She could see his handsome face as the flames danced in the hearth. She admired him so much. What man devoted himself so completely to his dead brother’s child? Anyone else would have found the baby a nurse and sent her back to Philadelphia, but Luke wanted Sally here with him.

He’d also been so encouraging in Gloriana’s loss. He had helped JT with his sadness. Just a couple of days ago, she had overheard him comforting the boy when JT broke down over his father’s death. He and Luke talked about how much they missed Papa and Scott. Luke had asked JT to tell him about Papa and listened as JT shared all of the things that were so important to a boy about his father. Things Gloriana hadn’t thought of in a long time, like when Papa had taught JT to fish off one of the river docks. He had carefully instructed JT how to handle the fishing rod and line, but when the time came to cast, JT wasn’t able to coordinate his actions and followed the line right into the river. Thankfully, he already knew how to swim. The memory made Gloriana smile, as she still remembered her father announcing that he hadn’t caught any fish, but he had caught one ornery little boy.

But the time was coming when Luke would go away. She had to remember this and not allow herself or JT to get too attached. How could they possibly bear another loss? Yet even as she considered that question, she knew it would rip her heart apart when Luke took Sally away.

She shook her head and then buried her face in her hands. Why did loving someone have to hurt so much?

Chapter 11

The last person she wanted to see was Pastor Sedgwick, but there he stood at her front door, a big smile on his face and a basket of his wife’s delicious berry muffins in hand.

“Good morning, Gloriana. Greta asked me to bring these to you. She knows how much JT enjoys them and thought you might like to have them.”

“Thank you.” She forced a smile and a welcoming invitation. “Won’t you come inside? It’s quite cold today.”

“That’s November for you,” he declared. “Blustery and damp. Chills a man to the bone.”

“Get warm by the fire if you like.” She took the basket and placed it on the table. “I have a little coffee. Would you like some?” She had a cup or two left over from breakfast with Luke, but if Pastor Sedgwick wanted more than that, she wasn’t sure what she could do. They were out, and there simply wasn’t money for more. She knew the time had come that she had to talk to Luke.

“No, I’m fine.” The pastor smiled. “I’m not going to stay long. I know you’re busy.”