"But this isn't a situation where you have to choose between us."

Ruth slid her hand back down and curled her fingers around Laney's. "Josh taught me that I didn't have to be perfect for him to love me. Can't you see? Instead of expecting Galen to be flawless, Josh is accepting that this is the way things are for Galen. Just because you care for someone doesn't mean they're always right."

Josh sat at the foot of her bed. "You're reading about Jacob.

Don't forget, Laney-he cheated Esau from his birthright. It's a reminder that even though a man might do something wrong, God can still use him for mighty works."

Laney slowly shut her Bible. "But think about Leah. She knew Jacob wanted Rachel, but Leah played her part in her father's deception and trapped Jacob."

"Look how sadly that turned out," Ruth said quietly. "Jacob never wanted Leah. She always knew he didn't want her. Ivy was humiliated by being dragged into church today. Everyone knows she's sullied. Galen married her, but Ivy can't possibly ever forget that he didn't want her."

"Galen's rejection isn't what should upset her; don't you see? Whoever the real father is-that man is the one who spurned Ivy and left her in this predicament. Galen didn't care for her; he cared for me." Laney dared to add, "I love him, and I'm sure he loves me."

"The best thing you can do is stay away." Josh gave her a stern look.

Tears filled her eyes. "Now, more than ever, Galen needs to know I believe in him."

"I'm so sorry, Laney. But Josh is right. You can't go over there.

At least not for the next week. Things need to settle down."

"A week!"

Ruth nodded. "You'll see him at church. I know you've grown accustomed to seeing him every other day-" "Ruth." Josh's voice carried a warning.

"Sweetheart, pretending otherwise is only going to make it difficult for Laney to accept this." Ruth stroked Laney's arm. "I know you dreamed of one thing, but it isn't to be. What we're going to do is pray for God to bring along the man He wants for you."

"I couldn't possibly ever love another man."

Josh rose. "It kills me knowing you're heartbroken. But, Laney, don't make this any worse."

"It couldn't possibly be worse!"

"You're wrong." He took Ruth's hand and tugged her from the bed. "You're too distraught to see how even the most innocent of actions on your part would cause others to make suppositions about you."

"I don't care what other people think. I spent years worrying over that. I was miserable. I have to live by my convictions and answer to the Lord-not to anyone else."

"If you won't think about yourself, think about Galen, then." Her brother didn't back down in the least. "He's on mighty shaky ground in the community now. The last thing he needs is for you to give everyone reason to gossip about how you're stealing away the attention and affection a man owes his wife. I'm serious, Laney. For everyone's sake, you have to let at least a week go by before you so much as step foot on his land."

"Pray about it, Laney." Ruth leaned over and brushed a kiss onto her cheek. "We will, too."

They shut the door behind them. Laney set her Bible on the nightstand and blew out the lamp. As she curled into a ball of misery, tears started flowing again. Her prayer consisted of only one word. Why?

Ivy sat on the edge of the cot and stretched. She hadn't slept much last night. Part of the problem was that the cot was so soft. After a lifetime of sleeping on a pallet on the ground, her body couldn't quite get used to this floating feeling.

A few times she sneaked over to be sure Mrs. O'Sullivan's leg stayed up on a pillow. Ivy wanted to scoot her cot right next to the bed, but the ladder to the loft was in the way. It felt so lonely, though, sleeping with so much space between her and everyone else. She and Ishy had started out sharing a womb, then a cradle. Never once in her whole life had she spent a night away from her twin. Well, I hope Ishy got more shut-eye than I did.

Cool air sneaked through the hole in the elbow of her nightshirt. A nightshirt. That's what Mrs. O'Sullivan had called it last night when she'd given it to Ivy. She had been surprised to learn Mrs. O'Sullivan slept in a floor-length blue flannel nightgown. Imagine, folks having special clothes just to wear to bed!

Pushing back her tangled hair, Ivy rose. Her stomach lurched, but she steadied herself with a few deep breaths. Her being sick on a morning was what had made Ishy suspicious.

