An Angel in the Mail Read Free

sure they weren’t too big. Not happy with them, he scooped them up and put them on his plate.
    John stared at him, food falling out of his open mouth. “Why did you steal Julia-Rose’s carrots?”
    “I’m afraid she’ll choke on them.”
    Mark immediately grabbed his throat. “I’m choking, steal my carrots, too.”
    He glared at his son. “Never mind, just eat.”
    Before long, the plates had all been emptied, and the boys devoured the cookies from the bakery. Nate cleared his throat, and looked at each boy in turn. “I want to talk to you about something.”
    Four pairs of eyes met his. Julia-Rose, oblivious to the seriousness of her father’s voice, continued to bang the table with her spoon, a soggy cookie in her other hand.
    “Things have been a little crazy around here since your mama died.” God, I hope I’m doing the right thing.
    “I know it’s been tough for all of you. And for me, too.” Stiff fingers raked through his hair. “To make things better, I decided to get married.” He mumbled the last part.
    “What?” Matt’s eyes grew wide.
    “I said,” he cleared his throat again. “I’ve decided to get married.”
    Nobody spoke for a moment. Four boys sat open-mouthed. “Does that mean we’ll have a new mama?” Matt wanted to know.
    “Yes.” Nate’s voice strengthened. “You’ll have a new mama.”
    “I like mamas.” Luke wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “They bake cookies, and kiss you goodnight. Sarah says her mama reads story books to her, too.”
    “Is she pretty?” John asked.
    “Well, I’m not rightly sure. I didn’t get a picture of her, just letters.”
    “Where is she now?” Matt shoved the last of his cookie into his mouth.
    “Right now, she’s on her way here. She’s coming all the way from New York City.”
    “New York City?” Luke and John said at the same time, eyes wide. “That must be a million miles away.”
    “No.” Nate chuckled. “Not a million miles, but a long way. Clear across the country.”
    “What’s her name?” Luke climbed down from his seat and wiggled onto Nate’s lap.
    Nate played with the soft, silky hair on his son’s head. “Her name is Angelina. Angelina Hardwick. However, she tells me she likes to be called Angel.”
    “Angel?” John rolled his eyes, blushing.
    “Is she an angel like our mama?” Luke’s serious eyes stared at Nate.
    “No, son, she’s not an angel like your mama. Your mama is an angel in heaven. This Angel is right here on earth.”
    Mark hadn’t said a word. Nate turned to him. “Mark, what do you say about this?”
    “I don’t want no gol-darned new mama.” Red-faced, the boy pushed back his chair and ran from the room.
    Nate sighed. One out of five wasn’t bad. He placed Luke on his feet and began collecting dirty dishes from the table. “All right boys, get washed up and into bed. It’s getting late.”
    The boys dragged their feet, never anxious to end their day. Nate walked to the window, and, hands shoved into his pockets, stared at the darkening sky. This had not been an easy decision. Six months wasn’t a long time to grieve a wife of ten years, but his life had begun to fall apart.
    His marriage had been satisfactory, if not great. Lonely after leaving the army, and miles from his home, Amy had filled a hole in his heart. He tried not to dwell on whether he would have married her if she hadn’t become pregnant. She did, so he did, and five kids later, here he was, ready for a new wife. He sighed and turned back to the table, grabbed the rest of the dishes.
    He still had to deal with the no diaper issue, so he stacked the dishes in the sink. Mrs. Darby, his neighbor and sort-of housekeeper, would wash them in the morning. Julia-Rose grunted and thrust her head back, wiggling to get out of the chair.
    “Come on, baby, bedtime for you, too.” He undid the strap, picked her up, and hugged her chubby little body to his chest. What is that?
    He gaped at the warm, wet stream