Chapter Ten
ELEANOR SETTLED INTOa chair, leaned back, and closed her eyes. “It feels so nice to sit down.”
“That’s because you’re carrying another person all the time.” Rebecca sat across from her sister. From here, she could see out the front window, where Gwynnie and Sarah had organized a game for Johnnie and Emmy. Roger was in the smithy shop, most likely watching in awe and asking a hundred questions as Merrick did his work.
“I believe I’m ready for this baby to arrive.” Eleanor cradled her rounded stomach. “Having an infant to care for can’t be nearly as difficult.”
“It depends on whether the little one sleeps well, eats regularly, and doesn’t get colic,” Rebecca said with the experience of five babies to draw from.
“Oh, colic. I’ll never forget how Sarah cried so much.”
Rebecca winced but smiled at the memory. “I doubt I’ll ever forget that either. I hope no other child of mine is colicky.”
Eleanor raised her eyebrows at that. “Is there some news you wish to share with me?”
Rebecca sighed. “No. We’re still getting to know one another.”
That made Eleanor smile. “So you’re happy with him?”
“Yes. Most of the time, I think.” Rebecca flattened her hands on her skirts. It would be nice to share her worries, andwho better to hear her out than her sister? “We have good conversations, and we make each other laugh. He’s a kind man, and he’s warmed to the children. But . . .” She thought for a moment, trying to figure out how awkward she felt with Levi at times. “He can be distant.”
“What do you mean?” Eleanor asked.
“Sometimes it feels as if he’s a million miles away for no reason at all. Other times, it’s clear that something has upset him, and he’ll go outside. And then later, he’ll be perfectly fine again. He spends hours upon hours riding the property. I don’t know what to make of it.”
“He must have something on his mind. Something that worries him.”
“Maybe. But I can’t think of what that might be.”
“Money, perhaps? Or the farm? Or it could be that he thinks of his brother from time to time and it makes him melancholy?”
“I’d understand that, if he wanted to share it with me,” Rebecca replied. “I doubt it’s money or the farm, though. He hasn’t spoken of anything that would make me think either is a trouble.”
There was a knock at the door just then. Eleanor began to rise, but Rebecca jumped up. “You rest. I’m sure it’s just Levi come to fetch us.”
She opened the door, and Levi stood there waiting as the children continued to play in the snowy yard behind him.
“Come on in.” She held the door open wider, and he stepped inside. Then she leaned out and called for the children to come inside to warm up before they left for the long, cold ride home.
The kids hurried past her, laughing and red-faced from the cold, while Levi stood quietly off to the side.
“Roger should be warm enough inside the shop. It won’t take long for the others to thaw out. Are you all right with waiting a few minutes?” she asked Levi.
“Of course.” He smoothed down his coat but said nothing else.
“Would you like some coffee?”
