An hour later, sadness settled over Trent as they walked onto the platform.He’d miss his brother, as strange as that was.He’d thoroughly enjoyed his company.
Ash wrapped Maggie in a tight hug and she giggled as he spun in a circle.“I asked the cook to make you some of our favorite lemon seed cakes, so they’ll be waiting for you when you get home.”
“Yay!”
He handed her to Trent and held an arm out to his side.Samantha stepped into it and rested her head against his shoulder.She’d come so far.“Thank you, Ash.For everything.”
“You’re welcome, Samantha.Your brother and I are both incredibly proud of you.”
She pressed her lips together as tears filled her eyes.Ash gave her another squeeze.She stepped away from him and reached for Maggie.
Trent held out his hand to shake Ash’s, but he raised a brow.“Have you decided you’re not a hugger after all?”
“I was afraid it might be unseemly in public.”
“We can risk it.”Ash grabbed his shoulder and pulled him in.
“Thank you, Ash.It hardly seems sufficient, but thank you.”
Ash clapped him on the back.“Take care of yourself, little brother.I hope I’ll see you soon.”
Trent lifted Maggie onto his shoulder to watch as Ash boarded the train.As they waited for it to depart, Samantha sidled up next to him and slipped her hand into his.
The whistle blew, and within a few minutes, it was gone.But for a moment, they just stood.A woman who’d been seeing off her son turned and smiled at them.“You’ve such a beautiful family.”
The words warmed his heart.Samantha stared at the woman, stunned into silence, perhaps.
“Thank you,” Trent said.
“Thank you!”Maggie repeated, wiggling on his shoulder, and the woman laughed.
Trent looked at Samantha and raised a brow.She swatted his arm, and he laughed as he escorted her from the platform.
* * *
You’ve such a beautiful family.Samantha couldn’t stop hearing the words.When they got back to the house, Trent had work to see to, and Maggie went with Mrs.Baird.Samantha went in search of Benson.She needed his wisdom.She eventually found him in Trent’s room, putting something away in the armoire.
He held a finger to his lips.“Don’t tell him.I don’t think he’s realized yet that I’ve been cleaning his shoes for him.”
Samantha laughed.“He’s lucky to have you, Benson.”
“What can I do for you, Miss Allister?”
“I was hoping we might share a cup of tea.”
“You name the location, and I’ll meet you there with a tray.”
“It might not be the proper thing, but would you mind if we sat in my room?I’d rather no one else hears what I need to speak about.”
“I’ll be there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
When he entered a few minutes later, he was carrying a tea tray.“I got us each two pieces of that lemon cake I’ve been smelling all day.”He poured her a cup, drizzled in some honey, deposited a piece of cake on the saucer and handed it to her.
“Apparently,I’mlucky to have you too.”She breathed in the steam from her tea before taking a sip.
He settled himself into the other chair and took a bite of cake.He hummed his appreciation as he chewed.“Now,” he said, wiping his hands on his napkin.“What’s on your mind?”
“Trent,” she said with a shrug.“He says he loves me.”
