“Not well. I know of him from his mother. He has been a great source of grief, but I suppose it’s unkind of me to say so.” She turned back to Luke. “Please forgive me and forget I mentioned it. We have far too many other important things to figure out. First and foremost is Sally and, of course, the baby. I’ll need the cradle brought here from next door.”

“Of course. Anything else?”

Gloriana looked down at the fussy infant. “There’s a trunk of baby things that Sally and I made. It’s near the cradle. Eventually I’ll need that as well.”

“I’ll bring them both.”

Gloriana allowed her gaze to meet his. She honestly didn’t know what she would have done if Luke hadn’t shown up when he did. “Thank you.”

Chapter 9

Theodore didn’t bother to knock on his parents’ door, but instead opened it and let himself in. He had little nostalgia for the house where he’d spent his childhood. Life in Duluth had been bitter and filled with troubles. He wanted nothing of it but to take back what it had stolen from him.

“Who’s there?” his father called, coming down the hall.

When their gazes met, Theodore could see the contempt in his father’s eyes. He was just as unhappy to see Theodore as Theodore was to see him. Theodore forced a smile nevertheless.

“What do you want?” his father asked.

“It’s good to see you too, Father.” Theodore removed his hat and tossed it onto the receiving table.

“We weren’t expecting you.”

“No, I’m sure you weren’t. Believe me, I didn’t expect to be here. However, in an effort to reclaim my good name and turn my life around, I felt I had to come.” He began to remove his gloves. “And I knew I had to start with you. So I’ve come to beg your forgiveness.”

His father’s eyes narrowed, and the look on his face was guarded. “You’ve come to beg my forgiveness for what?”

“For the trouble I caused. For the problems I created that threatened to destroy your good name and community standing.” Theodore hoped he sounded and looked sincere. He’d practiced long and hard. Hours of staring at himself in the mirror and forcing the lie.

The older man crossed his arms. “What, if I may ask, has brought about this desire for reformation?”

Theodore had been ready for this question. “I have resolved to rectify my soul with the teachings you instilled. My heart has struggled for some time regarding my relationship with God, as well as our relationship. I can see now the error of my ways and desire to right the wrongs of the past.”

Father’s expression softened a bit, but the doubt was still fixed in his eyes. “To what purpose?”