Lindsey showered before laying down for a nap. The warm water felt heavenly as it washed away the grime of driving all night. Although she still felt bone tired, she also felt lighter for having shared her story with Marion. She'd never cried over Steven leaving her. Perhaps she should have done that sooner.

She put on the clean clothes Jessica had loaned her. Lindsey had to admit she felt proud to fit in the teenagers clothes.

Don't be silly. No one's going to be looking at you anyway.

The voice in her head sounded too much like Steven. When the negative thoughts slipped in, Lindsey had learned to hit her knees. She knelt by the bed and poured out her heart.

Dear, God. I know you're there, and I know you're watching over me and Katie. Thank you for keeping us safe today. And thank you for sending Jake to help us. His family is wonderful. They asked me to stay, but I don't know what to do. I don't want to take advantage, but for the first time since Momma died, I feel safe. Loved. Please help me. Show me the way so I can take care of my baby girl.

Amen.

She waited, hoping to get an answer before getting off her knees and crawling into the bed. There were no words, no thoughts. She didn't know what to do yet, but she felt a comforting peace settle over her. Somehow it would all work out. She'd get her car fixed, drive to West Virginia and get a job. Her brother would help her and Katie would never feel the sting of her father leaving. Not if Lindsey could do anything about it.

* * *

Jake knew he should work on his projects, but he found running around outside with Katie much more enjoyable. Her little legs struggled through the four inches of snow, so he stomped down paths for her. At times she'd run headlong into a snowdrift built up by the wind, falling in face first. She thought that was the best thing ever, because each time she did, he swept her up and swung her through the air. Her laughter was the most joyful sound he'd ever heard. It was better than ice cream on a summer day. Better than the smell of fresh cut hay. It might even be better than Christmas morning.

The thought jolted through him. Christmas morning as a child had always been magical. He'd missed those mornings since growing up. Would it feel like that again if Katie and her mom stayed?

"Hey, peanut." He ruffled the curls that peeked out from her wool cap.

"Dadda?" she held her arms up in the way he had learned meant 'pick me up.'

He obliged and tossed her in the air. She squealed and giggled.

"Up,” she demanded.

He tossed her again, wishing the day would never end. The insights had him sending up a prayer of gratitude.

Thanks for this day. Help me find a good woman to start a family with that will help me feel like this all the time.

Jake realized that was probably what God had wanted for him all along, but he'd let his fears keep him from looking. He set Katie down and she was off and running again. He followed, ready to pick her up as soon as she needed him.

* * *

Lindsey woke to the sound of muffled laughter. After a good stretch, she peeked out the window to find Jake throwing Katie high in the air. Her daughter squealed and giggled in a way Lindsey had never heard. It sounded like pure joy.

Jake set her down and she took off running. The big man followed close behind. It was clear from the smile on his face he was having as much fun as Katie. That's what her daughter deserved. A dad who adored her.

Lindsey felt a burning desire to be out there with them. She grabbed her coat, slipped into her boots, and hurried downstairs. The snow sparkled in the afternoon light. She shielded her eyes to watch her daughter. Katie pushed and grunted at a large snowball. Every once in a while, Jake would nudge it for her. Both their cheeks were rosy from the cold.

"Looks like you guys are having fun,” she called to them.

Jake looked up. "Hey, want to join us?"

"Momma, play?" Katie held her mittened hands toward her.

"I'd love to." Lindsey stepped off the porch. "Snowman?"

"Yep. Why don't you start on the middle while we finish the bottom." Jake went back to rolling the snow across the yard. "Where do you want it, peanut?"

"No-man." Katie jumped up and down.

"There?" Jake pointed.

Katie nodded her little head.

"Good spot." He moved the growing orb into place.

Lindsey rolled her ball toward them. She loved seeing her daughter so happy. It almost made up for the fact that she'd forgotten her gloves. Her hands were already stinging from the cold.

"Hey, let me take that. I'm so stupid." Jake took the snowball from her and placed it on top of his base.

It was far too small to look proportional, but Lindsey didn't get to think about it for long. Jake pulled off his gloves and reached for her hands.

"We've got to get your fingers thawed out." He rubbed one hand and then the other with his warmer ones before taking both and blowing on them. His breath was hot, sending pinpricks through her fingers. "Do you have gloves?"

Lindsey looked up into his cheerful eyes. She felt the spark deep in her heart. When was the last time Steven had cared what was going on with her? Had he ever?

"Um, I think they're in my car." She found it hard to think.

"Oh, we should drive by TJ's shop and get all of your stuff. He said it might take a couple of days to get everything fixed."

Lindsey deflated. She glanced at Katie, who was busy stomping on the snow. Days without her car would mean more money spent on the hotel, and it didn't bode well for the cost of repairs.

Jake squeezed her hands and spoke as if he could read her mind. "You can stay here as long as you need. Mom won't charge you because we're not officially open to the public yet."

"That's not right. I should pay her something."

Jake smiled. "Good luck with that. And TJ will give you the best possible price. I explained what happened with the semi. None of this is your fault and the trucker's insurance should have payed for it."

"Insurance. I didn't even think of that." Ug, she could barely afford the insurance now. If her rates went up, she'd really be in trouble.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. Jessica's right, I'm hopeless at talking to pretty women." Jake pushed his gloves onto her hands. "Let's forget about it for now and just enjoy an afternoon in the snow."

He thinks I'm pretty? Lindsey smiled up at him, finding she had needed to hear that more than she ever thought she would. She kind of liked that he acted nervous around her too. "Thanks. Let's finish this snowman."

They worked side by side, helping Katie make the last snowball for the head. Then Jake ran in to get all the things they needed to dress him up. When they were all done, they stood back to admire their work.

"He looks pretty good." Lindsey held Katie's hand. "I can't remember the last time I helped make a snowman."

"Me either." Jake picked up Katie's wool cap from the ground and placed it gently on her head.

Lindsey's heart ached when Katie held her arms out to the man.

"Up!"

"Okay, peanut." Jake lifted her up and she immediately rested her head on his shoulder.

"I think she's found a new best friend."

"She's something else."

Jessica yelled from the front porch, "Hey, you guys want some dinner?"