The girl’s joyful announcement brought half the family spilling out from the house and barn, their faces alight and voices buzzing.
He stepped close to Patsy in case she needed him.
Naomi reached them first, her skirts flapping as she ran to embrace Anna. The little girl leapt into her arms, burying her face against Naomi's shoulder.
"Oh, my sweet girl," Naomi murmured, holding Anna close. "We've missed you so."
Eric joined them, wrapping his arms around his wife and the child they loved as their own. He met Jonah's gaze over their heads, his eyes shining. His expression held as much gratitude as question.
Patsy stood back, watching the reunion with a bittersweet smile.
His chest ached for her.
On the journey back, she had confided that she was considering asking Naomi and Eric to raise Anna as their own. The unselfish notion had filled him with both admiration and trepidation. He’d grown to care for the bright, resilient girl, imagining a future where he and Patsy gave her the loving parents she needed. But he recognized that Naomi and Eric already held that place in Anna's heart.
Perhaps it was his destiny to always be Uncle Jonah, the stalwart support but never the father. The thought left a hollow ache in his chest. Would he ever have a family to call his own?
The rest of the group surrounded them, a whirlwind of hugs, laughter, and questions. Mary Ellen clung to Jonah's leg, gazing at him with her toothy grin. He scooped her up. “Hey there, Cricket. Remember me?”
She studied him with a sly smile, as though trying to decide how to answer. How much did she think about her actions in that two-year-old mind? Then she threw her arms around his neck. “O-nah!”
He held her tight, breathing in her sweet scent and the unbreakable love and trust wrapped up in this little package. He was thankful now that he and Naomi hadn’t married, especially since he’d met Patsy. But he couldn’t help wishing this precious girl called him Papa. He certainly loved her enough to be her father.
She pulled back and eyed him with a smile as wide as a Montanamountain. “Un-ka O-hah.”
Warmth flushed through him like a surging waterfall. Maybe this was better than being a Papa after all.
He tweaked her nose. “My Cricket. I sure missed you. I brought you something back too.” He winked, then turned to Anna, back on her feet now that Naomi and Eric had released her. He’d give her the peppermints in a minute, but her adored friend was probably the better gift.
Mary Ellen dove into Anna’s small arms, and the older girl gathered her up and began asking questions.
Mary Ellen responded with a babble that made them all grin.
“Well.”
Jonah turned at his older brother’s voice and caught Jericho’s grin.
“Welcome home.”
He accepted the hand Jericho reached out, returning a smile of his own. “It sure is good to be here.” All the months he’d traveled searching for Patsy hadn’t felt as long as these four weeks on the trail. Of course, they’d stayed in Fort Benton a few extra days too, as Patsy exchanged telegrams with her solicitor. Better to make sure her part of the business was wrapped up now so she didn’t have to return to town.
Jericho’s focus slid past him to Patsy. “I’m not sure if I’m surprised you didn’t come back alone or not.”
Jonah's cheeks heated. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Long story."
Jericho raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Not that long, I reckon. Are the two of you…?"
Jonah fought a grin. "I'm going to court her."
Jericho's deep laugh rumbled, and he clapped Jonah on the shoulder. "Let's get you settled. I imagine you're ready for a good meal and a soft bed."
Jonah yawned at the mention of rest.
Patsy stood a few paces away, her arms crossed as she watched the happy chaos of the reunion.
Her eyes met his, uncertainty in their depths.
He started toward her, but a figure emerging from the barn caught him up short.
