The next morning Sam waited until he heard Elin rattling pots in the kitchen before he left his room. He’d been awake and wanting to get up for half an hour. It wasn’t that he was anxious to see her. He simply wanted to get to town in good time, take care of purchases, perhaps find a couple more men to work for him, and then get on with his life.

Only, the moment he stepped into the kitchen and saw Elin humming at the stove, work slipped from his mind. Never before could he remember feeling like he wanted to hang about a house.

Gus was already sitting at the table, an empty cup between his palms as he waited for the coffee to boil. He looked up at Sam. “All set to go to town?”

“Yup.” Sam managed not to rub his hands together and grin. This sense of anticipation was so unfamiliar. “Been awhile.” With a start, he realized he didn’t mean going to town. He meant the welcoming feeling of home. He’d last had it when his ma was alive. What would Elin think if he told her that?

She filled cups with coffee for them. “Breakfast will be ready shortly.” She glanced toward the bedroom. “Joey is sleeping late.”

Three pairs of eyes looked that direction as Joey shuffled out, wiping sleep from his eyes. Still wearing his nightshirt, he climbed to his chair and leaned his arms on the table.

Sam looked to Elin. “Is he too tired to go to town?”

Joey sat up straight. “We go town?”

“That’s the plan.”

“See G’ma?”

Elin wrapped an arm about the child. “I’m afraid not. We’re only going to Buffalo Hollow. You remember that’s where we got off the train.”

Joey sighed and lowered his head to his arms on the table.

Elin and Sam exchanged looks. He figured he looked as worried about the boy as she did. “It takes time,” he murmured.

She nodded, acknowledging that she understood he meant it took time to get over such a large loss. She patted Joey then gave Sam’s arm a pat. “Or learn to accept it.”

He met Gus’s gaze across the table and could not miss the knowing look in the older man’s eyes. Gus shifted his gaze to Elin and back to Sam as if he needed to make his thoughts clear to Sam.

Sam ducked his head and studied his coffee. No point in Gus thinking he saw something out of the ordinary. Sam hoped no one saw his grin. There was nothing ordinary in having a woman and child in this house. Or any house Sam had lived in since he was five.

Elin served breakfast. The adults ate with more focus than usual and then Sam and Gus went out to do the barn chores. When they returned, driving the wagon, Elin had the kitchen clean and Joey dressed. She wore a pretty gray bonnet that matched her dove-gray dress and carried a drawstring bag. She looked fresh as morning dew.

Sam lifted Joey into the back of the wagon with Gus and helped Elin to the seat. She sat upright, her attention going from side to side as they made their way down the trail toward town. “I saw all this on the trip out here, but it looks different now.”

“It hasn’t changed much in four days.”

“Four days ago, I was wondering where Harry was and why he hadn’t come for me as he promised. Now I’m different.” She kept her head turned away from Sam.

He glanced over his shoulder. Joey chattered and waved his arm. Gus nodded. They weren’t listening to the conversation at the front.

“How are you different?” he asked softly.

“I know I am needed.”

He wrapped his hand over hers, felt her twitch, but she didn’t pull away. “I’m glad you’re here.” And glad Harry wasn’t.

He moved his hand to adjust his hat even though it sat where he wanted it. At this leisurely pace, it would take an hour to get to town unless he pushed Claude, and he saw no reason to. Nor did he want to spend the time thinking how nice it was to have Elin at his side. So he pointed out the landmarks. Told her who lived in each direction.

“Why did you come to Dakota Territory?” she asked.

“Because of the grass. Good ranching country. Some places in the state are too arid, but this part has plenty of water and enough trees for protection.”

“Did you grow up on a ranch?”

“I did. Morty and my pa were partners and raised cattle.”

“That’s why Morty became your guardian after your pa died?”

Sam brushed away a persistent horsefly. “I guess he inherited Pa’s share of the ranch as well as a stepson. He was good to me.”

“Did Harry resent you?”

“Harry had no reason to. I worked like any of the hired men. He did only what he wanted to. Sometimes it wasn’t much.”

She shifted to stare at him. “You were ten when your pa died, weren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Surely you didn’t work like a man at that age.”

