.
    “ Well, no wonder I can’t sleep.” She got out of bed and, going to the window, pulled up on the small handle. In an instant, the chilled night air