Page 42 of A Steadfast Heart
“Kaitlyn mentioned she might have a bit of a dowry coming. I’m glad to hear it. Hope it helps you get those cabins up.” She waved across the field. “Oh, there’s my husband. I’d better head that way, or we’ll keep missing each other.”
Drew nodded, but unease lifted the hairs along his arms and on the back of his neck. Sure, they’d managed to get proof of their marriage mailed off without a hitch, but he’d rather no one knew that piece of their personal business. Or her business, anyway.
Nothing in their deal mentioned her money, so it would stay exactly that.
Hers.
* * *
Kaitlyn was starting to love this little girl.
She reached across the bed and brushed Tillie’s hair from her forehead, then leaned back in her chair. Too much sun and play at the picnic had sent the little girl to bed early. Had it caused the nightmare too? Kaitlyn tucked the blanket around her. Here it was, late April, and the nights were still cold. She wiped a tear from Tillie’s cheek, her chest tightening at the evidence of Tillie’s fear. It had only been a nightmare, but Kaitlyn hated anything that caused her charge pain.
Jo lay in the bed beside Tillie, her eyes scrunched closed, pretending to sleep. Jo had spent most of the day pretending she didn’t care that the girls at church ignored her. Kaitlyn smothered a sigh. She had stayed up late last night to finish a dress for Jo, but the girl had refused to wear it and paid the price. Was it the dress itself, or the fact that Kaitlyn had made it?
Kaitlyn shook her head. It didn’t really matter. Drew had already purchased the fabric, and there was no money to spare on stubbornness.
A tear seeped out from Jo’s tightly closed eyes, and Kaitlyn’s heart clenched. She’d known that Jo’s temper was fueled by pain, but here was direct evidence.
There had to be something she could do about it. If only she knew what.
She left the room and stretched her arms over her head, trying to relieve the ache in her shoulders. It had been a long day, and she’d dearly love to be stretching her legs and back, but that would have to wait for the privacy of her own room. She had to finish putting away the dishes first. No point in making tomorrow’s breakfast harder on herself.
She entered the kitchen, then stopped. Drew stood beside the stove, studying something on the preparation table. The lamplight glinted from his dark hair, and his shoulders stretched the fabric of his dress shirt. She took another step into the room, and he looked up. “What’s this?” He tapped the paper she’d left there, his head tilted uncertainly.
Her cheeks warmed, and her gaze dropped. She could hardly even look at him since he’d seen her breakdown last week. He had to think she was the most lily-livered person he’d ever met.
And now he’d found that paper. Would he think she was pushing in where she didn’t belong? She only wanted to help.
Except he’d thanked her for arranging the trade for the shingles.
He tapped the paper again. Not agitated. Just reminding her of his question.
“It’s a list.” She moved a little closer, stepping into the pool of light from the lamp.
“I can see that. What’s it for?”
His voice seemed steady, not accusing, but her cheeks got hotter. She was blushing for sure. No help for it though. “I know you need to sell the bull. Nick helped me make a list of women to talk to. Either wives that help on their ranches or townsfolk who might catch the latest gossip.” She caught her lower lip between her teeth, then forced herself to release it. She hadn’t done anything to be ashamed of.
Drew’s eyebrows rose. “That’s why you were chatting with everyone at the picnic?”
She reached for the basket holding their plates from the picnic and brushed against his arm. Her skin prickled at the touch. She ignored the reaction and pulled out a stack of plates. Thankfully, they’d been able to wash everything before they’d left the church. “Is it so surprising that I’d want to help you?”
“Yes.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“Ed and Nick help you. Why wouldn’t I?”
Drew grabbed the basket of dishes and the lamp and silently moved next to her. He put the light on the counter under the cabinet, then held the basket of dishes next to it, saving her multiple trips across the kitchen. How like him. He’d go miles out of his way to help those he cared about, but getting him to say more than two words? Not easy.
Unlike her own father, who’d had all the right words but never protected her from Michael.
She took more dishes from the basket, then stretched up to place them in the cabinet. “What did you think I was doing today?”
He dropped his gaze. “Nothing.”
Kaitlyn smothered a smile. The man really couldn’t lie. Not a bad trait in a husband. “Then why do you look like David when I caught him stealing cookies before dinner?” She placed the last of the dishes gently in their spot.
He shrugged.
