It appeared he knew how to handle a plow and what needed done on a farm. She’d be able to report back to Sheriff Daniels that Kane was truly a godsend. He slowed the horse to a stop when he saw her approaching. Beads of sweat trickled down his face. He swiped at his face with the sleeves of his shirt.
“I thought you might be thirsty.” She handed him the cup.
“Thank you.” He downed the water in one continuous gulp, then handed her the cup back.
“Would you like me to get you some more?”
“No, I should be good until lunch, or I can go out back to the well. I may need to cool off a bit by then,” he said. “Just let me know when it’s time to eat.”
Faith laughed.
“I already have a pot of soup on. I’ll go in later and stir it, but until then, I’m here to help. The girls can play for a while and we’ll walk the field and pick up any rocks.” She scanned the part he had already plowed and could see a few rocks from where she stood. “Just let me put your cup inside and I’ll be back out to help.”
“How about I work out here and you can make bread or whatever you need to do inside.”
Startled, she stared at Kane. “You don’t want my help?”
He shrugged. “Not that I don’t enjoy being around you—because I do, but it seems to me you’ve already got enough to do without doing my work as well.”
“But I always helped Tom.”
“And I’m not Tom.”
She bit her lower lip. “I know you’re not.”
His eyebrow raised. “Where I come from, the men are the ones who work in the field, not the women.”
“Are you sure you’re not expecting me to fill the same role that Rachel did?” The pained expression on his face revealed the impact of her words spoken in anger. “I’m sorry, but if you keep telling me not to compare you to Tom, I don’t expect to be compared to someone I can’t live up to either. We haven’t hired hands anymore, and it’s my land—it’s my place to help.”
“I wasn’t comparing you to Rachel.” Kane held her gaze. “You’re obviously a stronger woman than she ever was, and I admire you for that, but you’re still a woman and you need to be able to look after the girls. Let them be children and have fun.”
His logic made sense, perhaps the desire to fight left her when she’d seen his wounded expression from her angry response. Whatever the reason, she relented, even though it was hard not to compare him to Tom. Her first husband would not have thought twice about her working out in the field, even when she was pregnant.
CHAPTER SIX
Saturday, a little over a week later…
Kane finished in the field and guided the horse back to the spot near the barn, where he needed to leave the plow. He unhooked the horse.
“Good, boy.” He patted the horse and gave it water before taking it back to its stall. He scooped some extra grain for the horse as a reward. “You’ve worked hard this week. You deserve it.”
The horse readily buried his head to eat. Kane rubbed his back a few moments before exiting the barn.
Every day after plowing, Kane walked the area he’d plowed to pick up rocks. It gave him time to cool down and use different muscles in his aching body. He used the time to talk to God. Chuckling to himself, Kane headed back to the field to finish his work for the day. Funny how, after a week of telling God how he really felt, his soul seemed cleansed and he was more at peace than he’d been in a long time.
As Kane walked, he picked up rocks and tossed them in a small cart he’d assembled earlier in the week to make light of his task. He’d suggested that Faith and the girls use them to decorate around a flower garden, and he’d use the bigger ones to keep some of the ground from eroding near the side of the house. She made a game of it with the girls. Truth be told, he’d only suggested it because he liked seeing them while he worked—it reminded him what he was working for, and the sound of their laughter warmed his heart. Plus, he enjoyed stealing moments to watch his wife.
Lately, when they were in the confines of the house, she often turned away shyly when she caught him staring. Faith was beautiful, and his, if he wanted her. Oh, how he wanted her, yearned to take her in his arms and kiss her lips. But he wanted her to see his face when she closed her eyes. Not that he didn’t think of his first wife, but he’d at least had two years to grieve. It hadn’t been a year since Faith lost her first husband. A tinge of jealousy, for a dead man that he couldn’t compete with, plagued him.
Kane bent and picked up a rock. The edges were smooth like a river stone. His life had become like that stone. He’d been rough and bitter, but people praying for him—and being given a second chance—had helped to smooth things over and soften his once-hardened heart. Tossing the stone in his hand, he smiled before placing it in the pocket of his trousers. It would serve as a good reminder of how far he’d come.
He continued working until Faith called for him to come in for supper. After washing the dirt off his hands at their well, he cupped his hands together and filled them with the cool water to clean his face, dirty from sweating all day, then headed inside.
Whatever Faith had cooked smelled amazing. His stomach grumbled in anticipation. She was a wonderful cook, no matter what she made, and Kane knew he was in for a treat. He followed the tantalizing aroma all the way to the kitchen. “It smells delicious. I can’t wait to eat.”
She smiled at him over her shoulder while she prepared plates of food.
Instinctively, he went to help. Placing an arm around her waist, he leaned close enough to bend over her shoulder. “I must be living right.” Kane chuckled. “Cause it ain’t every day a man gets fried potatoes, green beans and smoked ham.”