Cain't be sickly. Work's gotta be done, and I ain't lettin' my husband thank I'm a sluggard. The nightshirt billowed around her knees as she tiptoed across the floor and out the door.

A few minutes later, she reentered the cabin. Galen stood over at the stove, building up the fire she'd banked the night before. "I'll see to that," she whispered as she went over to him. "And I'll brew you coffee straightaway."

Galen's gaze raked her from head to foot.

Ivy curled her bare toes under. She'd been in too much of a hurry to put on shoes.

His voice came out in a low hiss. "What are you doing in my shirt, and where have you been?"

Having to whisper in the morning wasn't anything new. Pa always slept later, so she and Ishy often used muted tones. "Yore ma give this to me to sleep in. And I went pee." She flashed him a smile. "Seems I'm doin' that a lot these days."

His jaw hardened. "I won't have it. No, I won't. It's indecent for you to be seen like this, and it's vulgar for a woman to discuss bodily functions."

"Won't nobody see me but kin. Vulgar-cain't say I know that word, but you asked me whar I went." She took the coffeepot over to the pump.

Galen snatched the pot from her. "Get dressed before my brothers see you."

She hitched her shoulder and walked toward the peg where she'd hung her dresses. Today was a work day. She'd wear her flour sack dress. By the time she slipped into the dress, Galen had jerked the drawer from the coffee grinder and dumped the entire contents into the coffeepot.

"That coffee's gonna be strong 'nuff to pull a plow through a field of rocks." She sat on a bench and hiked up her skirts so she could put on her boots.

Galen yanked her skirt back down. His left eye twitched as he stared at her. "You'll behave modestly in my home."

"I ain't showin' nuthin. Jist need to lace up my boots." She wrinkled her nose. "Don't know why yore all het up. Ever'body gots legs, and ever'body pees."

"A lady doesn't show her ankles-let alone her calves or knees."

The words sizzled out of him like water drops on a hot skillet.

"When you use the necessary, you don't have to announce it."

"Then don't ask me whar I went." She doubled over and tried to wiggle her foot into the boot. Finding the laces and tying them blindly rated as ridiculous, but no use telling that to him. Pa had his peculiarities, too-like using a branch only if it pointed a certain direction.

Gonna have a few rough days till he settles down and gets used to the notion that I'm his wife. Niver saw him mad afore, and he's got a fearsome look in his eyes. I'll jist bide my time. Gotta make thangs work out. My babe's countin' on me.

As she tied her second boot, Ivy whispered, "D'ya want johnnycakes or eggs for breakfast?"

"The only thing I want is the truth so I can be free of you."

"We shore got us a fine flock of layin' hens."

"We?" He almost shouted the word.

"Huh?" Mrs. O'Sullivan bolted upright. Pain pulled at her features.

Galen shot Ivy an accusing look, but he softened his voice to a coaxing lilt. "'Tis early yet, Ma. Go on back to sleep."

Mrs. O'Sullivan rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "If 'tis early, you'd best be telling me why I'm already smelling coffee."

Ivy didn't want to have to confess that she'd managed to make her husband shout at her their very first morning together.

"Eggs-I decided on eggs for breakfast. I know jist how you like 'em. I'll have 'em right quick." She snatched the wire egg basket from the table and started to make her escape.

"''Twill be cold out there," Mrs. O'Sullivan called. "Borrow my shawl."

"Oooh." Ivy blinked back a sudden rush of tears. "Yore offer warms me straight through."

"'Tis pure foolishness to catch a chill when you can avoid it-especially when you're carrying a babe. I expect you to be mindful of that."

"Yes'm. But first we'll wrap yore shawl round you, and I'll holp you go-" Ivy caught herself-"to the ah ... necessary."

"I'll carry you, Ma." Galen plucked the shawl from a peg beside the door and took it to the bed.

"There's no need, Son. Ishmael carved me a fine cane."