He chuckled. “Not exactly, but from the time I was five and Ma died, I rode with my pa. By age ten, I could cut out a cow as well as any man. Better’n some. I could do chores. I only have one regret.”

“Not being allowed to be a child?”

“Nope. Not learning how to cook.” He grinned at her. “But now I don’t have to.”

She jabbed him in the ribs. “Maybe I should give you some lessons.”

“Why? Are you leaving?” He meant the words to be teasing, but even to his own ears they sounded pleading.

“I’m staying. I thought I’d told you that.”

“Then I don’t need any cooking lessons.”

What if Harry came back? Would he marry her and stay? Marry her and leave? Or simply leave again? He flicked the reins to hurry Claude along. Scattered homes lay along the road as they approached town. Glad of the diversion, he told Elin what he knew of every occupant, which was far less than the questions she asked. He had spent more time with his cattle than he had socializing. He’d left the latter to Harry, who went to town at every opportunity.

They made their way to the rather small shopping district. He stopped in front of Litton’s General Store and jumped down. He helped Elin to the ground. Her gaze went past him. He looked over his shoulder. She stared at the train station.

“Everyone will know that I came to marry Harry and he is gone,” she whispered as he helped her alight. “They know I brought Joey with me. Will the Scanlons have told people that they suspect he is mine?”

“There are no secrets in this town.”

She laughed though it lacked mirth. “There were no secrets in Norway either.”

“What do you want to say about the boy?” Sam asked.

She watched Joey scrambling out of the back with Gus helping. “Seems to me whatever we say, people will choose to believe what they want. And usually the worst. Is there any point in saying he is Harry’s child?”

“Can’t see it will do him any good. Harry has the reputation for living without concern for consequences.”

“So every childish nonsense the boy is part of is going to be judged as evidence of a foolish nature?”

Sam couldn’t have said it better. “I expect that will be the case.”

“Then I see no reason we should feel obligated to correct people’s misconception. I will tell the truth to anyone who asks, but I won’t offer an explanation to those who have drawn their own conclusions.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

Sam had once thought women were weak. Elin had proven to be otherwise, and no more than at this moment when she faced the critical judgment of the residents of Buffalo Hollow and the surrounding area. News of the newcomer would have spread out like a flood.

She clung to his elbow as they made their way up the steps into the store. Joey clung to her other hand and Gus followed on their heels.

He didn’t know if she realized it, but they all flanked her, sending a silent message that she was protected by them. He smiled as he wondered how much she needed it.

* * *

Elin told herself she didn’t care how she was judged. What difference did it make if people saw her as the mother of Joey? She would proudly be his mama. She held tight to his hand. She would have carried him except she couldn’t make herself let go of Sam’s arm.

An angular man watched them approach. “Howdy, Sam, Gus. See you got company.”

Elin could tell nothing from his bland tone of voice.

Sam drew her forward. “Miss Hansen, this is Sid. He and his brother Sol run the store.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Elin congratulated herself on sounding calm.

“I hope you enjoy your visit. You staying long?” Sid again sounded as if he hadn’t heard the least rumblings about Elin and Joey.

“I’m staying,” Elin said.

“That a fact?”

“She’s keeping house for us.” Sam’s voice was low but Elin wondered if Sid heard the warning note.

“That’s nice. What can I do for you today?”

Elin had prepared a list. “Do you have all this?”

Sid glanced down the items. “Plumb out of salted cod. It don’t sell well here. Most folks prefer beef or venison. But I can do the rest for you. Give me twenty minutes. In the meantime, have a look around and see if anything catches your fancy. The little fellow might like one of the balls.” He indicate the three perched on a shelf.

“We’ll take one,” Sam said, and reached for the red one. He handed it to Joey, who grinned his pleasure.

Elin circled the room, taking in the array of fabric and sewing goods, the small display of books and stationery. She selected a children’s book of Bible stories and some pretty writing paper.

She’d brought her two letters. One to Nels in Grassy Plains and the other to her parents in Norway. Seeing the postal wicket, she took them there and Sid glued on stamps. He made no secret of reading the addresses. “It will take a few weeks for the letter to get to Norway, but this Mr. Nels Hansen in Grassy Plains, Dakota Territory, should get his letter within a few days. He kin of yours?”

