Her niece?
They rode out of the woods and into the ranch yard. A barn and corrals stood in front of them, and a log house perched on a hill a little farther up, smoke curling from its stone chimney.
Jonah aimed toward the structure.
She followed, inhaling a steadying breath. This was it. She was about to see Anna for the first time in too many years. Would her niece be nervous to see her?
As they drew close, the cabin door swung open, and a lovely woman with honey-blond hair emerged, followed by a small girl clutching her skirts.
Patience's breath caught.
Anna.
Even from a distance, she recognized those wide, solemn eyes that reminded her so much of her sister. The girl had grown up in the five years they'd been apart. That long brown hair that matched both of her parents’.
Jonah reined in his horse and dismounted in one smooth motion.
Tears pricked Patsy's eyes as she slid off her horse. "Anna," she breathed, taking a step forward. Her arms ached toenfold her niece.
The woman, who must be Naomi, the one Jonah had said Anna was living with, smiled and gently nudged Anna forward. "Go on, sweetheart. It's your Aunt Patsy, come all this way to see you."
But Anna hung back, her small face uncertain as she gripped Naomi.
Patience's heart sank. Of course, it had been years. Anna had been just a toddling child when Patience left. She couldn't expect her to come running as if no time had passed.
Jonah crouched midway between Anna and Patience, his voice gentle. "Anna-bug, do you remember your Aunt Patsy? She's come a long way to see you."
Anna's eyes darted to Patience, then back to Jonah. Slowly, tentatively, she released her grip on Naomi's skirts and took a step forward. Then another.
Suddenly, she was in Patience's arms, her small body warm and solid against Patience's chest. Patience wrapped her arms around the thin form, tears threatening as she breathed in the sweet, childish scent of her. Her niece. Her family.
A sob broke free, and she stroked the girl's hair. "Oh, Anna, I've missed you so much. I'm sorry it’s been so long."
She reveled in the feel of her, unsure how much time had passed when she finally lifted her head to meet Jonah's gaze. His green eyes shone with emotion, and she mouthed a silent thank-you.
Beyond him, Naomi dabbed at her cheeks, her smile tremulous.
But even as gratitude swelled in Patience’s chest, a twinge of disappointment pricked at her heart. Anna had not run to her, had not even seemed to recognize her. There was so much lost time between them, so much trust to rebuild.
She didn’t have time to mourn the thought, for a stream of other people reached them. Welcoming with eagerness and a multitude of questions. He waved down the cacophany andmotioned to her, and the group quieted almost immediately, all eyes taking her in.
“Everyone, this is Miss Patsy Whitman.” Jonah sent her a smile that eased the churning that had suddenly started in her middle. "Patsy, this is my family. My brother Jericho and his wife Dinah. Eric and Naomi, who you already met. Since their daughter Mary Ellen isn’t here, I imagine she’s napping. My niece Lillian, and Angela, my brother Jude’s wife.” He looked to Jericho. “I guess the rest of the boys are out with the animals?”
Jericho nodded, and Jonah turned back to her. “You’ll meet Jude, Gil, Miles, and my nephew Sean tonight.”
She brightened her smile for the group. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” And overwhelming.
The woman standing beside Jonah’s brother stepped forward. Dinah was her name? She reached out to clasp Patsy's hand. "We're so glad you've come. We've been praying for this day."
A burning sensation pricked her eyes, but she ignored it. "Thank you. I’m so grateful Anna's been well-cared for." These people looked so much more…wholesome and good than she’d expected. Nothing like the line of hard-nosed brothers she’d imagined.
Eric spoke up. "She's a special little girl. We've come to love her as our own."
A flicker of unease slipped through her. They wouldn’t try to stop her from taking Anna, would they? She was blood kin, after all. Anna’s only living relative.
She glanced down at her niece. Anna gazed back up at her, curiosity and a hint of hope shining in those wide eyes so like her mother's.
Patsy drew in a fortifying breath. She was jumping at shadows. These people had been searching for her. Jonah had been searching for her. Since last year, he’d said.
