Prudence leaned against Rodney as he gave her a tour of the encampment. The shabby lean-tos and tents like theirs gave her a sense of dread. At any moment a gust of wind could blow their entire community into the sea. "I know it's not much to look at right now, but this is only the beginning," Rodney said. "When we find a suitable site for building I'll make you a house even finer than ours back in England."
"I don't need anything special," she said. "Having you with me is enough."
He gave her shoulder a friendly squeeze. "That may be, but you deserve a decent home after all you've gone through."
"It's nothing worse than anyone else," she said.
"You don't make it easy for a man to spoil you," he said. He kissed the top of her head. In the two days since waking up, she noticed how he treated her more like a daughter in the presence of other people. Only in private did he allow himself the luxury of passion.
A woman, almost as heavy as Prudence and with graying hair, waddled up to them. "Mrs. Gooddell, I'm so glad to see you up and around," the woman said.
"Thank you, Mrs.-"
"Applegate. Rebecca Applegate." Rebecca shook her head. "You poor dear. Your memory still hasn't come back?"
"A few bits and pieces," Prudence said.
"Maybe it's better not to remember. I'd certainly like to forget these last two weeks." Rebecca's laugh accompanying this was hollow. Neither Prudence nor Rodney shared in the joke. "I suppose I best get back to work. If you ever need to talk, Robert and I are in that tent over there."
"Thank you, Mrs. Applegate. I'll remember that."
Rebecca laughed again; Prudence didn't understand what was so funny about what she'd said. "You make sure to look after her, Mr. Gooddell. She's precious."
"What did she mean by that?" Prudence asked after Rebecca sauntered off.
"She thinks you're a very special woman. So do I." He indulged himself in a kiss on her forehead. "Mrs. Applegate and her husband are the head of the elders. We'll see the rest of them later at the meeting."
"Meeting?"
"Reverend Crane and Mr. Pendleton have asked for a meeting about an important matter. I'm not sure exactly what it pertains to. They insisted on a public meeting."
"Is it good news?"
"I hope so. We've had more than our share of bad news lately." When Prudence frowned, he squeezed her shoulder again. "There's nothing to worry about, my dear. Everything will work out in the end just as we planned. We'll have a wonderful new home in this untouched wilderness. A house big enough for as many children as you want and acres of unspoiled farmland to grow crops. The kingdom of heaven right here on earth."