“My brother.”

Sid set the letters in a slot and returned to filling the order. Gus picked out a few items, but Sam looked at her as if she had said something wrong. She replayed her words over. Nothing should have upset him. She’d only said Nels was her brother.

She wanted to slap her forehead. She hadn’t told him that Nels had accompanied her to America. And Anker’s sister, Freyda. She’d let him believe that Anker was the only family she had in America.

Sam shifted his attention away and spoke to Sid. “You know of any men looking for work? I could use a couple more cowboys.”

Sid stopped and stared at the far corner of the room as if seeking the answer on the wall. “I recall the Bouman boys were in last week and I overhead them talking like they wanted to move on. Al said the younger brothers were big enough to help on the farm. Bart said, ‘Yeah. We’s just two more mouths to feed.’” Sid chuckled. “’Spect those two boys eat a month’s worth of rations in one sitting. You sure you want to feed them?”

Sam laughed. “Maybe I’ll appoint one as hunter for the others. Anyway, I’d like to send a message to them.”

“Sure ’nough. Just write it out and I’ll send the blacksmith’s young lad out with it. He’s always eager to run errands and earn himself a nickel.”

Sam wrote a note and left it on the counter with a nickel.

A few minutes later, Sid said, “Your order is ready.” He added a box filled with supplies to the sacks he’d already placed on the counter.

Sam paid the man and Sid helped him carry out the supplies. Joey clung to his ball.

As soon as everything was in the wagon, they headed for home.

They passed a tiny building that, with its steeple, had to be a church. “I didn’t know Buffalo Hollow had a church,” Elin said. “Harry never said.”

Sam looked at the building. “Harry has never been inside it.”

Elin stared at Sam. “Surely you are mistaken. Harry assured me he was a Christian and had attended church regularly before he moved out West where it wasn’t possible. I assumed he meant there wasn’t a church.”

Sam shrugged. “I’m guessing he told you what he thought you wanted to hear.”

“Am I really that gullible? That ready to believe anyone who pays me the least bit of attention? It shames me to think so.” She sank forward.

“You did not tell me your brother was here.”

She straightened. “Please don’t think me as deceitful as Harry. At first, I didn’t say anything because I thought you would send me back to him. Then I forgot.” She told of the three of them journeying together. “My cousin Fredya’s husband came out last year and built a house for her on his homestead. He perished during the winter, but she insisted she would come and live in the house he built. Nels is building a home on his homestead for his intended.”

“It seems this Freyda might welcome someone to share her house.”

Elin couldn’t tell from his tone of voice if he wished she would choose that. “I am needed here, am I not?” She longed for him to repeat his earlier comments. “Did you not say I was a blessing? That you liked having someone make your meals? Is that not why we bought all these supplies?” She turned to indicate the boxes and sacks in the back.

Joey and Gus watched her, their eyes full of worry.

She regretted that they had overheard the conversation.

Gus cleared his throat. “You are a blessing, indeed and if Sam won’t keep you, I will.” He waved his arm about to show how his pain had subsided.

Sam groaned. “No one is keeping her. She isn’t a pet. But she is staying.” He faced her. “If you will.”

She couldn’t keep her smile from widening her lips and filling her eyes. “I don’t figure on leaving.”

“Good,” Sam said.

“Good,” Gus echoed.

“I keep ball?” Joey asked.

The adults laughed and assured him the ball was his.

She glanced back over her shoulder toward town. “I suppose two trips to town in two days is too much?”

“Depends,” Sam answered. “What did you have in mind?”

“I’d love to go to church.”

Sam stared straight ahead.

Elin watched and waited. But she must know. “Are you like Harry? Someone who doesn’t go to church? You say grace but is that only a tradition? What do you believe about God and His Son, Jesus?” She could continue keeping house for him even if he wasn’t a believer. Perhaps that was what God wanted for her. To be the one who showed him what it was like to trust God. If only she found it easier to do so, but she’d always felt she had to fix her own problems.

