Mrs. Paxton gasped and pressed her hand to her chest. “Oh! She’s waking up.”

“Would you look at that? She’s got your eyes, Lupe—and Clay’s. Sure as shooting.”

Leah studied her mother-in-law and saw the resemblance. “I hope her disposition is as sweet as Clay’s.”

Mrs. Paxton flashed a smile. “Clay was the sunniest child you ever did see.”

Sunny? Clay was thoughtful and kind, but Leah wouldn’t describe him as sunny.

Helen’s face reddened and scrunched up, and the nurse walked away with her. Despite the muting effect of the glass, the baby’s cries made Leah ache.

Her hands stretched out. She wanted to be the one to comfort her daughter. Thank goodness they’d be going home tomorrow.

Mrs. Paxton looped her arm through Leah’s and led her back to her room. Leah returned to her bedside chair, and Mr. Paxton pulled up chairs for him and his wife.

Mrs. Paxton set her purse on her lap. “I wish you’d known Clay before ’41. We’re praying our sunny boy will return to us.”

Leah was just praying that he’d return at all. “I pray so too.”

“Remember, Lupe,” Mr. Paxton said. “War changes a man.”

“Yes, but if he and his brothers . . .” She turned bright eyes to Leah. “We haven’t told you yet. We heard from Adler.”

“Adler? I thought you’d heard from Wyatt.”

“Only a few days later.” Mr. Paxton flipped his hat in his hands. “Both in one week.”

“We’ve missed them . . . so much.” Mrs. Paxton’s voice shook. “Three years. It’s such a relief to know they’re both alive and well.”

Leah bit her lip, afraid she’d reveal that Clay had seen Adler on the ship. “How is he?”

Mr. Paxton stretched out long legs and grinned. “He’s a P-51 fighter pilot, wouldn’t you know? That boy was always a daredevil.”

“He’s in England,” Mrs. Paxton said. “That is no coincidence. God is orchestrating their reunion.”

“Do you think they can meet?” Leah fiddled with the hem of her bed jacket. “I doubt they’re in the same area, and Clay rarely gets leave.”

“It’ll happen.” Mrs. Paxton gave a strong nod.

Her husband shrugged. “If Clay can forgive them.”

“Of course he will. Right, Leah?”

How much could she reveal without betraying Clay’s confidence? “I’m afraid it won’t be easy.”

“She’s right.” Mr. Paxton leaned his elbows on his knees. “What his brothers did to him? They didn’t just steal his money and his girl. They struck at who he was as a man. That’s a lot to forgive.”

“He will,” Clay’s mother said. “He has to.”

He did have to forgive, not just for his own peace of mind, not just for Wyatt and Adler’s sake, but for the whole family. “Clay’s the key, isn’t he?”