Page 138 of The Formation of Us

He stood by as Faith, Adam, and Cora decorated Rose’s grave with a pine wreath and a festive red bow, their faces illuminated with joy instead of the grief so often witnessed in a cemetery.

He joined them in singing carols on the way home, laughing at their off-key harmony When Faith tried to hurry them inside, he led them to the small barn near the greenhouse. “Let’s give Cora her present first,” he said, opening the doors.

When Cora saw Evelyn’s dapple-gray gelding happily munching hay, her eyes grew as round as the buttons on her Sunday go-to-meeting coat. “There’s a pony in our barn!”

“He’s yours, princess.”

Both Faith and Cora gawked at him. “This is too much,” Faith said, but Cuvier looked pleased to see Rose’s children being loved and taken care of.

“It’s a special Christmas this year.” Duke gave Adam a wink because Adam had been party to the surprise. The boy had gotten the pony for Duke and sneaked it into the barn.

They followed Cora inside to welcome Dandelion to the family. The gelding would go back to the livery in the morning until Evelyn and Rebecca taught Cora how to ride safely and care for him.

A squeaky little bark came from the back of the barn, and Adam’s eyes lit up. “I think there’s a dog in here.”

Duke grinned. “I think you’re right, and if you can find the little rascal, he belongs to you.”

Adam found the beagle pup in a nest of straw.

“He’ll make a good hunting dog,” Duke said.

“Can he sleep in my room?”

Faith gave Duke a look of horror, but Duke could tell she was mostly happy for the boy.

By the time they went inside for hot chocolate, they were all half-frozen. Adam brought the puppy with him, and Cora wanted to know why she couldn’t bring the pony too. She was easily distracted with a new doll and a bag of licorice sticks.

Adam could barely put his dog down long enough to open the box under the pine tree. He liked his new boots and coat and gloves, but his eyes widened when he saw the rifle. “I never got so many gifts in my life,” he said, stroking the gun barrel with awe.

“We’ll keep the rifle put up until I can teach you how to clean it and use it safely”

“Yes, sir.”

Faith admired her new dresses, fussing over the lace and ribbons. But when she opened the package containing a new pharmacopoeia book, she let out a shriek that sent the puppy scrambling under the sofa. “Oh, Duke! How did you get this?”

The book had been hell to come by, but with Doc Milton’s help and a good bit of money, Duke had acquired it.

She hugged the book to her chest. “It’s the best gift in the world.”

He knew better.Shewas the best gift in the world. She planted a sizzling kiss on his mouth, her sparkling, love-filled gaze locked with his. If not for Cora’s giggles and Adam’s groan, Duke would have whisked her upstairs to their bedroom.

Faith gazed into her husband’s shining eyes, clutching the book to her chest, unable to believe it was hers, and that he was hers. “Thank you.”

He winked, then pulled a rolled paper from his coat pocket and handed it to Adam. “I’d like to make you a Grayson,” he said. “If you sign this adoption paper, then Faith and I can legally adopt you.”

Adam’s mouth gaped open as he stared at the paper.

Astonishment and love surged through Faith’s chest, and she bit her lip, moved to tears.

A broad smile broke across Adam’s face, and he leaned down to speak to his puppy. “I’m going to be a Grayson,” he whispered.

Faith understood what being a Grayson meant to Adam. He would carry a name that was respected and valued in this community. And he would belong; he would have a father who would love and guide him into manhood with all the values Adam respected and admired.

Looking over at Steven Cuvier, the sad acceptance she saw made her heart squeeze. Her father would have been there for them if he’d had the opportunity, if Rose had been truthful. He was happy to become a father to Faith, but Adam needed and loved Duke, and considered him his father. Steven gave a solemn, kindly nod to acknowledge his understanding. “You have my blessing in this,” he said to Adam.

Faith laid her book on the coffee table and got the ink stand and quill for Adam. Her father looked on while Adam signed a document that made him another man’s son.

When they finished, Adam frowned at Faith. “If Duke’s my dad, what does this make you?”