if he could drown in her pretty blue eyes. To avoid them, he bent down and picked up a piece of straw. He chewed on the end of it, waiting for Bella to look away.
She turned her attention back to Mark and Caleb. “If he said so, then yes.”
Mark kicked at a clump of wet hay. Disappointment filled his face. Tears filled his eyes.
Philip watched as Caleb placed an arm around his brother’s shoulders, then looked to him. “Mr. Young? Are you still going to give the cat some milk?”
Philip looked up into the loft. “Not today. I don’t think we should disturb the mama cat, but the cow still needs to be milked. Do you boys want to help?”
Mark seemed to brighten with the prospect of milking the cow and both boys nodded. Philip looked to Bella.
She stood slowly and said, “Before she left, Cara said we could warm up the pot of stew for our supper. While you men milk, I think I’ll see if I can scrape together a pan of biscuits.” Bella walked toward the barn door but then stopped. She turned slowly and studied them. “Are you sure you don’t mind the boys helping you?” Her brow furrowed.
“I wouldn’t have asked for their help if I didn’t want it,” he answered with a grin. Philip dropped a hand onto Caleb’s shoulder.
Bella nodded and then left.
Philip turned his attention back to the boys. “Looks like we have chores to do.”
“I’ve never milked a cow before.” Caleb removed his arm from Mark’s shoulders.
“Me, neither.” Mark stooped down and picked up a piece of straw. He placed it between his teeth and chewed.
Philip tried not to smile as he realized Mark was imitating him. The boys needed a man in their lives. Could he follow in his adoptive father’s footsteps and adopt the two boys as his own? Bella would have to be part of the package. He couldn’t imagine her letting him raise the boys alone and, truth be told, Philip didn’t want to. But he also didn’t want to fall in love. Would Bella agree to a loveless marriage?
* * *
Bella missed her old job at the bakery. She even missed the early hours and found herself still rising long before the sun. If there was one thing Bella was good at, it was baking. The smell of biscuits filled the house. She loved mixing, kneading and baking bread.
Philip came through the door with both boys hot on his heels. “Woo-wee, something smells good in here.”
Mark dashed around Philip. “I got to help milk the cow.”
Caleb followed, carrying one of the milk buckets. “Me, too.” He panted under its weight.
Bella couldn’t help but smile. The boys were louder and more active than they had been since she’d taken them from their home a month ago. It appeared spending a little time with Philip had been a positive experience for the boys. She was thankful that Cara had suggested they spend the night with them so that they could all get to know each other better.
Philip put his bucket of milk on the kitchen counter and then helped Caleb with his. “You did a good job.” He patted the boy on the shoulder and offered him a warm smile.
Caleb squared his body. He stood taller and nodded his thanks. Mark hurried to the settee, where they’d left their wooden horses. He carried them to Philip and Caleb. “This one is mine. His name is Brownie. Someday I’m going to have a horse like him.”
Philip took the toy and examined it. “He looks good and sturdy. I think you have yourself a keeper there.”
“While you men study the livestock, I’m going to butter this bread and get our supper on the table.”
Bella continued to listen to Philip and the boys as she set the table for dinner. Cara had told her earlier that she wouldn’t be back in time to eat, but for her and the boys to go ahead. It felt odd working in another woman’s kitchen as Philip and the boys talked about horses, the Pony Express and the mama cat. She smiled at the way the boys responded to Philip. Caleb asked questions about the Pony Express and Mark talked about the mama cat and kittens.
She made sure to set a plate on the back of the stove for Cara and then called, “Time to eat, boys.”
Philip pushed up from the couch. “Come on, boys, I’ll show you where we men wash up.”
“Do we need our coats again?” Caleb asked.
“Nope, we won’t be outside. Cara talked John into making her a small pantry off the kitchen, where she made a place for him to wash up.” He was already walking past Bella and into the pantry.
Bella smiled as the sound of the boys’ laughter and chatter filled the small space.
“When I grow up, I want to fish, ride horses and hunt,” Mark said.
Getting to know her nephews was a joy. Bella had the sense that Mark was more outdoorsy and that Caleb enjoyed being inside.
“Maybe someday you can work on my brother Thomas’s ranch,” Philip said, leading the boys back to the table, where they all sat down.
Bella frowned. That would never happen if Philip wasn’t going to marry her. It wouldn’t do for Philip to fill the boys’ hearts with dreams that weren’t going to come true. After the boys were in bed, she’d talk to him.
“Aunt Bella, are you sick?” Mark studied her face.
She smiled. “No, sweetie. Why?”
“You aren’t talking.” He laid his spoon to the side.
“I’m tired, not sick.”
Mark frowned. “Oh. All right.” He picked up his spoon and tasted the stew. A big smile pulled at his mouth. “This is good.”
Bella laughed. “I’m glad you like it. Now eat up and then we’re going to get ready for bed. It’s been a long day.”
Both boys did as she said. They tucked into their supper as if it was their last meal.
She sighed. If Philip wasn’t going to marry her, then how was she ever going to take care of the kids? Maybe she could see if Dove Creek needed a baker. But the short supply of money that she had wouldn’t be enough to rent them a place to live. Worry ate at her insides like a gopher gnawing at the roots of a tree. What was she going to do?
An hour later, Bella cleaned the kitchen. She’d put the boys down on a pallet beside the fireplace. Their soft snores filled the kitchen and sitting room. Philip sat at the table nursing a cup of coffee.
Drying the last dish, Bella eased into the chair across from him. “Thank you for being so patient with the boys today.”
He nodded. “It was my pleasure.”
Bella traced the wood pattern on the table with her finger. How did she bring up the subject of him not promising
