“It will fit the property well,” the builder agreed. “There’s another parcel of land that can also be purchased behind yours, if you’d like to consider that as well. I wasn’t sure how much land you wanted, but the price is reasonable.”

“Behind the property, you say?”

The builder nodded. “From that position on the hillside, you’ll have a glorious view of the lake. You could build a gazebo for picnics and a stable or servant’s house as well. If you purchase that land, all told you’d have five acres.”

“I like that idea very much. Get me all the particulars, and let’s see if we can’t get it for a reasonable price. Otherwise, let’s move ahead with these plans. I’d like to see the house built by summer.”

He looked once more at the drawing. There would be a grand porch to offer hours of respite shielded from sun and rain. There would be three floors with plenty of bedrooms. Luke thought of Gloriana and JT living there with him and Sally. Of course, they couldn’t live under the same roof, but Luke knew his growing feelings for Gloriana meant he was losing his heart.

He often considered telling her how he felt, but he was afraid it might make things awkward between them. He also felt it was too soon after losing her father. He didn’t want her to feel that she had to marry to save herself and her brother. Paying her for helping him with Sally, as well as keeping his laundry and preparing his meals, at least gave Gloriana a freedom that many women didn’t have. Here in the frontier, when women lost their husbands, their preservation demanded they remarry. It was doubly required when there were small children to consider. But Gloriana would have time to make up her mind about the future, and Luke hoped she would want him in it. There was Sally too. Gloriana was the only mother the baby had known, and it would be difficult for either one to be separated from the other. Still, Luke didn’t want to acquire a wife simply as a mother for his niece.

He had to force himself to slow down. He dismissed the builder and stood at the window of his office, watching the man navigate down the icy roadway.