Kane couldn’t decide which smelled better, dinner or her. He was hungry for both. Licking his lips, he swallowed hard, thinking about what her kisses might taste like. As close as his face was to hers, it would be nothing to bend a little further to nibble on her neck. She had jumped slightly when he touched her waist, how would she react to more intimate contact?
Her hands shook and her movements were delayed. He smiled. Faith wasn’t immune to him either.
“Could you take this to the table please?” Her voice quivered.
“I’d be happy to.” He took the plate and kissed her cheek before doing the task given him.
“You’re such a tease,” she hissed.
Boisterous laughter erupted from deep within his chest. “It looks like I’m not the only one who is hungry.”
When Kane set the plate in front of Gracie, he noticed something wrapped in newspaper by his spot at the table. Was it a gift? “Did someone have a birthday that I didn’t know about?”
“Mommy made you a shirt,” Gracie announced.
“Gracie!”
Kane glanced at Faith, who had paused in her steps with a plate in each hand, to the four-year-old, then back to his wife again and chuckled. “I assume it was supposed to be a surprise.”
Faith nodded and quickly carried the plates over and deposited one in front of Hope and the other at his spot. She didn’t make eye contact with him, but briskly turned and hurried back toward the stove.
Was she crying?”
He went to her, reached out, took the plate from her trembling hand and set it on the counter before turning her to face him. Her cheeks were slightly moist. Kane cupped her face in his hands and rubbed his thumbs across the soft flesh to remove the moisture.
“I told you before…” Kane’s voice was husky. “Pretty girls like you shouldn’t cry.”
Her blue eyes closed as his lips came down on hers, drinking in the sweetness like a man long starved and only she could keep him alive. He longed to drown in her love.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Faith smiled sheepishly as her husband put on the new cream colored shirt and brown paisley vest she’d made for him. She’d never watched him dress before. Of course, they’d never spent the night together in the same bed either. Her heart skipped a beat as memories flooded her min
d.
Kane groaned, capturing her attention.
“I did promise my wife before we married that I would attend church every Sunday, and it’s Sunday.” He winked at her. “So unless you want to be responsible for making me break my promise, you may want to get yourself and the girls ready while I make breakfast.”
Without giving her a chance to respond, he disappeared from the room. While he looked attractive in his new clothing, his willingness to pitch in and help with breakfast made him even more appealing. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t wipe the silly grin off of her face. She hurriedly dressed, then went and readied the girls.
After they finished eating, and had loaded everyone in the wagon, Faith breathed a sigh of relief as they headed to church. The only consolation to her daily routine being off kilter was the looks her husband had given her all morning. He’d obviously found it hard to hide his amusement at her physical reactions to his touch, or any flirtatious looks he’d sent her way. Even now, the toothy grin and chuckle showed his playful side. She was glad he’d abandoned his tough exterior, and had offered her comfort when she cried. Faith looped her arms around Kane’s arm.
He kissed her temple. “Your smile is brighter than the sun and warms me more than a summer day.”
“Why, Mr. Calloway, if I weren’t already a married woman, you would make me swoon.” Faith batted her eyelashes at him playfully, fanning her face with her hand.
“You’re going to be trouble in church today, aren’t you Mrs. Calloway?” Kane chuckled.
She enjoyed teasing him. “And if I am?”
“Then at least you’re in the right place to repent.”
They both laughed, even harder when Gracie asked them what was funny. The rest of the ride to church was spent chattering as Kane engaged the girls in conversation. He asked them about their surroundings, shared interesting tidbits about plants and wildlife he’d seen in his travels, and even asked the girls about things they liked to do.
“Daddy used to take us on picnics,” Gracie said. “But he’s gone now.”
Chancing a glance at Kane, Faith tensed slightly and held her breath. Should she comment? She didn’t want to betray Tom’s memory, yet she didn’t want to ruin her new found relationship either.
“Your daddy sounds like he was a good man.” Kane’s voice was strong and confident. “I hope you will let me join in on some of the things he used to do with you girls.”
“Can we go on a picnic first?” Gracie stood up in the back of the wagon and wrapped her arms around Kane. “Then we can walk barefooted in the creek, and pick apples.”
“It sounds like we’re going to be busy.” Kane smiled at Faith. He pulled the horse up outside of the church and stopped. “We’re here.”
Faith waited while Kane came around and helped her and the girls out of the wagon. She noticed the church door was closing. “We need to hurry.”
“How about I carry you, Hope?” He didn’t wait for her to respond, before hoisting her to his hip and grabbing Gracie’s free hand while Faith held the other one.
They hurried inside. Piano music began to play as the congregation stood to sing the hymn. Other families with small children already occupied the pews at the back of the church, leaving them no choice but to sit closer to the front.
It was hard for Faith not to wonder if the pointed looks they received were because they were late, or because of the new addition to their family. Whatever the reason, the individuals could make their peace with God.
When church ended, Faith asked Kane if he would mind meeting Josie and Cord McGraw. Faith knew Josie from the bakery because they had supplied fresh fruit and berries for her last year for pies. She wanted to let Josie know they would be able to count on her family again this year.
