Page 76

“It was, but no one ever hears me,” she said through sniffles.

“I promise you God hears your prayers. Your wishes might not always come true in the way you wanted, but God has a plan for all of us. Sometimes, He answers your prayer in a better way.”

Colt glanced at Remi, and her body warmed from the inside out. Maybe the heat was coming from Abby. She was wearing multiple layers, and so was Remi.

No, the heat was familiar. Her body had an instinctual response whenever Colt was around, and when he looked at her as if she were an answered prayer, there was no fighting the reaction.

She certainly hadn’t expected their marriage or the happiness she’d found since accepting this path for her life. Even in the beginning, she hadn’t known what would come next. If she’d known this was the life she could have with Colt, would she have married him sooner?

No, they’d come together at the right time–God’s time. If that was true, could she embrace the path God was leading her on?

Colt wiped a tear from Abby’s face. “I bet Miss Stella would love to teach you how to sew, and I know Miss Vera would make you the best blackberry cobbler. I’ll tell you that for free.”

Abby chuckled and wiped her face some more. “I know.” Then her smile fell again. “I miss Mommy.”

Remi pulled Abby close and took deep breaths.Do not cry. Do not cry.

“It’s okay to miss your mommy and daddy. You should miss them. The more we talk about them and remember them, the closer they’ll be to us.”

Abby pulled away. “What do you mean?”

Remi laid a hand on Abby’s chest. “In our hearts.”

“Mommy and Daddy are definitely there,” Abby said.

Ben hugged up to Colt’s side and snuggled close as the wind picked up speed. “It’s cold.”

“Let’s try the creek again another day,” Colt said as he stood. “We can feed the horses if we leave now.”

Abby wiggled out of Remi’s hold. “Horses!”

She took off up the path toward the truck, and Ben followed close behind her, hugging his coat tighter around his neck.

Abby turned around and bounced on her toes, hugging her arms around her middle. “This wind will take your underwear off!”

“Don’t take your underwear off!” Colt shouted.

Abby ran off toward the truck laughing. Ben had passed her, and they wound around a small curve.

“I’m going to die young, and she’ll be the death of me,” Colt said.

Remi leaned close to him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. The warmth of his body next to hers had her inching closer. “You really think this is God’s better plan for us?”

“I know it is. We’re better together. I tried to tell you before, but you wouldn’t listen.”

“What are you talking about?” She wasn’t about to admit she’d been wrong to turn him down years ago, though her own heart was starting to sway that direction. “You’re just glad to have someone to help with the kids.”

Colt stopped and turned her shoulders until she faced him. It had been days since they’d had a chance to talk one-on-one like this, and the tug of actual longing urged her toward him.

Ugh. She’d officially transformed into one of those vapid women who chased men for attention. But there was no denying she wanted Colt’s attention. Now and any other time when the kids were content or sawing logs at the end of a long day.

Colt held tight to her shoulders and leaned in. If he moved just five more inches, they’d be repeating that marital kiss she’d been dreaming about for a month and a half.

“That’s not true at all.” His deep, stern voice reverberated in her chest.

A small crease appeared between Colt’s brows, and the implied frown was unwelcome. Colt wasn’t a frowning man, and she didn’t want to be the reason for his irritation.

Instead of leaning down to her, the grip on her shoulders tightened as he pulled her closer. She rested her hands on his chest but didn’t push away.