“I trust God.” She knew she sounded as stubborn as Libby often did, but she clung to her faith.

“Well, that makes it easy.”

She waited, wondering if he believed what he said or mocked her. When he didn’t say anything more, she got her feet under her and stood. “Thank you for the food. I will pay you back someday.” She would continue to trust Him even though her plans had fallen through. Not fallen through, she amended. Only delayed.

“Mrs. Weston, I don’t want repayment. The only reason I helped was because of your girls. I lost two children who would be about their age now.” He turned away as he spoke, and his voice again grew flat, emotionless. He was hiding, she knew, hiding emotions so deep and raw that he didn’t know how to face them. “I could do nothing to save them, but helping your girls was something I could do.”

“And I thank you for that.”

Libby and Eleanor chased each other up and down the length of the building, laughing and squealing.

She smiled. Her heart overflowed with love. They trusted her to take care of them.

How was she to do that? It was too cold to sleep outside and not safe, but there was no hotel in this little town even if she could afford a room. If she had a warm place to spend the night, then she could devote time to finding a way to feed them. But where? She glanced about. The church would make good shelter. Her gaze settled on the bedroll upon which she had so recently lain.

Blue obviously spent the nights here.

That eliminated the only option she’d been able to discover in this tiny pioneer town. There had to be something somewhere.

God could not fail her now.

She set her feet going toward the door.

“Wait a minute.”

At his words she paused without turning around.

“I can take you someplace safe and warm.”

Why had he used the word safe? Did he suspect she was running from someone?

Chapter Two

Blue analyzed everything she’d said and wondered if there truly was someone coming for her. And if so, when? One thing was certain. He couldn’t let a woman and two little ones manage on their own in winter weather without any sign of shelter or home. Never mind that it triggered memories he had sworn to bury and never resurrect. He could forget them again. He was good at forgetting.

“I could maybe send a messenger to let your party know you’ve arrived. Or take you there myself.”

“Thank you, but that’s not necessary. Come on, girls.” She signaled them.

The pair had been racing around the room and now skidded to her side.

“Mama, where we going?” Eleanor asked, her joy of a moment ago swallowed up in worry. “Back to Grandfather?”

Clara’s shoulders stiffened enough for Blue to understand she didn’t care for the notion. “Certainly not.”

Libby’s expression grew stubborn. “But it’s warm here.”

“We’re going.” Clara hitched one bag over her shoulder and tucked another under her arm and marched for the door.

Blue watched. Did they plan to return to the river? They’d freeze to death. He groaned. He couldn’t allow it even if every minute increasingly threatened the fortress he’d erected around his heart.

“You need to reconsider. My boss at Eden Valley Ranch is Eddie Gardiner. His wife, Linette, often has people staying there.” Linette would soon have a baby, and Eddie had imposed limits on how many people she could take in. Still, Blue allowed himself a tiny smile. He couldn’t see Linette turning anyone away if she saw a need, even if Eddie didn’t approve. “It’s twenty minutes’ drive away,” he added. “You’d be most welcome.”

“Thanks, but no. We need to wait here.”

He strode across the room to stand perilously close to the trio. The girls looked up at him, their expressions full of hope, silently begging him to help them.

Clara, on the other hand, kept her back to him, her shoulders rigid.

He scrubbed his fist over his chin. “Ma’am, you can’t wander around in the cold.”

She shrugged.

Whether it meant defeat or resistance, he couldn’t say. “If God is looking after you, surely He means for you to accept help.”

She spun around to face him, her eyes flashing. “We’ve already accepted your help.”




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