"It's too soon for you to walk."

He shore does have a mulish side. But he's my man. Gotta back him up. "Ishy didn't mean for you to start a-usin' the walkin' stick jist yet." Ivy clutched the egg basket close. "He brought it in so's he could measure it. He'll have to cut an inch or more off 'n the bottom so's it'll fit you. E'en after he cuts the staff down a mite, he'll need time to smooth the whole thang down. Cain't have you gettin' no pickers in yore fingers."

Galen slipped the shawl around his mother and picked her up. "Plenty of work needs doing. Ishmael won't get to that for a few days."

Ivy opened the door as he drew closer.

Mrs. O'Sullivan rested her head on her son's shoulder. "Ivy, the pot with the dented side-"

"The one what we melted wax in for toppin' the jelly jars?"

"Aye, 'tis that one. First thing each morning, I put it on the stove so Galen and Colin will have hot water for shaving."

"I'll tend to that straight off." While they were gone, Ivy quickly filled the pot and set it on the stove. Galen clearly wanted his mother to rest, so Ivy straightened the bed and folded back the blanket and quilt. She folded the blanket she'd used and tucked it beneath the pillow on the cot.

Real beds. Her babe would grow up in a real house and sleep in a real bed. He'd have a nice thick blanket and plenty to eat. Best of all, he'd get to go to school and learn to read. She pressed her hand to her flat belly. Whatever it takes, young'un, I'll see to it you don't want for nuthin'.

Galen rummaged through the box below the tool bench.

"Whatcha lookin' for?" Dale bent forward and blocked Galen's view. "Wow!"

His baby brother's misbuttoned shirt and morning-rumpled hair were a sight. He'd scrambled down the loft ladder minutes earlier. Delighted to hear that Ivy was doing his chore of gathering eggs, he'd tagged along with Galen to the barn.

He turned and showed Galen his newfound treasure. "Lookit these really long bolts!"

The bolts were just as flimsy as they were long. Galen didn't even recall where they'd come from. With that fancy toolbox, the boys are going to be scrounging for all sorts of things. Galen slowly ran his thumb down one of the bolts. "Pretty interesting, huh?"

"Yeah! Can I have 'em?"

"It does a man no good to have things just for the sake of having them. Do you know what you'll use them for?"

"Boss? Breakfast is ready."

Galen shot to his feet. Dale dropped the bolts and grabbed for his hand.

"You dropped sommat thar, pardner."

Dale's voice shook. "You're not my partner. Miss Laney is."

"That's a fact." Ishmael walked toward them.

Winding his free hand around Galen's thigh, Dale blurted out, "He gots a knife, Galen!"

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.

The knife is in the sheath." Galen modulated his voice carefully, but he glowered at Ishmael. He planted fear into the hearts of my young brothers, and it'll be a crop I have to weed for days to come.

Ishmael dropped down onto his knees, then sat back on his heels. Resting both hands on his thighs, he said, "I ain't yore pardner, Dale. What I am now is yore brother."

"Nuh-uh!" Dale's little fingers squeezed two of Galen's with desperate strength. "You're not. None of us brothers would ever wanna shoot another."

"'Yore right that I was sore mad at Galen. But that was afore we was brothers. We had us a big problem, but he done sommat what made thangs right. He up and married my sis, and now thangs're all better. And when they married up, well that made you and me brothers."

"You're not gonna try to shoot him again?"

"Nope. Niver."

"And you won't use your knife on him?"

"Nope."

Galen rasped, "There you have it."

"Or the ax?" Dale persisted, his voice insistent and desperate.

"Or a club or a log or a-" "Not a thang. Niver ever. Cross my heart." Ishmael started to trail his finger across his chest.

"Don't do that! It's bad." Dale turned loose of Galen. "Ma won't let us do that."

"S'pose you could explain that to me?"

Dale stooped to pick up the bolts. "Dunno why. But Ma thinks it's important. Betcha Galen knows. He's smart."