Mark snickered. “Little guy just wanted to listen to you talk all night,” he teased. They descended the stairs, moving toward the sitting room. It had become part of their nightly routine to come back down to the sitting room and spend some time together once they put Heath to bed. Mark would tell Layla about his day, and she would tell him all about what she and Heath, and her father, as of late, had done.
Layla placed her Bible on the small table next to the wing-backed chair she had come to favor. The soft blue padding reminded her of the one her mother used to like, and every time Layla looked at it or the Bible, she thought lovingly of her mother. The episode in the field with her father seemed so far off now. They all had come so far, but Layla felt tired just thinking about how much had changed over the short period.
“I don’t mind telling you, Mark. I’m exhausted,” Layla sighed as she slouched into the seat.
Mark laughed and dipped his head thoughtfully in her direction. “Yes, I can see that. I know you’ve been taking too much on yourself lately. With taking care of Heath, and Emmett, and—”
“Did someone say my name?” Emmett asked eagerly as he stepped into the sitting room with a spring in his step. His eyes were brighter than they had been before, with that familiar gray twinkle returning to them. She was so grateful that he hadn’t tasted even a drop of alcohol in about ten days and that most of his symptoms had abated.
“No, sir,” Mark answered, quickly rising. He pulled a seat around so that Emmett could join them and be seated close to the fire. “We were just talking about our day, and Layla was telling me about taking care of you.”
“Pssh,” Emmett said, waving his hand dismissively through the air, “My girl doesn’t have to take care of me anymore. I’m fit as a fiddle. As a matter of fact, I’ve been spending all day with that young man of yours,” Emmett smiled warmly. “Smartest kid I’ve ever seen. And loves music, too. You just wait until he starts walking,” Emmett wagged his finger playfully at Mark. “Once that babe starts walking, he’ll run soon after. Believe me, he’ll have the run of this place in no time.”
Layla smiled affectionately at her father. Since getting out of bed and joining the family during mealtime, Emmett had come to dote upon Heath. He behaved grandfatherly toward the baby, and Layla thought it was precious. “Heath will be walking soon, I agree. He is getting more confident each day, and I think he may be able to do it without support very soon.”
Mark smiled proudly. “He’s a good boy.”
“Yes, he is. I’d say he takes after his daddy,” Emmett said, and this made both Mark and Layla grin. As she looked over at her husband, she realized that Mark and Heath had the same smile. Their full soft lips drew down so that their faces became almost heart-shaped. Layla loved this similarity, and she treasured the thought.
***
The following morning, the temperature was very chilly in the morning hours, so Layla, Emmett, and Heath stayed indoors. They read from the Bible, played with Heath’s toys, and even baked a blackberry pie together. By the time they finished, Layla was ready to head outside for some fresh air. Emmett thought he could do with a nap, so he resigned to his bedroom, promising little Heath he would see him again at supper.
Layla put a bright red woolen sweater over Heath’s regular blue and white tunic and buttoned a brown overcoat atop her own woolen dress before they headed out to the garden.
“What shall we pick today?” Layla asked Heath as they walked together toward the rows of fruits and vegetables. Under one arm, she tucked the two woven baskets, clutching Heath’s hand with the other. She kept a tight grip on him, as she thought he might break free at any moment and start walking on his own. The idea of Heath walking without her help didn’t scare her, but she hoped Mark could be around the first time Heath took his own steps.
“LaLa,” Heath babbled happily, and his little fingers wiggled in hers.
“Heath, we are going to get some peas first. What do you say?” Layla asked as she knelt and repositioned him to sit beside her. She bent the leaves of the plant toward him so he could touch them.
“Mp … mp … mp …” Heath replied, smacking his lips.
“Yes, I was thinking a thick, hearty stew sounded good as well. Ever since the weather has gotten colder, I’ve felt like we needed some meals that would really warm us from the inside out. What do you say, Heath?” Layla asked, plucking the pea pod from the vine.
“Uh … uh … uh,” he replied as he slid his fingers over the leaves and then the vines.
Layla worked quickly. “I’m thinking we gather the peas first, and then we can dig up some potatoes. After that, we will need carrots—”
An unfamiliar woman came around the side of the house, but Layla failed to notice the lady until she was close because the house obstructed the garden path.
Layla scooped Heath protectively into her arms so swiftly he made a startled noise. Layla apologized to him, rubbing his back gently. “It seems we have company, but Layla’s not sure she recognizes the—” As she was about to say that she didn’t know the woman, the stranger drew closer, and Layla could see the wind whipping through her dark, curly hair. Reflexively, Layla’s fingers floated to Heath’s curls, and she stroked his hair softly.
“Hello,” the lady said quietly. Stopping right at the edge of the garden, she left it up to Layla to make the next move. Layla snuggled Heath into her chest protectively as she moved out of the row of peas. She walked around to where the woman stood.
“Hello,” Layla greeted, her voice sounding strong in her own ears. The woman’s eyes fixed on Heath, and Layla resisted the urge to swing Heath away from the woman.
“I’m Trudie,” the lady said simply, and Layla’s lips pursed tightly as her suspicions were confirmed.
Hugging Heath tightly to her, she eyed Trudie over the top of the baby’s head. “I’m Layla,” she replied.
The woman shivered slightly. Layla’s brows contracted as she noticed that Trudie wasn’t wearing appropriate clothing for the weather. She thought of how her mother taught her to be hospitable and do her best to make guests feel comfortable, even if the woman was a stranger. “Would you like to come inside? Or maybe you would like a hot beverage?”
“No, no, thank you,” Trudie replied, and she smiled at Layla. “I’ve only come because I wanted to see Heath. I wanted to see my son.” Layla snuggled Heath more closely to her, and Heath touched her face. She did her best to smooth out her expression, so the baby wouldn’t realize she was worried, but it was difficult.
Layla thought it was rather bold of Trudie to say precisely what she wanted so blatantly. While Layla realized that she knew very little about this woman who had been Mark’s first wife, she had always imagined Trudie being rather timid. “I …” Layla began, shifting Heath uncomfortably in her arms. As he had taken to walking so much on his own lately, Layla was spending less and less time holding him. He was a heavy load, and her arms were tiring.
“I understand. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you. I can’t even imagine the things you’ve heard about me.” Trudie’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean to say that Mark would speak badly of me, but I know how other people in this town like to gossip.”
