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was on our land. He’s not going to change it now.”
    Joe’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll see about that,” he said, smacking his cup on the counter. “One way or the other, he’s going to move that fence.”
    Trudy placed a hand on his shoulder. “Be careful, son,” she said, her voice tinged with concern. “Ed Rodman’s been stubborn and ornery since the day he was born.”
    “Don’t fret, Ma,” he said, removing her hand and squeezing it. “Ed’s not going to pull anything with the sheriff standing there—”
    Kate shot out of her chair. “Wait—what’s this about a sheriff?”
    “Now see what you did, Ma?” He shook his head. “You’ve upset Kate.” He released his mother’s hand and placed his on Kate’s shoulder, gently guiding her back to her chair. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it, sweetheart. I can handle Ed. Once he sees things my way, it’ll be fine.”
    “But—But,” she stammered.
    He smiled down at her as he patted her head. “I’ve got to run.” He shot a look at his mother. “Don’t work her too hard, Ma. Remember what I said and that Kate needs time to adjust.”
    Trudy crossed her arms over her chest and said nothing.
    “See you ladies at dinner.” Without a backward glance, he was out the door and gone. A moment later, Kate heard the rumble of a pickup pull down the drive.
    Silence hung in the air as Kate stared down at the now-congealed eggs on her plate.
    Trudy finally spoke. “You need to eat,” she said, pointing at the eggs.
    Kate picked up her fork and moved the soggy mess around on her plate. This wasn’t how she pictured the first few days of her marriage: rabbits screaming in the night, a disapproving mother-in-law, and a vanishing husband. Tears threatened to fall from the corners of her eyes. Quickly, she brushed them away and forced herself to take a bite of the cold eggs. Their mushiness against her tongue made her stomach roll. She swallowed and pushed her plate away.
    “Thanks, Trudy, but I’m really not hungry. Maybe later I’ll eat a piece of toast.”
    Trudy eyed her belly. “Morning sickness, huh?”
    Grateful for the excuse, Kate nodded. She stood and, after picking up her plate, crossed to the garbage can and scraped the eggs into it. Turning, she smiled. “I’ll help you with the dishes.”
    Her mother-in-law waved her away. “I’ll do them. Why don’t you go back to bed? I heard you up roaming around last night.”
    Kate’s lips quirked into a grin. Roaming was not the way to describe her movements last night. After hearing the rabbit scream, thundering would be more descriptive.
    Placing her plate in the sink, Kate turned toward Trudy. “I’m sorry I made so much noise, but the scream that I heard frightened me. Did I wake you?”
    Trudy’s gaze wandered around the kitchen. “No. I was awake. This house doesn’t always promote restful sleep.”
    Kate drew back at the cryptic remark. “What do you mean?”
    “Nothing.” She busied herself wiping off the counters and moving dishes over to the sink. “It’s an old house. Old houses creak and it can disturb a body, if you let it.” She shook the dishrag out over the sink. “I’d just ignore any night sounds, if I were you. It doesn’t pay to go wandering around in the dark.” She began stacking the dishes, but Kate interrupted her.
    “Please, let me help you.”
    “I think it would be better if you rested,” Trudy replied, keeping her back toward Kate.
    “No, honestly . . . I want to help. I don’t want to spend the day in our bedroom waiting for Joe to come home. I’d be bored out of my mind.”
    Trudy turned, her eyes narrowing. “You really want to help?”
    Joe’s remark about them getting along flashed through her mind. She wasn’t going to be the one responsible for any rift.
    “Yes, I’m a part of this family now. I want to do my share.”
     
    Later that night in bed, Kate wished she had taken Trudy’s advice. Her ankles were swollen and