to tell Mark. His little brother would be so happy.
“In one of the mines. Word just came that they’re out of the mine and headed this way.”
“I’ve got to go to him.” Luke ran to the door but turned back. Hot tears stung his eyes. “If it’s okay with you, that is?”
Mrs. Brooks smiled. “Of course it is. Go to your brother.”
Luke grinned and was out the door like a shot. He ran toward the mines, feeling like he could fly. His steps faltered. What if Mark wasn’t with the other kids?
Please, God. Please let him be all right.
Long before he got to the mines, he saw the lights. It looked like half the town had shown up. Then he saw a group headed toward him, the lights from behind blinding him to their faces. Some of the figures were tall, others small.
And some were being carried by the others.
They neared, and he spotted Mr. Jake and Miss Livy. Mr. Jake carried a child. When he saw Luke, he said something.
The child lifted his head, and Luke saw his brother in the shifting lantern light.
“Luke.” A huge smile split Mark’s face. He scrambled from Mr. Jake’s arms.
Luke ran forward and scooped his brother up. Mark’s thin arms wrapped around his neck.
Luke hugged him tight, blinking back tears.
He’d finally found Mark.
* * *
Livy bustled about the kitchen, giving instructions, keeping everyone busy. The orphanage overflowed with children. She glanced at the girls they’d rescued from the mine, and her heart twisted with compassion. They’d need a lot of tender love and care to get over what they’d been through. But with God’s grace, they’d make it.
She smiled at a girl named Clara. Clara’s eyes were still red-rimmed from crying. Crying for joy because she’d been reunited with her baby sister, Hannah.
“Here.” She handed the girl a bowl. “Peel these potatoes. Georgie, run upstairs and help Mrs. Brooks.”
Mark stuck to Luke like glue. Luke didn’t let on, but Livy had spotted tears shimmering in his eyes when he thought no one was looking. Mark and Clara weren’t the only ones who’d cried buckets of tears the last few days. She’d cried her share.
They weren’t rolling in food, and certainly not money, but the townspeople had pitched in, bringing what they could spare to help out. More than one had apologized for not realizing the need was so great.
Thank You, Jesus, for taking care of these boys and girls, for helping us find them, and for allowing Sheriff Carter to live, and for keeping Jake safe, and . . .
She smiled. Her prayer of thanks was a mile long. She’d been blessed so abundantly this Christmas. More than she’d ever thought possible. God had fulfilled the desires of her heart with a home and a family, and she’d fallen in love with the most wonderful man on earth. She didn’t know what might happen next, but no matter what, God wouldn’t let her down.
The kitchen door opened, letting in a blast of cold air.
“Seth, shut that door. I’m having a hard enough time keeping the house warm as it is.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The door banged shut.
Livy whirled at the sound of Jake’s voice, her face growing warm at the sight of him. “I’m sorry, Jake. I thought you were Seth. The boys have been running in and out of the house all day.”
Jake dodged Seth and Georgie as they raced through the kitchen, three boys from the mine following at a more sedate pace. They smiled shyly when they saw him. Jake glanced back at Livy. “Looks like you and Mrs. Brooks have your hands full.”
“We wouldn’t have it any other way.” She smiled, then sobered. “How’s Sheriff Carter?”
“Chomping at the bit to get back to the jail, but Doc’s keeping him on a tight rein.” He grinned. “And I think he’s enjoying Mrs. Brooks’s visits as well.”
“They’re a matched pair, if I’ve ever seen one. Have you arrested Sharp yet?”
He shook his head. “No. Smitty and I have searched everywhere, and he’s nowhere to be found. We figure he skipped town as soon as he heard we’d found the children and arrested Butch and Grady. We probably won’t have to worry about him anymore.”
“Praise the Lord. We don’t need his kind here in Chestnut, that’s for sure.”
Jake snagged a biscuit from the stove. Livy swatted his hand, and he grabbed for hers, rubbing his thumb along the soft tissue of her palm. Livy shivered at the touch.