Chapter 3

"I think that's the last of it, Tab," Mary said as her eldest son, Jack, deposited a ten-pound bag of flour on Tabitha's freshly mopped kitchen floor. It landed with a thud and a small cloud of white dust. Seconds later, her cabinets glowed with a powdery sheen.

Tabitha pretended not to notice. She didn't care about having to dust again anyway. Her sister and nephews' visit was always the highlight of her month. Mary's husband, Roy, only allowed his wife and children to see Tabitha every couple of weeks.

"Danke, Mary. And thank you, Jack, Anson, John, and Petey," she added with a sunny smile. "You strong boys made my day much easier. And brighter."

Little Petey wrapped his arms around her legs. "I miss you, Aunt Tab."

Kneeling, she gave the five-year-old a proper hug. Mary's youngest smelled like soap and dirt and dog, as always. Despite his mother's best efforts to keep him clean, Petey couldn't help himself from getting dirty. Mud and mess seemed to call hourly.

It was exhausting for her sister, but Tabitha secretly hoped Petey wouldn't change anytime soon. She enjoyed knowing that there were still little boys who hugged dogs, played in the dirt, and forgot to do chores. The rest of one's life was so hard. As far as she was concerned, children needed to savor those carefree years as much as they could.

"I miss you too."

Anson and John moved closer.

"May I have a hug from you two as well, boys?"

"Sure, Aunt Tabby," John said.

As she hugged each of them, her eyes stung. Mary and Roy's four boys had her heart. "You two are getting so big. There was a time when neither of you could've carried in the groceries that you did today."

"I'm almost as big as Jack," Anson declared.

His twelve-year-old brother scoffed. "Not hardly."

Just as Anson puffed up his chest, Mary rested a hand on his shoulder. "We are not going to start one-upping each other in your aunt's haus."

"All right," Anson said, though it was evident he would much rather press his point.

Tabitha glanced at John. As usual, the quietest of her boys simply stared at her—and at the groceries and dry goods in the four tote bags resting next to the giant bag of flour on the kitchen floor. "Do you need any more help, Aunt Tab?"

"Nee." If there was something she had in spades, it was time to clean and organize.

John looked skeptical. "Are you sure?"

"I am sure." Knowing that saying goodbye would be harder the longer she drew it out, she handed each boy a paper sack filled with fresh pumpkin bars and oatmeal cookies. "Here you go. Something to eat on the way home."

"Thank you, Aunt Tabby," they chorused.

While the boys were putting their shoes on, Tabitha handed Mary an envelope of cash to pay for the groceries Mary bought. Mary also took a dozen baskets at a time. She and her husband took them to a broker, who in turn sold them in big cities like St. Louis and Louisville. The baskets brought a pretty price and enabled Tabitha to pay for her food and crafting materials. Mary had also agreed to keep a portion.

Mary took the envelope but didn't immediately put it in her dress pocket. Looking guilty, she whispered, "Are you sure you don't need this more?"

"I am sure." Mary and Roy had four little boys to feed and clothe, after all. All she had was herself.

"Aunt Tab?"

"Yes, Jack?"

"Are you ever going to come over to our haus?"

"I don't know." Apparently, Mary and Roy didn't tell the boys that the limits on their interaction came from them and not her.

Roy was a good man, but he was also a self-righteous one. She'd always gotten the impression that he thought she should've tried harder to make Leon happy. Roy also had never hidden his disapproval of Tabitha's divorce.

It didn't matter anyway. As much as she enjoyed her nephews' hugs and chatter, she still had a difficult time venturing off her property.

"You don't have to be afraid," John said in an earnest voice. "I could stay by your side."

Ack, but the boy surely had her heart.

She hated these goodbyes as much as she loved her nephews. "I appreciate that. Maybe one day, jah?" She kept her voice light as she fended off the dark feeling that once again threatened to plummet her spirits.

Two lines formed between Jack's brows. "But—"

"That's enough, Jack," Mary said. "We've already talked about this, remember?"

He looked down at his feet. "Yes'm."

"Gut." She reached out and hugged Tabitha tight. "We all love you. Don't forget."

"Never. I'll see you next month."

Mary's expression tightened, but she nodded. "Next month." After clearing her throat, she said, "Let's go, boys."

Anson led the way to the door. One by one they filed out and hopped into the buggy. Tabitha stayed on the porch and watched as Mary allowed Jack to hold the leads for the horse. Then, after another chorus of goodbyes, her guests departed. Seconds later, they were out of sight and only the memory of their voices remained.

Tabitha sat down on the porch step, looking out at the expanse of land surrounding her farmhouse. The wood creaked under her weight.

It was such a rickety thing. Just like the rest of the house, she supposed. The house had been Leon's grandparents' home before they'd passed, and his parents had "gifted" it to them. Leon had been pleased, she less so. The house was on three acres, near a creek that often flooded, and in disrepair. Leon had never been one for carpentry and was far too proud to ask for help, so none of the broken floorboards, drawers, or shutters had been fixed. It was drafty in the winter and damp during the spring. Summer brought in stifling heat and bugs. Sometimes her pride got in the way and she'd wish she had a better, prettier place to welcome guests.

Not that anyone would visit anyway. Her divorce had created a barrier between her and the rest of the community that seemed to have gotten thicker and taller with each passing month.

After losing her child and then divorcing Leon, she'd had a hard time believing her lawyer's promises that she could keep the house. It wasn't as if she'd had any money of her own when she'd come into the marriage.

Mia Rothaker had felt otherwise. After seeing the pictures that the police had taken of Tabitha at the hospital and reading the doctor's report, Mia had promised to do everything in her power to make sure Tabitha felt safe. And somehow the judge agreed. Even Leon's parents hadn't protested Tabitha being awarded the property. Mary had told her that someone from their community had been in the hospital when Tabitha had been brought in. The news about the amount of blood she'd lost had spread like wildfire.

In any case, though Tabitha wasn't exactly whole anymore, she wasn't as broken as she used to be. And she did have a home. It was one of the Lord's mysteries how the very place that had been the site of the worst moments in her life had somehow become her refuge.

The snap of a twig followed by the rustle of leaves brought her to her feet. As much as she didn't want to believe Leon would return, it was a possibility. Heaven knew he'd taunted her many times that no judge's decree would ever be enough to keep him out of her life.

Her breath hitched as her lungs tightened. Her brow, even though her hair was neatly pulled back from her face with a band, felt damp.

"You're okay," she whispered to herself. "You're okay. You're—" She stopped in midreassurance. Seth Zimmerman appeared out of the opening in the woods nearby.

This time just four days after he'd come before.

She couldn't help but stare. Today he had on a baseball cap, a dark gray hoodie, thick-looking army green pants, and tan boots. Every bit of his clothing suited him and fit like a glove.

But worse than that, she hated that she was feeling a little charge of awareness. It was like her brain couldn't seem to think about anything else but him whenever he was in her vicinity.

"Tabitha, hey!"

Remaining seated, she watched him stride forward.

She had no idea why Seth had come by again—or what to do, since it was too late to hide from sight. Before she could run, Tabitha found herself raising her hand in greeting. "Hiya, Seth."

"Hallelujah. You've decided to speak to me yet again." His tone was teasing and his smile kind.

When her insides jumped a little in anticipation, Tabitha knew she was in trouble. Seth Zimmerman really did make her feel too much.