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afraid.”
    â€œAfraid of Gram? Monte, you were the light of her eyes!”
    Marva glanced over in time to see him shake his bowed head.
    After a strained silence, Beulah spoke softly, “We’re thankful to find you now, Monte. I imagine your grandmother is looking down from heaven and smiling to see her boys together again. She prayed faithfully for you all those years. For you and Myles both. She knew you had given your life to the Lord, Monte, and that knowledge sustained her.”
    He nodded. Was he crying? Marva wanted to put her hand on his arm and try to comfort him. Shocked at the very idea, she sat still and watched her own fingers trace circles on her coffee cup.
    Tim rubbed at his eyes and yawned noisily.
    Monte sat up straight and forged on. “I heard about land available in the Northwoods and traveled up here soon after the railroad stopped in Minocqua. I’ve kept track of your family from a distance these three years.”
    How? Marva wondered but didn’t dare ask the question. She glanced up in time to see Monte cast a brotherly look at Beulah. “By the way, little brother, I must say you’ve found yourself a peach of a wife.”
    â€œGod has blessed me, for certain.”
    Monte drew a deep breath, then asked, “So, Myles, what were you doing all those years after Texas? I’m pleased beyond measure to discover that God finally got through your thick skull.”
    â€œThat He did, though it took years for me to pay attention. After your death—as I thought then—I drifted about, taking jobs at cattle ranches, until a great man named Obadiah “Buck” Watson hired me on to work his farm. Buck is the man whose testimony God used to change my life. Then Buck’s stepdaughter stole my heart.” Myles reached his arm around Tim’s nodding head to touch Beulah’s shoulder.
    â€œYou’ve made better use of your time than I have. Regrets are sorry companions, Myles. If I had been responsible all those years ago, the Van Huysen Soap Company might still be—if you’ll pardon the expression—afloat, and your children would have an inheritance.”
    Myles shook his head. His expression seemed to blend emotional strain with spiritual peace. “Water under the bridge, Monte. You can’t undo past mistakes, and blaming yourself does no one any good. The Lord had other plans for all of us. I, for one, do not regret the loss of the business, unless it was for Gram’s sake. But she lived out her final years in great joy, surrounded by her great-grandchildren.”
    Silence fell, broken only by Tim’s soft snore.
    â€œGuess I’d better escort this young lady back to her parents,” Monte said softly, scooting back his chair.
    Young? Marva gave him a sharp look, suspecting the flattering remark, but he appeared unaware of having said anything questionable.
    Beulah took Tim into her arms, freeing Myles to escort his brother to the door. “Good night, Monte, and welcome back to the family. Marva. . .” She paused. “Thank you.”
    Marva slipped around the table to give her friend a kiss on the top of her head. “You try to get some sleep, darlin’. I’m glad I could help.”
    Monte and Myles shook hands, then gave each other an awkward embrace. “We’ll talk more tomorrow,” Myles said. “Too many years to catch up on in one evening.”
    Monte nodded and offered Marva his arm. “Miss Obermeier?”

Four
    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
    and lean not unto thine own understanding.
    Proverbs 3:5
    Moonlight scattered shadows in confusing patterns across the path as wind rustled in the trees. A loon’s haunting cry floated through the night. In spite of herself, Marva shivered. Monte pressed his elbow and her hand close against his side, as if to assure her of his protection, and set a slow walking pace.
    â€œSo you’re an author,” she said