Luke set Sally up with her toys, then lit a lamp, since they were starting to lose the light. He took another lamp and went to check on JT. He placed the light on the dresser and then went to the window and looked out across the yard toward the lake. It had been a lovely day, and there were quite a few fishing boats still on the water. He couldn’t help but think about Scott. He had written to tell Luke how much he loved being on the water.

“It’s a mix of raw emotions that wells up in me,” Scott had written. “I feel upon seeing Lake Superior that my spirit has only just come alive. It calls to me, and I find I must go.”

Luke didn’t feel that way about the lake, but maybe that was because the lake had cost him the life of a beloved brother. He found the setting lovely enough, but it hardly stirred him the way it had Scott.

“What’s out there?” JT asked, his voice barely audible.

Luke turned and smiled. “A lot of water. About the same amount that you need to be drinking.” He came to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Itchy.” JT looked around. “Where’s Glory?”

“I made her go next door to take a nap. I’m in charge now. Are you hungry? Want me to make you something to eat?”

JT shook his head. “You could read to me or tell me more about Lewis and Clark, though.”

Luke pulled up the chair. “I would love to. We were just about to get to a very exciting part where some hostile Indians happen upon their camp.”

The boy’s eyes widened. “Hostile Indians? What happened?”

Gloriana opened her eyes to find that it was still light. Thankfully, she’d only slept a short time, but she felt amazingly rested. She got up and smoothed the covers back into place. She hadn’t even bothered to get under the quilt, but had instead used the extra one hanging over the end of the bed. She hadn’t wanted to feel obligated to change the bedding before returning home.

She got to her feet, marveling that the rest had given her new strength and resolve. They were going to get through this and be stronger for it. Luke’s father would be dealt with, and JT would recover. She was sure of it.

Gloriana folded the quilt and replaced it at the end of the bed, then went to the mirror and did what she could to repair her hair. Thankfully, with her natural curls, it was easy to pin her hair up and make it look somewhat orderly. Other women would need a curling iron, but not Gloriana.