The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

SECTION XIX - Family 48

CHAPTER 48

"Em," Stuart smiled, ignoring the jab, "I have a surprise for you."

Freddie tried to cover his laugh with a cough and caught a side glare from Stuart.

"So, you said in your very newsy letter." Em's voice dripped with sarcasm as he rolled her eyes.

Stuart held out his hand.

Em arched an eyebrow as a beautiful, compact blonde stepped forward, aided by an adorable little girl with the biggest brown eyes Em had ever seen.

Em's other eyebrow lifted a when the blond took Stuart's hand and stepped to his side. Em's eyes rounded as Stuart slipped his arm around the woman's shoulders

Could it be? The look of fondness between them is unmistakable.

The little girl stood before them, the woman's hand on one shoulder and Stuart's on the other.

They look like a perfect happy little family. I wonder why he never mentioned them...

"Em," Stuart smiled at his sister, "I want you to meet my family. This is my wife, Summer and my daughter Autumn."

Em's mouth fell open and she stood a moment, not moving or breathing. For the first time in a very long while, she was absolutely speechless.

Freddie stepped up behind and rested his palm on the small of her back in case she swooned.

"It's very nice to meet you." The little girl said with a smile and a curtsey.

That seemed to break the spell that fell over her and Em was suddenly very touched. Her legs felt a little wobbly so she dropped to her knees and held out her arms. This was more wonderful than anything she imagined when Stuart said he had a surprise. Surprise indeed!

"I'm your auntie and you may call me Em if you like." She beamed as the child stepped into her embrace. "I am very pleased to meet you too!"

Looking up through tearful eyes, she gave Stuart her warmest smile and held a hand out to Summer.

"I am so glad to meet you, Summer." Em said, still holding onto Autumn, but not trusting her legs enough to stand just yet. "I'm so glad my brother found his someone special."

"I'm very glad of it too." Summer smiled and took Em's hand, squeezing in a gentle gesture of acceptance.

"I hope that we shall be friends as well as sisters." Em wished.

"I would like that as well." Summer smiled.

"I am sure you have observed that my brother is terrible at letters. I admit I am quite surprised indeed. He never mentioned a word to me in any of his letters about either of you. I have so many questions..."

Autumn tapped Em on the shoulder to get her attention.

"I have a new cousin." Autumn announced.

"That's right!" Summer smiled. "A very new cousin. My brother owns this ranch and he's recently married with a new baby. I haven't met his family yet, but—"

"Oh! But they're here with me!" Em smiled and accepted Freddie's hand as she got to her feet and brushed off her skirts. "I came with Mrs. Marston and that adorable little baby. And there's one of Mr. Marston's ranch hands too, oh! And Mrs. McClintock sent some hands from her ranch to help too."

"You know Mrs. McClintock?" Stuart and Freddie exchanged looks before Freddie waved Quin over.

"Yes, I told you in my letter I was going to help one of the ranchers with her family in Lincoln for a spell."