three

Samantha couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Ben Thompson. With him on a farm and his children in town, he missed a lot of their day-to-day lives. It had to be hard on all of them. She wondered about his wife but didn’t feel like she should ask.

Faith sighed and shook her head. “He’s seemed so lonesome the last few times he’s come to town. And Matt and Hope have made friends here. Sometimes they are torn between spending time with him and doing something with a friend on a Saturday, and neither of them want to tell him.”

“He needs a wife, that man does,” Rose said. “I know his heart is in the land, but I think he’s torn at times, too. I wish he’d found a wife here in town before he offered to farm my place, or that my farm was in a little closer.”

“So do I, Rose,” Faith said. “I know he misses Molly. They all do. He’s totally devoted to his children, but he can’t live his life only for them. They are growing up, and even if they were on the farm now, they won’t be forever. They’ll have their own lives to live. Besides, much as he loves them, they can’t take the place of a wife, and Molly would be the first to tell him so.”

Samantha felt almost like an intruder listening to the conversation. She could only assume from it that Ben’s wife had passed away and was taken aback by the relief that washed over her upon learning that he wasn’t estranged from his wife. How sad for them all. She wasn’t sure what to say. She sipped the tea Faith set in front of her and watched her and Rose as they worked on supper. “Are you sure there isn’t anything I can help you with?” she asked.

“I don’t think so, but thank you, Samantha. Mrs. Warner and Mrs. Fairmont came in from shopping while you were cleaning up, and they’ll be down in the parlor before long. Gabe will be coming in soon, and we’ll have supper in about an hour.”

Hope came back into the kitchen, and Samantha was struck by how much she looked like her father. Hope gave her a sweet smile and turned to her aunt. “I’ll go set the table now, unless you need me to do something else, Aunt Faith.”

“That’s fine, Hope, dear. I believe we’ve got everything under control in here.”

Hope went into what Samantha assumed was the dining room, but she was only gone for a moment before she came back to the kitchen. “Oh, I wanted to say that I’ll be glad to share my room with Miss—with Samantha.”

“Oh Hope, that is very nice of you. Thank you.” Samantha was touched by the young girl’s suggestion. “Rose offered, too. I hate to put anyone out—”

The back door opened, and Ben, another man, and Matt all came in at the same time. The way Faith’s face lit up, Samantha was pretty sure the man was her husband.

“Samantha, this is my husband, Gabe Logan.” Faith’s words proved her right. “You can call him Gabe.”

The man walked over to the table and smiled down at Samantha. “Pleased to meet you, Samantha. I’m sorry about the fire but glad you didn’t get hurt. Ben told me all about it.”

“Thank you. I’m very fortunate that he came by when he did.”

“She didn’t like me keeping her from going back into that tent, though. At least not until the top of it caved in at the center. Once that happened, it took only a few moments for the rest to be destroyed.” Ben looked at her and sighed. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared as when I saw her ducking into that tent before I got there. I’m thankful she got out and I got to her before she went back in. Of course I believed she was a boy at the time. I probably would have had a heart attack if I’d known she was a woman.”

For the first time, Samantha realized he’d seen her running in to get what she could. And he’d hurried to keep her from doing it again, afraid he’d be too late. She let go of a shaky breath. “It would have landed on top of my head if you hadn’t stopped me.”

“We’re certainly glad that he did,” Faith said. Her husband crossed the room to be at her side, bent down, kissed her on the cheek, and put his arm around her as she continued, “Now all you have to do is decide who to room with—Rose or Hope—and then we’ll work on finding you a job, Samantha.”

“Rose or Hope? Why don’t I give her my room?” Matt said. “I know you ladies like your privacy, and I can stay in the new apartment over the office. It’s turned out pretty nice, hasn’t it, Uncle Gabe?”

“It has. That’s a good idea, Matt. It would give you and Ben more room when he’s here, too.”

Ben nodded. “You’re right, it would. We can move Matt’s things after supper.”

“Oh, I really hate to put you all out—” Samantha began.

“Looks like your mind has been made up for you, Samantha,” Faith said. “It really is a good idea. Matt’s wanted to move over there for some time now, anyway. Looks like you are an answer to his prayers.”

