looks like you and I are a family.â He grabbed a strand of her hair and gave it a tug.
Untangling his fingers, she made her way back to Caleb and the wagon. âWeâre ready now.â She watched as he took the babyâs things and placed them under the seat of the wagon.
âGood, weâll get to the cabin a little before nightfall.â Caleb turned and helped her up.
Shades of green turned the forest into an enchanting wonderland. The sound of various birdcalls and the creaking of the wagon filled the stillness. Julianne smiled and concentrated on the beautiful scenery around her.
They passed beneath a canopy of branches. She felt safe and protected within its shade. For the first time since sheâd arrived, she really enjoyed the sea of green that surrounded her.
âI hope you will be comfortable in the cabin. Itâs isolated, and youâll be spending your days alone. Or I could take you and Jonathan to camp with me each morning. You could spend time with Maggie.â
She kept her gaze trained on his strong hands. They guided the team with gentle strength. âThanks, Iâd like to try a few days alone. Iâll enjoy the quiet.â
When they finally arrived at her new home, Julianne gasped in surprise as Caleb guided the wagon out into a wide, clear area. They passed a plowed garden that was fenced in with peeled posts and some sort of wire. The dirt looked freshly turned over and she wondered if anything had been planted yet, or if it was still too early. When she left New York there had still been snow on the ground. She loved a garden and that was one thing she knew for certain she could help with.
Calebâs cabin sat in the center of the clearing. The bottom floor looked about two rooms wide, and one room sat above it with two dormers. The new logs gleamed, promising warmth and security. Something Julianne welcomed.
Caleb pulled the wagon to a stop and jumped down. âHere, hand me the baby.â
Julianne did as he asked, then began to climb down. She felt his hand on the small of her back. When she turned around her eyes met his. In their depths was an expression she didnât quite recognize. It quickened her heartbeat.
âWelcome to your new home.â His warm voice pulled her from the confusion of her heart.
âIf youâll take him, Iâll put the horses and wagon away. Maggie will have my head if I let them come to harm.â Caleb placed the baby gently in her arms then took Jonathanâs things and her bag from the wagon and handed them to her.
âThank you.â She put the bags on the ground and tucked the blanket more securely around the baby. Satisfied he was safe from the cool breeze, she reached down and retrieved her things. All she needed was a sick baby on her hands. She took a deep breath, suddenly feeling ill equipped for the task ahead of her.
Caleb touched Jonathanâs head and looked into Julianneâs eyes. âI hope you will be happy here, Julianne.â
She searched his face. What did he expect from her? Whatever it was, she hoped she could provide it. Should she tell him that her misgivings increased by the minute? He held her gaze steadily, expectant it appeared. No, she couldnât trouble him with her own uneasiness. âIâll try to be.â To her dismay her voice wavered.
His hand dropped from the babyâs head as she turned toward the cabin. She looked over her shoulder as she set the extra things by the door. Caleb was leading the horse to the barn.
Julianne opened the cabin door and stepped inside. Her first impression was one of cleanliness and order. A large table sat in the center of the left side of the room. Toward the back wall was the kitchen.
To her right, opposite the kitchen, a bed covered with a Star of David quilt took up most of the space in that area. A beautifully crafted cradle stood by the side of the bed. Small butterflies and flowers decorated the babyâs
Catherine Gilbert Murdock