“I take that as a no.”
Her lips pinched together.
Several silent seconds passed, but he couldn’t let it go. She was gifted by God with her talent. “Isn’t music like breathing to you? Your mother poured everything into teaching the three of you, and now you’re going to throw it away?”
“You’re so exasperating!” Her hands flew up. “I’mnotthrowing it away. I don’tdeserveit! Don’t you see that?” Her face reddened after the words were out. She turned back to the dogs.
“Whitney...” He sighed with her name. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push so hard. But you don’t really believe that do you?”
“I don’t know what I believe right now. That’s why I said I needed a break.”
“Fair enough.” He stepped over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m still your friend, and if you need to talk, I’m here.”
She nodded but didn’t look up at him.
“Maybe I’ll go check on Ruth now.” He moved away with slow steps, petting each dog as he passed them. Great—he’d probably pushed her even further away.
She walked over to the wall where she kept the harnesses hung. “Why don’t you stay for lunch after you’ve visited with Ruth. ... Then after that, would you like to take the dogs out for a run? They need exercise, and it would save me time if you ran one sled and I ran the other.”
It was an olive branch and he’d take it. “I’d love to.”
“No falling off the sled this time. No daydreaming.”
“I make no promises.” He watched her for several seconds, but she never turned to look at him. That was all right.
He’d take one step at a time.
The afternoon had gone much better than the morning. Why was it she always let Peter’s words get to her? At least she’d caught herself before she unleashed her temper on him. Again. That man seemed to bring out the worst in her ...andthe best, if she was honest.
All through the rest of her morning chores and into lunch, she couldn’t get her mind off his probing questions. Everyone else had questioned her too, but it was different coming from him. The truth was, Ruth had actually guessed it first.
Yes, she was punishing herself by taking away music. But she deserved it.
As soon as she and Peter took the dogs out, though, things got better. The beautiful weather and fresh air mended her weary soul. The dogs loved Peter, and she had to admit it had been the best day she’d had in a long time.
When they arrived back at the barns, Havyn and Madysen were waiting for them, smiles covering their faces.
Maddy bounced on her toes. “Sounds like you two enjoyed yourselves. We could hear your laughter all the way from the house.”
Whitney smirked at Peter. “He fell off the sled twice. Daydreaming.”
“She took you around the turn by the manure pit, didn’t she?” Havyn put a hand to her stomach. “I fall off every time.”
Peter grunted and looked at her. “Oh really? So you did that on purpose?” He dramatically brushed snow from his coat.
“Maybe.” Laughter bubbled up and burst forth. “But it was so funny!”
“I’m glad you can laugh at my expense—”
“Whit said you were daydreaming.” Havyn quirked a brow. “What about?”
Peter glanced at Whitney, brow raised as if daring her to answer. Whitney laughed even harder.
“What is so funny?” Judas stood behind her sisters.
Whitney fought a frown. When didhearrive?
Oh! She sucked in a breath and looked down at the watch pinned to her shirtwaist. “Oh goodness, Judas. I didn’t realize it was so late.” She put a hand to her hair and rushed past them. “Let me go change, and I will be right with you.”
