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to Maddy. You’re visiting for the summer?”
    “My mom wanted me to check on Aunt Lucy, as she’s getting up in years. I have a three-month leave of absence from my job in Chicago.”
    Long leave of absence.
    “Health reasons,” she added as if sensing his question.
    He wondered if it would be rude to inquire. Would her health limit her?
    “Nothing serious.” She waved her hand. “Just needed a break and a change of scenery—which this certainly is.”
    “No doubt.” He eyed her getup and wondered if she had ranch duds.
    “I have jeans,” she said. “And I should probably buy a pair of boots.”
    It was a little disconcerting, the way she read his mind. “Probably should.”
    “I like the ranch name—Stillwater. Did you name it?”
    “Got it from Scripture. You know, ‘He leads me by quiet waters.’”
    “Ah, Psalm 23. A popular one.”
    “Seemed fitting.” Before she could question his comment, he changed the subject. “Our nanny usually stays here in the main house—my hours aren’t exactly nine to five.” He looked her over, feeling a twinge of something he hadn’t felt in a while. “But if you want to stay at your aunt’s—”
    “Actually, I wouldn’t mind staying here. I’d be more available to Maddy, and honestly, the couch at Aunt Lucy’s? Not so comfy.” Her wide smile kicked him in the gut.
    He was so in trouble. “Fine.”
    “I hope you wouldn’t mind us checking on her now and then. I don’t have a car, but we could walk over.”
    “You’re welcome to use my truck. Maddy likes visiting your aunt, so that’d be fine. Sundays off?” He named a wage that seemed fair, considering the free room and board.
    “Perfect. When does school end?”
    “Tomorrow’s the last day. You can come the next morning and settle in if that suits.”
    Abigail smiled again. “Suits me fine. Thanks for your time.” She stood and swung her bag onto her shoulder.
    He moved to tip his hat, then remembered it wasn’t there. “ ’Night then.”
    After she walked through the door, he turned on the porch light and watched her walk to the yellow bug, skirt swishing around her long legs, and wondered if he hadn’t just bought himself a whole heap of trouble.

6
    D ust plumed behind the wheels of the VW as Abigail drove down the winding gravel driveway toward the main house. She’d been worried Aunt Lucy might feel slighted by her new job, but instead the woman had seemed relieved.
    “You’ll be good for Maddy. I worry about that child,” she’d said when Abigail had broken the news two nights ago. “And now you won’t have to sleep on my lumpy old sofa, but you’ll still be nearby.”
    Abigail had promised they’d visit often. But now, with her bags packed and stowed in the backseat, she recalled Wade’s dark good looks and slow Southern drawl and wondered if the summer wasn’t going to be more challenging than she’d planned.
    When she pulled the bug up to the porch to unload her belongings, Maddy ran out to meet her.
    “No more school!” The girl’s smile spoke for itself.
    “Yay, summer!” Abigail exited the car and pulled her bags from the backseat.
    “I can help.”
    Abigail handed her a case. “Careful with that. It’s my laptop.”
    “You’re so lucky! My dad won’t even let me on his computer.”
    “Well, maybe he won’t mind if you play games on mine.”
    “Sweet! I’ll show you to your room.”
    Abigail followed Maddy into the house and up the staircase. The steps creaked as they ascended, and when they reached the top, Abigail followed the girl down the short hall to the second room on the left.
    She opened the door and flipped the switch, lighting a bedside lamp. The clean scents of pine and lemon permeated the room. A fluffy patchwork quilt covered the high double bed, and a braided rug hugged the wood plank flooring.
    Abigail set her bags by the foot of the bed, then trailed her fingers down the nubby stitching on the quilt. “It’s lovely.”
    “The