As if she'd recognized her mother's name, little Mary Ellen came to life on Heidi's chest with a cry. Panic flared in his wife's eyes as the babe squirmed in her arms. He'd seen Mary Ellen do this before. One heartbeat she slept, and the next, awoke witha fierce hunger. The babe was crying too loudly now for him to reassure his wife.
Dinah reached for her niece and took her, bouncing and speaking softly to Mary Ellen as she hurried her into the room where Naomi must be sleeping.
As the door closed behind her, quiet descended on them like a cloud. Heidi stared after the pair. "What happened? Did I hurt her?"
He stepped closer but stopped himself from pressing a hand to her back. "No. She startles awake when hungry. She does not think she will live another heartbeat without eating, I think." He tried to give a smile that would lighten her concern.
He had to use these moments alone to ask his question. He dropped his voice lower. "I have not told Jericho that we are not…" He scrambled for the best way to say it. "That we have not…"
She nodded quickly, making it clear she knew what he meant.
He breathed out and continued his question. "Do you wish me to speak of it? Or let them think all is as usual with us? I can sleep in the barn if I tell him."
Her eyes showed her indecision, and her bottom lip crept between her teeth—something he shouldn't allow himself to look at for long. His mind had tried to wander that direction far too many times, and the only way he could stop those thoughts was by picturing Callum. Her father had been so excited to see his daughter again. Then so worried about her safety.
That safety had to be foremost in Two Stones's mind also. Nothing else.
"I don't think they need to know. Do you?" Heidi sounded uncertain, like she very much wanted his opinion. "Do you wish to tell him? If it bothers you to hide the truth… I know he's a good friend."
Red had crept up to her ears and made splotches on her cheeks. Her pale coloring made her discomfort show so quickly. Part of him wanted to grin at her innocence, but the other part wanted to take away anything that bothered her, even this conversation.
He shook his head. "If you do not mind me sleeping there too"—he glanced up to the loft where rustling sounded as Lillian moved around—"I can sleep on the floor."
She nodded. But before she could speak, Lillian's skirts appeared at the top of the ladder. At the same moment, the door Dinah had disappeared through opened again, and she stepped out, without the babe this time. "She'll feel better with food in her tummy." Her expression seemed clouded though. Did something about the babe's actions concern her? Or maybe her sister, Naomi.
He didn't have time to ask, for the front door opened, and the rest of the brothers trickled in, those who had been out with the herds when he and Heidi arrived. Jude first, then Jonah, still limping but walking without even a stick for support.
As the men greeted him and met Heidi, the cabin came alive with voices and laughter.
Lillian and Dinah carried plates of food to the table, and Heidi moved to help them.
The talk quickly turned to preparations for Christmas, and Sean jumped in on the topic. "We're going out to cut a tree first thing in the morning. Uncle Jericho said I can pick it out."
"Me too." Lillian sent her brother a glare.
"You can help, but I've already found the perfect one."
Miles nudged his nephew. "Actually, I've already found the perfect tree." His grin showed he was teasing the boy, and Sean responded with a pretend fist to his uncle's gut.
Miles was only five winters older than the lad, so they often scuffled in play.
Dinah stopped the commotion by calling all to the table, pointing Heidi to the seat beside Two Stones’s usual chair. Though the table was large, with so many people packed around it, his knees pressed against Heidi’s.
Perhaps she would have had more room if he attempted to stay on his side, but it felt good to touch her again, even in this small way. Since that night in the abandoned cabin when she fell asleep leaning against his side, her head on his shoulder, he'd craved the feeling again. Their hands occasionally brushed as she handed him her reins or a plate of food, but not the steady firm contact of her leg against his.
When Jericho bowed his head and everyone at the table joined hands, Heidi fit her palm in his as though they'd done this for years. He wrapped his fingers around hers, closing her hand in his and relishing the warmth of her.
He tried to hear Jericho's prayer, but all he could manage was his own,Thank You, Lord, for this woman.He shouldn't let himself be so affected by her, but how could he not when she was so near all the time? What man could resist a woman as beautiful as his wife, both inside and out?
When Jericho spoke theamenand Sean released his hand on one side, Two Stones had to force his fingers to unwind from Heidi's hand. She sent him a shy smile before reaching to accept a dish of potatoes from Dinah.
Could it be possible that she craved his touch as much as he did hers? Surely not. But…was there a way he could find out for certain?
CHAPTER 10
Heidi snuggled little Mary Ellen closer the next morning as she gently rocked in the chair by the fire. The babe was so sweet. Heidi had volunteered to hold her any time the opportunity presented.
"I think they're coming with the tree." Dinah turned from the cookstove and sent Heidi a smile.