Matt grinned and bowed in Samantha’s direction. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Samantha couldn’t help but laugh with the others. The decision had been made.

❧

After the fire, Samantha’s first inclination had been to feel sorry for herself, but now she realized it was a blessing in disguise. She’d never met more caring people in her life than Ben and his family. And even the boarders at the Logan Boardinghouse were kind.

At dinner, Samantha met the Fairmonts, the Warners, and an older gentleman named Mr. Dodson, who’d replaced a Mr. Herrington after he got married.

“Mr. Herrington’s new wife was eager to set up house-keeping in her own home,” Faith explained. “And they hired Gabe to build them a nice little house on a lot Mr. Herrington bought from a couple who wanted to go back East. They stop by from time to time for Sunday dinner so we keep in contact.”

“Well, I’m glad that little woman wanted a place of her own,” Mr. Dodson said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be here now.”

Samantha couldn’t help but notice that Mr. Dodson kept glancing at Rose throughout the meal, and she wondered if Rose was aware of his interest. The conversation over the meal was lively, and they all welcomed her warmly. Once they found out she was going to move into Matt’s room, everyone offered to help in whatever way was needed.

After dinner, Hope and Rose took over cleanup while the men helped move Matt’s things over to the apartment. Mrs. Warner and Mrs. Fairmont went up to the attic and went through the things they’d brought with them but didn’t need while living in a boardinghouse. They came back down with a bedcover that was a lot more feminine than the one Matt had on his bed and curtains that matched quite well. Mrs. Fairmont even brought down a silver-plated comb and brush set she’d just replaced and a few other more feminine accessories.

Evidently the apartment was pretty much furnished so the furniture in Matt’s old room stayed put, but everything else that belonged to him or looked as if it belonged to a man quickly disappeared from sight. It seemed no time at all until the room had a decidedly softer feel to it.

“Oh it’s lovely,” Samantha said when they all stepped back to admire the transformation. The wedding ring quilt had belonged to Mrs. Warner’s mother. And the lace curtains were some Mrs. Fairmont had made herself. That they were willing to let her use them—someone they’d never met until today—Samantha didn’t quite know what to say. “I’ve never had a room this nice before. Thank you all so much. I’ll take good care of everything until I can return it.”

“You are welcome,” Faith said, and the other ladies echoed her. “It did turn out really nice. Now I’m going down to put on a pot of coffee. I’ll brew some tea, too, if you ladies would prefer that. Please come join me, if you aren’t too tired.”

Even if she had been tired, Samantha wouldn’t have turned down the invitation. But her eyes began to burn with tears, and she felt the need of a few minutes to herself. “Thank you. I’d love that. I’ll be right down.”

“Take all the time you need,” Faith said as she and the others left the room. Samantha could only let out a shaky breath and blink against the tears that threatened. She hadn’t been shown such kindness since she’d lived with her grandmother after her parents died in a train wreck.

She gazed around the room once more. After having slept on the ground for the last few days, she found the bed more than a little welcoming. The room was a nice size, holding the bed, a wardrobe and dresser, and even a writing table and chair by the window.

Faith had hung a churchgoing dress, two skirts, and several shirtwaists in the wardrobe. She’d also put an array of personal undergarments in the drawers. Due to the kindness of these strangers, Samantha had a place to call home and clothes to wear. Now all she had to do was find work. For the first time in days, she felt hopeful about finding a respectable job.

She hurried to the bathroom the boarders shared and splashed her face with water to keep the tears at bay before she went back downstairs and joined the others in the kitchen. Mrs. Fairmont and Mrs. Warner had joined their husbands in the parlor for their tea, but Faith and her husband and Ben and his children, along with Rose, greeted her when she entered the kitchen.

“Samantha, I was afraid you might decide to call it a night. I know you must be exhausted,” Faith said. “But I’m glad you took me up on my invitation. Would you like coffee or tea?”

“Tea, please.” It seemed to relax her more than coffee this time of night. “I hope you like your new apartment, Matt. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your giving up your room for me.”

The young man chuckled. “Please believe me, Miss Samantha, I appreciate your taking it.”

“And he means that sincerely, Samantha,” Ben said. “I have to admit it’s a nice apartment. It does give us a little more space when I come to town.”

