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Both brothers spoke at once, making their opinions clear. They didn’t like the idea. They didn’t think she should settle for such an arrangement. She had no reason to pack up and leave.

On and on they went. Annie ignored them, grateful Logan wasn’t there to add to the ruckus.

She finished her tea and pushed to her feet.

“I’d like to get back before dark. Anyone going to help pack things for Grandfather and me?

” She didn’t wait for their answer but left the kitchen, crossed the big dining room and smaller sitting room to Grandfather’s bedroom, pulled out a satchel and began filling it.

Conner followed. “I don’t like this.”

“I think he’d like some of his books. There’s a crate in the closet off the sitting room,” she said.

Still protesting, Conner went to get the box and filled it with books.

If Annie thought that was the end of it, Dawson soon cleared up that notion. “You belong here with the rest of us.”

She didn’t point out that the rest of us had spouses and homes. “I’d like to take Grandfather’s armchair. Do you think you and Conner could load it in the wagon?”

Making a sound of exasperation, Dawson went to do her bidding.

Annie climbed the stairs to her own room.

She paused to look around, an ache the size of a vast desert sucking her heart dry.

This had been her room for as long as she could remember.

She’d spent happy hours here dreaming. No more dreams for her.

She’d cried her share of tears on the bed.

There’d be no more tears, either. She’d stared out the window, searching for something to fill her heart.

A smile smoothed her tension. She’d found what she needed and pulled the sampler from the wall.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21.

The sampler included a stitched house and the date she’d finished making the hanging. March 15, 1887.

She’d been fifteen and struggling to cope with the pain of loss from Ma’s death and the heavy load of responsibilities in trying to take her place. Working the words of the verse had helped her deal with it all. Her treasure was in heaven. In her faith. In God’s love.

She touched the red roses she’d embroidered in front of the needlework house. How many hours had she spent on this project? She’d started it right after Christmas and finished as the trees burst into leaf that spring.

Christmas! It was only four weeks away. If she proved herself, she’d have made a loveless match by then with her own home.

She’d do everything in her power to make the season special for her own family.

Her heart swelled with anticipation, and she smiled as she put the sampler in the bottom of the satchel she’d brought from the hall closet and then opened the wardrobe to choose what to pack.

“You’re sure this is what you want to do?” Kate stood in the doorway, Ellie perched on her hip.

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“Is this because Conner and I moved into the house?”

Annie folded a warm woolen skirt and added it to the contents of the satchel, considering her answer. “You need your own space, but it’s more than that.” Not that she was sure she could put it into words. “It’s time for me to move on.”

Kate continued to look troubled. “But you’re prepared to enter into a loveless marriage if Hugh agrees?”

“Seems to me love is only asking to be hurt. Besides, it’s not that he’s ugly or a criminal or anything.”

Kate chuckled low in her throat. “It sounds like you better be careful if you’re hoping to avoid love.”

Oh, she’d be careful. “We both understand the terms of our agreement.” She kept her attention on her task.

“Which at this point does not include marriage. I have yet to convince him it’s the perfect solution.

” Satisfied she had enough clothing, she glanced around the room and picked up her brush and hand mirror, her Bible, and the picture of Mama and Pa on their wedding day.

She tucked those into her bag. “I’ll get the rest of my things later. ”

“We’ll miss you,” Kate said as they descended the stairs.

Annie encountered her brothers as she made her way to the outer door.

“You’re sure about this?” Conner asked. Dawson hung over his shoulder, silently echoing the question.

“There’s only one reason to get married,” Dawson said.

Conner nodded. “If you love the person so much you can’t imagine life without him or her.”

The two of them silently challenged her.

“This is my chance to pursue the life I want.”

They backed down in the face of her determination.

“I’ll take you to town,” Conner said.

Dawson elbowed him aside. “I’m taking her. I’m the oldest, plus you have a wife and baby.” He chucked Ellie under the chin, winning him a giggle.

“You have a wife and a daughter as well,” Conner pointed out.

“Yes, but Mattie is old enough to be of help to Isabelle.”

Annie pushed past them. “You two can stand here arguing all day, but I want to get back before dark.” She hurried to the loaded wagon. By the time she climbed aboard, Dawson joined her and took up the reins. “Guess it helps to be the oldest.”

“It’s got its perks. I wish I could change your mind.”

“Grandfather will worry if I’m not back soon.”

“Fine.” They made the trip to Bella Creek with little conversation. Dawson seemed to have accepted Annie’s decision.

In town, they went directly to the parsonage. Dawson lifted Annie down and hurried her inside to the warm kitchen, where Grandfather and Hugh sat at the table, and little Evan remained huddled in the corner.

Annie had explained about Evan, but Dawson still looked shocked to see the boy in such a state.

“You need a hand with things?” Hugh asked, and at Dawson’s affirmative reply, went out to help carry in Grandfather’s chair and the other things Annie had hastily packed.

The bags were taken to two of the rooms down the hall. The previous preacher had six daughters and two sons, so there were plenty of bedrooms to choose from. Annie chose one close to the kitchen with Grandfather next door. Hugh indicated the second hall where he and Evan slept.

Annie said goodbye to Dawson and then turned to consider the kitchen. Mentally she began planning the evening meal and how to care for Evan.

Hugh returned from waving goodbye to Dawson. “Annie, could I please speak to you in my office?”

At the hard, flat tone of his voice, Annie’s heart sank. Had he changed his mind?