“Elin, stop twisting your hands like that. I am a Christian. But are you sure you want to go to church? The Scanlons are pillars of the church in town.”

“You are saying they will have gossiped and given me a bad name?”

“It’s likely.”

“Will the preacher agree with them?”

“He seems a reasonable man not given to heeding gossip.”

“Then I would like to go. I would like to meet people who are willing to seek the truth and not listen to gossip. Besides, I miss having sisters, aunts, and cousins around.”

“You are lonely at the ranch?”

She laughed. “How could I be? There’s Gus and Joey to keep me company and you.” She smiled at him, happy to see him smile back. “I am not lonely, but one can never have too many friends.”

“Then we will go to church tomorrow. Gus, you want to come?”

The old man chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Elin looked over her shoulder at him. “You sound like it’s going to be circus entertainment.”

He nodded. “Just might be.”

She sat up straight, her hands folded in her lap. “No, it won’t. I will conduct myself with dignity and restraint. No matter what the Scanlons say or do. After all, what can they do?”

But the next morning, she prepared for church with extra care. She slicked Joey’s hair down. He had a cowlick in the front that wouldn’t stay flat and after half a dozen tries, she gave up.

They’d all bathed the night before. Elin and Joey in the kitchen, Gus and Sam in the barn. Now the men came from their rooms in clean, white shirts. Each wore a vest and a corded tie.

“Oh my.” She pressed her palms to her warm cheeks. “You are all so handsome I am overwhelmed.” She did her best to give each of them the same amount of study, but her gaze lingered on Sam. He leaned back on his heels and grinned at her.

“We need to look our best if we are to face the Scanlons.”

She made a disapproving sound. “We are going to church to worship God with those of like faith, not to confront the Scanlons.” Not wanting to pursue that topic, she indicated the picnic basket. “I wasn’t sure if we’d be back in time for our noon meal so I prepared food to take with us. Nothing fancy, but we won’t starve.”

Sam grinned. “Sounds good to me. We’ll enjoy the day before we have to get back to work.”

Elin pressed her gloved fingers to her face. “I don’t mean to keep you from your work.”

Gus grunted. “No one is making Sam do anything he doesn’t want to do.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Sam crooked his arm toward her and they went out the door. “Let’s be on our way. I hope we can enjoy the day without the Scanlons spoiling it but…”

They reached the wagon and he didn’t finish.

She was glad he didn’t. Her insides rolled like a ship on the ocean at the idea of coming face to face with that pair and seeing the judgment in their eyes.

Could she hope the criticism would go no further than their eyes? She knew it wasn’t likely they hadn’t used their mouths to spread their opinions.

They headed for town. Several times she told herself to stop twisting her hands together. She was going to tear the seams on her gloves if she kept it up. Town lay before them, the street seemed to have narrowed, the buildings pressing in on the travelers.

She saw a number of conveyances and several saddle horses tied in the side yard of the church. She forced her gaze to the entrance. A man in a dark suit stood at the bottom of the steps. To one side, stood the Scanlons. “Looks like they’re guardians of the place,” she murmured.

“Only in their own minds,” Sam assured her. He helped her from the wagon, then drew her arm around his.

She might have clung to his forearm for courage though she would never admit it to anyone, herself included.

As they made their way toward the door, the Scanlons sniffed loudly, drawing the attention of those nearby.

Mrs. Scanlon lifted a fan to cover her face but it did nothing to block out her words, even though they were whispered. “How dare she show up here? We don’t need the likes of her and that”—sniff—“nameless boy.”

It was on the tip of Elin’s tongue to say the boy’s name was Joey, but before she could speak, Joey ran from her.

“G’ma,” he called loudly, making a beeline toward an older woman with a man about the same age at her side. Joey reached the woman’s side and grabbed her skirts. “G’ma.”

The woman turned. She pulled her skirts free and waved her hand to dismiss Joey.

Joey stared at her, tears pooling in his eyes, his face wreathed in shock and sorrow as he realized the woman wasn’t his grandmother.

