His blond hair had darkened a shade or two in the years he’d been away. But his blue eyes were still as captivating as ever.
“Joshua.” As soon as his name left her lips, she could feel the heat rising up her neck into her face.
Who was she kidding, thinking she was over him?
As sure as her dad loved digging in the dirt, Joshua Ziegler still held her heart.
eight
“I have every day my feelings of deep regret and sorrow and fears for the future, wounded pride and longing for what is not.”
~Earl Douglass
“I’ll bring you to Dad.” The awkward welcome was over, now Anna needed to pull herself together and get over the fact that Joshua Ziegler was in her home once again.
“Thank you. It will be good to see him.” He fidgeted with his hat.
She turned to Louise. “I’m sorry, I know you have a lot to do, but would you mind bringing us some coffee?” She needed something in her hands.
“Of course, Miss Lakeman.”
Anna nodded toward Joshua and walked down the hall to her father’s bedroom. “Dad?” She stepped close and touched his shoulder. “You have a visitor. Joshua is here.”
He’d slept a lot the past two days. Hopefully he would wake up at the mention of Joshua’s name. Sure enough, his eyes opened and he blinked. When he caught sight of Joshua, he smiled “Josh...”
“It’s good to see you, sir.” Her old beau edged his way closer on the other side of the bed. Leaning over, he gave her father a hug.
The sight of the two of them together again did things to her heart, but she couldn’t count on the swell of joy to last. Swallowing back the bitter taste of that last thought, she studied her father. At least this had made him happy.
“I’ll go help Louise with the coffee.” She took off out of the room as if her dress was on fire. If she didn’t get this turmoil inside her under control, she’d never make it through the afternoon, and she needed her wits about her for when the lawyer came.
In the kitchen, she forced a smile. “I’m sorry to throw so much on you, Louise.”
“Nonsense. It’s what I’m here to do. I finished the coffee and will bring it straightaway.”
“I can take it in. I mean, I know you have other things ... or ... well, that way you can have a few more moments to yourself. Are you getting settled into your room?” The words weren’t necessary, but her nerves were all over the place.
“Yes, thank you.” Louise handed her the tray with the coffee and cups, a quizzical look on her face.
The girl probably had a dozen questions to ask but kept them to herself. Anna smiled and turned back toward Dad’s room.
With a rapid fill of her lungs to bolster herself, she stepped around the corner and into the room. “Coffee?” She pasted on her best hospitable smile.
She eyed her father with the question first.
He shook his head. “Doc ... doesn’t think ... it’s good for ... my heart.”
Even though his voice was stronger than yesterday, it was odd to hear how many breaths he had to take to speak a simple sentence. She held up a cup to Joshua. “Coffee?”
“Yes, thank you.” He took it and sipped.
She did the same with hers.
Silence reigned as Dad looked from Joshua to her and then back again.
Several more seconds passed, then Dad patted the bed with his right hand. “You two ... need to bury ... the hatchet.”
She almost spewed coffee out of her mouth. “I’m sorry?” Gracious, Joshua had only been there a few minutes.
