LITMIR.BIZ

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had endured over the last two months. “Your mother is only protecting you. Remember the time you thought you were in love with Nathan Taylor? You thought he was so handsome.” They both dissolved into giggles.

      Charlotte tried to catch her breath. “I can’t believe that boy put a frog on my head, and then thought I’d want to eat my lunch with him.”

      “And you had to endure his teasing until the day he moved away.”

      “Five years later! I’ve never been happier to see someone leave town. But I was right about one thing. He was handsome.” Charlotte grew serious. “You’re right though. Momma was looking out for me. She still does.”

      “You are blessed to have a mother who loves you so.”

      The agreement on Charlotte’s face was sincere. “You’re right.” She giggled. “My pa could’ve married a mean old lady after my mother died. I’m so glad he married Momma instead.”

      “God will bring you the right person in His time. Be patient and prayerful. I promise you’ll never be sorry if you wait on the person God has for you.” If only someone had given her that advice. In truth, Rena knew her stubbornness would have prevented her from listening. How she wished she had never met Eugene Rodgers.

      The smile on Charlotte’s face let Rena know that her friend had no inkling of the true situation Rena was in. “Well, I hope He doesn’t wait too long. I’m three months older than you, and you’re already married.”

      Rena spent a few more minutes with her friend, and then made her way to Scott’s office. When she climbed the steps, she could hear Jack Jefferson’s raised voice carrying through the closed door.

      “I don’t know what’s going on here, Braden, but I’ll get to the bottom of it. You act all high-and-mighty, but this town was better off before the likes of you came.”

      Rena reached for the door, but it flew open, and Jack Jefferson stormed out. She stumbled backward.

      Scott was right behind the man and caught her elbows in his strong hands. He helped her gain her balance. “Are you hurt?”

      “No, just startled.” Rena took a step away from him. He was too close.

      “Jefferson, you’d be wise to calm down and take care. I won’t let you bring harm to my wife or anyone else in this town.”

      Jack Jefferson’s only acknowledgment of his words was a raised hand flung outward in indifference.

      “I heard him as I came up the steps.” Rena stared after the man. She lowered her voice. “Was he here because of me?”

      “You know Jefferson well enough to know that he doesn’t need a reason for anything he does. He’s motivated by the anger that rules his heart.”

      She lowered her gaze to his boots. They needed a good brushing, and his pants could do with a good laundering. She had a lot of work to do. “I’m sorry.”

      “It’s not your fault.” He pushed open the door to the office and held it for her to enter. “Will you come sit by the stove and let me finish some work? I won’t be long.”

      Rena sat in a chair on the opposite side of his desk and looked around at the worn furnishings while he made notes in a journal. The two cells on the back wall were empty. The afternoon light spilled into the room through the small barred windows on the back wall.

      “Is there anything I can do for you?”

      He shook his head and held up one finger but did not look up from his work. The pencil in his hand flew across the page in short, deliberate strokes. At the end of the page, he made a forceful dot and swirled the tip of the pencil in a quick signature. “All done.” He closed the journal and locked it in the drawer of his desk. “Let’s go by the livery and get your cow.” He grabbed his hat from the peg near the front window and pushed it onto his head. “I stopped in earlier and Henderson had one for sale.”

      “That’s welcome news.” Rena stepped onto the porch and waited while he locked the door. “Is there anything else we need to do while we’re in town?”

      “No. We can pick up your trunk first, and then we’ll get the cow on our way out of town.”

      The afternoon sun was deep in the sky when they turned down the lane toward their cabin. Everything she would bring from her past into her future was in the trunk that sat in the bed of the wagon. Scott had removed the cow’s bell and tied her so she’d follow along behind them.

      “How are you feeling?” Scott glanced at her as she looked behind them to check on the cow.

      “Tired. It’s been another long day.” She didn’t want to complain, but the fatigue was like none she’d ever known.

      He pulled the wagon in front of the porch and set the brake. She moved to the edge of the seat. “Wait, and I’ll help you down.”

      “Thank you.” She put her hand in his and stepped cautiously out of the wagon. “I’ll figure out a way to do that by myself soon.”

      “No need.” He picked up the cowbell and reattached it to the cow’s harness. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take care of the animals and bring your trunk in later.”

      “I’ll come along, and you can teach me to milk her.”

      He untied the cow from the wagon and stood holding the end of the rope. He studied her with his head tilted to one side. “Okay. You might want to change your clothes first.”

      She looked down at her cream-colored coat. “My other clothes are in the trunk.”

      Scott chuckled. “Let me get this girl settled in the barn, and I’ll drag your trunk into the cabin.”

      “Thank you.” Rena went into her new home and tugged off her coat and gloves. She laid them across her bed and removed her hat.

      She went to stand in front of the mirror that must have been Ann’s. “The learning of new ways starts now, ma’am.” She smoothed the front of her skirt. Her palms stopped in her middle, and her thoughts turned to the child growing inside her. “God, help me. There’s so much to learn.”

      The sound of her trunk scrubbing across the porch caught her attention. She hurried into the front room and opened the door. She turned the rug at her feet sideways.

      “If you can drag it onto the rug, it should slide across the floor easier.”

      Scott dragged the trunk onto the rug and dropped the end he carried with a thud. He straightened and brushed his hands together. “Good idea. I’d forgotten how strong a man has to be to move a woman’s things.”

      “At least you had help when Ann moved out. I’m sorry I can’t help you.” She hated that he had to do everything himself.

      He looked at her. “You don’t need to feel like that. I’ve known you for a while. I know you’re not shy of work and that you’re hindered by your—” he hesitated “—circumstances.”

      “Thank you for saying that.” She stepped out of his way. “If you can get that into my room, I’ll change quickly and meet you in the barn.”

      She hadn’t grown accustomed to acknowledging her pregnancy to herself, so it was awkward to hear him speak of her condition. An appreciation for his concern bored a hole in the wall around her heart.

      * * *

      Scott had unhitched the team and fed them. He was in front of the barn, washing the milk bucket when Rena came out of the cabin. She was a beautiful young woman, but the deep sadness in her soul was unveiled when they were alone.

      Lord, please help her. I don’t know the best way to help her, but I’ll do what I can.

      “You don’t have to learn this tonight. You can start supper, and I’ll bring in the milk.” He turned the bucket upside down and shook out the rinse water.

      She

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