Homespun Bride

126 Homespun Bride“Is that your cup on the table? Then I’ll fill it, too.”He moved away, already speaking over the sound ofcoffee pouring. “I stopped home and packed my saddlebagsfor another night’s stay.”“Not another night out in that cold barn.”“Only until Robert’s out of risk. I wouldn’t feel rightabout leaving you ladies here by yourselves tonight. Ifall goes well tomorrow, then I’ll head home.”“Th-that’s decent of you, Thad.” And more than sheexpected of him.The coffeepot landed on the trivet with a clang.“Your uncle is going to be bedridden for awhile. Isthere any family you can send off to and ask to comehelp?”“I’ll m-mention it to Henrietta.”“I’ll pitch in until then.”No matter how hard she fought against it, she couldnot keep her emotions still. They rose up like a lump inher throat. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore them,praying they would go back down into the dormantplace within her heart. “But aren’t you needed at home?”“It’s true, I have obligations.” His baritone dipped,low like an invitation to lean and listen.“What kind of obligations?” The question rolled offher tongue before she could order herself not to ask it.“I would have thought that you’d heard.”“Heard what?”“My younger brother’s had some trouble with the law.”“Finn? Oh, I didn’t know.” Noelle choked the wordsout past the expanding lump in her throat. She swallowedbut it refused to budge. “Is it very serious?”“Serious enough or I would have never come backto help my ma and Aiden out.”