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His gaze moved from the house to her face. “I live here.”

“It’s your house?” She stared up at the stories above as they approached.

He used a key in the lock and opened the front door. “Please come in.”

Leah stepped into the enormous foyer and studied the ceiling with plaster-designed leaves and scrolls, and a sparkling chandelier. Their heels echoed on the shiny wood floor. Only one small table and an umbrella stand occupied the space. He led her through a wide doorway into a parlor with crown molding, wood embellishments, built-in window seats and a beautiful blue-and-white-tiled fireplace. Curtains had been hung at the windows, but the room was bare of furniture.

He showed her each room, pointing out special features. She sensed his assessing gaze on her several times, but when she looked up at him, he went on with the tour. Only one room was completely furnished, but he showed her his bedroom from the doorway.

“And that’s it,” he said.

“It’s lovely,” she told him honestly. “It’s even nicer than any of our homes back in Pennsylvania. You paid attention to every detail.” And it was his attention to detail that revealed his intent. She pictured him returning from war, joining Will to create a town, and taking on this project that held so much hope and meaning. He’d chosen everything so carefully and overseen the construction. He intended to share this home with a wife. Raise a family here. Perhaps he had his eye on one of the brides with whom she’d traveled. It was entirely possible his intended wife would arrive on the next bride train.

“I did,” he agreed in the deep, smooth voice she remembered well. “I wanted to get it just right.”

She opened the front door and walked to the end of the porch. “There’s plenty of room for gardens. And the trees will shade the porch. You’ve planned everything.”

“Almost everything.”

She looked up at him.

“Leah.”

Their gazes remained locked.

“Let’s sit on the steps for a few minutes.” He took one hand while she used her other to smooth her skirt under herself and sit. “I’m sure you recognize that I built this house for a family.”

She nodded. “I can see that.”

“Nothing is as it used to be. The war changed this country. It changed its people. There is opportunity for so much here in the North. Industry is flourishing because of that wretched war. A lot of people are getting wealthy. The railroad changed this land, too. And the cattle are making Cowboy Creek rich.”

He raised his chin a notch. “Riches sure aren’t everything, and we all know that. But they’re a way to be comfortable now, to make a good life. We can have good lives here.”

“New lives,” she said. “That’s why I came. I need a new start. There’s something I need to tell you, Daniel.”

“Before you say anything, Leah, I’d like to speak. I have been thinking a lot about the future.”

“All right.” She already knew, of course, that he was making plans for a wife and children. His ambition and planning were remarkable, actually. Leah had always known him as the one who suggested fishing spots, foot races and expeditions into the woods. She fondly recalled the two of them sharing evenings around a roaring campfire, telling tall tales, laughing. Always laughing. She wouldn’t have pictured him here in this town, intent on building a community and securing a family. If she’d imagined what he’d be doing, she would have pictured him settling down on the ranch he always talked about.

But he was right. Nothing was as it used to be. And Daniel was a grown man now. A man who’d experienced things she couldn’t imagine. Stability and security probably sounded pretty good to him, too.

“I would be a good husband. You already know what kind of man I am. I can provide for you. I can give you this home. And a family. We could raise children here. I own the stockyards and a lot of the property and even homes. I’m building more all the time.”

He’d be a good husband and provide for her? They could raise children, he’d said. His words penetrated her reminiscent musings and registered with more than a little surprise. She purposely kept the astonishment from her expression, but rested a palm on her chest, where her heart had skipped a beat.

“I’ve hired workers to build the houses,” he continued. “And I’m selling them to the arriving families. Besides having a respected position in the community, I’m rather well off. You can have your fresh start and never have to worry about anything again.”

All that information about the property and obvious money would have mattered more before. It still mattered, of course, because he was talking about securing her future. He was looking right at her, in that intense way he had when he felt strongly about something, his green eyes bright. But the words that rang in her head were those that offered her heart’s desire. A new start with nothing to worry over.

