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through without a word. He might not outright admit it, but he watches after his own.” She gave Bridgit a meaningful look.
    Had he brought her here for her own sake? Surely not. Perhaps he’d tired of stale bread and cheese. Or sought better company.
    Bess went out to give her son instructions.
    Bridgit lingered over her tea, savoring the soothing liquid. Even if the house wasn’t grand and the company a little peculiar, she was comfortable here. Bess might have given her a cold shoulder. Perhaps her luck was turning.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Let me take a breather, Nat. I’ve worked up a thirst.” Sweat beaded Jonah’s forehead. Helping Natty haul split logs took his mind off the golden-haired convict prowling around his thoughts. They couldn’t keep it up all night, but maybe his sleeping mind wouldn’t think of Bridgit.
    The family used water collected in a rain barrel beside the house, dipping it out for drinking or bathing when necessary. It was lukewarm, but wet enough to slake his thirst.
    The sound of splashing water drew his attention. He peered around the house. Shafts of afternoon sunlight drenched Bridgit, causing water droplets to sparkle on her skin. She sat hip deep in a wooden tub. Her upper half was bare and soapy. Eyes closed, face pointed at the sky, a soft smile curved her lips. The strain fled from her face, taking the lines with it.
    Water fell onto her shoulders from her hair, burnished by the washing. The full, round curve of her left breast drew his eyes. She hummed something fast and exciting that was vaguely familiar. One long leg stretched out of the tub. She leaned forward and scrubbed it with a cloth. Without warning his pants tightened. The dipper fell into the barrel.
    “Dammit.”
    She froze, turning his direction. He ducked behind the corner.
    “Hello?”
    He heard her call and his breath caught. Perhaps she’d think chickens caused the racket, or one of the women. He hadn’t meant to spy, but the sight transfixed him.
    “Blast it all,” he muttered. He’d intended for her to clean up, but couldn’t it have waited until dark? Davy was old enough to be curious about women. Didn’t she realize anyone might spy on her out here?
    “Jonah, you comin’ back?”
    Natty’s voice made him jump. Bad enough he’d let her spend the night in his arms and he couldn’t get her legs out of his mind, now he’d seen too much of her naked skin. He plunged his arm after the dipper and replaced it on the nail.
    “Just a second,” he answered. He needed a river as wide as the Parramatta and much colder to quell the images seared into his memory.
    The brood settled around the table with a lot of noise and fuss. Jonah and Natty were among the last to the table. Bridgit’s absence stood out, sending a jolt of anger through him.
    Bess smiled and shook her head. “Give her a few minutes, Jonah. She’s entitled to some privacy after being cooped up.”
    “So help me, Bess, if she rabbits, I’m blaming you. She’s a convict, you know, and prone to thievery. Or didn’t she tell you?” He imagined her getting farther away. She might be frightened as she looked over her shoulder at every noise. He hoped she knew he would come for her. She wouldn’t stand a chance on her own, not with him knowing every inch of the land. If someone worse didn’t catch her first.
    The table fell silent. Bess tilted her head. “Jonah Andrus, I’ll thank you to remember whose company you’re in. We shared a pleasant conversation and she’s nice. She’s got schooling, that one does, and breeding too, I’ll wager. She’s no ordinary prisoner. Not even an ordinary woman.”
    He took the tongue lashing without comment. Natty had worked on the station when he was a boy and Jonah knew him well. He liked and respected Bess because she didn’t complain about living in the bush. She could easily persuade Natty to move to town. Stopping here had almost guaranteed Bess would take Bridgit under her wing. If the