Greta paused in savoring the berries, a stab of regret piercing her. She’d tried to make Astrid’s life bearable, tried to give her the love the rest of the family had withheld, but had she somehow failed?

“I hope we can stay here forever,” Astrid continued.

“It wasn’t all bad back home, was it?”

When Astrid didn’t answer right away, Greta placed the spoon into the pot, wiped her hands on her apron, and crossed to her sister. “I’m sorry it was so hard.”

Astrid looked up and smiled. “It’s not your fault.”

Greta took in every detail of the girl’s delicate face, her dainty lips and nose and chin, and the new sprinkling of freckles from sitting in the sun more often.

“It’s just that here, no one is getting mad at me and telling me to stop coughing or to go to my room and stay there. I can go wherever I want and cough as much as I need to.”

Her sisters-in-law had been very vocal in their concern over Astrid’s lingering illness. They’d only been trying to protect their own families, but over time, Astrid was bound to feel unwanted and unloved.

“My coughing doesn’t bother Judd or Wyatt, does it, Greta?” The little girl’s voice contained a note of worry, and a furrow formed between her brows.

“No, not at all.” The two handled Astrid with patience and kindness, much better than anyone else ever had.

“You’re sure?”

“They want to help you get well just like I do.”

Astrid was quiet for a moment. “What if I don’t get better, Greta?”

“You will. Already you’re improving.” At least, Astrid had been improving until the fever last week. And now she was pale and tired and listless again.

Greta stroked her sister’s cheek. They had to be patient, had to give the high-altitude air time to work its healing.

At the approach of horse hooves, Astrid pushed herself to her feet. “It’s Wyatt and Judd!”

Greta shielded her eyes and glimpsed the men riding in from the east pasture. Her sights locked upon Wyatt, his strong, proud bearing holding him well above Judd.

And at the perfect height above her. For that kiss. In the hotel dining room. Oh my.

Her skin tingled just thinking about being so close to him, feeling his lips and his breath. Even if he’d been pressured into kissing her, he hadn’t seemed to mind. The trouble was, he hadn’t made any effort to try it again.

As the men rode into the yard and dismounted by the barn, Astrid was already racing toward them, her excitement giving her new energy. Wyatt was the first one down, and Astrid was standing before him, chattering away and showing him the horsehair blanket.