She’d hoped for a decent man to ask for her hand in marriage. She’d prayed for someone kind and God-fearing. She’d asked the Almighty for His protection for her child and a husband she could tolerate.

She had nothing to fear from Daniel Gardner. He was gentle and kind—a man of his word, a man of integrity. He wanted to marry her and have children together. Her mouth was dry.

She stood and moved down to the stone path, where she turned and looked back up at him sitting on the top stair. “Daniel Gardner, you’re asking me to marry you.”

“I’m asking if you will allow me to court you.”

Raising a trembling hand to her forehead, she shaded her eyes from the sun and gazed down the street at the schoolhouse that would soon hold children. Their cheerful voices would be audible from this porch, perhaps their singing would even reach the kitchen window. The imagery stole away her breath and pierced her heart with want and loss.

Daniel had a dream. He’d survived the horrors of war and traveled to this place with hopes. He wanted children of his own. He deserved a selfless young wife who would love him as he deserved.

An ache grew in her chest, an ache like a gnawing hunger. She felt as though she’d lost something perfect and beautiful. An ache so big and ugly she couldn’t bear it spread to her belly. She didn’t want him to change his mind, but once he knew the truth, she didn’t want him to marry her out of duty or obligation—and most of all not out of pity.

“Daniel, I’m going to have a baby.”

His bright green gaze immediately flickered over her dress and back to her face. A line creased his forehead. “Now?”

“Not this moment,” she said in a wobbly voice. “In a few months. I’m carrying a child. My husband’s child.”

He appeared to turn that information over in his mind before speaking. “He didn’t die in the war?”

“No. He died five months ago.”

Daniel straightened and came down the stairs. Standing beside her he seemed taller and broader. The faint scents of cedar and starch touched her nostrils. She looked up into his face, rethinking her image of him, rethinking her options. Either her options had just become a whole lot more appealing, or her losses had become even greater—if he didn’t want her baby.

Nerves fluttered in Leah’s chest. Her mouth was dry.

“Your suffering’s the same no matter how or when he died, Leah. I’m sorry you lost your husband.”

You have no idea. I don’t want you to know. “Thank you, Daniel.”

“I understand the hurt is fresh.” His tender, caring tone brought tears to her eyes. “And I know you’re doing what you must do in order to move on and make a life for yourself. For your child.”

She blinked and looked over his shoulder at the long narrow double windows reflecting the sky.

“I’ll take care of you and the baby. I’ll raise him like my own. He’ll never want for anything.”

Oh. There it was. The promise of a good man. An earnest and kind man. The one requirement from which she couldn’t be budged. Tears burned behind her eyes. “I believe you,” she managed. “You’re a man of your word. A devoted man. You have ambition and foresight. And you’re good-hearted.” She reached for his sleeve and rested her hand on his arm. “Most importantly, you’re kind.”

His hesitation was barely perceptible. “Will you marry me?”

She looked up into his piercing green eyes and searched for sincerity. He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t share her uncertainty. He masked his tension well, but she knew him better. This wasn’t a choice to make lightly. But marriage was a practical decision. Like he’d said, they weren’t strangers. They already knew they had things in common and would be compatible. If she said no, she couldn’t know who would ask her next. Obviously there were plenty of options, with all the single men vying for a wife, but she would never do any better than Daniel.

She’d married Charles, believing he would provide a home and security. Daniel’s beautiful home and standing in the community would have meant everything to her at one time. Now the house was superfluous, like pink sugar sprinkles on iced tea cakes. She wanted the provision he promised for her child. She needed to feel safe. But she was hungry for kindness.

She’d lost her faith in mankind, but she still believed God loved her and was watching out for her. Why else would Daniel Gardner want to marry her?

“This marriage would be a practical partnership,” she said at last. “I can promise to be a good wife. You have a standing in town, and I would make every attempt to uphold that and make you proud.”