“But what about when you aren’t here? Is it very far away for Matt to be staying by himself?” Samantha asked, a little surprised at her concern for the young man she barely knew.

“He’ll be fine. It’s not much more than arm’s reach across the lots. There’s a good lock on the door, and Matt has his own gun. He knows how to use it if he has to. But I’m going to trust the Lord that he won’t ever have a need to. And of course it doesn’t hurt to know that Faith and Gabe’s room looks right over at the apartment.”

Samantha felt better hearing that assurance. Matt was a good-sized young man, and he did seem quite mature for his age. If his father believed he’d be all right, she might as well quit worrying.

She looked around the table at the people who’d come to her aid without knowing a thing about her and knew that she’d gained more than she’d lost that day. Much more. She loved listening to them talk about some of the possibilities for finding her work and who might or might not be needing good help.

Rose and Hope began to gather up the cups, and this time Samantha didn’t let Faith talk her out of helping. She dried the dishes as Rose washed and handed them to Hope to put up. “It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done for me. I’ll not be sitting and watching you all do all the work anymore.”

“Guess she told you, sis,” Ben said. But the look in his eyes made Samantha think he liked that she’d lent a hand to his sister.

“Guess she did,” Faith said with a smile.

Once the last cup was dried, Samantha folded the towel and laid it on the washboard. “Thank you all again. I think I’ll go try out that bed. I must admit I’m quite looking forward to sleeping on a mattress and not on the ground tonight. I’ll see you in the morning. Good night. I—” She looked at each one, but her gaze came to rest on Ben.

He smiled and shook his head. “Enough thanks from you for one day. You are very welcome. Sleep well.”

Samantha wasn’t sure what else to say so she only nodded and hurried out the door and up the stairs. She’d wanted to hug each person for their complete acceptance and eagerness to help her but had held herself back. Something about Ben Thompson touched her heart—aside from the fact that he’d saved her life. Still, after her ordeal in Kansas, she didn’t welcome the feeling. She’d left there thinking she’d never find a man in all the world she could trust. . . . And she had no intention of ever getting close enough to one to want to. Yet deep down inside, she knew she wanted to trust this one. Maybe already did.

When she opened the door to her room, she was again flooded with gratefulness to be able to have a place like this to stay. She readied herself for bed and pulled her worn Bible out of the saddlebag Ben had brought in earlier. It had been her mother’s, and Samantha ran a hand over the cover and held it to her chest. “Thank You, Father,” she whispered. “Thank You for letting Ben Thompson save my life and bring me here to his sister’s place. Thank You for all the kindness I’ve been shown today. Please watch over this family and the boarders and bless each one for their help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Samantha read until her eyelids started to droop. Then she turned out the light and crawled beneath the clean bed linens. She sighed as her head sank onto the pillow. Her last thought was that the Lord had turned the day from near tragedy into a huge blessing, and she thanked Him once more.

❧

Ben watched Samantha leave the room and was taken aback by the way his heart stirred in his chest. His children elicited that kind of response from him, but this feeling was entirely different, and he couldn’t put a name on it. Maybe it was a normal reaction after seeing her about to run back into that tent, afraid he wouldn’t get there in time to stop her.

But he had a feeling there was more to it. She certainly did clean up real nice. That slight young man he’d thought she was had turned into a lovely, shapely young woman in one afternoon. He was more than a little relieved knowing that she was safe under his sister’s roof and not out in the elements by herself somewhere between Guthrie and Oklahoma City. But he wasn’t any too eager to leave her in a town with more single men than—

“She’ll be fine here, Ben,” Gabe said. “These ladies love nothing better than to fuss over someone who needs help—although I don’t think Samantha Carter will let them fuss over her long. She seems to be quite independent.”

“She’d have to be, to come here by herself, live in a tent and—” Faith shuddered. “I can’t even imagine doing that. Had I not been traveling with Ben and the children, I never would have come to the territory all alone.”

“I’m sure she had good reason,” Rose said. “Most women don’t decide to pick up and leave all that is familiar to them without one. I’m so glad you came to her aid and brought her here, Ben.”

“She may be independent, but I don’t think she’d have been camping out by herself if she could have found a place to stay,” Faith said. “But the town is full up right now. Gabe and I had been talking about renting out the apartment only a few weeks ago. I’m glad we decided not to.”

