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completed all of the necessary preparations. Though not normally a proponent of the practice, he suggested Mrs. Donlevy’s body be cremated for ease in transporting it back to the United States. Macia had no idea what the woman’s relatives might think, but she agreed. In fact, she would have agreed to almost anything in order to return home in a timely fashion. So she boarded the ship carrying Mrs. Donlevy’s ashes in a bronze urn. When the ship was beset by stormy seas, Macia nearly came undone at the thought of poor Mrs. Donlevy’s ashes spilling about her cabin. She was most relieved when she delivered the container to Mrs. Don-levy’s second cousin, Myrtle, at the pier in Norfolk. In fact, handing over the ashes was nearly as gratifying as seeing her brother Carlisle waiting for her on the dock.
    She completely lost her composure when her older brother drew her into a consoling embrace and expressed his sorrow that her travels had gone awry. And though Carlisle hadn’t planned to accompany her back to Kansas, after he observed Macia’s fragile state, he managed to gain a special leave from his job to travel with her. The courage and strength she’d exhibited throughout her travels in Europe completely dissolved once she set foot in the United States. Carlisle assured her she’d be her old self when she was back among friends and family in Hill City. However, nothing could have proved further from the truth.
    If anything, she became even more despondent, for shortly after her departure for Europe, her parents had hired a young woman, Fern Kingston, to replace Truth Harban as their cook and housekeeper. Supposedly, Fern had been traveling in a wagon train with her brother and his wife when an argument ensued. Unhappy with her situation, Fern decided to leave the wagon train when they neared Hill City. Apparently, Macia’s mother viewed the girl’s arrival as a godsend. She could cook and keep house to perfection, and her disposition was pleasant.
    When Macia discovered Jeb Malone was courting Fern, and Fern discovered Jeb had once had romantic inclinations toward Macia, life in the Boyle household took a downward turn. It was obvious to Macia that her mother was delighted with Fern—both as a housekeeper and as a prospective bride for Jeb Malone. And Macia knew she had no right to complain. When she’d departed for Europe, Jeb had clearly stated that he wouldn’t wait for her. Even so, Macia had been certain he would. Had it not been for Fern Kingston, he surely would have welcomed her back home with open arms. Instead, she received no more than a nod and a quick “Welcome home” when he came calling on Fern.
    Macia’s father turned to her when the evening meal was complete. “I think we should all attend the Fall Festival on Saturday night. I hear there are going to be folks from all the nearby communities in attendance.”
    Attend the Fall Festival? The acclaimed Dr. Boyle might be qualified to set a broken bone or stitch a wound, but attending a dance wasn’t going to heal what ailed his daughter. She didn’t want to leave the house, much less attend the festival and the harvest dance that followed. Jeb would surely be escorting Fern.
    Fern lifted several plates from the table. “You should get out and have an evening of fun, Miss Boyle. Jeb invited me to attend several weeks ago, and I can scarcely wait for Saturday to arrive.”
    Though Macia immediately thought of several unkind retorts, she merely acknowledged Fern’s suggestion with a nod and excused herself from the table. Of course Fern was anxious to attend the party. She would have an escort: Jeb Malone, Macia’s beau.
    Before she could escape the room, her father clasped her hand. “Why don’t we take a walk? It’s a lovely evening, and you need some fresh air. You’ve remained cooped up in this house far too much these past couple of weeks.” Pulling her along by the hand, her father led her out of the house and down the front