A Change in Heart

by Lilly W.

Chapter 1

Andi grabbed the Fresno Expositor and took a seat in her favorite rocking chair. Her household duties were finished, and her three children were playing together on the floor. She read the first page, and skimmed across the second page. Her eyes immediately hooked onto the ad section. Maybe someone will have a horse to sell. She thought. That’s when she noticed an ad that made her heart skip a beat.

WANTED -- [someone] to ADOPT a male INFANT, four years old. The mother is left a widow, and not able to support him. Apply at the Employment Society, No. 13 Bible House. Ask for William.

Andi read the ad carefully, not once, but twice. Her blue eyes immediately filled with tears. How could anyone not have enough money to support their own child? She pondered. Riley and I would starve before we put an ad in the paper. Her eyes rested upon the three Prescott children. Between Jared, Rebecca, and Michael, Riley and Andrea Prescott were truly blessed.

“What’s wrong, Andi?”

Andi looked up, startled to see her twenty-nine-year-old husband staring right at her.

“Look.” She replied as she handed him the Expositor. He took the paper and read the article.

“That’s sad.” Riley set the paper on the table and turned to the wash basin.

“Riley, do you think we might adopt him?”

Riley spun around, surprised by Andi’s sudden question. “Andi! Are you crazy! We have three kids with a fourth coming in the fall! No!”

Andi sat in silence, shocked by Riley’s tone of voice. The three kids slowly backed out the door.

“I didn’t mean to yell. It’s okay, kids. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He apologized as he set a hand on Andi’s shoulder. “It’s just that Jared is only seven and baby number four is coming soon.” Andi nodded. “Maybe in a few years, Andi, but not at this moment.”

“Okay, Riley.” Andi’s words were soft, and her motherly heart would not forget about this ad anytime soon. While Riley joined the kids, Andi softly tore the ad out of the paper and took in into the bedroom. She stuffed in into her trinket box.

*****

Andi opened her trinket box where she had stuffed the ad several days ago. Her heart longed for this child, even though she already had three children. 

Five, she corrected, remembering Rebecca’s twin sister, Eliza, as well as the baby coming soon. Andi tried not to think about Eliza too much, but her mind wondered off to that terrible day at the Cliff House in San Francisco when Eliza would not wake up. That was a memory Riley and Andi would never forget.

“You looking at that ad again?”

Andi jumped. She thought Riley was outside tending to the horses before bed.

“Yes, I am.” Andi honestly replied.

“You know what I…”

“Yes, I know.” Andi shoved the ad back into the trinket box and set the box on the dresser. Riley left to make sure the kids were asleep. Andi knelt down on the bedside.

“Lord, let Your will be done, not mine. And if it is Your plan, give Riley a change in heart. Amen.” Andi finished her prayer and crawled into bed. Before long, she was sound asleep.

Chapter 2

Before long, the hot July days turned into August days. Because the Prescott’s lived a bit over two hours from town, Andi taught Jared at home, and met with the local schoolmaster on Saturdays.

Rebekah had turned five this year, and Andi decided it would be good to give her a head start in school with simple subjects. But even as her mind was on preparing Jared and Rebekah’s school load, she often thought of the ad and little William. Andi had never seen this child, but her heart was wrapped around him.

*****

“You ready?” It was Sunday evening, and the Prescott family was going to go over to the Circle C ranch for supper.

“Yes, I am ready.” With Riley’s help, Andi climbed into the wagon. Michael was hoisted up by Riley, and the two other kids sat in the wagon bed. Andi enjoyed the hour-long trip to the Circle C.

Nowadays, with three kids, she barely had time to escape, yet alone ride Shasta. Twelve years ago, Andi would have complained about not being able to ride, but now a wagon ride was almost as good as a horse ride. Almost. The fact Michael grew restless within fifteen minutes wasn’t always pleasant.

The Circle C ranch finally rose into the landscape, and they were soon greeted by Joseph, a ranch hand that had taken Diego’s place when he got sick. He took the horses into the barn, and the family walked the path to the door. Everyone loved Sunday evenings. Five out of six of the Carter kids were there, and all the grandkids attended, except Elizabeth and Hannah. Andi knew her mother loved being around her grandchildren.

They started supper at six o’clock. Andi was happy to eat a meal she didn’t have to fix. She lavished the taste of roast beef and homemade rolls. Savoring a meal she didn’t even have to prepare was like heaven to this young mother.  Before she had time to finish her meal, she had to take sleepy Michael upstairs.

As soon as Andi left, Justin broke the quietness. “Andi was being very quiet tonight.” Justin stated after the younger kids left the table. “Is everything alright with her?” Justin shifted his little girl, Anna, from one leg to the other. His other daughter, Grace, sat beside him, on his left side,

“Not everything is okay.” Riley admitted. Then he unfolded the whole story about how Andi had seen an ad in the Expositor.

“That sounds like Andi.” Mitch let out a low whistle. Chad nodded his agreement.

“Yeah.” Riley whispered to himself. “I told her maybe in a few years when Jared and Rebecca are older and can help more.”

“Riley.” Elizabeth Carter looked her son-in-law in the eyes. “Have you prayed about it? Maybe your choice was a bit hasty.”

“You’re right. I didn’t pray about it.” Riley thanked her for her advice. He’d have something to ponder and pray about for the next few days.

