Travis roved his gaze from her to the children in the living area. He grinned and clapped. “Last one to the bedroom is a rotten egg.”
Josie watched as the children bolted into the bedroom. Travis chuckled softly before turning back to her. Josie’s cheeks flushed, and she longed to say something, something that would fight this distance away. “Thank you, Travis. I’m glad you’re doing this.”
Travis nodded, his thumbs resting around his suspenders. “I thought it was about time.”
Josie watched as Travis walked down the hallway, disappearing into the children’s room. A faint smile tugged at her lips; it was comforting to see him with his children under the same roof as her. Times were changing for them, but doubt crept into her mind. After the Founder’s Day Dance, she had hoped they might grow closer, maybe even become one family, but now . . . she wasn’t so sure.
Travis had been bold enough to remain in her presence, yet it didn’t mean he would truly accept her. And, deep down, Josie wasn’t sure if she wanted him to.
The cabin was cozy compared to the loft, nearly tempting Travis to remain inside. Despite it still being summer, the mountain air was something else at night. He wished to be back in his own bed again, but it wasn’t his place anymore. He could survive another cold night in the loft. Travis strode towards the crackling fire, feeling warmth on his face.Maybe a night by the fire wouldn’t be too bad.
Lost in thought, he heard a creak. He turned, seeing Josie asleep in the rocker near the stove. She looked so peaceful with her eyes closed, relaxed in the chair, her hands resting on her growing stomach. Travis retrieved a quilt from the basket beside the fireplace and carefully stepped towards Josie. As soon as he draped it over her legs, she jolted awake, her breath hitching and eyes twice their size. Travis touched her shoulder. “It’s me. Sorry I startled you.”
Josie sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Sorry. I’m a light sleeper, you could say.”
For a moment, Travis could swear there had been terror in her eyes. He often thought about her previous life, how she said her late husband would hurt her. There could be multiple interpretations. Did he hit her? Lock her away? Was he drunk during these moments? Did he ever apologize? Just thinking about it made his blood boil. Those eyes of hers could only hide so much.
“Is the fire warm enough?” Travis asked, pointing behind him.
Josie pulled the covers to her chin. “I thought you were with the children.”
Travis pulled a chair from the dining table and set it beside her. “I was,” Travis explained, lowering himself. “They said their prayers and were almost out by the time I turned down their lamp.”
“I’m not surprised. They are exhausted.”
Travis leaned back. “At least we have the worst parts of the harvest behind us.”
Despite not working in the fields, Josie still labored like a dog. Aunt Polly advised her to rest most of the time, but she pushed herself forward. She was indeed the worker she had said herself to be—that was no lie. Josie woke early, made breakfast, took care of Gideon who was already walking, dressed the children, and supervised them as she winnowed the seedlings.
Sophie was strong-willed and stubborn during her pregnancies. She never let her condition stand in her way as a wife, mother, and homemaker. But that took a toll on her during her pregnancies with Gideon and Lillian. She grew terribly ill yet remained determined—until her final weeks of life.
“You should be resting as well. You work too hard.”
Josie shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s normal to be a little tired. I’ll just have to push through it.”
Travis sighed, shaking his head.Stubborn woman.“You have such a heavy load, Josie. You care for this house, children, me, and the harvest. I want to bring Aunt Polly back in to help out.”
Josie’s eyes widened. “No, you don’t have to bother her. I don’t need you to lose an extra person in the fields.”
Travis could manage on his own. He’d done it before when Aunt Polly was sick with a cold years ago. He thought about asking Ronan, but he had trouble with his own harvest and five children to feed. Mr. Scott, who was two miles east, had hired hands, unlike Travis, who could never afford it.
“I can manage. You and the baby are my priority now. You should take breaks.”
“And what will I do in these breaks?” Josie asked, her features twisted in what Travis couldn’t read as anger or frustration. “If you’re asking me to stay in bed all day, I won’t do it.”
Travis folded his hand in front of him. “Josie, please listen to me. I can’t have you . . . I can’t have you at risk again.”
Josie stared towards the fire, rocking back and forth. “If it’s that important to you, Aunt Polly can come, but she won’t order me around. I’ll try to manage the best I can. I am not only a mother, but I am also your wife. I vowed to stand beside you as your helpmeet, and that’s the least I can do, given what I put you through.” Josie paused, pulling her loose hair behind her ear. “You shouldn’t be staying in that barn. It’s getting colder.”
“It’s not too bad.”
“I . . . I can stay in here and you could have your room back. Or . . . I can stay with the children in their rooms.”
Travis shook his head. “No, you need your space. It’s getting closer to your time.”
“I’m fine,” Josie sternly insisted. “Don’t you worry about me.”
Travis looked into her brown eyes, studying them now that her fear had melted away, now holding her stubborn spirit. Josie’s pale face glowed as the orange light from the flames illuminated the room. She was a sight, but a sight that was too complicated to admit was beautiful. She was unlike any woman he met before—mysterious and unpredictable. Even though she deceived him, he couldn’t deny that she had a way of drawing him in, like a honeysuckle to bees, a fly to embers, a moth to flame.
