yet to see one survive without help. This is not the kind of country a woman alone can conquer safely. What if you find a way to handle everything about the farm and the boys, and then one day those thieves come back?”
“David! Don’t frighten her!” Peggy gasped.
“I’m not trying to frighten her,” he assured, “but I saw Sheriff Collins yesterday, and he still hasn’t had any success in tracking down Murdock’s killers.”
Peggy clicked her tongue in disapproval. “I’m not sure why we trust that man to protect this county.”
“He’s a good sheriff, Peggy. He’s just not much for decorum,” Reverend Dismuke disagreed.
“Well, he always looks as if he’s just rolled out of bed,” Peggy insisted. “How do we know he’s done all that can be done to find those thieves?”
“I’ve talked with him at length, and I assure you he’s doing his job. It’s just not an easy one.” To Daisy he said, “I’m sorry. I know this is very difficult for you.”
“I’ve wished a thousand times that I’d been home that day. Maybe I could have saved him.” Daisy’s remorse was palpable.
“Oh, Daisy, you can’t torture yourself like that. You and the boys could have been hurt—or worse—if you’d been there,” Peggy lamented.
“My wife is right. God was protecting you and your sons that day. I don’t pretend to understand all He does or why, but I know He had a purpose for you to be spared.” They all sat in silence for a moment.
Daisy couldn’t bear the thought of those murderous thieves returning and harming her sons. She hoped each day to hear news of their capture. Would she always have one eye on the lane while she worked? Would she be able to let the boys return to school? She wondered if they’d ever be safe again.
Reverend Dismuke was the first to speak. “I think you should accept Mr. Barlow’s offer of marriage.”
Daisy nodded her agreement. She hadn’t been able to save Murdock, but at least she could protect his sons.
“Are you sure, Daisy?” Peggy leaned over and grasped both of Daisy’s hands.
“I’ve prayed, Peggy, and I feel this is what the Lord would have me do.” The resolve in Daisy’s voice won her friend’s agreement.
“Okay, then.” Peggy sat back up straight and smoothed her dress. “Well, when do we meet this Mr. Barlow, and when is the wedding?” Peggy asked.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Now. And now,” Daisy sputtered with a laugh.
“What?” Peggy exclaimed.
“I’ll answer that. You calm down,” Reverend Dismuke teased his wife as he went to the door.
Both ladies stood as Tucker and the twins entered the room. The boys stood on either side of Tucker, making an obvious effort to stand at their full height, so much so that their small necks stretched to achieve full advantage of their stature. Small grins tugged at their matching faces, but she saw the restraint to prevent pride from bursting forth. Then she noticed the reason for this new posture. Tucker stood, hat in hand, and each boy had a smaller, though very similar hat, held in the exact way. John stole a look at Tucker to confirm he had the stance correct.
James could hold his peace no longer. “Momma! How do you like our hats? Mr. Tucker helped us pick ’em out!” He offered her a closer look without moving from Tucker’s side. “These are real Stetsons just like Mr. Tucker’s! Only they’re different ’cause everyone can make his Stetson how he wants. I like mine with the brim down, like Mr. Tucker. John likes his with the top pushed in just so. They’re great, aren’t they Momma?”
“That’s very nice, James.” Daisy touched the felt brim. “What about yours, John?” She moved to stand in front of the youngest twin.
“I like mine just fine, Momma. They were expensive, but Mr. Tucker said we needed them.” He didn’t meet her gaze. John was always cautious, and a matter was never settled for him as quickly as it was for James.
Daisy turned to Tucker, tilting her head to see into his eyes. She saw the mirth there. He was enjoying the happiness of her sons. She was grateful to see them excited. They hadn’t had a treat in a long time, and certainly nothing so grand.
“Need them?” She raised her eyebrows and waited for an explanation from Tucker. Surely he understood they didn’t have that kind of money.
Tucker stretched his neck to pronounce his height and tilted his head to one side ever so slightly. “Yes, ma’am. Every working farmer needs a good hat. These young men are no exception. It wouldn’t be proper for me to expect them to work without the tools they need.” His barely suppressed grin reminded her of the twins forced restraint. They’d only met a few hours ago, and already these males were forming an alliance she was certain she’d have to confront on a regular basis.
Looking from one to the other she addressed all three at once. “Well, I see you had a successful trip to the general store. Now it’s time for us to go to the church.”
Everyone made their way to the front door and down the steps to walk toward the church. Daisy looped her arm in Tucker’s, easing back into the friendship they’d shared for years. In a voice for his ears only, she leaned in and said, “When I said they could have a treat, I meant something like a piece of candy or fruit. I don’t know how you thought we could afford something like that.”
“Oh, they got candy, too.”
Daisy looked ahead to see both boys pulling a handful of candy from their pockets to compare.
“In the future we need to talk about things like this before they happen. And why are they calling you Mr. Tucker?” Daisy almost sounded as if she was scolding Tucker.
Leaning closer to her, without losing his grin, Tucker spoke. “There are a lot of things we’ll talk about in the future, but buying those hats was my decision, and I stand by it. And they’re calling me Mr. Tucker because I prefer it to Mr. Barlow. We’re going to be family in just a few minutes.”
“Well...” she interrupted.
He held up his free hand. “Well, nothing. You said you wanted us to stay focused on the events of today. We’ll talk about other things later, but right now...” Tucker gestured to the door of the small church that John held open for them. The others had walked ahead and were already inside. “Right now, we’re going to a wedding. And I think we both need to concentrate on that.” His fingers brushed the length of her jawline, and he smiled.
Daisy drew in a breath to calm herself. “Okay. I’ll focus.” She lifted her skirt just enough to keep from stepping on it as she climbed the steps. “But we have a lot to talk about, Tucker. And we will talk about it.” She dropped her hem and smoothed her skirt as they passed through the doorway.
“I’m sure we will, Daisy.” Tucker removed his hat and handed it to John for safekeeping during the ceremony. “I’m sure we will.” He offered her his hand, and they proceeded up the aisle.
Daisy stood beside Tucker at the altar of Pine Haven Church. She took advantage of the opportunity
