“I’m not saying slob, per se.” Teasing him, she bumped his arm with her shoulder. “Come on … I promise I won’t be a judgmental bitch.”

A myriad of expressions crossed his face before he gave her a worried look. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

She became worried at the way he was acting when he didn’t take her hand as they resumed walking.

The direction was the same as his other brothers’, yet farther back, so they walked on the back dirt road, which was another entry from the main road.

“This way.” Matthew led her up a small rise that blocked the view from the road they were walking on. He hesitated when they came close enough that she could see the shape of a house beyond three massive trees.

“Matthew, we don’t have to go inside if you don’t want to show me.”

“No.” His mouth firmed. “I want you to see all of it.”

As they walked closer, she was able to catch sight of his house. It was larger than Silas’. The house facing them was a blue and white two-story house. A porch wrapped around to the back and out of sight. Two rocking chairs were sitting on the porch, just waiting to be filled. Struck by the beauty of Matthew’s house, she started taking in the yard and noticed a swing attached to two trees. There was even a small picket fence with huge planters filled with orange mums. It was the small picket fence, though, that poked at a long-ago memory.

“When I grow up and get married …” Her voice cracked as she remembered telling the wind the same birthday wish she’d had for several years until the wind had stopped talking to her. “I’m going to have a blue and white two-story house, with a swing in the front yard so I can watch my children play, two rockers so when my husband and I get old, we can sit there and watch the night sky.” Alanna turned toward Matthew. “And I wanted a blue picket fence around the house.”

“How did I do?” he asked hoarsely.

Alanna stared at him in dismay. “How did you know this is the house I dreamt of having some day? I never told anyone.”

Matthew shoved his hands in his back pockets. “Do you like it?”

“Like isn’t a strong enough word. I love it.”

“I just finished it before you came. Do you want to see inside?”

“Oh yeah …” She could barely contain her enthusiasm.

Watch yourself, Alanna, she warned herself.

She walked through the door and was awestruck by the hardwood floors. Unlike Ginny’s home, it didn’t have all modern appliances. Alanna lovingly ran her hand over the vintage red reconditioned stove.