He might as well list them in order of age. “Then there's me, the second oldest. Then Jude and his wife, Angela. They built a cabin just down the slope from the main house. Then Gilead and Sampson, who was there with me in Missoula Mills. And Miles is the baby.”
Jonah couldn’t help the grin that twitched his cheeks. “He wouldn’t like to be called that, of course. He’s seventeen.”
Miss Whitman’s expression eased into a smile that made her look even prettier than when he’d first seen her at the livery as they were preparing to set out. Even then, he’dbeen surprised how different she looked than in the saloon. Not as hardened. More like…a lady.
Now she looked even softer as she said, “I’ll bet not.”
Once more his chest pinched. “We had an older sister, Lucy. She passed a couple years ago, and now my niece and nephew live with us. Lillian and Sean.”
Her brows rose. “Are they close to Anna’s age?”
He tipped his head. “Lillian is twelve, I think, and Sean is eight.” They grew so fast, it was hard to keep up sometimes.
Miss Whitman turned her focus back to the road. “And Anna is almost eight.” Her voice sounded wistful, like she wasn’t talking to him at all.
“Dinah’s sister and her husband live nearby. They built a cabin in a little clearing a few minutes’ walk from the main house. They have a daughter who’s almost two, and Anna’s been staying with them.”
Miss Whitman’s gaze jerked to him. “She’s not living with your family? Do you know these people well? Is she safe there?”
“Yes, ma’am.” At the worry in her expression, Jonah added a nod. "Eric and Naomi are good people. Some of the best I know. Anna couldn't be in better hands."
Her shoulders relaxed a fraction, but the crease between her brows remained. "What kind of man is this Eric? Does he have a temper?"
“He’s a good man, Patsy, I prom—” He stopped short the moment he heard her given name slip out of his mouth. Or rather, her nickname. He dipped his chin in apology. “I’m sorry, Miss Whitman.”
She gave a quick shake of her head. “I don’t care what you call me. What of this man my niece is living with? Does he have a temper? Is he controlling?”
She didn’t care what he called her? He’d have to revisit that thought later.
“Not at all. He's steady as a rock.” He might not have said the same when Eric first came. They’d clashed a few times over Naomi. But Eric had proved himself to be the man Naomi thought him. The more Jonah had gotten to know Eric, the more he'd come to respect him. Admire him, even. “He's a hard worker, and honest to a fault. You don't have to worry about Anna with him and Naomi.”
The tightness around Patsy’s eyes betrayed her lingering concerns. “And...is she happy there? With them?”
The vulnerability in her voice tightened his chest. He chose his next words carefully. “It took some time, but yes, she's doing well now. Her and Mary Ellen—that's Eric and Naomi's little girl—are thick as thieves. Like sisters, really. And Naomi and Eric love her like she's their own.”
Something flashed across Patsy's face. Hurt, maybe. Or regret.
He shouldn't have made it sound like Anna didn't need her blood kin. "She talks about her Gamma all the time," he added quickly. "And she's been counting down the days until she gets to see her aunt again. Just you wait. She'll be bouncing with excitement when we ride into the yard."
Though Patsy kept her gaze fixed ahead, a ghost of a smile curved her lips. "I've missed her too. So much. I just...I hope she remembers me."
"Of course she will. You're her family." Jonah studied Patsy's profile. So different from the fierce, confident woman who had held him at gunpoint during their first meeting, or the shrewd gambler who’d headed a poker table full of raucous men. Now, she seemed fragile somehow, breakable, as if she truly feared her niece might not want her. "Have you thought about what you'll do? After we reach the ranch?"
She sighed, the sound heavy. "I need to get to know Anna again and give her the chance to get to know me. It's been so long. Five years..."She trailed off.
He didn’t prompt her, just waited. They had plenty of time to talk. No sense rushing her if she was feeling melancholy.
After a few moments, Patsy went on. "I won't impose on your family though. I’ll stay just long enough for Anna to get used to me. A few days at most. Then we'll head to Fort Benton and onward to start a new life."
"You won't be imposing." The words rushed out. "We've got plenty of room, and everyone will be glad to have you stay. Anna's our family now, which makes you family too."
Patsy's expression shuttered, her poker face sliding into place like armor. Unreadable. Closed off.
He must have said something wrong. But what? Maybe he’d been too forward calling her family.
Maybe he could get her talking again with a question or two. “And then what will you do?”
She shrugged. “I have plans.”
