“Sister-in-law,” he corrected her. “And she’s my housekeeper. You can’t expect me—”

“I do expect it, Pa.” Win met his gaze. As their eyes met, she realized how rarely she’d done it. Every lifelong reflex she possessed pushed her to look down, look away, and mind her father. Don’t provoke his wrath. But in this way, she could truly honor him. By expecting honor of him.

“I lived with Molly so I know what a hard worker she is, what a fine cook.” Win looked at Molly and then reached out to grab her hand and hold on when Molly might’ve left the room. “You are blessed to have such a fine housekeeper. But that doesn’t mean she’s not my sister. We will include her. I’m sure when Kevin comes in, he’d be shocked not to find Molly with us. He’d find it terribly wrong, and so do I.”

“Don’t take that tone with me, Winona.” Something burned in Pa’s eyes that Win knew, as an adult woman, was frightening. She’d always known this was part of him, but before, she’d looked at him with the eyes of a child. She’d avoided him and been polite and lived away from him as much as she could manage.

She squared her shoulders and stood to face her father. “The only tone was to ask you to treat Molly as my sister. I expect it of you, and what’s more, I demand it of you. I won’t slight her.”

“You’ll do as I say. You’re my daughter, and my word is law around here.”

“Your word isn’t above God’s, Pa.” She softened her voice, wishing she could reach him. She doubted it was possible but honor demanded she try. “Pa, God calls me to honor you. But the only way to do that is nearly the same word, honesty. I have to tell you honestly that you need to humble yourself before God. I need a father who is worthy of honor, and you are not.”

The burn in his eyes turned to a raging fire. Win braced herself to be slapped.

Eighteen

Look at this, Falcon.” Cheyenne held up a picture she’d found buried in a drawer in Kingston’s bedroom.

Falcon came to her side and stared at the picture.

Cheyenne tapped on a mostly grown boy in the front row. “That’s your pa.”

Falcon leaned close. “It’s like looking at a picture of myself. That has to be Pa.”

“And look at who he’s standing behind.”

“That has to be Randall Kingston.”

“Yep. And they look alike. I wouldn’t have thought of it if he didn’t have your eyes.” She stared at the group of young men. “They’re so young.”

“Just boys.”