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“Jonathan?”
    “Is her son.”
    Her lip trembled and she closed her eyes for a brief moment. Caleb felt helpless, and for the first time in his life, he was speechless. When she looked at him again, her expression filled with compassion and something he couldn’t quite define. She brushed the back of his hand in a soothing motion. Had she seen the pain of his sister’s death in his face? Why had he started this?
    “My parents died quite a long time ago, so I know what it’s like to grow up without a loving father and mother.”
    Caleb witnessed her own sorrow deep in the depths of her eyes. He turned his hand so that hers rested in his palm. The action seemed to bring her back from the past.
    “I’m sorry your sister died but I’m glad she left you, Jonathan.”
    “Thank you.”
    “It’s a great responsibility to raise someone else’s child. If you have even a small inkling that you can’t provide the nurturing and constant attention and love Jonathan needs, then you should place him with a family that can give this type of support.”
    Her words were an affront to his character, but Caleb suspected she spoke from experience rather than a desire to insult him. He purposefully loaded his answer with double meaning.
    “Jonathan is all the family I have left. I already love him and I will protect him with my life. I only want people around him that have his best interest at heart. Less than that is unacceptable.” He watched for a change in her composure. Better she should know now what he expected of her.
    She smiled. “I better get you something to eat.”
    Surprised again by this unpredictable woman, Caleb tightened his grip on her hand. “I’d rather talk than eat.”
    Julianne stood to her feet still clutching his hand. “We can do both.” She reached out and caught his other hand, pulling him to his feet.
     “How about pancakes? I have all the fixings.” Reluctantly, he let her go and they both walked to the kitchen.
    “Sure, show me where things are, and I’ll whip up a batch.” She pulled a skillet off one of the hooks that hung over the wood cook stove.
    Flour, baking powder, one egg and a jar of cold milk were soon gathered on the table. “Do you have any sugar?” Julianne found a large wooden bowl and began mixing the ingredients together.
    Caleb got the sugar and set it beside the milk. He wondered what she planned on doing with it, but didn’t ask.
    Jonathan woke up with a cry.
    “I’ll get him.” Caleb picked up the little fellow. He took the baby back into the kitchen where Julianne worked.
    “There’s a bottle in his bag.” She offered pouring pancake batter into a hot skillet. “Be careful, that nipple isn’t going to last much longer.”
    The smell of batter cooking filled the house with a sense of warmth. Jonathan sucked noisily on the bottle. Caleb almost believed they were a real family.
    Almost.
    He still didn’t know enough about his new wife to trust her. Had she taken Sloan’s money? And what was she running from?
    She interrupted his thoughts. “Here, give me the baby, and you eat while it’s hot.”
    Caleb did as she said. He watched her sink into a chair and cuddle the baby close. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
    “As soon as Jonathan finishes.” She rocked back and forth with the baby.
    He picked up the honey and started to pour it. Her voice stopped him. “Don’t you want to try them first?” She brought the baby to her shoulder and gently patted his back.
    Caleb tore a bite size piece of the pancake off. He used his fingers and put it in his mouth. Sweetness teased his taste buds. “It’s sweet.”
    “Do you like it?”
    Jonathan’s burp filled the room and Julianne smiled at the baby. “Good boy.”
    Caleb wondered if Julianne knew of his love for sweets. “It’s very good.” He continued to eat and watch Julianne play with the baby.
    After a few minutes, Jonathan yawned. Caleb stood and reached for the baby. “Here, I’ll put him to