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Lucy smiled then glanced down at her notes. “And the last thing on the agenda, ladies. There’s a new marshal in town, as you may know. Devlin Goodrich. I’m sure most of you have met him. He has a daughter, Avery, whom Tresia is taking care of.”

Tresia’s face grew warm as everyone turned to her, chatting and laughing among themselves, giving her big smiles, as they all knew of Lucy’s penchant for matchmaking. Some of those around the table had availed themselves of her services…and were quite happy with the outcome.

“Let’s make them both feel welcome. And that’s it. Meeting adjourned. Let’s eat. I’ve set up little tables outside for the children.”

Later that evening, after the dinner leftovers were put away, the dishes were done, Avery had already had her bath and Devlin was putting her to bed, Tresia took two big coffee mugs from the cabinet and placed them on the table.

She couldn’t help smiling as she listened to the murmuring of their conversation, interspersed with Avery’s laughter coming down the stairs, followed by Devlin’s deep rumbling laughter as he responded in kind.

Avery hadn’t stopped talking about playing with all the children at Lucy’s house.

Tresia took the coffeepot from the stove and placed it on the trivet in the middle of the table, looking forward to spending a little time with the marshal for their nightly ritual, which she enjoyed much more than she should.

She removed her apron and hung it on the hook in the pantry then turned to see Devlin standing in the doorway to the kitchen. “Oh, Devlin! I didn’t see you there.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

She studied his face, his eyes most especially. They were warm and filled with…was that concern? “What is it, Devlin? Have I done something wrong?”

“No, not at all.” He entered the kitchen but didn’t sit. “Avery was telling me how much fun she had at Lucy’s house with all the kids as well as the other ladies, especially Tia Evie, and I just wanted to thank you.”

Startled by his comment, she just stood there, feeling the warmth of the compliment ripple through her. “Thank me? For what?”

“For what you’ve done for her.”

“I really haven’t done anything.” She poured a cup of coffee for him and slid it across the table then poured one for herself and took her seat.

“Yes, you have. You’ve worked miracles with her.” He pulled out his chair and slid into it. “She’s become a regular little chatterbox again. And she laughs all the time now. She isn’t the same little girl that walked out of her grandmother’s house with me. And that’s your doing.”

“I just talked to her, asked her questions to get her to answer.”

“Well, it’s worked and I’m grateful. I accepted the marshal’s position here in Serenity because I had hoped it would be good for her.

And it has been. You’re good for her. I’ve never seen her take to someone as quickly as she took to you.

She feels—” He paused, then shrugged. “—loved I guess would be the best way to say it.”

“I’m glad. She’s a wonderful little girl. She should feel loved.”

His warm gaze swept over her, touching her in a way she hadn’t been touched by a look in a long time. There was gratitude in his blue-gray eyes, but that wasn’t all, though she couldn’t define what it was she saw. Interest? Fondness? Perhaps.

And she shouldn’t be looking for those things.

She had a plan she was working toward…and it didn’t involve falling in love with Marshal Devlin Goodrich.

As she looked at his handsome face and soulful eyes, she realized it might be just too late.

She was already falling in love with him, little by little, slowly every day.

She had to put a stop to the growing feelings she had for him.

She forced herself to look away and concentrated on the coffee in her cup until he spoke, drawing her attention.

“I didn’t realize what leaving Avery with Frances would do to her.

I thought I was doing the right thing,” he confessed and the pain in his voice struck her heart.

“After I finally found and brought Big Bill Cassidy in for his crimes, my first and only thought was to see Avery.” His eyes darted from his coffee cup to the clock over the sink to the ice box, then finally on her once again.

“She was so quiet when I first saw her again, like she was afraid if she spoke she’d get in trouble.

She doesn’t talk about that time with Frances, except what she said to you about Frances being mean and cutting her hair.

” He fiddled with the spoon beside his coffee cup.

“Do you think she’ll forgive me? I was away from her longer than I should have been. ”

“Have you asked her?”

He stiffened, perhaps startled by her question. “Asked her? No, I haven’t. We don’t talk about that time at all.”

“You should. Tell her how you feel, how sorry you are for having been away from her for so long. Ask her about Frances. She’s a smart little girl, and as you’ve noticed, she doesn’t seem to be afraid to talk or laugh or even become angry and frustrated anymore.

She loves you, Devlin. She’ll forgive you, if you tell her you’re sorry.

I suspect she has already forgiven you, if she ever blamed you, which I doubt. ”

He visibly relaxed, his muscles no longer tense, the ridge of worry lines on his forehead disappearing. A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Thank you. Again.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Devlin. I haven’t really done anything anyone else would have done.”

“You listened, Tresia.” He paused, as if searching for the words then said, “You didn’t judge.” His smile widened. “You’ve been very kind. And understanding.”

Tresia laughed. She couldn’t help herself. “I have a temper. You just haven’t seen it yet.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“You should. Brett always said my temper was a sight to behold.” She drank the rest of her coffee.

“I try very hard not to show it. I believe in kindness, even to those who don’t deserve it.

They’re the ones who need it the most.” She studied him, her gaze roaming over his handsome face.

“But I will admit that I would have a very hard time being kind to Avery’s grandmother.

I also have a hard time being nice to Arnold and Willetta, as neither one of them respond with anything other than meanness. I still try though.”

She rose from her seat and brought her coffee cup to the sink to rinse out and took her drawstring purse from the spindle of the chair where she always kept it.

“Speaking of them, I should head home. I picked up the books from Sullivan’s on my way home from Lucy’s and dropped them off in my room at the boarding house.

They’re a mess, the same as they were the week before when I fixed them.

” She didn’t mention that knowing the books were a mess disappointed her yet thrilled her at the same time.

Sullivan’s hadn’t made a profit since she quit.

It was just a matter of time before Arnold might be willing to sell.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Devlin. Good night. ”

“Good night, Tresia. I’m very glad you’re here.”

“Thank you.” She paused at the back door and added, “I am, too.”