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"And I cried when we had to go in," Prudence added.
"Then you will enjoy the winters here." Zac sent a sly wink to Prudence and added, "We can play in the snow together."
She grinned at his suggestiveness and hid her doubts. Would she be here this winter, or would she find herself returning to Boston?
Talk went on around her while she remained lost in her thoughts. Zac had declared his love for her often and with much insistence. She could almost believe he meant it. Yet there was that little nagging doubt that tormented her. Why? Why couldn't she just shove it aside and accept his word? Why couldn't she speak openly to him of her love?
"When do you think you'll be leaving?" Zac asked, snapping Prudence out of her musings.
"Two, three weeks," James answered. "I want to set things up here before I go. This way, the bank will be almost ready to open when I return."
"Which will be?" Zac questioned.
James shrugged his shoulders. "Probably not until the fall."
Lenore placed her hand on James's arm. "You must not wait too long to return. Once the snow starts, the journey will be difficult."
He patted her hand in reassurance. "We’ll be back before then. I know how much you want to be here for Bertha's wedding."
"But I'm not going with you," Lenore said, surprised.
"Of course you are," James corrected. "We've wasted enough years. I refuse to waste any more."
"James," Lenore said patiently, "my skin has darkened some from my many outside activities. My looks betray my heritage now. I don't wish to bring shame to your family name. And besides, many believe me dead."
James took her hand in his. It was important she return with him. It would erase all doubts that his love for her was anything but complete and without qualification.
"You bring me no shame. I love you and want the world to know it. You will return to Boston with me. Let people believe they're seeing a ghost." He squeezed her hand and cast a wide smile. "It will be our second honeymoon."
Lenore leaned over and placed a delicate kiss on his cheek. "I look forward to it as much as I did our first."
Prudence was happy to see her parents' relationship on the mend. "I'm glad you've decided to establish a Winthrop Bank here, Father. It will help bring more families to Stewart."
"I was thinking the same thing myself," he said proudly.
"Let me know exactly when it is you'll be leaving so I can be ready," Prudence said, thinking it was best to go away at least for a while.
Three pairs of eyes turned on her.
"You're not going anywhere," Zac said, his statement sounding nonnegotiable.
"I think it best if I —"
"Run away," he finished.
"I'm not running away," she insisted. "I thought, perhaps, time alone would help us to—"
"What? Feel frustrated and lonely?" he demanded. "I repeat… you're not going anywhere."
Prudence didn't like his dictatorial attitude. "I'll go where I want."
"The hell you will!"
"Zac, your language —"
"—Will get worse if you don't stop this damn nonsense."
Prudence stood. "You can't tell me what to do."
Zac stood up, almost tumbling the rocker off its gliders. "The hell I can't. I'm your husband."
Prudence jammed her hands on her hips. "What difference does that make?" she asked sarcastically.
James cleared his throat to remind the warring couple of his and Lenore's presence. "Lenore and I will see you later," he said, and they both stood to leave.
"No!" Zac yelled. "Stay and enjoy the pleasure of the late afternoon sun. This confrontation has been a long time coming and it's about time it was settled." He grabbed Prudence by the hand.
"I'm not going any—"
Zac placed his finger over her lips, shutting off her objection. "Fight me on this, and I'll haul you over my shoulder like I've done before and cart you off."
"You wouldn't—"
"You know damn well I will," he warned his tone dangerously low.
Prudence stiffened and held her head high. "Mother, Father, please excuse us," she said in her proper Bostonian accent.
Zac shook his head and mumbled beneath his breath, before yanking her by the hand and practically dragging her into the house.
James leaned over to his wife. "Did I hear him correctly?"
"What is it you think you heard?"
He shook his head again as though it didn't make sense. "Little, stubborn, commanding giants."
Lenore agreed with a nod. "Yes, I heard that, too, and I’m sure Zac is right. Their children will be as he described."
They both smiled shook their heads and decided to take a walk to the corral to see the foal and his mother. The raised voices inside the house made it impossible to enjoy the afternoon sun on the porch.
Zac slammed the study door, rattling the books and prints on the shelves and walls. "I've had enough, Prudence."
"So have I," she said, and yanked her hand free to walk a safe distance away from him.