“So am I,” Gabe said. “But I never really entertained that idea. I decided I didn’t want anyone but family in such close proximity to my business plans and files.”

“Considering Matt has been wishing he could move in over there, it worked out real well for all of us. Guess my son is fast turning into a young man, and I might as well accept it.” Ben glanced at his grinning son and smiled back. “But I think it’s time for us to call it a night. See you all in the morning.”

Faith came and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s good to have you home. I truly am so thankful that you weren’t hurt helping to save Samantha, and I’m glad you brought her here.”

“Thanks, Faith. So am I.”

They said their good nights, and he and Matt headed across the yard to Gabe’s office. They climbed the outside staircase that was lit by the light they’d left on when they’d finished moving everything over. Now it seemed to welcome them in as Matt unlocked the door and they went inside.

Gabe had planned the apartment well, and Ben was pretty sure he’d had him and Matt in mind when he drew up the plans. It was made up of two rooms and a bathroom. The bedroom was a nice size, and the parlor/kitchen area was even nicer. A small, round table and two chairs stood in front of the window overlooking the yard between it and at the boardinghouse. Ben couldn’t help but notice the light on in what had been Matt’s room. Samantha was probably still too keyed up after the day she’d had to sleep. He could well understand. Tired as he was, he still felt wound up himself, and he let Matt have first dibs on the bathroom while he familiarized himself with the kitchen area.

A small cookstove would help to keep the apartment warm in the winter. With the boardinghouse right there, the stove might not be used to cook much, but it was nice to have if the weather was bad and one couldn’t get out. Faith had even stocked coffee, tea, cocoa, and sugar. Ben smiled remembering Faith as a child. He was the one who’d taught her to make hot chocolate. He couldn’t ask for a better sister. And she was still there for him and his children, even as she was adjusting to being a married woman again.

When they’d both come out here a little over a year ago, he and Faith were both widowed. But it didn’t take long for her to find Gabe—or rather for them to find each other. It took a little longer for Gabe to convince her that he loved her enough to accept the fact that they might never have children. They seemed happier every time he saw them, and for that he was extremely thankful—and more than a little envious.

Ben sighed and bent his head in prayer. Lord, please forgive me. I know it’s wrong to be jealous of what my sister and Gabe have. But I sure miss being married and having someone to share my life with. Someone to see the sunrise with each morning and share my awe of You and the beauty You created. Someone to share the good times and even the bad. Please help me to be satisfied with the life You’ve given me, Lord. I know I’m blessed. Molly was a wonderful wife, and she gave me two great children. Please help me to count my blessings instead of longing for more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Papa, you all right?”

Ben raised his head to see his son leaning against the doorframe leading into the bedroom. He smiled. “I’m fine, son. Just talking to the Lord for a bit.”

His son nodded. “I’ve been doing some of that, too. I sure am glad you weren’t hurt saving Miss Samantha today. She seems nice.”

“She does.”

“And she’s real pretty.”

“She is.” That was an understatement if ever he’d given one.

“You’re a man of few words tonight, Papa.”

“I am.” Ben chuckled. “Guess I’m tired, son. You are right. Sam seems to be a very nice woman, and she’s real easy on the eyes, too.”

“Sam?”

“That’s what she first introduced herself as, and the name kind of stuck with me. But she doesn’t look like a Sam now.”

His son grinned at him. “No, she sure doesn’t. Maybe you ought to think about courting her.”

Ben sighed. The idea had crossed his mind a time or two before it had tried to settle in. But he’d chased it right back out. He’d only met the woman today. “Son, keep in mind that we don’t know a lot about her. . . .”

Ben didn’t like the direction his thoughts were taking him. He didn’t want to doubt that Samantha was everything she appeared to be. But he’d lived enough life to know that first impressions weren’t always correct.

“Well,” Matt said, “that only means you need to get to know her better. That’s the only way you’ll find out if she’s the kind of woman we think she is.”

Ben was a little surprised at his son’s suggestion. He’d feared his children might resent it if he ever did find a woman he wanted to marry. Instead his son seemed to be prodding him to do exactly that. Matt truly was growing up faster by the day.