“Besides, the fresh, untouched snow. Well, it reminds me of hope.”
His expression sobered, and he stared ahead, brow furrowing a little. “I'm sorry about my brother. I trust you know Mother and I do not share his views on many things.”
“Though he's louder about his feelings on the subject, his view is the more common one.” Charlie wiggled against Kizzie, trying to pull himself up, so Kizzie placed him on her shoulder closest to Noah and more couched from the wind.
“Common doesn't mean right.”
“And right doesn't mean accepted.”
“True.” He nodded. “So I think it's all the more fitting you're staying at Mrs. Carter's.”
Charlie's capped head wobbled as he looked around, and then when his eyes met Noah's, his little lips spread into a bright, dimpled smile. The dimples Noah's mama had mentioned earlier blinked in response for a half second. Too quick to get a good peek at them, but just enough to increase her curiosity.
What was it about a man having dimples? And only ones that sneaked out on rare occasions? It felt like a little secret only few and special folks got the chance to know.
Not that she was special to the likes of Noah Lewis, but the idea didn't hurt her none. A nice little daydream to think on every once in a while, that some good man in the world didn't think too badly of her, despite knowing her past.
“He's such a happy baby.” Noah's soft voice carried over the thrum of the horses’ hooves.
Emotions gathered in her throat at the tender sentiment. “I used to think what I'd done would make him a sad baby. That my sin would somehow transfer to his disposition as punishment.” She kissed Charlie's head. “I'm glad that's not been true.”
“I think he knows how much you love him.”
She sent Noah a look. His smile was gentle, not holding any of the censure she'd heard from his brother. “I hope that's true. And maybe Jesus’ love in me crosses out the sin that brought little Charlie here, so he can be happy.” She sighed. “Besides, this little man and the Lord are all I got in this world.”
Noah's expressions sobered. “Despite my brother's behavior, please know you have friends in me and my mother.”
She dipped her head in acceptance but didn't hold a lot of confidence in his claim. She didn't doubt his sincerity. He'd already proved to be an honest and kind sort of man, but with a powerful brother and a company to run, his good intentions weaved through the hands of someone else's control.
Besides, Noah and his mama barely knew her.
But the sentiment was nice.
Charlie's little hand reached out, and his fingers snatched a hold of Noah's coat sleeve. Noah's smile brimmed wider, giving a longer view of those dimples. Kizzie's lips couldn't help but respond. It was a real nice secret to know.
“He's happy—and strong, judging from the grip he has on my jacket.”
“I don't reckon you've been around babies very much, since you and your brother aren't married?”
He transferred the reins to one hand and jerked the free hand's glove off with his teeth before raising his fingers toward Charlie. The baby took a double-fisted hold of Noah's large hand, bringing out the man's dimples again. “Quite the grip there, little man.”
Something inside Kizzie's heart melted.
“He's got a good one. Believe me, I've felt it every time he grabs a handful of my hair.”
Noah's attention rose to her hatted head and then lowered to her eyes. “He's strong like his mother, I'd say.”
Those hazel eyes bore into hers as if trying to nudge some confidence her way. She looked down at Charlie, smoothing his little head with her palm. “I'm stronger now, but it took breaking first.”
Noah's sigh released a cloud of cool air. “That's certainly one way to become strong.”
Charlie took that moment to bite down on one of Noah's fingers, enticing a chuckle from Noah. “Strong and feisty.”
Noah's brow rose as his gaze flitted to hers, and she wondered if he didn't pair the latter word with her too. Feisty. Her daddy used to call her his spitfire, an endearment meant just for her. He never used it during a drunk, which made the word even sweeter.
She looked away.
She reckoned she'd need to recall some of that feistiness to make a new start on her own.
