“So am I.” He looked at the baby. “She’s beautiful. Congratulations. I know Scott would be very proud.”

She gave a weak nod. “You know about him?”

“Yes. This young woman told me when she found me exploring your little house.”

“This is Gloriana. She’s my dearest friend in the world.”

“Yes. We met briefly, and she told me of all our sorrow.”

Gloriana liked the way he included them all. It truly wasn’t just one person’s sadness, but an entire community’s.

He touched Sally’s cheek. “I’m here to help you now.”

“Do I get to see the baby?” JT asked from the doorway. He yawned and then scratched his head. Apparently all the noise had woken him.

Lucas rose and glanced at Gloriana.

“This is my little brother, JT.” She turned back to the boy. “Yes, take a quick peek, and then back to bed with you,” Gloriana instructed. “Sally needs to feed her baby girl, and then both of them will need a lot of rest.”

JT came to Gloriana’s side and stared up at Lucas. “Who are you?”

He smiled. “I’m Scott’s brother, Luke.”

JT frowned as he looked at his sister. “Does he know?”

Gloriana nodded. “Yes. I told him.”

“Gloriana.” Sally’s weak voice barely registered.

“I’m here.”

If possible, Sally looked worse, and Gloriana feared the truth. She was dying.

“Luke?”

He came to stand beside Gloriana. “I’m here too.”

Sally lifted the baby ever so slightly. “Take her, Gloriana.”

Gloriana accepted the baby, not wanting to argue the point that the child needed to nurse. The baby fussed for a few seconds but calmed, as if understanding the need for quiet.

“I want you and Luke to . . . to look after her. She needs you now.”

“She needs you, Sally. You alone. She’s already lost her father. Don’t deny her a mother as well.”

Sally met Gloriana’s eyes. “I . . . can’t. I don’t want to be here . . . without him.”

“But Scott wouldn’t want you to leave the baby,” Luke replied. “Sally, please try.”

She gave a faint smile. “Promise you’ll both . . . care for her?”

“Of course,” Luke promised.

Sally looked to Gloriana. “Promise?”

“I will. I’ll love her as my own.” Tears came to Gloriana’s eyes. How could Sally leave them now? How could she desert the baby she had so wanted?

The baby began to fuss and then cry in earnest. Gloriana held her tighter and rocked back and forth. Still the infant refused to be comforted. It was as if she knew her mother was passing.

Abigail reached up to touch the center of Sally’s chest. She leaned her head against Sally’s breast and then shook her head. “She’s gone.”