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mighty fine eating.” Jared knew this suggestion overstepped his boundaries but deemed the risk worth taking. He’d fend off big sister later. In fact, he felt her gaze blazing a hole through him this very second.
    N ATALIE PICKED UP AN OVERTURNED BUCKET AND HANDED IT TO D ILLON . The man had a lot of nerve intruding on their life this way. “Let’s get through supper, shall we, before we go sharing any secrets.” She shot a warning glance at Mr. Logan and then her brother.
    Dillon’s smile faded, his disappointment designating her as the bad guy, always the bad guy.
    Despite her annoyance, she watched as Jared and her brother headed out of the barn with buckets of grain to feed the horses and goats. Plagued by guilt, she peered up at the wooden rafters and breathed in the scent of aged cedar. A tear trickled down her cheek as she thought of days long past, when she’d skipped beside her father as he carried buckets of grain too heavy for her to manage. She could almost hear his hearty laughter as he lifted her onto his shoulders to pet the horses on the other side of the pen. Those moments became particularly special after her mother passed away, their bond growing even stronger.
    Would Dillon look back with such remembrances of their father? She could only hope. But what about now? How was she to manage getting the kids through this ordeal?
    â€œOh, Dad, why did you have to go?” she whispered, the ache so fierce in her chest it threatened to steal her breath. Biting back fresh tears, she spun on her boot heels to return to the house. This wasnot the time to wimp out—not with Chelsey needing help with supper, and a stranger joining them at their table.
    N ATALIE PURPOSELY SAT ACROSS FROM J ARED L OGAN, WANTING TO KEEP an eye on him throughout the meal. Despite his helpful sentiments, she didn’t trust the man. Strangers weren’t that thoughtful and caring—and if they were, it was normally because they wanted something.
    She passed Dillon the bowl of fried potatoes, then stabbed a pork chop with her fork. “What brings you to Diamond Falls, Mr. Logan? I mean, let’s face it, unless you own land or have family here, it’s not the most happening place to live.”
    Dillon passed him the bowl of potatoes, and Jared scooped out a meager portion. “It’s where God wanted me to be.”
    Natalie sipped her iced tea and studied the clean-cut man, having already determined he didn’t hold a blue-collar job or one in ranching. “What makes you so sure?”
    â€œI’m here, aren’t I?” He grinned and accepted the next dish handed to him.
    â€œIf I were you, I think I’d ask for a transfer.” She allowed her lips to curve upward, so as not to appear inhospitable.
    â€œI don’t know why you’d say that.” His eyes, the color of dark coffee, seemed to look directly through her, as though he could see her inmost thoughts. “Here you are, living on this beautiful ranch, rich with cattle, grass, and I’m sure a treasure of memories. Most of the people I’ve talked to consider themselves fortunate to live in the Flint Hills. Why not you?”
    Natalie broke eye contact as she cut into the golden-crusted meat on her plate. “We weren’t talking about me, Mr. Logan. Do you own land?”
    â€œNo, but that doesn’t keep me from enjoying it.” He winked at Chelsey, who in turn giggled.
    â€œOkay, you enjoy fishing.” She tried a different approach. “What else? Hunting? Horseback riding?”
    â€œSome of my best memories include fishing on my granddad’s farm. I spent my summers there, helping him in the fields and driving a tractor.”
    â€œIs that why you’re here, then? To relive your childhood?”
    â€œNo, those days are over.” The gleam in Jared’s eyes dimmed. “I put away childish ways long ago.”
    Natalie considered his strange words