After church if you're planning to attend. The invitation surprised Faith. Sunday dinner was typically a family affair, not something offered to near strangers. That's very kind, but please, mama, Emma interrupted, looking up from her new books. I want to see Mr.
Yates's ranch. Does he have horses? Yates grinned down at her. More horses than you can count, Miss Emma. And a new litter of kittens in the barn that might need some attention from a gentle young lady.
Emma's eyes widened. Kittens? Faith felt her resistance weakening. It had been so long since Emma had experienced simple joys like this. Well, I suppose we could come for a short visit after the service.
Excellent. Yates's smile reached his eyes, creating those crinkles that Faith found herself noticing again. I'll have one of my men bring a buggy for you. The walk would be too far for little legs. After they departed, Emma clutched her new books to her chest.
I like Mr. Yates, Mama. He's nice and he smells like pine trees. Faith laughed, stroking her daughter's hair. Does he now?
And how would you know what pine trees smell like? From when he leaned down to show me the kitten pictures in my new book. Emma's expression turned serious. "You think he meant it about being like a papa to me?" Faith sideighed, sitting on their small sofa and pulling Emma onto her lap. "Sweetheart, Mr.
Turner was just being kind that day in the store. He wanted to make you feel better after those boys were mean. But he keeps being nice to us and he invited us to dinner like families do. He's a generous man, Faith explained carefully. But that doesn't mean he's going to be your father.
We barely know him. Emmer rested her head against Faith's shoulder. I think he likes you, Mama. He looks at you the way Mr. Peterson looks at Miss Dorothy when she's not watching.
Faith felt heat rising to her cheeks. Emma Summers, what an imagination you have. She gently set her daughter on her feet. Now help me put these groceries away, and then it's time for your bath." Later that night, after Emma had fallen asleep, Faith sat by the window with one of the new books open in her lap. But her thoughts kept drifting to Yates Turner, his unexpected generosity, his gentle way with Emma, the intensity in his green eyes when they met hers.