“That smells delicious, Mrs. Hauser,” Edgar said as he entered the room. He strode to Marshall and extended his hand. The two men exchanged a meaningful glance, and Edgar took a seat.
“Where are you taking me today in this frigid weather?” Judith asked Luke after the blessing on the food.
“To the Knox homestead.”
“What’s there?” Marshall asked.
“Hank Knox is one of my scholars,” Doris said. “His grandmother makes the loveliest quilts. Her needlework is the finest I’ve ever seen.”
“I suppose we’re going out to see needlework?” Judith asked.
“Yes. And meet a woman who’s the salt of the earth.” He reached across the table and covered Judith’s hand with his. “You’ve been looking for other types of art to display for the Christmas Fair, and she has some pieces you might want to include.”
Quilts weren’t what she’d hoped to add to the list of displays, but she recalled the conversation they’d had the day before. Perhaps this was how he meant to help her to meet and learn to value the people here.
Because of the girls, they kept the meal conversation light. Doris then prepared to take Florence and Lydia to the nursery.
“Doris should stay for this,” Luke said.
“All right, girls,” Marshall said. “You may sit in the parlor and read.”
“Yes, Daddy,” Florence said.
“I get to readA Visit from St. Nicholas,” Lydia cried, running ahead.
Florence abandoned all decorum and chased after her.
Doris took her seat again and looked at Luke expectantly.
“It appears your uncle has a man here. From now on, we need to give the appearance you’re living at the Lucky L,” Luke said.
“Now wait just one minute,” Marshall said, his eyes flashing.
“Appearance,” Luke stressed. He explained what they’d discussed at the sheriff’s office. “It’s not just Doris who’s in danger if this spy reports back to Lancaster.”
“Indeed,” Edgar said with a rush of emotion. “We donotwish for this man to get wind that you’re married, and I’ve been lying to your uncle.”
Doris had looked about to argue, but Luke shook his head.
“Are you willing to put Edgar’s life in danger?” he asked.
“No. Of course not,” Doris said.
“I did not just get married so my wife can move back into her brother’s house,” Marshall looked at Doris with a tender expression, “especially now we’re expecting.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Judith cried and hugged them both.
Marshall shot Luke a worried look, and he understood. Since Marshall had already lost his first wife from complications following childbirth, he would be watching over Doris very carefully.
“It’s fortunate the weather is so cold. Following Luke’s suggestion,” Judith said, sitting beside him again, “Doris can go incognito whenever she leaves the house. Wearing work clothes and a good scarf, no one would be able to know who she is. In this dreadful cold, I seriously doubt this man would be lingering around the Circle B Ranch, when he appears to be targeting the Lucky L. It also begs the question of where he’s been staying.”
Everyone started talking at once, and Luke reached over to take her hand.
“Brilliant,” he said.
A peacefulness Judith hadn’t felt in years filled her.
11
