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morning. Lydia was still in bed, having just awakened. “You didn’t sleep well.”
    “No, I didn’t. I’m sorry I disturbed you.”
    Palmer leaned forward and kissed her stomach.
    “I’ll scold this little person as soon as I meet him.”
    “You’re still certain it’s a boy?” she asked with a smile.
    He smiled back at her and said only, “Anne is at the manse.”
    Lydia’s sigh was heartfelt.
    “You spoke with her?”
    “No, but I saw Pastor, and he told me.”
    “Did you and Jennings have your Bible study already? What time is it?”
    “We did study, but it’s early. I wanted to get home to you.”
    “Palmer, I’m sure I can manage church tomorrow. Say you agree.”
    “Why don’t I see if Anne can come here to visit you?”
    “But I want to go to church. I can stand in the rear if my back hurts.”
    “Then everyone will think your pains have started, and no one will be able to concentrate on the sermon.”
    Lydia was disappointed but understood. She liked the idea of Anne coming to visit, however, and grabbed onto the idea with vigor. She reminded Palmer that he was going to invite Anne right up to the moment he left for church the next morning.

    Collingbourne
    The Colonel had not been at home when Anne arrived Saturday morning. The kitchen had been very clean, and she could see that he’d done some marketing, but even though she’d left the manse almost as soon as she’d risen, Anne found her father gone from Levens Crossing. She’d debated her next move until she came to the fork in the road. One stretch led into town and one led back to the manse. She was now in Collingbourne, her father’s whereabouts filling her head.
    “Mrs Musgrove,” she said, stopping that woman on the street. “Have you seen my father?”
    “Well, Anne,” the woman said quietly, her brows arched. “We’d heard news of your nuptials. Where is your husband?”
    Mrs Musgrove made a show of looking around, causing Anne’s heart to sink with dread. That Mrs Musgrove was not one of the kinder individuals in town was something to be taken into account, but this first meeting did not bode well.
    “Have you seen my father?” Anne asked again, accustomed to dodging questions.
    “No, but we’ve been wondering about your whereabouts.”
    “Thank you for your concern,” Anne said, having to force the words out. “I won’t keep you any longer.”
    Mrs Musgrove, looking smugger than ever, turned to watch Anne move on her way.
    Anne walked slowly. Clearly she was going to have to be careful with whom she spoke, and that only made her task more difficult.
    With a prayer for wisdom she carried on, careful about catching the eyes of some and working not to imagine condemnation when there was none.
    “Miss Gardiner,” a whispered voice stopped her when she was halfway down the center block.
    Anne looked about and found Tommy Benwick motioning to her. She went to him where he had a door partially open at the side of his father’s shop. Anne slipped inside.
    “My father wants to see you.”
    “Oh, Tommy, can it wait? I’m looking for my father.”
    “I think it’s about your father.”
    Anne followed Tommy without another word and found herself in Benwick’s storeroom. She had been in this room a few times over the years and always found it a bit aweinspiring. Benwick’s store was as neat and tidy as anyone could imagine. But the storeroom was another story. Anne had known Benwick to disappear to this room and return to the front just minutes later with a requested item, but how he knew where to look was anyone’s guess.
    Bolts of fabric were stacked in confused and chaotic disorder, and crates of unknown objects were strewn about. The room was lit by two small windows, with shelves lining every available portion of the walls. Items hung from even the rafters. Anne was still taking it all in, her attention catching from time to time on a certain object, until Benwick himself entered the room.
    “Miss Anne,”