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I was saying he wasn’t good enough?”
    “No.” Daisy practically shrank before his eyes. “I thought that’s what you meant. Jamie said he and I were a good team when we swept the floor, and then he repeated that rhyme. … He swapped the words a little, but I’m the one who messed up the meaning.” She bit her lip. “I’m so sorry, Bryce. I could hardly believe that you would think that, but my son …” Her voice trailed off.
    “Is your priority.” Bryce finished the sentence for her. “I understand you were protecting your own, Daisy. It was just a mix-up.”
    “Thanks, Bryce.” She managed a tight smile. “I don’t know how to make it up to you.”
    “I do.” Bryce grinned. “What’s for supper?”

    How could I have been so foolish? Bryce Chance never gives anything to me and mine save kindness, and I repay him with accusation and suspicion
. Daisy paced the floor as Miz Willow and Jamie slept, berating herself.
    Do I trust him when he’s never given me a reason not to? No, I jump to conclusions. Then do I ask him about it? Give him a chance to explain? No. I barge into his barn like a mother hen with my feathers ruffled, ready to peck him to death with my angry words. And after I’ve accused him of faults he doesn’t possess, he understands. He forgives me and acts like I never spoke a rotten word to him
.
    He’s a good and wise man, that Bryce Chance. Jamie’s lucky to learn from him for however long he stays. I’m glad he’s here. I jist wish I could say the same thing about myself. When I think of how I treated him, I could sink into the dirt like a worm
.
    “Tomorrow I’ll do better,” she resolved as she finally crawled into bed.
    The next morning, Daisy awoke feeling better than she had in two days. Bryce was back, and better still, he hadn’t insulted Jamie and never would.
    Daisy jumped out of bed and hurried to get dressed. She’d make a huge mess of flapjacks to celebrate. It was going to be a wonderful day.
    Bryce tapped on the door while she set the platter of food on the table. Miz Willow slid the comb through Jamie’s hair one last time.
    “Come on in,” she called.
    “Morning.” Bryce stood for a second in the doorway as he always did, probably letting his eyes adjust. After the bright morning sunshine, the cabin seemed dim in comparison.
    His broad shoulders filled the doorway, the sun catching his brown hair and giving it a rich glow. His image alongside Daisy’s recollection of his kindness the night before made him seem larger than life as he stepped inside.
    “Hi, Byce!” Jamie scooched urgently across the floor and flung his arms in the air.
    Bryce didn’t hesitate a second to scoop the little boy into his arms. “Mornin’, Jamie.”
    “Mor’in’,” Jamie repeated excitedly.
    “Do you remember what I told you I’d bring back when I left?” Bryce leaned close and spoke in a loud whisper. Daisy heard every word.
    So he had told Jamie he’d have to be gone for a short time. Jamie wasn’t sad when she told him; he was remembering that Bryce had shared a secret with him.
    Jamie glanced around the cabin at Daisy and Miz Willow before putting a finger to his lips.
    “Not anymore, buddy.” Bryce turned Jamie a bit so they both faced the women. “Now we get to tell them. We’re going to be hauling in a …” Bryce nodded at Jamie to finish telling the surprise.
    “Sofe!” Jamie threw his hands up in the air.
    “That’s right. A stove.” Bryce set Jamie down at the table and sat beside him. “And not just any old stove. This one’s for heating and for cooking.”
    “Glory be!” Miz Willow beamed at them. “The Chance family bought Hattie and Logan a kitchen range stove! What a surprise for when they get back.”
    “Wonderful!” Daisy exclaimed. Cooking would be a lot simpler with a stove, once she and Hattie learned to use it. “We’ll have to move a few things. …”
    “No, it’s far too big to fit in Hattie and Logan’s room.”