Free Tupelo Gold: Sweeter than Honey (Eclipse Heat Book 4) by Gem Sivad Page A

better to present his encounter with Jacob and Sally’s mother as if it were a one night tryst. It was before our marriage but he didn’t want me to know he’d had a longer affair with another woman. When your message was received, he confessed to me. Of course we’re not separating the children.”
    She looked at the other man and said, “I’m sorry for your wasted trip. Sarah is our child.”
    The other woman harrumphed again about money lost and Will Talent said, “Hush up, Mary. I told you this wouldn’t work.”
    “I’ll join the children,” Comfort said. “Hamilton, call me please when the adoption papers are ready for me to sign.” By sheer force of will, she forced the proceedings forward.
    When Comfort hurried from the room, she was barely in time to stop Jacob’s escape through the front door. The clerk stood by the door holding it closed and arguing with him, trying to make him sit back down. 
    “It’s okay Jacob,” Comfort remarked calmly. “We’re almost finished here. Then we’ll all go home.”
    “You don’t understand. If Sally’s old enough to work now, she’ll want her for sure.” He looked at Comfort, afraid she wouldn’t protect Sally. Having met the Blain woman, Comfort could understand his fear.
    Comfort stood with her arms around both children when the man and woman came through the outer office and left. Their loud squabbling left no doubt that Mary Blain had not been successful in her attempt to steal Sally back. Neither the awful woman nor her cohort, Will Talent, so much as looked at the kids on the way past.
    “Come with me.”  Comfort led Jacob and Sally into Mr. Kincaid’s office as soon as Hamilton gave her the signal. As the kids watched, she and Hamilton signed the official papers making both kids, Quinces. 
    Hamilton signed his name with a flourish and then walked across the room and scooped up Sally in his arms. “That’s it, your my daughter and carrying my mama’s name, Cordelia Sarah Quince. She’d be proud as punch to see this day.”
    Sally studied him with a serious frown, and then smiled. “So, I can call you Pa, now?” 
    Hamilton’s startled look changed to a big smile. “Little darlin’, you always could. I hope to hear you saying it often while we’re shopping today.”
    Comfort held back her tears, grabbed Jacob’s hand and thanking Mr. Kincaid, hurried them from the law office. 
    “Now, we get ready for Christmas,” she announced, suddenly ready to buy out Wichita.
    Hamilton carried Sally, and Comfort linked hands with Jacob. They explored the streets of Wichita, all of them proud members of the Quince family. 
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
    It was the day before Christmas and Comfort fussed around the house trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. 
    “You’ve plumped those pillows three times already.” Naomi chided her for her restless wanderings. “What’s on your mind, Comfort? You should be happy, instead, every time you forget to play act, you look like someone shot Santa Claus.”
    “Then my performance needs to improve. I will not let my disappointments ruin the children’s first Christmas on the ranch.”
    Naomi, of course, jumped on that tidbit and worried at Comfort with questions until she capitulated and shared her distress. “Every day, Sally looks more like Hamilton’s mother, Cordelia. Both children have Quince features stamped all over them.”  
    Naomi said nothing, waiting for the hurt to be said aloud.
    “He lied to me, Naomi. He had a long affair with the children’s mother. It’s too obvious to ignore. At the same time that I’m thrilled that Sally is truly a Quince and his blood, I’m devastated by his deceit.”
    Comfort laughed shakily, swiped tears from her cheeks, and waved away an offered handkerchief. She retreated to the kitchen, followed closely by her sister. Naomi filled two mugs with coffee, serving Comfort before she faced her across the table.
    “Well if you don’t want to