The fierce protectiveness in Matthew's voice made Eliza smile. He's nice. Yes, and he's family. Both my old family and potentially part of our new family if he'd like to be. Our family is getting bigger, Nathaniel observed happily.
First we got you. Now maybe we'll get an uncle, too. James, more practical, said, "Paul will want to know about the incident at the store, about Mrs. Peton. " "I'll tell him," Eliza assured him. "All of it.
He deserves to know. " They rode home in comfortable silence, the afternoon sun beating down, but the wagon full of supplies and the children full of pride in their mother's bravery. When they finally pulled up to the ranch, Bo was waiting on the porch, clearly anxious about how the trip had gone. One look at Eliza's face and his shoulders relaxed. "No trouble? " "Some trouble," Eliza admitted, climbing down. "But nothing we couldn't handle. " "Boys, help unload these supplies.
Your father and I need to talk. " The boys scattered with the efficiency of well-trained soldiers, and Eliza followed Bo around to the back of the house, where they could have privacy. She told him everything: Mrs. Peton's venom, the boy's fierce defense, her own confrontation with the older woman, and finally the unexpected reunion with Thomas. Bo listened in silence, his face unreadable. When she finished, he was quiet for a long moment, staring out at the distant mountains.
"I should have gone with you," he said finally. "I needed to do this myself," Eliza countered. "I needed to prove to them and to myself that I'm not the broken woman they sold 6 weeks ago. You were never broken," Bo said, turning to look at her with those winter sky eyes. "But I understand needing to prove it to yourself," he paused.
"Your brother, do you want him to visit? " "If it's all right with you, he's the only family I have left who doesn't think I'm cursed. " "Of course, it's all right. This is your home, Eliza. You can invite whoever you want. " Bo hesitated, then added. The boys defended you well. Like little warriors, Eliza agreed with a smile.
They were ready to take on the whole town for my honor. They love you. I love them too, more than I ever thought possible. Something shifted in Bose's expression at that. Something she couldn't quite name.
He took a step closer. Close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his sunheated skin. Eliza, I need to tell you something. I've been trying to find the right words for weeks now, but there never seems to be a right time. And pa.
Mama. Meera's voice rang out from the house. Come quick. Levi's talking. They rushed inside to find all five children gathered in the main room, staring at Levi with expressions of shock and delight.