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None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
“You don’t mind me volunteering you, do you?”
Joanna sighed. “Katie! For the fourth time, no, I don’t. I’m honored you would let me be your chaperone. I love children, too, and I don’t mind cleaning, cooking, or baking. Stop fretting.”
Katie checked her hair in the mirror. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I’ve watched children before.”
Joanna came up behind her and met her eyes in the mirror while she straightened Katie’s collar. “Perhaps because you are twenty-eight, never been courted, and a certain father of two adorable children happens to be a very handsome man.”
Katie spun around. “What are you talking about? How do you know?”
Joanna smiled. “I saw you talking to him and his children. Let’s go or we’ll be late.”
They hurried down the stairs and met Mr. Reese. “Ready?”
“Yes, Mr. Reese,” Katie answered.
“Good.”
Fifteen minutes later, they approached a small cabin. Matthias was outside playing with a dog that was almost the same size as him.
“Miss Mar-in!” he shouted when he saw them. “Pa! Miss Mar-in is here!” Matthias ran up to Katie and pulled on her hand. “Come see my doggy.”
Katie laughed as Matthias pulled her away from her friends. “What is the doggy’s name?”
“Pup,” Matthias announced, a huge grin on his face. “I named him.”
Katie patted the brown and white dog on the head and scratched behind his ears. The door opened and Luke Williamson stepped out. “Good morning, Miss Martin, Mr. Reese, and Miss Abernathy. Thank you for being so prompt.”
Katie studied her suitor while he was distracted greeting Allen and Joanna. He was rather good-looking, but did he ever smile? She thought back on their conversation at church. No, he hadn’t even smiled when he talked about, or to, his children.
“Matthias, please go inside and help your sister.” Luke’s voice broke into her thoughts. After Matthias was inside, Luke turned to Katie. “Is there anything you need to know?”
“What time do the children usually eat lunch and do you join us for lunch?”
“Lunch is at noon and I do try to come in for lunch.”
Katie nodded. “Is there anything in particular you need done around the house this morning?”
Luke bit his lip. “I don’t think so. Just take a look around. There’s probably something I’ve missed. But you don’t need to worry too much about the household chores. I mainly want the children cared for.”
Katie smiled. “They will be, Mr. Williamson. But with two of us, we can get plenty of other things done as well.”
Luke pushed his hat back a little. “All right. You’ll know better than I would. I’m headin’ out to the fields. They’ve already had breakfast, but Matthias might try to get you to make him some more. Thank you for bringing them, Mr. Reese. I will escort them and the children back this evening in time for supper.”
Allen held out his hand. “Have a good day and I’ll see you this evening.”
“Thank you.” Luke strode out to the fields behind the house.
“We should get inside and make sure the children aren’t getting into trouble,” Katie said. “Thank you for coming with us, Mr. Reese.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good day.”
The day went smoothly. Lunch was a somewhat awkward affair. Katie tried to keep a conversation moving, but Joanna and Luke were both quiet people not inclined to talking much so she finally gave up.
Just before Luke left, she spoke up again, “Do the children take naps in the afternoons?”
Luke paused in the doorway. “If you think they need it, yes. Since they’ll be up late tonight, it would probably be a good idea.”
Katie nodded. “Thank you. Will you know when to come in or should I send one of the children out at five?”
“I’ll be in in time,” Luke said. “If I’m not, it would be best to either come yourself or send Joanna. I’ll be in the far field.”
Katie bit her lip. “All right.”
Luke ducked out of the door and hurried back to the fields.
Katie turned around to find Joanna smiling mischievously. “What are you smirking about?”
Joanna shook her head. “Nothing.”
“What?”
She looked pointedly at the children and mouthed, “Not now.”
Once the children were in their beds for a nap, Katie looked expectantly at Joanna. “Well?”
Joanna lowered her voice. “You and Luke are already butting heads.”
Katie closed her eyes briefly. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that you two are perfect for each other. Luke needs someone to step on his toes a little and you’re good at doing that. You need someone to be patient and firm with you. And Luke is perfect at that.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Why did I even ask? Let’s get the bread made.”
***
Later that evening as Katie got ready for bed, she tried not to think about Luke, but it was hard not to. Allen was right, they both had walls built up around their hearts and neither of them intended for the walls to ever come down. But Luke really only wanted a mother for his children, a marriage of convenience.
That was something she would gladly do. She was already in love with the children. Matthias really liked her and she thought Abigail might be warming up to her. There was no real reason either of them needed to tear down their walls.
“Katie?” Joanna’s voice was muffled through the door. “Are you still awake?”
Katie sighed. “Yes.”
Joanna peeked in. “Do you mind if I come in?”
“Come on in.”
Joanna crept in and sat on the chair next to her bed. “I’m concerned about you.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, I think if Mr. Reese allowed it, you would marry Luke and have a loveless marriage your whole life. I think you deserve to have the love of a man as well as his children.”
Katie shook her head. “I’m a plain girl with no romantic aspirations. The children need a mother’s love. If Luke proposes, I will accept. For the children.”
Joanna shook her head. “You don’t think you deserve happiness? Why not?”
Katie stiffened. “That is none of your business. I—”
“Fine, so it isn’t my business, but at least think about it. Please? I don’t want you to be stuck in a miserable marriage because the children need a mother for another fifteen years. And when they are gone, what will you and Luke do?”
Katie glared at her. “What about you? You’ve had plenty of young men trying to talk to you and you don’t say a word.”
Joanna flushed. “I’ll warm up to some of them sometime. I’d rather they talk to Mr. Reese first, though.”
“They might not want to until they know something about you.”
Joanna shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Can I get some sleep now? We have a long day tomorrow.”
Joanna sighed. “All right. Goodnight, Katie.”
“Goodnight.”
