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“No one has done it better than you.”
“Gage has been takin’ care of the outside for ages now. Uses a tractor to keep the grass low and does repairs on the place. Tabitha hired a woman to clean every week. There’s so much left to do and I feeluseless, Rowan.” She held up her hand and the evidence of arthritis was clear. “Can barely do my needlepoint anymore. How am I gonna help these girls?”
“With a team, Miss Jeffries. That’s how. You’re going to tell them what to do, how to do it, and you’ll supervise.” She smiled. “You like the women Bennett sent a few times?” Miss Jeffries nodded. “I’ll make them a full-time offer.”
“I’m not ready to stop, Rowan. I’m not ready. My mind is still good...it’s the body breakin’ down that’s shovin’ my train off the rails.”
“Easy enough to fix.” She bent and kissed Miss Jeffries’ temple. “Let me sit with Mary-Margaret and make a plan. You’ll have control over everything. Alright?” After a sigh, the elderly woman nodded. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m okay. Layin’ here watchin’ daytime television. Worst invention ever made, I think. Lord.”
Rowan laughed. “I’ll check on you in a little while then.” Leaning close, she whispered, “I’m pregnant, Miss Jeffries. I wanted to wait to tell you to make sure nothing happened.”
Tears slipped over Miss Jeffries’ soft cheeks. “What abeautifulgift your Bennett gave you before he died, honey. I’m so happy for you. I sure am.” Patting Rowan’s hand, she said, “You go on now. I’m gonna have a little chat with the Lord. Thank him for lookin’ out.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She stood and straightened the light blanket as Miss Jeffries folded her hands on her chest. At the door, she paused and said, “You have one of the purest souls I’ve ever known, Miss Jeffries. Don’t you worry about anything.”
“It’s good to have you here, honey. You lifted the worry from my heart.”
Returning to the front porch, Rowan stared at the new house tucked among the trees of what was once Chambers land.
Lost in thought for several minutes, she was pulled from it by a truck turning into the yard. Gage dropped to the ground and opened the driver’s door to the backseat.
Rowan’s mouth fell open in shock as he came around the front of the truck with two little blonde girls holding his hands. They looked about three and chattered a mile a minute with suckers in their free hands: twin sisters who were absolutelyadorable.
Pausing at the base of the stairs, he looked up at Rowan.
As if he could read her mind, he said, “They’re not mine.” The sense ofreliefshe felt was infuriating. “These are two of Miss Jeffries’ girls - the only ones right now. My cow was havin’ her calf and I wanted them to see it.”
“I-I didn’t think they were yours. Not that it would be unusual for you to have children, Gage.” Sitting on the steps, she smiled at the sisters. “Hello. My name is Rowan.”
Pulling from Gage’s grip, the twins stepped up and put their hands on Rowan’s knees. They talked back and forth.
“I’m Ava…”
“I’m Emma…”
“You’re pretty.”
“I like your hair.”
“Your eyes, too.”
“Do you like lollipops?”
“Thank you very much. I think you’re both very pretty and have lovely golden hair. Your eyes remind me of my best friend and I happen tolovelollipops.”
“Gage, can Rowan have a lollipop?”
“She likes them so she should have one.”
Reaching into the pocket of his button-down shirt, Gage removed a sucker and held it out to Rowan. “Purple. Your favorite, I think.”
“Yes, it is. Thank you.” Returning her attention to the girls, she said, “Did you like the calf?”
“It was so little.”
“And yucky at first.”