Part of her also wanted to garner strength and encouragement from the fact that another Freedom Bride had found a supportive partner, and even love, through the program. Was that what Faith felt—love? It wasn’t just the physical intimacy, but the way he looked out for her and her daughters. Kane was caring and hard working, tender with his words and in his actions. Being around him brightened her day, just because he was there.
Josie looked from Kane to Faith and waved. “It is good to see both of you.” She turned to the man next to her, who Faith knew from gossip was Josie’s husband. “Cord, I’d like you to meet Faith Masterson—”
“Calloway,” Kane corrected, and extended his hand for Cord to shake. “And I’m her husband, Kane.”
“Pleasure to meet you both.” Cord nodded, tipping his hat to Faith.
“Likewise.” Faith was sincere, and happy to have another couple that they could relate to, given their situation. “I wanted to let you know that we would have fresh fruit again for you this summer for your restaurant.”
“That’s wonderful, Faith. Thank you.” Josie gave her a brief hug. “Some of the town’s people are a bit skittish, but they have been coming back to the bakery to eat since they found out Cord’s reputation was cleared.”
“People stopped coming there?” Faith was stunned. “What do they think these men are, hardened criminals?”
“They are criminals.” Franklin Marks rose from the pew, his fist clenched. “No matter how much you want to dress them up and take them to church, or make upstanding women who haven’t got no menfolk to take care of them, marry them out of desperation, they’re still criminals who got lucky.”
People throughout the church stopped talking and stared at them.
“I beg your pardon.” Faith’s cheeks warmed. She’d never been so livid. “How—”
Kane stilled her with a glance. “It’s all right, Faith.” He turned to address his accuser. “Mister, while your words may hold some truth, I am lucky and thankful to get another chance. But seeing we’re all in church, we’ve all got a reason to be thankful for having a second chance.” Kane pulled his hand out of his trouser pocket and handed something to Franklin.
“What’s this?” Franklin looked at it and turned it over in his hand.
“It’s a stone I found yesterday when I was working in the field,” Kane said. “Jesus said, ‘he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.’ I reckon that would be you?”
Franklin frowned and returned the stone to Kane, then turned and walked away.
CHAPTER EIGHT
While Faith did dishes after dinner, Kane sat in the rocking chair with Hope and Gracie. He told them stories to keep them entertained and when his ideas waned, Gracie began to sing for them until her words trailed off. Hope’s eyes fluttered a couple times before closing. Her head bobbed to the side. Kane smiled and continued rocking slowly.
It felt good holding the girls. After he lost his first wife, he gave up hope of having a family, but now—he had those things. Finding out Cord and Josie had adopted Cord’s sister gave Kane hope. Perhaps Faith would consider the possibility of them adopting a son.
Movement caught his attention.
Faith stood near the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her lips curved as she stared at Kane and the girls.
“I thought it had gotten quiet in here.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper. She approached them, and kissed his forehead. Faith carefully eased Hope from his arm.
Kane gently lifted Gracie up in his arms so her head rested on his shoulder as he stood and followed his wife to the girls’ room. He walked around to the far side of the bed and pulled back the covers, so that it turned down on both sides. They both laid the child each held down on the bed, then tucked them in beneath the covers. Tonight they would have to skip praying with the children, but he’d remember to include them in his prayers.
Tiptoeing out of the room almost made him laugh. It wasn’t something he’d known any other man to do, but at Faith’s instruction, he’d begun to a couple days ago—even when he felt ridiculous doing so—because she made him aware of how loud his shoes sounded on the wood floor when he walked, and how it might wake the girls. He soon learned a few momen
ts of peace and quiet when the children were sleeping were a treasure.
Once they were out of the room, and he’d carefully closed the door behind them, his breath caught in his chest. Faith had already gone into the bedroom and left the door open for him. With good reason she’d expect him to share her bed again. Last night hadn’t been something he’d planned, it had just happened. Now was another story.
Taking a calming breath, Kane went into the room, closed the door, and took a seat on her side of the bed as she was starting to undress. Faith smiled at him and stepped closer, to stand between his legs.
He wrapped his arms around her. “We need to talk.”
She tensed. Her hands paused from their task, and she slid her arms around him to rest on his shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“Today, I was thinking of how Cord and Josie adopted his sister, and since you know I don’t wish to have children of my own, would you be opposed to us going to the orphanage and adopting a boy?”
“I—I don’t know what to say.” Even with the low light of the lantern, he could tell by her bewilderment he’d sprung it on her too soon. “What if—if God decides to give us children, of our own?”
“He won’t.”
“You can’t know that.” Faith’s voice quivered.
“Look—” Kane gently pushed her away as he stood. “I care deeply for you, and I won’t lose another wife during childbirth. Even if it means we need to refrain from…” He looked at the bed, motioning with his hand toward it as if he couldn’t even say the word. His eyes pleaded with her to understand. “I can’t lose you too, Faith.”
She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re not going to lose me, and I promise, I’ll think about us adopting a boy, if you will at least be open to discussing the possibility of us having a child together one day.”
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