A Bride for Adam by Barbara Goss (speld decodable readers .TXT) 📗

away and said, “Oh, I forgot—you got a letter from the state of Texas today.”

Adam’s eyes lit up. “I hope it’s news of the adoption.”

Greta got up, walked into the kitchen, and returned with the letter. “I hope it’s good news.”

Adam tore the envelope open and scanned the letter slowly, which caused Greta to become frustrated with curiosity.

“Good news?” she asked when she saw him smile.

He passed the letter to Greta. “This will really make Bethany’s birthday extra-special—the adoption has gone through. She’s my daughter now, too.” He pulled his wife onto his lap and kissed her passionately. “We’re a real family now.” He hugged Greta tightly, and she glowed with happiness. She silently thanked God for such a perfect life. She loved Adam with her whole heart.

Both Sutherland families gathered around the table to celebrate Bethany’s birthday. After dinner, everyone moved to the front porch for tea and coffee. Greta went into the kitchen to help Annie prepare the tray—she was anxious to get the refreshments over with so they could move to the stables to surprise Bethany. She was balancing a tray on her way back to the porch, and she stopped by the screen door to get a better grip on the tray so she could open the door when she overheard a conversation that made her freeze in her steps.

Rhea said, “I’m so relieved that you’ve finally gotten the adoption. Now, Bethany can never be taken from us.”

“Now, Rhea,” Sam said, “Greta would never have taken Bethany from us completely. Even if she had married someone else, she’d have always kept us in her life.”

“Still, I worried about it,” Rhea said. “What if she married someone who moved her to another state?”

Adam said, “Will everyone stop worrying? I’ve made certain no one will ever separate you from Bethany.”

Rhea spoke softly, but Greta heard every word. “We were elated when we discovered you and Greta were going to stay married. We hoped and prayed for it to happen. For us, it’s almost as good as having Seth back. And now with the adoption, you’ve put our worries to rest.”

“Good work, son,” Sam said.

“My pleasure,” Adam replied. “Now, where did our birthday girl go?”

Rhea said, “She went to show Annie and Sadie her new doll.”

“I wonder where the tea is?” Adam asked. “I can’t wait to move to the stables for Bethany’s next surprise.”

Greta jerked to attention and brought the tray in. “Bethany was showing Annie her doll, so I grabbed the tea tray.”

“Is Bethany going to join us?” Adam asked.

Greta poured the men coffee and tea for herself and Rhea. “Yes, she’ll be out in a minute.”

While they drank their refreshments, Greta couldn’t help but wonder if Rhea, Sam, and Adam had cooked up the whole sea voyage just to get her and Adam together so they wouldn’t ever lose Bethany. Did Adam really love her or was he simply doing his duty to his family? He’d offered to adopt Bethany fast enough—why, they’d hardly settled in before he’d suggested it. She had a heavy feeling in her stomach at the thought that she’d been used by the Sutherlands.

When the last cup hit its saucer, everyone stood. Adam said, “I want everyone to come out to the stables to see the saddle I bought the other day. It’s rather unique.”

Bethany stroked the hair of her new doll. “Can I stay here and play with Annabelle?”

“Is that what you’ve named your new doll, Bethany?” Greta asked.

“Yes. Do I have to go, too?”

Adam picked her up and boosted her onto his shoulders. “But sweetheart, I want Annabelle to see the saddle, too.”

They all moved to the stable. Adam nodded at Greta, and she opened a stall and brought out a small, black pony. She delighted in seeing Bethany’s eyes light up.

“Is that a baby horse, Mama?”

Adam set Bethany down near the animal. “It’s a pony and he’s all yours. What will you name him?”

Bethany gasped and reached out to pet the pony. “He’s mine? All mine?”

Greta knelt down and hugged Bethany. “Your papa got him for you. What will you name him?”

“Raven,” Bethany said. “He looks the same color as the bird that we see in the yard all the time, and you told me it was a raven, Mama.”

“That’s a perfect name!” Adam said. “Raven, it is.”

That night, Adam made sweet love to Greta, dispelling all the doubts she had about his marrying her and adopting Bethany just to keep the family together. Adam was the perfect lover; he was sweet and gentle, and he loved her with such emotion that Greta let all of her worries fly away...until morning.

As usual, Adam rushed around in the dark to dress for work, but he was always as quiet as he could be so he wouldn’t wake her. She always woke up though, and she made sure she got a kiss and a hug from him before he left. Once she’d heard him gallop away, she laid down and went back to sleep.

Once Greta rose and dressed, her fears returned. She pressed her fists into her temples and vowed to not doubt her husband’s love or motives. How silly of her. She had something bigger to worry about—she’d missed her monthly again. It was the second one, but she thought it might just be late due to her worrying. She vowed to stop fretting and enjoy what she had: a perfect family.

Greta was in the stables grooming a horse when she heard someone gallop down the lane toward the house; it was too early to be Adam. She dropped her tools and left the stables to see Martha Jefferson rein in and slide off her horse.

Greta was confused. She knew who Martha was as she’d gone to school with her. Greta also knew she