Sam reached the boy in three strides and swept him into his arms. Joey buried his face against Sam’s neck, his arms tight about the man. Sam held Joey tightly and murmured, “It’s okay. It’s okay.” As he turned, Mrs. Scanlon hurried to the side of the other woman.

“You poor dear. How awful to have that little boy attack you like that, especially after your own loss.”

Sam rejoined Elin, his eyes hard. “Let’s go inside.”

Elin rubbed Joey’s back. “I’m sorry it wasn’t your grandma.” She met Sam’s gaze. “What did Mrs. Scanlon mean?”

“The woman is judgmental beyond imagination.”

“She said, ‘after your own loss.’”

“The Hillmans’ daughter and little granddaughter drowned last year.”

Elin longed to speak her condolences to the woman, but Mr. and Mrs. Scanlon guided the older couple toward the door. Mrs. Scanlon glanced back at Elin, her eyes full of condemnation, her mouth hard with disapproval.

Gus pulled Elin’s arm through his. “Come along, young lady. Didn’t you say we were here to worship God? Let’s do it and ignore those with petty minds.”

With Joey in Sam’s arms and Gus at her side, Elin let them lead her toward the door.

They stopped in front of the black-suited man. His blond hair and blue eyes were familiar enough to comfort her. He was old enough to provide her courage. He nodded and smiled.

“Reverend Sharp, may I present Elin Hansen and Joey?” Sam said.

“Please, I prefer Pastor Sharp. I am pleased to meet you. Welcome to our community. I hope you enjoy your stay.” He reached for Elin’s hand and she withdrew from Gus’s side to take his.

“Thank you.” At least he sounded welcoming and had shown no surprise or curiosity at being given no surname for Joey.

His handshake was quick and then he turned to Joey. “We are glad to have you here.” He cupped Joey’s head as if offering a blessing.

Elin glanced down the aisle, visible from where she stood. Too bad the Scanlons were too far away to hear Pastor Sharp.

Sam caught her arm and led her to a pew halfway down. He stepped back to indicate Gus should go in first then Elin follow. Sam came next, so Elin was guarded to her right and left by the men. She adjusted her skirts and let peace flow through her veins. What could be better than to be at church with people she cared about? And for this blessed day she would not analyse how much she cared.

Pastor Sharp closed the doors and made his way up the aisle to the pulpit to welcome everyone and announce the first hymn. A woman at the pump organ began to play. The tune was familiar to Elin but she struggled with the English words. If she didn’t think it would bring curious and condemning glances her way, she would sing in Norwegian.

It has half relief and half regret for her when the organist left the front and Pastor Sharp began to preach. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice. What have you to rejoice about today?”

The preacher spoke of material and spiritual blessings and Elin nodded. She had so much reason to rejoice.

The service ended and the congregants rose to leave. The Scanlons steamed by, sniffing as they passed Elin. Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she held herself tall. She would not let these people steal from her joy.

They made their way down the aisle. Elin wanted to hurry to the wagon and escape the curious eyes and the Scanlons’ sniffing but someone caught her arm. She turned to see a woman about her age in the company of a young man who carried a boy of about four.

“Don’t slip away before I can say welcome. I’m Sarie Winter. This is my dear husband, George and my equally dear son, Georgie.” Both Georges shook Elin’s hand.

“We live between town and Sam’s ranch. Perhaps we could get together sometime. You come visit us anytime you like. I’d welcome a friend.”

“Thank you.” Elin wanted to extend an invitation to likewise visit her any time. She longed for a friend. But it wasn’t her right to invite people to the ranch.

“Feel free to visit,” Sam said. “I’m sure Elin would enjoy the company.”

“Thanks,” Sarie said.

At that moment, Elin could have hugged Sam for his generosity.

Several others came to greet Elin and Sam and smiled at Joey. All the while the Scanlons watched with scalding gazes.

Elin smiled at them.

They jerked away.

Two young men hovered nearby, their hats taking a cruel beating in their restless hands. They both had black hair and black eyes. One was marginally taller and broader than the other but they looked so much alike, Elin wondered if they often got mixed up.

Sam turned to them. “Al, Bart, did you get my message?”

“Yes, sir.” They spoke and nodded in unison. The bigger one spoke. “We can come right away.”

