Keturah smiled and took a deep breath before she spilled the truth. “I am in need of a husband.”
“Oh.” Mary stopped with her mug halfway to her mouth and lowered it back to the heavy wooden table. “Need, not want?”
Keturah frowned as she gave a nod. “’Twas only me an’ me father homesteadin’ the land. An’ last week, a tornado tore through our barn an’ claimed his life. After all the hard work that we put into it the past couple of years, I dinnae want to lose the land. It is me home. An’ so I need a husband, not only to protect me claim to the land, but to help rebuild the damage from the storm that took me father.”
“That is quite the predicament,” Mary agreed, frown lines creasing the tan skin around her mouth. “There are certainly plenty of young unattached men who have come west to make their way. But most have already begun their own homesteads. There could be some elder sons around that have not yet married.”
“I did wonder about that.”
Mary gave a thoughtful look as her gaze trailed to the door the men had exited through. Her eyes narrowed, and her finger tapped the side of her chin. “Though our guest, Daniel, is unattached and in need of land to settle.” She raised her brows as she turned her attention back to Keturah.
“Aye. It did seem he would fit the bill.” Her mouthtwisted, and her thumb rubbed over the smooth surface of the ceramic vessel in her hand. “How much do ye know of him?”
Mary took a moment to reply, causing apprehension to tingle up the back of Keturah’s neck. What caused the woman’s hesitancy? “James knows his situation better than I. I do know that the travel party left him behind after an incident during a river crossing. Though I am not privy to the circumstances, Daniel, his horse, and a small child were all injured.”
Keturah nodded before her gaze fell to the dark liquid in her cup. Worry gripped her heart, even though she was well aware of how perilous river crossings could be. With every passing moment, it was becoming evident how much she would have to trust in the Lord’s guidance in choosing a husband.
Daniel could barely tear his gaze from the beautiful woman with flaming auburn hair seated to his right as he took another bite of venison.
Keturah glanced in his direction before she shoveled a forkful of potato into her mouth and turned her attention to their hosts, a brilliant blush coloring her freckled cheeks. “’Tis a wonderful meal, Mrs. Skaggs.”
“Only simple noon-time fare.” The middle-aged woman waved off the compliment with a smile.
The two women had sequestered themselves for aprivate conversation after supper the night before, and curiosity gnawed at Daniel’s insides. He had yet to learn what the young woman’s business was at the station. Or how much longer he would be blessed with her company.
Mrs. Skaggs gave a wry smile as she glanced between him and Keturah, and suddenly, he understood what a trapped animal must feel. “Daniel, dear, you have not told us much about what brought you to Kentucky.”
Daniel swallowed. He shrugged a shoulder before replying. “To find a home and make something of myself.” Guilt roiled within, unsettling his stomach, as he withheld any detail that might paint him in a poor light.
Keturah glanced up at him, her green gaze both inquisitive and scrutinizing.
Somehow, it loosened his tongue. He sighed. His conscience would not allow him to conceal the truth from her. “I was an outsider within my own family. My mother died in childbirth when I was born, and my father blamed me for her death. A nanny was hired to see to my upbringing, and my brothers were banned from associating with me. In the end, my father arranged for my passage west and paid me to leave.”
Keturah sucked in a breath. Then her hand came to rest on his forearm. Warmth spread through his arm at the weight of her touch through his shirt, and tears danced in her eyes. “I am sorry for that. I know what itis like to have yer father blame ye for yer mither’s death.”
In that moment, Daniel wanted to do nothing more than to pull her into his arms, to forget his own heartaches and to comfort the ones he saw reflected in the face before him. Suddenly, he understood why he was so drawn to this woman. Beneath her beauty was a kindred spirit.
Thoughts swirled through his mind as he stared down into her face. Ones that involved spending additional time with Keturah, coming to know her better. Even sharing a life with her. But his tender heart was running away with him. For what could he possibly offer a strong, capable woman such as her?
May 16, 1782
Keturah stalked back and forth along the creek bank where she had met Daniel only the day before. Pale stones crunched under foot and skittered across the ground. The gentle babble of the water would normally have provided a comfort to her anxious soul. But this morning, even with bright rays of sunshine filtering through the thick green foliage, serenity seemed elusive.
Instead, the decision that lay before Keturah had her restless, with her stomach in knots. Thus far, DanielScott seemed every bit a kind, honest gentleman. After all, he had revealed the truth of his circumstances with her, despite how painful doing so must have been. But could he be the man she needed him to be? Would he be a helpmate in the repair and continuation of the homestead?
The knowledge of Daniel’s upbringing left Keturah with more questions rather than less. Was it truly just an injury that kept him from continuing on with the travel party, or had he been unable to cut it on the frontier? Should she look farther from the station for another man better suited to the task? Her heart told her no. But could her heart be trusted? She had no experience in such matters to divine if it was the Lord’s urging or if she was allowing herself to be swayed by a handsome face.
A rustle behind Keturah drew her attention, and she spun as Scamper came bounding out of a bush. She bent as he ran up to her and licked her cheek. “Why, hello, little fella.”
Moments later, his owner came stalking out of the trees. His sad look disappeared when he saw her hunkered with the pup. Instead, a broad grin stretched across his face. One that warmed Keturah’s heart and helped ease her indecision.
“He seems to have taken to you as well.”
“Aye. It seems so.” The thought brought a surprising sense of happiness. She smiled up at Daniel, a strange sensation filling her middle. Could this truly be thedirection God was leading? A city boy who she would have to teach everything to? Her hesitation returned. “Can I ask ye a question?” Keturah stood and stepped nearer to the tall man.
“Sure.”
“Why were ye truly left behind? Was it only the injury?”
