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Her deference to his wishes did something unfamiliar to his insides. Not because she was acknowledging him as head of the house—that didn’t concern him overly much—but because it made him feel like he mattered. His opinion mattered like she valued him.

“I’ll take you.” He’d gladly take her wherever she wanted to go so long as she wanted him to. And when she didn’t?

He wouldn’t answer that question. Not today.

Her gaze shifted to Evan. “We can’t go unless Evan wants to go.

” She knelt before his son, who stood at the corner of the table watching the proceedings closely.

She covered his hand, where it rested on the tabletop.

“Evan, honey, do you want to go see where I used to live? The house that Grandfather built? Jeannie will be there, as well as all the other children you’ve met.

” She paused, letting him take it all in.

“You wouldn’t have to play with any of them if you don’t want to. ”

He studied her for a long moment. Then he lifted his free hand and touched her cheek, a gesture so tender that Hugh’s eyes stung. He could see the longing in Evan’s eyes to please Annie. His son gave the slightest nod and then pointed at Happy.

“I’ll ask.” She turned to Conner. “Can he bring his dog?”

Conner nodded. “So long as he doesn’t chase the livestock.”

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t,” Hugh promised. He’d been to the Marshall Five Ranch a number of times, but this would be unlike that. He’d be seeing it through Annie’s eyes. Seeing Annie differently.

Annie rose. “Then we accept your gracious invitation.”

Dawson and Conner looked pleased with themselves, and then they herded their families out the door.

Hugh realized that he watched Annie with a bemused smile and turned away. “I’ll go arrange a ride.”

A few minutes later, he returned with the rented buggy, and they were on their way.

On the trip out, Annie and Grandfather relayed stories of life on the ranch, and Hugh was happy to sit and listen; Evan pressed between him and Annie on the front seat.

Grandfather sat in the back, wrapped in warm furs.

Annie was so excited he figured the only reason she didn’t jump from the buggy as soon as they rolled up in front of the house was she needed help getting down.

He took her hand and guided her to the ground.

She smiled up at him, and time stopped. He was back at church, feeling again the rush of pleasure as she entered with Evan at her side.

His words took on added meaning as he spoke almost exclusively to her, though he prayed the words would encourage each of those who listened.

Fear is not trust. Blessed is he who trusts the Lord.

Seeing her listening so raptly to his sermon, he knew he wanted her to stop fearing life and its risk and trust God for her future. It was selfish to think of himself as part of that picture. As he’d said from that very first day, she deserved better. But he could not pray she would find it.

Evan tried to scramble down, and Hugh was jerked back to the present moment. He let Annie hurry by to greet her brothers and sisters-in-law and hug her nieces and nephews. He lifted Evan to the ground, set Happy beside him, and then assisted Grandfather to the door.

Happy followed Evan indoors, clinging to his side. Evan grasped the dog’s ruff.

Annie looked at the pair and then brought her gaze to Hugh. “The pup understands that Evan needs him for courage.”

He nodded and smiled, though he longed to express his emotions in far more appropriate ways. A hug. A kiss. A shout of joy. His son was showing progress toward becoming a normal little boy, and Hugh had a beautiful young woman at his side. Could he ask for anything more?

Thankfully, they were ushered indoors, and his foolish thoughts subsided. The women went to the kitchen, and the men retired to the parlor. The children played in groups.

Evan and Happy stayed close to Hugh.

“You got me another chair.” Grandfather headed for the comfortable-looking armchair near the round-bellied stove. The others found seats.

Grandfather looked around. “So, how have you been managing without me?”

Dawson drew his hand down his chin. “Grandfather, the place has fallen into rack and ruin. Why Conner can’t seem to tear himself away from the house, and Logan spends most of his days in town.” Conner groaned, and Logan snorted.

Dawson continued. “The work has fallen entirely on my shoulders.” He sighed dramatically. “It’s just too much.”

