Naomi could only chuckle...until Mary Ellen stood and toddled away. "Come back. Mary Ellen, come back."
Lillian jumped to her feet with all the energy of a youth. "I'll get her." When she scooped her up, she looked at Naomi. "I see purple flowers on the vine by those trees. Can we go pick some to make necklaces?"
Naomi hesitated. Eric's entire purpose in coming was to spend time with his daughter. Yet he could hardly expect a child her age to sit still and converse with him. If he wanted to be with her, he'd have to go where she did.
So she nodded. "Stay where I can see you."
The two wandered away, Lillian telling the girl in happy tones what they were going to do.
Eric stayed across from Naomi on the blanket, munching the last half of his sandwich.
After a moment of quiet, he chuckled. "She certainly didn't like those pickled beets."
"I've never been able to get her to eat them. It's a shame because that's one of the few vegetables that grow well here. You can buy them easier in Missoula than most others."
He shook his head, his smile lingering. They ate a little longer without speaking. Should she say something about how well Mary Ellen was responding to Eric? He truly was a good father, making every effort—even at great cost. His long rides from Two Stones's village must be torturous with his broken ribs.
She didn't want to bring up their past, not yet. She wasn't ready for that discussion.The pain of it.
Better to keep their conversation on recent events. On their daughter and what a delight she was.
Before she could speak, Eric lifted his gaze to meet hers. "I just want to say how well you've done with Mary Ellen. She's a wonder. So precious. I know much of that comes from your hard work as a mother."
She started to tell him about all the help she’d had—she could never have done it without Dinah and the Coulters—but he raised a hand, and she stopped herself.
"I know you've probably been through far more than I'm aware of. I'd like to hear about it." His gaze shifted, a little wary. "Another time. But for now, I just want to thank you for raising our daughter to become the sweet princess she is."
His gaze held hers, his dark eyes so earnest, the compliment seeped all the way through her.
CHAPTER 10
“Thank you.” A burn crept into Naomi’s eyes at Eric’s compliment. She held the tears back but let herself absorb the words that she’d wanted to hear for so long. She’d not realized how badly she needed this confirmation.
All those never-ending nights when Mary Ellen woke to nurse over and over and over. The times she was sick. The fear, the exhaustion. She’d done the very best she could, but it never felt enough. There was always the sense that she should have done more. Should have been better. Should have showered more love on the babe, not frustration. Not sadness.
The tears pressed harder, and if she didn't clear these thoughts, her barriers would collapse.
She forced a smile, and the action helped to lighten the weight on her.
Eric was watching closely. When she smiled, he let out a breath and looked toward where the girls were chattering among the trees.
Mary Ellen’s sweet voice rose above Lillian’s every so often, and Lillian answered as though she understood every sound thetot made. Lillian was so good with her. What a blessing to have her around.
“I’ve been thinking…” Eric’s voice broke through her ponderings. “I’ll need to go back to Washington in the spring when the river thaws. I’d like to take Mary Ellen with me.”
Naomi’s breath hitched, her mind reeling with the words. Hadn’t he just said…? Did he mean a simple visit or…?
She inhaled a breath to quell the flash of anger. She had to make her words calm. Yet she couldn’t keep from an incredulous tone. “Take her with you? For how long?”
Eric regarded her warily. He must be aware he’d dropped a burning ember into dry grass. “I want to get to know her. Let her meet my parents. Give her a safe life where she can play and grow up and…” The Adam’s apple at his throat bobbed. “You could come too.” He seemed to realize what he’d said, and quickly amended, “You and…your…” Again he swallowed. “Maybe you’d like to live in Wayneston again. You and…”
He stopped talking and lifted his gaze to the sky.
Was he hurt that she’d agreed to marry another man? She’d surely had the right to after he’d abandoned her without a single word.
But maybe he was remembering that night when he’d asked her to marry him. The words she’d said. That she knew without a doubt that he was the one God made for her. The other half that fit her perfectly. No one else could fill that place. God had made her for him alone, and him for her.
She shouldn’t have said those things. They’d been true. But they gave him a power she couldn’t let him wield now.
