Someone walked past then and greeted them, a stranger bidding them a good evening, but the interruption jerked him from his fanciful thoughts.
There had been no fulfillment of the promise back then, either.
But he had a future. He had only to get back in time to meet the owner of the land he wanted to buy. Why did he let himself see how empty the cabin would be without Louise and the baby?
Chapter Six
Louise was tired. Too tired to move. Besides, it was nice to sit on a bench that didn’t rock and bounce.
She and Nate had talked about things. Especially the marriage vows they’d made with no intention of keeping. Did God understand? It comforted her to think Nate thought so.
She felt the baby move and rubbed her belly. Earlier today, when she’d landed safely on the ground outside the coach, her trust in God had built. She could have been seriously hurt. The baby might have been killed. But He had protected them.
The door to the store behind them opened and closed, and a man stood beside them. A French Canadian according to his red sash.
She smiled at the way he stood, legs wide, arms akimbo, as if he ruled the world.
He turned, saw them there and indicated the spot next to Nate.
Nate moved over to make room.
“She is a wonderful night for love,” the red-sashed man said.
Amused, Louise nudged Nate in the ribs.
“I miss my lady.” The man gave a long-drawn-out sigh. “But I has things to do to keep me mind and hands busy while I am away.” He opened a leather sack and pulled out a piece of wood with the rough shape of a bear.
“You’re a carver,” Nate said.
“It passes me time. You like to see more?” He didn’t wait for either of them to answer, which was fine. Louise was eager to see his work.
He pulled out a moose with intricately carved antlers. Then he pulled out a cat sitting on its haunches with a benign expression. “Le chat.” He held it toward Louise. “You like?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Is yours.” He pushed it closer to her.
She pulled back. “I didn’t mean for you to give it to me.”
“Is yours for bébé.”
“For baby.” She took it. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
He put away his things and got up.
“Wait,” she called. “We don’t even know your name.”
“I am Pierre.” He said it with so much pride she couldn’t help chuckling. “I pray for your bébé every day now.” He touched his forehead with his fingertips and marched away.
“He said he’ll pray.” She knew her words were filled with surprise. “I feel like God sent him to answer the questions we voiced a moment ago. Or am I grasping for straws to convince myself that what we’ve done is okay?”
“Maybe sometimes God sends people and events to show us His presence, and we dismiss them as ordinary.”
She rubbed her fingers along the textured fur of the wooden cat. “That was a little out of the ordinary.” She handed him the carving. “Look at the fine handiwork. He should sell his things.”
“Perhaps he does. Or maybe he does it for his pleasure alone. Who knows?”
Who knows? Didn’t that describe her feelings about God? Who knows if unusual things were indications of His interest in her or if they were random? On the other hand, who was she to dismiss such things as ordinary?
She rested her hands on her tummy again.
She always did her best to trust God. It wasn’t as if she could count on anyone else.
If she could truly believe God cared for her, she would not fear the future.
Nate shifted his weight and stiffened when his arm bumped hers, reminding her of his injury.
“How’s your arm?”
“Louise, Louise, Louise. When will you believe it’s barely worth a moment’s notice?”
“I’ll believe it when I see your arm without blood and raw flesh. When you can bump it without flinching. Did you at least clean it and cover it?”
“Yes, to both.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I am okay. I will see you safely to the ranch.”
And then what? She knew the answer. The marriage would be annulled and he would move on. She would have her baby and as soon as she was able, she would find a position to support herself. A nanny, perhaps, or a housekeeper? She tried not to worry about what she’d do. It was a problem she’d deal with after she succeeded in getting to the ranch and had safely delivered this child.