was helping Matt near here.”
“More rustling?”
“Yes, but right now,” Nate kept his voice low as he eased out of her embrace so it wouldn’t carry to where the children had gathered near Hannah, “I’m more concerned about you.”
“I’m fine.”
Nate studied the woman a moment. Although Alice was years older than his mother, it had never been readily apparent until now. New wrinkles lined her face. Dark circles smudged her eyes, giving her a bruised look. Since he’d last seen her, she seemed to have aged years instead of months.
“I don’t believe so. Things are rough here, aren’t they?”
“I am fine.” Her expression turned somber. “As much as I can be.” She nodded toward the little ones. “We’ll talk after they’re in bed.”
“That won’t be for hours.”
“Is there someplace you need to be?”
“Well, I came to bring you home,” he stated in a matter-of- fact tone.
Alice raised an eyebrow. “Did you plan on leaving now?”
“I figured you’d be ready to go.”
“I’m not, but if I was, you really want to leave this late in the day?”
“Yes, but an early start tomorrow would make better sense.”
“Exactly, so make yourself comfortable.”
“Couldn’t we step outside?” He all but whispered, noticing the children were quiet, likely listening.
Alice shook her head. “Little pitchers have big ears.”
“But-”
“It’ll keep, Nathaniel, trust me.”
Her words were gentle but Alice gave him a look Nate had become familiar with growing up. Nothing would change her mind. She gestured with one hand toward the table, calling to the boys. Long experience told him arguing with her was like talking to a fence post, pointless, so he gave up.
“Who are you?” The oldest boy, who couldn’t be more than seven, stepped in front of him while his brother went straight to Alice.
The stubborn angle of his jaw, dark-blond hair and bright- blue eyes proclaimed him as Jed’s son. The anxiety and bravado in his tone stirred empathy. This child felt threatened, regarding him with clear suspicion.
“I’m Nate.” He sank down, crouching before the boy. “Do you remember me?”
“No.”
Alice started to chide the boy for his rudeness but Nate glanced up at her, asking silently for her to let him handle the matter. To his surprise, she did. The woman resumed peeling off the other boy’s jacket without another word.
“It’s been a long time, Jason.”
“How do you know my name?” The child’s tone was only a shade more polite.
“Your grandmother became our housekeeper when I was about your age. I grew up with your father.”
Jason’s expression became mulish. “Grandma ain’t never mentioned nobody named Nate.”
“Jason.” Alice spoke in a gentle tone as she moved beside them, placing her hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Ain’t never mentioned nobody?”
“You ain’t- You haven’t mentioned someone named Nate.” The boy corrected himself.
Alice squeezed his shoulder in approval. “I use his proper name; Nate is short for Nathaniel.”
Jason’s mouth dropped open. His eyes rounded, becoming saucers. “He’s Nathaniel?”
“In the flesh.”
“Oh.” The boy’s gaze found his, staring at the man in wonder. “You’re the-”
“Don’t say it,” Nate cautioned in a tone gentle but weary.
Nate looked down at the floor, expecting an innocent remark echoing some part of the gossip. Instead, silence stretched over the next few seconds. He brought his gaze up and found the boy staring at him, puzzled. Shame heated his neck. He should have known better. No grandson of Alice would repeat rumors.
“You’re not the one that works with horses?” Jason asked, sounding tentative.
“I am. Sorry. I thought you were going to say something else.”
His expression made it plain Nate’s explanation didn’t make sense to Jason but he moved on. “Would you tell me, um, us, about your horses?”
“Sure, later, if your grandma says it’s okay.”
Jason beamed his eagerness then scooted around Nate to hang up his coat. The younger boy, John, darted away from Alice to join Hannah and her daughter at the same time. He and the older woman crossed the room at a more sedate pace. As they approached the others, the little girl drew his gaze. She looked about the same age as John, three if he remembered correctly, with ginger braids falling over her shoulders. When the child noticed him nearing, she sought the cover of her mother’s skirt folds.
“Jemma, I’d like you to meet Mr. Rolfe.” Eyes, green as the fir trees of his home, peered out at him, shyly. “Nate, this is my daughter.”
Once more, he crouched down to a child’s eye level. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, little miss.”
“Hi,” She greeted him with a timid whisper.
Nate smiled, then trying not to overwhelm her, straightened back up. He reclaimed his seat and cup of coffee. Jason started peppering him with questions about horses and, over time, as he patiently answered them, his brother grew comfortable with him as well. To his surprise, he found himself enjoying their quiet but non-stop chatter while washing up then settling around the table.
The following hours, though pleasant, seemed to go on forever. They ate, tended chores, and had polite exchanges. Both women tried to be cheerful but, at times, Nate could tell their smiles were forced. Tension haunted them. The presence of a man unseen but felt, Jed. He never emerged.
During the day, no one ventured into Jed’s room, knocked on his door or suggested including him. No one, not even his boys, spoke about the man. And, for all their chatter, the kids were subdued inside the house, far more than good indoor behavior warranted. Outside, however, the boys were boisterous. The stark contrast disturbed him. By evening, Nate was growing restless, eager to talk it all over with Alice.
Luckily, the children offered distraction. While not one of them complained about having warmed-over stew again, they each had a demand. John wanted more butter on his cornbread. Jemma
