Marion Lennox - His Miracle Bride

2007

BLAKE, Connor, Sam, Darcy, Dominic and Nikolai. And Pierce. Her self-contained sons.

Ruby looked along the long line of men and she sighed. Shed tried so hard, but they didnt get it. The gift in her purse-their combined gift for her seventieth birthday-spoke of failure more than anything else.

But her sons were wonderful, she thought, blinking back tears as she tried to see the happy side of the equation. Each one was making a difference in the world. What a transformation from the waifs shed rescued from so many forms of neglect.

They were listening avidly to the speaker. So should she. The Earl of Loganaich was speaking at the opening of his refuge for disadvantaged children. As the past head of Foster Parents Australia, Ruby had been asked for advice. Shed been overjoyed at the concept. A place where kids could regroup

Advice for Ruby was never enough. Shed talked her boys into contributing, with expertise as well as funds. Theyd agreed without hesitation. Today theyd flown in from round the world, taking time out to share her pleasure. And using the occasion to give her their special birthday gift.

Rubys birthday had been the week before. They hadnt forgotten, theyd told her, but theyd said they knew she hated family gatherings.

But it wasnt Ruby who hated family gatherings, she thought sadly. It was her boys. Her men. They saw emotion and they ran a mile.

The Castle at Dolphin Bay was a family enterprise. On stage now was the Earl of Loganaich and his Lady-Lord Hamish and Lady Susan. With them was their extended family: kids, friends, dogs, the whole domestic muddle. These people had come together to build something they believed in, and the joy of their shared enterprise-plus the joy of belonging to such a close-knit family-shone through.

The earls speech was coming to a close. For the family on the stage it was hugs all round. Ruby looked sadly along her line of grown-up foster sons and there was none of that joy about them.

Todays gift had been as unexpected as it was unwanted-the deeds to a Sydney apartment overlooking one of the most glorious views in the world.

ButAnyone who wants to stay with you for more than a couple of weeks needs our consent, her sons had told her. Were protecting you from yourself. Its time you stopped taking in the strays of the world.

They didnt understand, she thought again sadly, an errant tear slipping down her wrinkled face. Shed fought so hard for all of them, and theyd succeeded, but theyd succeeded on their terms.

She sniffed, trying desperately to focus again on the owners and employees of this extraordinary castle. They seemed so happy. She just knew this place would be successful.

Would her boys ever be successful? On her terms?

Successful in love?

Pierce had seen her tears. He was frowning, reaching across to take her hand. At thirty-six, Pierce was a brilliant architect, lean, craggy, and confident in his dealings with the world. But to Ruby Pierce would always be the starving, ill-used kid shed rescued over and over again.

Pierce more than anyone had contributed to this day, designing the extensions to the castle buildings free of charge so it could more easily accommodate those it was designed to help. She knew Pierce had enjoyed the work, but still he held himself distant.

And where was this baby hed told her about? The things hed told her this morning had left her stunned. Hed been married but now his wife was dead? He was caring for a baby? She hadnt heard any of this until now, and it was only because shed overheard Pierce talking to his foster brothers that hed been forced to tell her.

What is it, Ruby? he asked her now.

Its justIm so confused. I so wanted you to have a proper family.

He gave a rueful smile. I do.

It nearly killed him to admit even that much, Ruby thought. And family? Ha. One baby youre hiring a housekeeper to look after? You wont even let me near.

Its not as if this childs mine, and youve done enough. I cant let you.

But I want to.

No, you dont. Pierce was a professional in charge of his world and she was a frail old lady who didnt know any better. Beloved but past her use-by date. You need to rest.

Ive got all the time in the world to rest, she whispered. But nowall I want is to live.

She looked again along the line of her boys. Her outstanding men.

Not one of them knew how to live, she thought sadly. Not one.

Shed failed.

SHED psyched herself for farm terrors-but not for this.

Shanni steered her car onto the verge, but she didnt drive in the gate. No way.

Shanni wasnt a farm girl-in fact her best friend had burst out laughing when shed divulged her destination. But Jules had grown up on a farm, so shed talked Shanni through what she might face.

Cows will ignore you as long as you dont interfere with their calves. Calves are curious but harmless, and most modern farms employ test tubes instead of bulls. Check if a cow has a dangly bit, and if it does dont go near it. HorsesBig doesnt mean scary. Say boo to a horse and itll take itself off. Most farm dogs are all bluster. Look them in the eye and shout sit. Oh, and watch for cow pats. Theyre murder on stilettos.

So shed left her stilettos at Juless chic Sydney bedsit. Shed rehearsed her sit command and she was ready for anything.

Anything but this.

There were kids sitting on the gate. Multiple kids. One, two, three, four.

They were watching her. Well, why wouldnt they? Shannis car might well be the only car along here in a week. The meandering gravel track followed a creek that came straight from the snow melt. Distant mountains were capped with snow, even though spring was well under way. Undulating paddocks were dotted with vast red gums. The beauty of New South Waless high country was world renowned.

But

The cows looked safely enclosed in paddocks. She couldnt see a horse or a dog. What she saw was far more terrifying. Girl, boy, boy, girl, she decided, running down their ranks. Matching grubby jeans, T-shirts, sensible boots.

Siblings? Maybe, though there was a redhead, a blonde and two brunettes.

Forget the hair. They were sitting on the gate of the farm where shed agreed to work.

Shed stuck her Aunty Rubys letter on the dashboard so she could read the directions. Ignoring the kids-who were clearly waiting for her to do something-she reread it now, holding it like she was handling a scorpion.

Aunty Rubys letter read like she talked-so fast she hardly paused for breath.

Pierce wont let me help him. He was always the sweetest boy. Im sure you thought so, too, and hes had such a bad time. And now this. His wife died six months ago. His wife! He didnt even tell me he was getting married, thats how much he doesnt want to bother me, and now shes dead. And the boys are worrying about him. They say hes falling behind in his work. Hes cutting corners, the boys say, and theres a huge contract hes risking losing. Mind, I think losing a wife makes any other loss irrelevant, but the boys wont talk about that. No one will. They treat me as if Im ancient, not to be bothered.

Anyway dear, I know Michael broke your heart-at least your mother said he did though how you can love a man with a ponytailbut worse, youve lost your sweet little London gallery. If you were thinking about coming homeCould you bear to help with a baby for a few weeks until Pierce gets this contract sorted? Hes been looking for a housekeeper but the boys say hes having trouble. I could gobut of course they wont let me.