Zach stepped into the room in time to hear Gil’s comment and chuckled. “Gil, don’t be embarrassing Amelia even though it’s true. How’s breakfast coming?”
“It’s ready, Boss.” Gil scurried back to the stove.
Did Zach object to Gil’s comment? His smile said otherwise, and self-conscious heat stung her cheeks. Of course, Gil had no way of knowing Poppy wasn’t her daughter, but to have both of them suggest the baby would grow up to be beautiful—like her—left her speechless and befuddled. She wasn’t used to that sort of comment.
Pa followed Zach into the house, diverting her from her thoughts. Joy shone from his eyes when he saw Poppy. “How’s the little gal this morning?”
“Down,” Poppy said.
Amelia put her on the floor.
The little girl went to Pa. “Gampa.”
“Hi.” Hand in hand, the pair walked to the table and sat, their hands folded on the tabletop as they waited for their breakfast.
Zach laughed. “Guess who’s hungry?”
Grinning, Amelia met his gaze. Something flickered in his eyes. A slow, sweet smile drew up the corners of his mouth.
Was he seeing her, really seeing her? Perhaps finding something he liked? Without Debra for comparison, did he see a desirable young woman?
She mocked her thoughts.
She’d settle for being seen as useful.
“Better call your sister,” Gil said.
Zach went to the stairs and hollered, “Kat, get down here.”
When he returned to stand next to her, Amelia told herself not to let it mean anything. She happened to be in a spotthat was convenient for him. Pushing her errant thoughts into submission, she nudged him and pointed toward the pair at the table. Both had big eyes, startled expressions, and hands clutched together. “I think you scared them.”
“Never meant to. I’ll have to be more careful in the future.”
He needed to realize and understand the impact of something. “Your pa and Poppy have already formed a special relationship.” She couldn’t keep the displeasure out of her voice. “It’s going to hurt her when we leave. She’s already lost so much.”
“It’s going to hurt Pa too, and he’s lost so much. Losing his mind is probably the hardest.”
At least he was sympathetic. Though if whoever wrote those letters portrayed him accurately, she could expect that. “I don’t see any way to protect them.”
He crossed his arms and studied the pair. “I don’t either.”
She shrugged. “Then we’ll make the best of it.”
“Right. And deal with the end when it comes.”
Frustrated and yet somehow comforted by his casual acceptance, Amelia helped Gil serve the meal despite his protests.
Kat clattered down the stairs, her hair unbrushed and her clothes wrinkled as if she’d slept in them. Like a cowboy would, no doubt, she plunked down across from her pa and Poppy.
They all sat down, Gil too at Zach’s insistence, Gil by Kat, and Amelia across from Zach. The table was square, so she didn’t feel she had taken over the position of a wife.
Amelia folded her hands on her lap. Grandmother always asked a blessing before meals, and before that, her pa. She’d prayed with Poppy when it was the two of them. She waited. From the letters she’d received, she understood Zach had reluctantly taken his pa’s place as head of the house.
It pains me to do so. I want the pa who was strong and sure of himself to come back. I understand it isn’t going to happen, but I still long for it.
Zach turned to his pa. “Would you like to say the grace?”
Pa’s face brightened. “Can I?”