“Tomorrow morning will be fine.” Sam shook hands with them both.

Gus sat in the wagon and waited.

Sam put Joey beside him, helped Elin to the seat, and climbed up beside her. “I’m starving,” Sam said as they drove away. “Where should we have the picnic?”

Elin chuckled, her insides relaxing now that they had left the Scanlons’ stares behind. “You can’t be starving after the breakfast you ate, and I don’t know where a good place for a picnic is. I’m a newcomer, remember?”

Sam glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, Gus, where should we go for a picnic?”

Gus rubbed his knee. “Better not go too far. I feel a storm coming up.”

Sam whispered to Elin, “He’s been saying that for days.”

“I ain’t never wrong,” Gus called. “Why don’t you go to the river? It’s close to home and a pleasant place.”

“Okay, Gus.”

They rattled along the road toward the ranch. The trail to the buildings lay just ahead when Sam turned the wagon aside and headed toward the line of trees where he had pointed the first day.

Elin leaned forward. “What’s the name of the river?”

“Canoe River.”

“Really?” She tried not to squirm with impatience. “Why that name?”

“Seems someone in early history lost their canoes when they drifted away. They found them on the shores of this river.”

She chuckled. “I expect that story has grown and expanded over the years of telling. Just like some Norwegian tales.”

Sam grinned at her. “Could be. I only tell you what I heard.”

She let herself enjoy his warm gaze for a moment then turned back to study their destination. “How big is it?”

“Well, now.” Sam drawled the words. “Did you see the Missouri?”

“Yes. It’s deep and wide.”

“Well, let’s just say that Canoe River is nothing like the Missouri.”

She leaned back. “Oh.” She envisioned a muddy little stream with muddy banks.

Sam pulled under some trees and jumped down to help her then grabbed the picnic basket. Gus and Joey scrambled out. The four of them walked through the trees toward the sound of running water.

The path narrowed and Sam went ahead, holding her hand to guide her through the crowding bushes and overhanging trees. He stopped and pulled Elin forward.

She gasped. “It’s beautiful.” A narrow stream danced over rocks, so clear she could see the bottom. The banks were sand and gravel with a grassy edge. Trees hung over the stream, their reflection forming green slashes in the water.

“Glad you like it.”

She laughed and nudged his arm. “Don’t act as if you’re responsible for it.”

Chuckling, he nudged her back. “I can, at least, take credit for bringing you here.”

“Yes, you can, and I thank you for it.” She drew in a deep breath and lifted her arms. “It’s a balm to my soul.”

“You didn’t find church to be that?”

“Mostly. But the pastor said to rejoice, and I think he’d agree that this is something to rejoice over.”

Gus and Joey caught up to them and they found a spot where they could sit on the grass and watch the water flow by.

Sam took tossed his hat aside before he asked the blessing.

Elin smiled as he thanked God for the river and closed with, “We rejoice in all Your good gifts.”

The Scanlons’ disapproval faded like an old rag left out in the sun.

They enjoyed sandwiches and cookies and water from the stream. Gus lay in the shade and slept. Joey examined rocks and chased bugs while Sam and Elin sat side by side on the grass.

Sam leaned on his elbow and studied her. Elin kept her gaze on the river and Joey playing nearby. Anywhere but Sam. But it was no use. She slowly faced him. His gaze was so warm, so inviting. It was like watching the sun dance off the moving water. Like the music of the river. Like the song of the leaves.

She told herself she was being fanciful. She was imagining it, but her heart believed her eyes, not her head, which shouted loudly that she needed to be careful of where she let her feelings go.

Harry wasn’t here and what she’d heard of Harry didn’t make him sound like a good prospect, but Sam wasn’t interested in marriage. And then there was Joey. If Harry came back, he’d claim his son. Wouldn’t Joey need a mother? She forced her gaze to the boy.

He deserved to be loved and cherished.

Wasn’t that really what she wanted as well?

Something about Sam made her wish she could find it with him. He was steady, and kind, and a man one could count on.

He was also so guarded he would never consider marriage for any reason and certainly not for love.

Would she ever find what her heart desired?