Conner and Logan both spoke at once. Something about Dawson’s share of the work was the only part that suffered, and that was mostly because he managed to find a thousand excuses for running back to his house.

Grandfather held up his hand. “In other words, things are about the same as when I left. Good to know.”

The brothers laughed.

Conner pulled something from the nearby desk. “A letter from Pa.” He handed it to his grandfather.

The older man opened it eagerly and read it. “He’s seen enough of the ocean and is coming home. Says he’ll be here for Christmas.” He sat back with a contented look on his face.

The sound of an approaching wagon drew Hugh’s attention to the window, but he couldn’t see the road from where he sat.

“It will be the Morrisons,” Dawson said. “They often join us. Carly will be pleased to see Annie.”

Carly and Annie. Two wild young women. Hugh tried not to remember.

Mr. Morrison came to the parlor. “I see everybody survived the storm.” He spoke with a strong Scottish accent as if he made all the sounds in the back of his mouth. Hugh found it rather musical to listen to though, at times, also hard to understand.

The ladies trooped into the dining room bearing serving dishes and called the men and children to the table.

Hugh ended up sitting with Evan between him and Annie. Young Beth, who was Logan’s adopted daughter, was on his other side. The table was crowded with the large and rapidly expanding family and yet it didn’t feel the least bit awkward to be included in the family meal.

Conner, as the current resident of the house, asked Grandfather to pray.

As soon as the amen was spoken, the noise level grew as food was passed around the table, and news was shared. Baby Ellie cried, and Kate took her upstairs. She returned a few minutes later.

“The little darling is sound asleep. Sundays are hard on her.” She blushed. “Sorry, Hugh. No offense, but the little ones don’t like to wait for their meals or their naps.”

Hugh chuckled. “I expect there are many adults who feel the same.” He wouldn’t mention the few he noticed drowsing off during the sermon.

He no longer took it personally, knowing that some of these individuals worked long hard hours, and the mere fact of sitting still often allowed their fatigue to take over.

After a few minutes of general discussion, Logan faced Annie across the table. “Annie, are you happy living in town?”

Hugh held his breath—felt Evan’s tension.

“I’m happy looking after Evan.” She wrapped her arm around Evan.

Hugh pulled in a breath, wondering if Evan would explode, but he sat quietly, and Hugh eased the air from his lungs.

“And Hugh.” Annie brushed his shoulder and smiled at him.

Each of her brothers looked at their wives.

Hugh could feel their concern, but he couldn’t turn from her look of tenderness.

As if she truly cared about him as a man.

Evan shifted, enabling Hugh to break free of Annie’s gaze to stare at his plate.

He knew he shouldn’t wish for the kind of caring he thought he saw. The longing was there, nevertheless.

Shortly after that, they finished the meal, and the women took the food and dishes to the kitchen.

Hugh would have liked to eavesdrop on them as there was lots of laughter.

Besides it being beneath his dignity, the men sat around the table discussing the weather and various other topics.

They asked him how things were in town. He was happy to report that, as far as he could tell, everyone had survived the storm. “Even the Barrets made it through.”

A bit later, Annie and Carly poked their heads into the dining room. “We’re headed outside. We’ll be back shortly.”

Grandfather and Mr. Morrison waved them away, but Hugh wanted to call Annie back.

She and Carly looked at each other in a way that seemed to say they had special plans that didn’t include himself or Evan.

She was young and full of life. Her eyes danced with anticipation.

Did she ever look so free and happy at the manse?

He could not live with himself if he stole that from her.

How would he manage without her? More importantly, how would Evan?

The other children had scattered to play but Evan and Happy stayed by Hugh’s side. He had stopped praying for God to send a suitable woman, but he needed to start again. He’d do that next time he was in his office.

By the time the girls returned, their cheeks rosy from the cold and a glow of happiness on their faces, it was time to return to town.

All the way back, Hugh tried to convince himself he needed someone else. Wanted someone else. Why was it so hard to believe it?