Alan waited with Elma behind the house when John pulled the cart with the visitors around to the back. Once they stopped, he went to the rear to unload the trunks only to stop when a slender woman joined him and began tugging at a smaller one.

"I've got this ma'am," he told her while at the same time putting his hand out the stop the trunk from sliding.

Almond shaped eyes met his, and the woman huffed taking a step back. "Fine, if you want to break your back then go ahead."

At a loss for words, he could only stare at her. In a bright red dress, with short matching gloves, the slight woman looked to weigh much less than the trunk she'd attempted to unload. Flawless caramel skin, her heart shaped face was framed by dark curls. She brought a gloved hand over her brow to shade her eyes from the sun and raised an eyebrow at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I -- I'm sorry miss, you took me by surprise." He felt his face heat up and turned away to the trunks. "I'll get this right in if you wish to go on in."

She didn't move, actually seemed reluctant to follow Mae, Elma and the older woman who were already in the kitchen. Arms filled with parcels, John followed after them and went inside.

"My name is Lucinda Roberts," she said.

The truck was heavy, but he held it without moving toward the house. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Alan Murphy."

Lucinda didn't smile. "Yes, well I suppose I should go on in." Her eyes lingered toward the house, but she did not move.

Alan placed the trunk back on the wagon. "Why don't we walk a bit? I can show you around."

Relief poured from her and she bobbed her head up and down. "I would like that. It's a nice day, thank you."

When she slipped her hand through his arm, a sensation like of finally taking a deep breath after holding it for years, took him by surprise. He guided her away from the house toward the paddock so she could see the horses and colts grazing. They stopped before a fence and she placed her hands on it seeming to take it all in. "It's beautiful here." She blinked several times and took a shaky breath. "Momma needs to be here."

"What about you?"

There was a challenge in her eyes when she straightened her shoulders and met his stare dead on. Gone was any sign of vulnerability, any softness. Like clouds taking away sunshine, shadows covered any sign of openness. "I don't belong anywhere." The curve to her lips being more cruel than friendly caught his attention. "Except maybe the brothel from which I just came from."

When he didn't react, her mouth opened slightly, both eyebrows rose. She was beautiful. Alan allowed his mouth to curve into a rare smile. "Sometimes fate has other plans for us, doesn't it?"

"Isn't that the truth?" Lucinda retorted. "The bastard takes it all away and we're supposed to accept it."

She turned on her heel and head held high, went into the house.

Alan remained by the fence in thought. Her past could have been a hard one, but he was hard-pressed to think it could be worse than his.

When he entered the house with the first trunk, only Elma greeted him. She directed they be placed in Mr. Hawkins' old bedroom, and Alan took them there, until one by one all three were lined up against the wall. Each time he passed, he stole a glance into the front room where Mae and the older woman, Miss Lady sat on chairs drinking coffee and chatting amiably.

And although in the same room, Lucinda appeared to be miles away. Standing by the large window, she peered out at the horizon. By the forlorn expression on her face, he wondered if she'd rather be back outside.