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Jarena and Grace in private.
    While they cleared and washed the dishes, Truth quietly explained the fears and worries that plagued her, though neither of them appeared to completely understand. Jarena avowed Truth would have excellent medical care in Topeka, while Grace pointed out that most babies were born without a lick of difficulty. Those things might be true, but they did little to assuage the nagging trepidation that had taken up residence within Truth’s heart.
    By the time they’d completed their tasks in the kitchen, she had received an agreement from both of her sisters. Jarena was certain she’d have little difficulty convincing Thomas they should lend their support by moving to town. And though Grace remained doubtful whether Silas would understand, she had acquiesced when Truth had pointed out she wasn’t yet officially engaged.
    After she’d finally elicited agreement from her sisters, Truth gestured toward the parlor. “You two go and join the others. I’ll take care of the rest.”
    After returning the serving bowls to the proper shelves, Truth removed her apron and hung it on the peg. She absently decided to cut through the dining room, but she stopped midstride at the sounds of a heated exchange. Silas and Grace! She flattened herself against the wall and remained perfectly still. She hoped the floorboards wouldn’t creak.
    “Truth is bein’ downright selfish and you knows it, Grace. Sounds to me like she done learnt too many lessons from yo’ aunt Lilly ’bout how to control folks. I knowed from the first time I met her back in New York that she was headstrong, but I never did realize how far she’d go to git her own way. She don’ care ’bout nobody but herself.”
    Heat rose in her cheeks. How could Silas say such things about her? She wanted to swing around the doorway and tell him how wrong he was. She cared about others. Wasn’t she the one who’d brought him back from New York with a promise of a good life on the Kansas plains and his very own farm? And hadn’t she kept her promises to him? Hadn’t she cared about him?
    “Please don’t be angry, Silas,” Grace said. “I do understand your objections. But Truth is frightened and we’re twins. I need to help her. I promise I’ll come home once the baby’s born.”
    He mumbled a reply that Truth couldn’t make out.
    “No, I give you my word. I’ll be back before the child is two weeks old.”
    Two weeks? Truth hoped Grace would remain far more than two weeks after the baby’s birth. However, there was no need to argue that point now. There would be plenty of time to discuss Grace’s return date.
    Maybe Moses will lose the election. That would be the best solution of all .

CHAPTER

5
    Hill City , Kansas • October 1882
    M acia Boyle remained silent during the evening meal, much the same as she had ever since her return from Europe in September. Though her overseas journey with Mrs. Donlevy had been scheduled to last only six months—eight at the very most—Macia had been away from home nearly two years, due primarily to Mrs. Donlevy’s physical complaints throughout their travels in Europe. Much like Macia’s own mother’s sickness, Mrs. Donlevy’s bouts of illness appeared to come and go at will.
    On several occasions Macia had threatened to leave the woman in Europe and journey home by herself. But Mrs. Donlevy would plead her case and promise to book passage the moment she was well enough to travel. At one point in their travels, Macia even accused the woman of being an imposter. However, Macia’s doubts were proved inaccurate when Mrs. Donlevy died at a villa in Italy only a few days after Macia had made the unfortunate remark.
    That entire episode was almost more than Macia could bear. She was ill prepared to make the proper arrangements. Had it not been for the assistance of a kindly priest, she wouldn’t have been able to carry the heavy burdens placed on her shoulders.
    Father Viccaro took charge and