He hesitated, then released her hand and stood. His hat shadowed his face, but she’d been learning that talking about his family and his past always brought out more shadows.

“I’d best be heading back. But I’ll carry Astrid inside to bed first.”

After Astrid was tucked under the covers, Greta watched Wyatt ride away and wished more than anything she could promise him that she and Astrid would be the family he longed for, that he’d never have to lose them. But as much as she wanted to reassure him, she couldn’t. Not when he’d been the one to leave the door of their marriage open.

He’d left it wide open that first night she’d come to the ranch, and he’d given them both the option of stepping through it and walking away. As much as he might be growing to care about Astrid and her, he’d yet to make a move to yank the door closed and insist on keeping their marriage vows sacred. And the truth was, she couldn’t yank the door closed yet either.

Chapter 15

Snow had fallen in the mountains.

Greta exited the church behind Astrid, her sights straying to the distant hillsides. The aspens had been changing, and the contrast between the evergreens and brilliant yellow never failed to take her breath away. Except for today. Not now that the highest mountain peaks wore new white crowns of snow.

Bad traveling. That’s what everyone was saying this morning. Mrs. Mueller hadn’t ridden down because of the ice. And though Greta missed seeing her, she was more worried about the mountain roads becoming impassable and cutting them off from getting help for Astrid should she need it.

“Can we go see the kittens again?” Astrid charged down the plank step and veered toward the livery, where last Sunday after church she’d happened upon a litter of eight-week-old kittens. “You said that I could bring one home.”

“I said only if Wyatt was agreeable to it.” Greta easily caught up with Astrid and snagged her hand. The child’s pale complexion and the dark circles under her eyes testified to the strain of battling consumption. The last week especially had been difficult, with several nights of severe coughing. The sleepless nights and trouble breathing had taken their toll, not only on Astrid. Greta was wearier than usual too.

She’d worked well into the night making jam and hand pies to sell in town today. While the supply of chokecherries and huckleberries was gone, Judd had brought her wild plums from the foothills that she’d cooked up.

“Let’s wait for Wyatt.” She tugged Astrid to a stop beside her and glanced to where Wyatt stood in the doorway of the church talking with Reverend Zieber. In his Sunday church clothes, Wyatt was sharp, his crisp suit contrasting his ruggedness and making him more handsome.