Chapter 3

Andi was tired and went to bed early a few days later. Riley took charge of putting the kids to bed, so after reading them a chapter in Matthew, he tucked the threesome into their beds. He returned to the kitchen and kneeled down on a kitchen chair.

“Lord, You know the plans for our future. You are in control of how many children You want to bless us with. Please give me wisdom and guidance on what you want me to do with this situation. Let Your will be done, not ours. In Your name, I pray, amen.”

*****

For the next several days, both Andi and Riley prayed without each other knowing they had been praying. Finally, about two and a half weeks later, Riley wanted to tell Andi something. He waited until the kids had gone outside to play and asked her if she’d listen to what he wanted to tell her.

“I have been praying for a while know, and I think the Lord truly wants us to adopt this William.” Andi’s eyes widened and she burst out into happy tears.

“I have been praying too! I was asking the Lord for ‘His will to be done!’" The look on Andi’s face was priceless. She was so happy. His plans ARE better than our plans. Riley thought.

“Thank you, Lord, for blessing us.” Riley whispered. 

They decided they’d tell their kids immediately. When the kids learned about the news, they were overjoyed. Well, except for Michael. The two-year-old barely understood what was going on.

*****

A few days passed before Riley was able to ask Justin if there was any information they needed to know to make the adoption legal. Justin told them the few rules they had to abide by.

Andi figured out where William was located and immediately contacted the place to ask about William. Riley and Andi took the forty-mile trip and applied for William. The process, of course, would take time, but Andi and Riley were allowed to meet him on their trip there, which Riley could tell blessed Andi. Andi also had lots of concerns about William.

“He looks like he’s malnourished.” Andi whispered.

Riley nodded. There were many children, and probably not enough food for them all. “I wish I had enough money to feed them all!” Riley again nodded, knowing there was nothing he could possibly do to help all these children.

Andi didn’t want to leave that night, but she knew she had no other choice. They had to take the train back to Fresno, and in the morning, they needed to pick up their kids from the Circle C ranch.

Andi was overjoyed to see her children the next day, but every chance she had, she thought of William, and how he was not getting enough food. Every time she noticed her children playing and having full stomachs, she was reminded of William.

Chapter 4

Riley set the pen in the inkwell. Andi looked at Riley, her face showing of nothing else than delight. She held William in her lap while she signed another piece of paper. She kissed William on top of his head.

“I love you.” Andi whispered to her little one.

They arrived in Fresno on September 15. They were met by Justin, who had the Prescott children with him in the back of the wagon. Rebecca was bouncing on the bench she sat on. The train stopped, and Riley helped Andi out before retrieving their luggage.

“Meet your siblings.” Andi told William. She introduced him to his new brothers and sister. Scared and shy, he tried to hide behind Andi’s skirt.

“I love him already!” Rebecca squealed, excited to have another brother. She pulled him from behind Andi and squeezed him into a tight hug. William, frightened by this girl’s hospitality, burst out crying. Andi gently pulled William from Rebecca’s tight hold.

“Now Rebecca, be gentle. He’s been through enough, and frankly I don’t think he’s used to all this attention.” Riley returned with the luggage and picked up William. The shy four-year-old buried his face into Riley’s shoulder. He knew his place of safety.

 “I think he’s tired and needs a bath.” Riley nodded and winked at Andi. Jared and Riley grabbed the luggage, as Justin gave Andi a hand into the wagon.

“Well, I better head back to the cottage. I wanted to make sure your children and buggy would be here precisely. Looks like I accomplished that.” Justin hugged Andi, Rebecca, and his little nephews. He shook hands with Riley and Jared. He gave William a peppermint stick.

“That’s not fair!” Rebecca protested at the sight of the peppermint stick.

“No, that isn’t fair, Uncle Justin.” Jared said in the logical tone.

“Are you sure?” Justin teased before handing the children three more peppermint sticks.

*****

“He’s adorable!” Elizabeth Carter gushed that Sunday at dinner. “I love him already!”

“Me too.” Kate smiled. Not one Carter missed the homecoming Sunday of William James Prescott.

“I think he looks like Michael.” Betsy, (who now goes by Liz) commented.

“You really think so, Liz?” Andi asked.

“Absolutely.”

“I thought he looked like Jared.” Riley stated.

“Maybe he’s the perfect mixture of both boys.” Mother suggested.

“I agree.” Andi said with confidence.

Chapter 5

A month later, the Prescott’s welcomed baby number five into their family. Rebecca was very happy for a sister, whom they named Abigail Rose.

“Horary for a sister!” Rebecca screamed, waking up the baby.

“Rebecca, not so loud please.”

Rebecca immediately clamped her mouth shut.

“This is great!” Jared exclaimed. “I have two brother and two sisters, and the boys still rule!”

Andi sighed. Jared could absolutely not ger over the fact the boys dominated the family. And sometimes Jared got into fights with Rebecca over the fact.

“Young man,” Riley looked at Jared straight into the eye, “you should be thankful the birth went well and you have another sibling. There were many things that could have went wrong.”

“Yes, sir.” Jared replied.

“She’s so cute.” Andi sighed as she admired her newborn baby. Just think of all the fun times we will have together!

“Can I hold her?” Rebecca asked.

“Sit down and you can hold her.”

“Jared! Look at her tiny hands and feet! She looks like one of my dolls!”

“Uh-huh.”

“I think I’m going to call her Abby for short.”

“Uh-huh.” Jared sighed his annoyance. The Prescott family may not always get along together, but they knew that their family would be close and loving.