He shifted the baby, and she made a soft snuffling sound, nestling closer to his neck. The sight made Grace's heart clench with a fierce, protective longing. Sampson's family sounded wonderful. Warm and welcoming and everything she'd never had.
But so many people. So many eyes watching her, judging her. What if they found her lacking? What if they decided she wasn't good enough? Especially to be a mother. What if they decided Ruby would be better off without her? The thought made her throat close up and tears burn.
She swallowed hard, forcing the words past the tightness in her throat. "It sounds wonderful. Truly. But I think…maybe I'd rather settle with just Ruby and me for now. Until I find my feet." She tried for a smile, but it felt wobbly. "I don't want to impose on your family."
Concern etched in the lines of Sampson’s face. He opened his mouth as if to protest, then closed it again, giving a slow nod.
After a moment, he spoke, though his brow held a frown. "I understand wanting your independence. Missoula Mills is likely closest to where I’ll be, but it’s still a rough town. Nearly all the occupants are men—miners and trappers and such. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving you and Ruby here alone."
She bit her lip. "What about Canvas Creek? I haven’t been there since I was a girl, but I remember it being small.”
He still looked troubled, his jaw tight as his focus moved out the window. "I'll make some inquiries, see what I can find out about available houses." He let out a sigh. "In the meantime, I've made arrangements with the cafe and the mercantile. You can purchase whatever you and Ruby need, and they'll put it on my account."
Grace stared at him, her middle giving a funny little flip. He’d thought of everything. "Thank you.” But she wouldn’t spend any of his money if she didn’t have to. He was already doing so much.
As though he could hear her thoughts, he locked his gaze onto hers. Those deep brown eyes grew intense. "Grace, I mean it. If you or Ruby, or even the goat, have need of anything—clothes, food, a pretty bauble—please get it. If there's something you can't find in town, just let me know. I have a friend named Two Stones who's really good at locating hard-to-find goods in the area. He has connections all over the territory."
Warmth blossomed in her chest, spreading through her limbs like honey. The way he looked at her, the insistence in his voice, it made her feel…cared for. Cherished, even.
She managed a wobbly smile. "Thank you, Sampson. Truly. I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness."
He shook his head. "You don't need to repay me. I made a vow to care for you and Ruby, and I intend to keep it."
His words settled over her like a warm blanket, easing the tension from her shoulders. She needed to find a distraction before the tears broke through her defenses. She worked for a smile. “Two Stones? That’s an unusual name.”
A soft smile curved his mouth. “He’s Salish. And my family’s closest friend. When we first moved to the Montana Territory, I was seven. Us boys were helping Dat build the cabin, and Two Stones showed up one day to help. He was the same age as my oldest brother, Jericho. He came back the next day. Then the next, and every day after until the house and barn were both built.” Sampson’s mouth rose in a grin.
“After that, he taught us how to hunt and survive in the mountains. In return, Dat taught him about God. Two Stones and his parents all came to faith, and he’s been a good friend ever since. His village is about two hours’ ride from our place, but he spends a fair amount of time on the trail. He married last year, and Heidi often rides with him.”
Grace’s mind scrambled to keep up with all the details. She’d never met any natives. Just seen a few who rode through their valley, but only from a distance.
One other comment from the flurry of words stuck in her mind.Dat taught him about God. Mama had shared the beliefs that some people held about an Almighty Being who created the world and all people. Mama said she never saw reason to believe it was true.
Did Sampson believe? Would it anger him if she asked? He’d not shown a temper with anything else, so maybe he wouldn’t mind.
“You’re a…” She struggled to find the right words. “I mean…you believe in…God?”
He tipped his head as he studied her. “I do. Does that mean you…don’t?” He hesitated on that last word.
Would it be awful if she told him the truth? Would he not want to be married to her? Not want to help her and Ruby get settled in their own home?
She forced down the rising panic. She had no reason to think Sampson would do that. He didn’t look angry. Only curious.
She searched for the best way to answer. “I don’t know very much about Him.” Was God aHim, or anIt? Either way, this proved the truth of her statement. She pressed on. “My mother told me that some people believe in a God who made the world. That they believe they’ll be carried to live with Him after they die.” She hadn’t actually said she didn’t believe that, but her wording probably made it clear.
Sampson tipped his head a little, but then nodded. “I guess that’s the basics of it, but there’s a lot more. Goddidmake us. He created the world and all the plants and animals thousands of years ago. But He didn’t just make everything and walk away. He wants friendship with us. He wants us to know Him. To talk with Him. To feel how much He loves us.”
She frowned as she let those ideas sink in. “How do you talk to God? Can you see Him?”
He shook his head. “Not like I see you. But you can talk out loud or just in your thoughts. He hears.” Sampson hesitated as if he was trying to find the words. “It’s hard to explain how you can tell, but…it’s like I feel a peace when I talk to Him. Like I know my thoughts or words were heard.”
He gave his head another little shake. “Anyway. I’m not the best one to explain it. Jericho or Jude would be better.”
Something like sadness tinged his eyes. Was he disappointed she’d said no to staying with his family? That she likely wouldn’t ever meet those two brothers?
Part of her wanted to take back that decision, if only to please Sampson. But she had to stick with her plans. She couldn’t get used to relying on a man.
Maybe better to change the subject. She dropped her focus to Ruby. "I should get her changed so she can take a proper nap." She reached for the baby, and Sampson eased her into Grace’s arms. His large hands brushed Grace’s skin, raising gooseflesh up her arm.
