“Goodness, no. I enjoy every minute of it.” She hoped Zach was listening and taking the words to heart.
“That’s wonderful to hear. Isn’t it, Zach?”
“Indeed.”
Well, he might have sounded happier about it.
“I heard you had a letter from theMatrimonial News.No more correspondence?” She patted Amelia’s hand as if to suggest kindliness had her aware of Amelia’s private business, a gesture that did nothing to ease Amelia’s shock at hearing the woman’s interest.
Her husband moved to greet them in time to hear his wife’s question. “The mail is private.” His words carried his own shock.
“It’s a small town.” But at her husband’s frown, she sighed and turned around. Then she glanced over her shoulder at Amelia. “Seems to me if a man was interested, he would write back posthaste.”
Mr. Stone gripped her elbow and led her to the front.
Zach leaned close to whisper. “That is so unlike Mrs. Stone. She’s the last person I’d ever expect to put her nose into someone else’s business.”
Amelia nodded, grateful there was no need to answer as they were in church and others were taking their seats. But she couldn’t think past the woman’s words. What if Jacob Wells had found something in her letters that he didn’t like? What ifhe didn’t want to pursue correspondence with her? What would happen to her and Poppy?
A bubble of anticipation pressed against her ribs. Wouldn’t Zach then have to keep her?
The bubble burst. She didn’t want someone to “have to keep her.”
What did she want?
Security for Poppy, though the argument felt watery and weak. Buried deep in her heart, covered with many protective layers, lived the desire for love. Love such as she’d known with her parents. Even more, the kind of love she’d seen exhibited between them. So many times she’d watched Ma’s face glow as if lit by an inner candle, and it was always when Pa entered a room. Just as many times, she observed Pa’s warm smile as he leaned over to give Ma a quick kiss. Amelia had been secure in their love for each other.
That was what she wanted to give Poppy. Could she give security without love?
Or would she learn to love Jacob? He sounded like a decent man. A farmer like her father.
To divert herself, she surveyed others in the sanctuary. She’d mentioned to Zach how pleased she was to see some couples and two with young children. It spoke well for a growing community. Zach said all four of the wives she mentioned had come in on the stagecoach seeking a groom, which made her choke back a giggle before she said, “Maybe they should call it ‘the stagecoach to wedded bliss.’”
Pastor Stone rose, bringing her attention back to the present. The pastor welcomed everyone and announced the first hymn. Amelia shared a hymnal with Zach. Pa sat between them with Poppy and Kat on Amelia’s other side. She loved singing with Zach. Their voices blended perfectly.
He smiled at her as if he enjoyed singing together as much as she.
Hardly reason enough for him to ask her to stay.
She kept her focus on the hymnal for the next three songs and straight ahead to the preacher as he opened his Bible.
“Over and over, the great men of God we read about here”—he tapped his Bible—“faced great trials. Often, they failed to do what they should. They did foolish things. But through it all, they learned that God is faithful.” As he delivered the rest of his message, Amelia breathed in encouragement to face her own challenges. Wherever He led, she would trust Him.
They didn’t linger after the service, knowing Pa needed to be home in his familiar surroundings.
It was easy to be committed to the words from the pulpit the rest of Sunday as Zach stayed near the house playing with Poppy and Kat. Amelia saw how Kat enjoyed attention from her big brother. Other times, Zach sat beside his pa and talked about the cows. Occasionally, Pa followed the conversation and made wise comments. But he didn’t seem to comprehend most of what was said.
They were seated around the table for supper when Gil rode in, singing loudly, his condition apparent in his slurred words.
Kat and Poppy wore tight expressions.
“It’s all right,” Zach said. “He’ll go to the bunkhouse.”
Gil wouldn’t make breakfast the next morning, which suited Amelia fine. She loved cooking for the family and had done so since she’d arrived, though Gil helped when he was able. It was a pleasure she would grasp as often as she could in the remaining days.
A spasm gripped her stomach. One that had nothing to do with anything she’d eaten.
When she rose Monday morning,she smelled coffee and hurried down the stairs, leaving Poppy asleep. The child knew enough to come down on her own when she awakened.
