“Give him time,” he said. “He’ll come around.”

“I just want to shake him. I’m so troubled by his attitude.”

Papa smiled. “You can’t let it get you all caught up. Children say things without thinkin’, and once he thinks it through, he’s going to feel powerfully bad about it. We’ll show him forgiveness, though.”

“And what about the punishment?”

“That stands. A person must bear the consequences of their actions, or they learn nothin’.”

“But there’s always the possibility of grace.”

Papa gave her a hard look. “Do you think the punishment was too severe?”

“I’m sure I wouldn’t know.” Gloriana gave a sigh. “I trust your judgment, Papa. I didn’t mean to sound like I didn’t.”

He smiled. “Don’t fret. I’ll lend a hand in due time and see that those desks get fixed up, but first JT has to accept his punishment and show a willingness to obey.”

Gloriana nodded and stretched up on tiptoe to kiss her father’s cheek. “I love you, Papa.”

“And I love you, Glory. You look more like your mama every day, with your pretty blond curls just like hers and those bright blue eyes. It was her eyes that caught my attention the first time I saw her. Never saw eyes that color of blue.”

His expression took on a distant look, and Gloriana clearly saw regret in his eyes. It was regret that matched her soul. Regret over a loss that could never be changed.

Chapter 2

At four the next morning, Gloriana fed her father a hearty breakfast of pickled herring, poached eggs, toast, and her homemade berry jam, with plenty of hot coffee.

“Much obliged, daughter. That will keep me content for a few hours at least.”

Gloriana smiled and placed a large sack on the end of the table. “This will help you past that.”

“When we get enough whitefish, I’ll be back. With it getting close to their time to spawn, we’re going to be gradually busier, and I have to get my pound nets in, so we have more than a few things to see to.”

She kissed the top of his billed cap. “I know you’ll be home when you can, and I’ll have something warm for you to eat.”

He got up from the table and patted his belly. “You cook ever’ bit as good as your mama. She’d be so proud of you, Glory. She’d be happy you put aside your own desires to take care of me and JT, but as soon as that boy’s old enough to do for himself, I want you to reconsider marriage.”