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door with her foot, and they laid Henry on the bed. Her muscles still burned even though they’d been relieved of the burden. Nate jerked his father’s boots off.
    Lucy pulled the quilts up around him. “We need to keep him warm.”
    Nate nodded, then ran his hand through his sandy blond hair. His gray eyes held a deep fear that tore at Lucy’s heart. She laid a hand on his arm. “We should pray for him.”
    He nodded again and moved so her hand fell away. She couldn’t help the stab of disappointment at his rejection of her comfort. Bowing her head, she prayed aloud for this man she’d already come to admire and care about.
    When she lifted her head, she became aware that Jed and Eileen hovered at the doorway. She straightened her shoulders and moved away from Nate. She had to be strong for the children’s sakes. “I’ll fix us all some tea.”
    Nate grimaced. “I can’t abide that sissy drink, and I’m not about to start drinking it now.”
    Hot words bubbled to her lips, but she choked them back. No wonder Henry had to find a wife for his son. No woman in her right mind would choose to put up with him.
    Henry stirred and his eyes fluttered open. “Quit your wrangling,” he said in a weak voice. “I can’t endure petty quarreling.” He struggled to sit up. “Besides, the sight of Nate sipping tea like a woman would finish me off for sure. Fetch me some coffee. That’s all I need.”
    “I’ll just be a moment.” Away from her new husband’s stern presence, she felt reprieved. She hurried down the stairs to the kitchen, with Jed and Eileen on her heels.

FIVE  
 
    W hen they reached the kitchen, Eileen tugged on Lucy’s skirt. “I don’t like it here, Lucy.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
    Lucy scooped Eileen up into her arms. “Hush, darling, it will be all right. There’s flour for biscuits and beefsteak for dinner. That’s more than we had in Wabash. I know it’s going to be an adjustment, but let’s wait and see how things are tomorrow. We’re all at sixes and sevens with Mr. Stanton’s illness and the long trip. I’ll make sure things work out for you both.”
    Jed crossed his arms and glowered at her. “Mr. Nate acts like this was all your fault. Is he going to send us back?”
    Lucy had been wondering the same thing, but she managed to smile. “Nate is just shocked at what his father has done. It will be fine once he gets used to the idea.”
    She hoped that was true. She was willing to give Nate the benefit of the doubt, but her charity was growing thin. The thought of their tiny home, rude though it might be, filled her with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
    But no. Danger lurked in Indiana. She had cut ties and no one knew where they were. It was better that way. This was a new start away from whatever danger had come calling.
    Lucy put Eileen down and surveyed the kitchen. Dingy cotton covered the open shelves. A teakettle and coffeepot sat atop the wood cookstove, blackened by years of abuse. The wooden table was battered and smooth with use. She peered into the coffeepot and the dark liquid inside smelled horrible. But then, the entire kitchen reeked of stale food.
    Wrinkling her nose at the strong smell, she poured the black coffee into a cup. She eyed it. Maybe she should see if it was any good. She took a cautious sip and shuddered at the bitterness. From the strong, acrid taste, it must have been made this morning. There was no time to make fresh though. A sugar container was on the table, so she took it, then stirred some sugar into the cup.
    Sugar. What a luxury. There seemed to be plenty too. She dipped her finger into the coffee and tasted it. Shivering at the still-bitter taste, she added more sugar, then poured another cup for Nate and added sugar to that cup also. At least it might be drinkable now.
    “Watch your sister,” she told Jed.
    She carried the coffee back to Henry’s bedroom. He was sitting up against the pillows. Though Henry looked wan and weak,