best friends,” Ellie added.
Dani almost smiled. It figured Ellie the tomboy would be friends with the pastor’s son.
Adie looked at Ellie. “Stephen’s staying at Jake Roddy’s house until Sunday.”
“Oh.”
“But you can still play with the kittens,” Adie said.
“They’re in the stable.”
Esther ran for the door.
Adie looked at Emma. “I need to speak to Miss Dani. Would you take your sisters to the stable?”
Emma scowled. “But—”
“I know, sweetie.” Adie motioned for Emma to lean closer.
“You’re old enough to know the facts, but Esther isn’t. We need your help.”
“Will you tell me later?” Emma asked.
Dani nodded. “I promise.”
The girls left through the back door. Adie went to the stove where she lifted an enamel kettle and refilled their cups.
“I wish Josh were here.”
“Where is he?” Dani asked.
“Looking for you. He must have missed your train.”
Dani squared her shoulders. “I’m glad he did. It gave me a chance to meet Mr. Morgan.”
“That’s not the real Beau.” Adie put down the kettle. “Let’s sit on the porch. I’ll tell you his story, but I need to see the sky when I do.”
“Why?”
“To remember that Lucy’s in Heaven. Considering how she died, it’s the only comfort we have.” With her cup and saucer in hand, Adie led the way to the porch and indicated the hodgepodge of chairs. “Take the rocker. It’s soothing.”
Balancing her teacup, Dani dropped onto the chair and instantly felt the cradlelike rocking. It matched the beat of her heart, calming her thoughts as the hot tea had settled her nerves. Adie said nothing as a man in a black preacher’s coat rode into the yard on a dapple gray.
“That’s Josh.” She set her cup on the table, then went down the stairs to meet him.
At the sight of his wife, Reverend Blue’s face turned from stone to living flesh. He slid out of the saddle, slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her into a gentle hug. After lowering his chin, he whispered something in her ear. Dani ached with envy. A husband…A partner and friend. Marriage meant starting a family. It meant belonging to a person and making a home. Dani had lived in Walker County her entire life, but she’d never fitted in. She’d felt that oneness with Patrick and now he was gone.
Why, Lord?
It was a question for Reverend Blue, but the man looked nothing like the minister Dani had expected. When she dreamed of the wedding, she’d pictured him as a twin of her pastor in Wisconsin, an elderly man with kind eyes. Pastor Schmidt had called Jesus the Lamb of God. He’d taught his flock to turn the other cheek.
Reverend Blue had a mane of dark hair, hawkish eyes and a chin that looked as if it could take a punch. For a good cause, Dani suspected he’d welcome it. Would he find her cause worthy? The Blues considered Beau a friend, but they didn’t know about the pistols on the porch or the secrecy in town. Dani had to convince them to help her keep the girls.
Reverend Blue guided his wife up the stairs. As Adie sat, he took off his hat and faced Dani. “I’m sorry about Patrick, Miss Baxter. It had to be a shock.”
“Yes.” Her throat closed.
He dropped into the chair on her right and turned it so they were seated at an angle. “Whatever you need, Adie and I will help. Train fare—”
“I’m not leaving.” Dani had to make her case and she had to do it now. “I want to adopt the girls.”
The Reverend’s eyes stayed kind, but he lowered his chin. “I don’t think—”
“I have to!” Dani’s voice trembled. “I promised Patrick.”
The Reverend traded a look with his wife. They had an entire conversation without saying a word. Jealousy raged in Dani’s middle. She was mad at everyone right now—the Reverend, Adie, Beau Morgan, Patrick for leaving her, and especially God.
Adie spoke to her husband in a murmur. “I saw Beau.”
“How is he?” The Reverend sounded grim.
“He looks terrible,” Adie replied.
Dani jumped in. “The girls are terrified of him. Frankly, so am I.”
“Of Beau?” The Reverend sounded incredulous.
“Yes.” Dani pressed her point. “I don’t know what he was like in Denver, but he’s not fit to raise three girls. I don’t care what Patrick’s will says. I have letters. He’d want me to raise his daughters.”
“Miss Baxter—”
“I can prove it.”
Reverend Blue held her gaze. “Maybe so, but does it matter?”
“Of course, it matters!”
“Why?”
“They prove what Patrick intended.”
The Reverend’s eyes filled with sympathy. “God might have other plans. Patrick left a will, but—”
Her throat hurt. “The letter is more recent.”
Reverend Blue sealed his lips. Dani didn’t like his expression at all. He looked like a man keeping a secret. Had Beau already spoken to the Blues? Did they know about sending the girls to school?
She had to make her case. “You can’t let him do it.”
“Do what?” Adie asked.
“Send the girls away.”
The Blues traded another look. Adie turned up her palms in confusion. “I spoke to Beau for less than a minute. I don’t know what he’s planning.”
“I do,” Dani said. “He wants to send the girls away to school. I can’t let him do it. They need to be in their own home.”
Adie’s mouth tensed. “They certainly do.”
“That’s why I want to adopt them,” Dani continued. “I grew up on the biggest dairy farm in Walker County. I know the business. I can run the farm and the girls can stay together. It’s what Patrick would have wanted.”
The Reverend said nothing. Why the silence? If he wouldn’t speak, how could she convince him to
