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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?
    â€œMy 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 her eyes. He turned his hand so that hers rested in his palm. The action seemed to bring her back from the past.
    â€œI’m sorry your sister died but I’m glad she left you baby Jonathan.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œIt’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 that 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.
    â€œJonathan 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 who have his best interests 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’d 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.
    Reluctantly, he let her go but followed close behind. “How about johnnycakes? I have all the fixings.”
    â€œSure, 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-burning cookstove.
    Cornmeal, baking powder, one egg and a jar of 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.
    â€œI’ll get him.” Caleb picked up the little fellow. He took the baby back into the kitchen where Julianne worked.
    â€œThere’s a pap feeder in his bag.” She offered, pouring batter into a hot skillet. “Be careful, that nipple isn’t going to last much longer.”
    â€œThis was the only thing that arrived with him from the ship.” He studied the rubber nipple that fit down over an oval-shaped piece of ceramic bottle. It smelled a little bit and allowed too much milk to flow into the baby’s mouth causing a steady dribble out the side and onto Caleb’s shirt. He felt pretty sure he could make something a good sight better than this.
    The aroma of batter cooking filled the house and caused his stomach to grumble. Julianne worked confidently and quickly. Jonathan sucked noisily on the bottle. If a man didn’t know better, he’d be lulled into believing 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 snuggle the baby close. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
    â€œAs 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 johnnycake expecting the saltiness of corn pone. Instead, sweetness teased his taste buds. “It’s sweet.”
    â€œDo