Homespun Bride

Jillian Hart 119“Why, Thad!” The lean-to door swung open andthere was Ma clutching her shawl closed at her throatand standing in the cold. “You came back. Just when Iwas starting to worry why we hadn’t heard from you.”“Couldn’t keep away from the prettiest ma in all ofMontana Territory.”She sparkled, despite her worrying paleness. “It’sgood to have you home, son.”“It’s good to be home.” He kissed his mother’s cheekand followed her into the lean-to.“I’ve got a hot pot of coffee on,” Ma said as sheslipped through the kitchen door, where it was warmand snug. “I’ve got some cinnamon rolls from yesterday’sbaking. I’ll warm those for you boys, too.”“Thanks, Ma,” Thad said.Aiden, who stepped in behind him, said the same.Not wanting to pick up the conversation they’d beenhaving in the barn, Thad kept his back to his brotherand stepped around the morning’s supply of stackedwood to fit his boots on the bootjack. “What’s thenews on Finn?”Aiden didn’t say a single word, but Thad could hearhis scowl, it was such a strong one.“That bad, huh?” Thunk, went his boot on the floor.Thad fit his other boot in the jack, his foot slipped outand that boot, too, fell loudly in the awkward silence.He bent to retrieve both and set them against the outsidewall. “What? He’s still coming home, isn’t he?”“Looks that way.” Aiden turned away and thunk,went his boot to the floor. “Ma picked up a letter at thepost office yesterday. Finn got himself into sometrouble at the prison. A fight of some kind.”Of course. That boy was more trouble. Thad