The meal ended and the men went outdoors again, as much to escape the heat of the house as to finish their work.
Johnny went to the wagon, not surprised when Levi followed.
“Never thought you to be the kind of guy to hold a baby that wasn’t your own.” His brother paused. “Hadn’t even pictured you holding your own. Kind of figured you to be the sort to leave that all to the missus. ’Course, you’d have to get married first.”
“And you know I don’t intend to do that.” He contemplated the repair on the wagon, planning to get blocks to hold it while he removed the wheel.
“Like Ma says, it’s good to start over.”
Johnny straightened and faced his brother. “You saying that for your sake or mine?”
Levi’s teasing grin vanished in a flash of pain.
Johnny wished he could pull the words back. He had no desire to bring up hurtful memories for his brother. “I’m sorry. Forget I said that. In case you’ve forgotten, I am planning to start over. Me and Thad.”
Levi snorted. “I doubt that’s what Ma meant.”
Johnny shrugged. “Not all of us can find what Tanner found.”
“You mean a woman like Susanne or a ready-made family?”
“Yup.” Let Levi interpret that any way he liked.
“I saw the look on your face when you held that baby. Seems a ready-made family might be to your liking.”
“I played second fiddle, second best to the father of a child with Trudy. Sure as guns don’t plan to do that again.” Johnny marched away to find blocking material.
He’d fix the wagon and send Willow and Adam on their way just as soon as the boy was deemed fit to travel. Then he’d go to the cabin and prepare it to live in.
That was his plan and he meant to stick to it. Not even the downy head of a little boy would change his mind.
* * *
Willow stared at the door after the men left. Were they what they appeared to be? Big Sam, a man of considerable size, smiled so tenderly at his wife and bestowed looks of approval at his sons...and the two grown sons were so polite.
She swallowed hard, trying unsuccessfully to ease the lump in her throat that made it almost impossible to breathe. Her own father had been like that. He’d said he loved having three daughters and she’d never seen any hint that he didn’t mean it. She’d known nothing but affection and approval from him.
She shook off the ache that had become part of her every breath since her parents’ deaths. In a day she would be reunited with her sisters, and together they’d again create the Hendricks family.
“I regret that I kept Johnny from his plans,” she said by way of apology.
“He has a cabin to repair.”
“Is he getting married?”
“No.” Maisie paused. “He and his best friend, Thad, have plans.” She rolled her head a little. “They need a new beginning.”
It sounded rather mysterious but it was none of her business. “I’ll help clean up,” she told Maisie. But when she put Adam down, he threw himself on his back and cried. “I’m sorry. He’s not usually like this.” Normally he liked the freedom of scooting around on the floor, exploring every corner.
“He’s miserable. And the house is hot. Take him outside and let him rest in the shade. I don’t mind doing this on my own.” Maisie waved her hand to indicate the kitchen and the dish-laden table.
“But—”
“Wait right there.” She went into the other room and returned with a neatly folded quilt. “Spread that on the ground for him.”
Willow hesitated. “It doesn’t seem right. First I keep Johnny from his plans, and now I’ve given you extra work.” Johnny had been going the opposite direction when he rescued her.
“Hush now. You haven’t given me extra work and Johnny’s plans can wait.”
Murmuring her thanks, Willow carried her son and the quilt outside and settled on the ground in the shade of some trees. As Adam reached for some leaves to play with, Willow relaxed for the first time in many hours. Make that many days. Since she’d left Wolf Hollow.
Were Johnny’s plans as pressing as hers? If so, she had cost him a delay. She’d be sure to thank him at the first opportunity.
It didn’t take long for a hundred worries to put an end to her relaxed state. Were her sisters as anxious to see her as she was to see them? Where was she to sleep tonight? The last two had been spent at the wagon, where she’d slept poorly, concerned about the safety of herself, her son and her belongings. Would Adam be ready to travel in the morning? Perhaps sleeping in the open accounted for his ear infection. Was it another mistake she would bear the burden of?
She trailed a cluster of leaves across Adam’s tummy. He giggled, then screwed up his face and wailed.
“Poor little guy is in pain.”
She jerked about to stare at Johnny. “You startled me.”
“I saw you come out and thought I should tell you your wagon is fixed and ready to go.” He sat on the grass beside her.
Adam crawled into his lap.
Willow squinted at the baby. What was there about this man that drew her son like a magnet?
As if reading her mind, Johnny said, “I suppose because I drove you here, he thinks I have something to do with Maisie helping ease his pain.”
“I suppose.” It really didn’t matter. They’d likely not see him again, or catch nothing more than glimpses of him in town. “I know I interrupted your plans for the day. I’m sorry. I hope it doesn’t mean you lost some opportunity.”
“Not at all.” When Adam perched in his lap as if he’d found a throne, Johnny smiled. “I was on my way to fix a cabin.” He gave a little laugh when the baby plucked at Johnny’s shirtsleeve. “If it’s not done in time, we can sleep under the stars.”
“Still, I’m sorry for causing you a delay,” Willow murmured.
“No need to apologize.”
He didn’t seem to mind, but how was she to know if his words were only politeness? She tried to think of something more to say, but her mind was on her own plans. Johnny offered no conversation as he trailed a blade of grass up and down Adam’s arm to amuse him.
Maisie stepped out of the house to join them. “Willow, I’ve made up a bed for you and Adam.”
“Oh, but I didn’t plan to spend the night.” At least not in the house. She still had her wagon.
“Of course you will. There’s no other place and you’re
