"You've only seen the kitchen, " Josey said with a chuckle.

"Do you have children? " "No, we don't. We always wanted a large family, but we just weren't blessed. I've taken care of a bushel of nieces and nephews, and I sure do know my way around babies, but I've got a longing in my heart to raise some of my own."

"You could still have children. How old are you? " It was a bold question, but Josey didn't seem to mind. "I'm too old to start having babies. Why, I'm going to be forty-seven next month. It seems kind of odd for you to be asking me such a question."

"It was rude, " Jessica said. "And I apologize if I seem a bit abrupt.

It's just that there's so little time to decide, and I . . . " She couldn't go on. She'd start crying if she tried to explain. She took several deep breaths in an effort to control her emotions before she started questioning Josey once again.

Josey was watching her closely. She noticed how pale Jessica was and how sad her eyes looked. She wanted to ask her if she was in trouble and if so, if there was anything that she and Tom could do to help, but Jessica spoke before she could get the words out.

"Do you consider yourself patient? " "I beg your pardon? " "Are you patient? " "Tom seems to think I am, " she answered.

"What do you do when you get angry? " Josey leaned back in her chair.

She was thoroughly perplexed by her guest's peculiar questions.

"I clean."

"I'm sorry? " Jessica asked, not understanding.

"I clean, " Josey repeated. "When I get into a lather about something or other, I scrub my floors and wash my walls and do whatever else I need to do until I've gotten rid of my anger. Then I talk it out with Tom.

Are you going to tell me why you're asking me these questions? " Tears sprang into Jessica's eyes. "Yes, I'll explain just as soon as Cole finishes talking to your husband. Do you keep lye under your counter?

" "Do I what? " "Keep lye under your counter."

"Good heavens, no, " Josey answered. "Like I told you before, I'm used to watching my nieces and nephews. A couple of them are about your baby's age. They can walk and get into mischief, but they don't have a lick of sense yet. Lye could kill them, so I keep it up where they can't get to it.

You're in trouble, aren't you, Jessica? " "Yes, " she whispered. "I'm sorry I've been so. . . suspicious, but I needed to know."

"Know what? " Josey asked.

"Cole will explain, " she replied. "But I promise I won't hound you with any more questions." Josey reached over to pat Jessica's hand.

"You're with a good, strong man to help you through this trouble. "

"Cole's a marshal and he's part of my problem. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be on my way to Texas." Josey's frown deepened. "I guess I'm just gonna have to wait until Tom tells me what's going on, then.

That baby's been trying to get to his cookie for a good five minutes now, " she added, deliberately changing the subject because Jessica looked on the verge of tears again. "Why don't you lessen your grip on him and let him have one. Can he drink out of a glass yet? " Jessica turned her attention to her son. She moved the glass toward him and told him to show Josey how he could manage a glass. She was bragging about his ability when he spilled the milk.

Josey chuckled. "It's usually my Tom who does that, " she commented.

She mopped up the milk with a dishcloth and then held Jessica's glass while Caleb took a drink.

Caleb was finally ready to get down and explore the kitchen. Jessica followed him and held the drawers closed so he couldn't empty them.

"Sit back down and let him play, " Josey suggested.

"He'll destroy your kitchen, " she warned. "Caleb's a very curious child." Josey opened the doors under the counters. "My nieces and nephews like to play with my pots and pans. That's the way, " she said when Caleb squatted down and reached for one of the wooden spoons.

Jessica sat down next to Josey once again, and while they got to know one another, Caleb made a fine mess banging on the pots and pans.

Within ten minutes he had warmed up to Josey enough to let her pick him up and kiss him.

Cole and Tom came back into the kitchen then, and Cole gave Jessica a quick nod.

"Josey, you and I are going to be keeping this little boy a spell, "

Tom announced.

Josey patted the baby and looked at Jessica. "No wonder you were asking those questions. I'll be proud to watch him for you, " she added. "And Tom and I won't let anything happen to him."

"Jessica's a witness, and she's got to go to Texas to testify, " Tom said. "Cole doesn't think it's a good idea to take the baby with them."

"When do you think you'll be back? " Josey asked Cole.

"I don't know, " he answered. "Maybe two weeks . . . or longer. "

"He won't remember me." Every one turned to Jessica.

"Of course he'll remember you, " Josey said. "We won't let him forget.

" Tom suggested Jessica and Cole spend the night with them so that the adjustment for Caleb would be easier on him. Jessica let Josey bathe Caleb but hovered over her like a mother hen. Josey did know her way around babies. She filled a basin in the sink and let Caleb splash water everywhere while she lathered him up.

"You're very good with him, " Jessica told her.

She followed Josey up the stairs to the guest room. Caleb, wrapped in a thick towel, was peeking at his mother over Josey's shoulder.

"He always sleeps with a rag doll. It's in his valise, " Jessica said.

"Oh, and he hates carrots. He'll spit them out if you try to force them on him."

"I wouldn't do that, " Josey said. "I hate carrots too. I know you're gonna worry, no matter what assurances I give you, but I promise you I'm gonna love this boy like he was my own. Why don't you go on downstairs for a bit and let Caleb get used to me.

I'll call out if I need help."

"Yes, that's a good idea, " Jessica said. It was also a test. Putting Caleb to bed required stamina and patience. Every once in a while, if he was overly tired, Caleb would throw a tantrum. The baby was all wound up now, and that was a sure indication that trouble was coming.

Jessica left the valise on the bed and closed the door behind her.

When she came downstairs, she found Cole in the living room standing by the window, looking out. She glared at him before turning her back on him.

"What was that all about? " She began to pace. "This is all your fault, " she whispered. "Can't you see that this is breaking my heart?

" He started toward her, but she put her hand out to keep him at bay.

"I can't leave him. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. He'll be lost without me, and he'll be afraid and he'll be miserable and . .