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Bless him, Lord.
“You think me mad.” Ensign gave an apologetic chuckle. “’Twas they who intended my death, so why should one risk to save me?”
“I do not think you are mad.” She rested her hand on his arm. “Though one wished you dead, that does not mean they all did.”
“Look!”
The mirthful call of Jacob’s voice brought her head around, and she smiled as he hobbled forward, crutch in one hand, a fish in the other.
“See what I have caught?”
“My goodness.” Hannah hurried to her feet to clutch the boy in an embrace. Grinning wide, she rested her hands on his shoulders. “The second one this week. You have a talent, Jacob, I do believe.”
Joseph stopped beside her, circling his arm around her waist. “Have you ever beheld a catch of this size? And to own the truth, I did not but help him pull it in.”
“I am truly impressed.” She tousled Jacob’s hair. “Why don’t you place it in the basket and tell Uncle Ensign the details of your conquest while I speak with Joseph for a moment.”
Jacob nodded, grinning almost as wide as the fish was long. He stepped closer to the blanket, and Ensign rose, helping the boy onto the ground.
With the fish in place and the two once more seated, Hannah hooked her arm around Joseph’s and tilted her face to him. “Walk with me.”
A playful smile quirked over his lips. “Gladly.”
The hot August air cooled in the shadows beside the water. Hannah led him into the grove and craned her neck to be sure Jacob and Ensign were out of sight.
“Joseph, I—”
His kiss cut off her words. Passionate but tender, his lips covered hers, and she answered his want with her own. Smoothing her hands up his firm chest, she skimmed her fingers over his smooth jaw and lifted on her toes, pressing harder against him before she pulled away, her news too eager to
be revealed.
She laughed spritely. “Can you not wait until we return home?”
He shook his head, eyes hooded. “I cannot.”
He descended again, and she stopped him with a coy look and a finger to his lips before painting the worried look over her expression as she’d practiced. “There is something I must tell you.”
The slight backward jerk of his head and pinch in his brow spoke before his voice did. “Something is wrong.”
“I…” She dropped her hands and tilted her head, hoping to lure him further. “I haven’t mentioned this for fear of worrying you, but I have been feeling quite peaked of late.”
Joseph’s features slackened, and his eyes trailed her face, as if searching for signs of her ailment. “What do you mean? You are ill?”
Such an effort it took not to smile. Hannah cleared her throat and looked down for fear her joy would spill over her face and he would discern her secret before she was ready. She studied her fingers. “I haven’t been able to eat as well as before and—”
“I had noticed.”
She couldn’t help but look up. “You had?”
He nodded, concern darkening his eyes. “Aye, but I thought perhaps ’twas—” He stopped himself and shook his head. “We must call for a doctor right away.”
That smile inched upward, and she tried fruitlessly to stop its growth. Marrying her gaze with his, she allowed it to bloom in full. “I do not think we need one just yet.”
“Of course we do. I won’t let you…” His words stilled, and his eyes rounded, while his mouth hung open. He stuttered. “You are…do you mean you are…”
“Aye.” Her heart nearly burst from happiness. “You are to be a father. Again.”
His breath went airy. “You are in earnest?”
