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there for a minute, but I haven’t seen you in all of five years, and you’ve grown into an absolutely stunning young woman.” He turned to his aunt. “Hasn’t she, Millie? Hasn’t Beth turned into a beautiful woman?”
    “Yes, of course Beth’s beautiful. She’s all grown up into a fine young woman.”
    Her face flooding with heat, Beth eyed them both. Though Millie’s statement was calm and matter-of-fact, Noah seemed ill at ease. Whatever was wrong with him?
    “Well,” she said, gently tugging on the hand still clasped in his until he finally released it, “thank you very much for the compliment. It’s nice to know all my growing up has been duly noted and appreciated.”
    She had meant the comment to lighten the increasingly strained atmosphere in the kitchen. Her little joke, however, seemed totally lost on Noah, who had turned his gaze to stare out the window, apparently deep in thought.
    Beth looked to Millie. A smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, the older woman shrugged and motioned to the table.
    “Time to eat, I’d say. Sit yourself down, honey, and I’ll start serving up the stew. And you, young man”—she leaned over to poke Noah in the arm—“can set out some extra silverware for Beth, then slice up the bread.”
    With a jerk, Noah seemed to return to the present. He nodded, smiled brightly, and did as asked. In no time they were seated around the table. Noah said grace, Millie and Beth finished with “amens,” and they all dug in.
    The sharing of food eased the tension. Emily helped lighten the mood by chortling and mashing her food onto her bowl and face. Finally, Beth, who sat beside the little girl, began to feed her, and Emily’s wild movements seemed to ease a bit. Beth caught Millie’s approving glance and slight nod of her head. Encouraged, Beth worked even harder until Emily at last shook her head and clamped her mouth shut.
    “She’s full, Beth,” Noah said. “That’s her sign for it.”
    “Oh, yes. Of course.” Beth laid down the spoon.
    Millie leaned forward, sudden interest in her eyes. “So, what are your plans? When are you starting work with Doc? And where will you be staying? At Culdee Creek, or here in town?”
    The question reminded Beth of her original reason for coming to the rectory today. She looked down. “I think it’d be best if I find a place in town. Problem is, Mamie Oatman’s boardinghouse is full right now. I’m on the waiting list behind two other people.”
    “Yes, that’s been a problem this summer. We’ve had an unexpected influx of immigrants and homesteaders.” Millie’s brow furrowed in thought. “There are a few other possibilities, though.” Her gaze locked with Noah’s. “The rectory being one, if Noah’s of a mind to take in a boarder.”
    Beth’s glance swung to Noah. His face reddened.
    “It’s a possibility, I suppose,” he said. “We do have that spare bedroom off the kitchen.” He looked to Beth. “Millie and I’ll have to discuss it.”
    “And what’s there to discuss?” His aunt folded her arms across her chest. “I’d say it’s a perfect solution for us all. Emily’s taken to Beth. Beth’ll have a place to stay in town that I know her parents will feel comfortable with. I’ll have some feminine companionship. And we’ll all have some much needed company to brighten our lives.”
    Warily, Beth glanced from Millie to Noah. There was something unspoken being communicated between them, and she wasn’t so certain she cared to be the cause of it.
    “Well, yes, it could be a wonderful idea,” she said, “but there’s no hurry on deciding. I don’t start working with Doc until Monday. And, in the meanwhile, I’ve time to look else–where.”
    Noah sighed, lowered his head, and rubbed his eyes. “Look elsewhere if you want, Beth. But Millie’s right. The Lord knows I leave her alone with Emily most of the time. If your presence here will be a comfort to her, then I’m more than happy to have