“Here’s the next one,” Caroline said.
Josie took the package with a smile and looked out towards the ladies. A woman with dark hair and a blue cotton dress raised her hand. “It’s from our family.”
With her normal look of gratitude, Josie opened the package, and to her surprise, there were knitted pieces of booties, hats,blankets, and gloves. She gasped and covered her mouth, trying not to cry. This gift was so precious, a handcrafted item she did not deserve. Rose was right about hosting a quilting bee. Just seeing how much people cared warmed her with delight, distracting her from every fear she had. For a little while, she could push her past behind her and focus on the tiny face that would show in three months.
“Oh, how lovely!” Mrs. Lynde said, her lips parted into a grin.
Rose stepped closer from her area in the corner and picked up one of the hats. Her lips curved into a smile as she held it against her chest. “So precious.”
“Maybe it will be cool enough in the spring for the baby to wear it,” Mrs. Kent said in the chair next to Josie.
Josie’s heart stopped beating for a moment, and her cheeks flushed. She looked up at Rose, whose face had turned white. Now Josie was back to where she didn’t want to be—a web of lies.
She couldn’t bear to speak falsehoods to these ladies who spent their time sewing and knitting to give the baby the necessities it needed. So, Josie faked a smile and nodded, limiting herself to a silent nod. However, the moment was cut short as Caroline gave her another gift to open. She looked down at Josie and laid her hand on Josie’s shoulder, offering a friendly comfort Josie needed to get through the uncomfortable scene.
Travis stayed at Ronan's place until after dark, putting up some new fence posts around the back of their barn since they were wanting to invest in more livestock. The air had grown chilly, but as they continued to work and visit, the cold was the least on their minds. However, coming home was another story. The orange light glowing through the window and the smoke blowing out the chimney invited him in.
He had only himself to blame for staying in the barn loft on cold nights, but perhaps he could set a spot by the fire and leave early before Josie woke. That way, they wouldn’t have to bump into each other. Before he set his gloved hand on the door latch, he overheard soft sniffling. Travis peeked through the window, catching a glimpse of Josie, her face buried in her hands. His heart sank. He knew he should walk away, but seeing Josie in such distress, he couldn’t bear to leave her be.
Travis opened the cabin door and removed his clothing layers, starting with his buffalo-fur coat.
“Travis?” Josie sniffed. “Is that you?”
Her reddened eyes locked with his. A lump formed in Travis’s throat. Never had he seen Josie this upset. She looked down swiftly, holding a knitted baby hat.
“Are you all right?” Travis asked, taking slow steps forward.
Josie gave a faint shrug.
He observed the room, noticing the baskets of yarn and yellow scraps on the dining table. “Was the quilting bee to your liking?”
Josie nodded, wiping her eyes with her fingertips. “Yes, it was.”
Travis settled in a rocking chair next to Josie, his knees facing her. “Then what is it? You’re upset.”
Josie folded her hands in her lap and closed her eyes, taking steady, calming breaths. “I’m going to be a terrible mother.”
Travis frowned. He scooted his chair closer. “Why do you think that?”
Had someone said anything to her? If they did, he’d give them a piece of his mind. Josie had seemed nervous hours before the event, but he believed that to be because she wasn’t used to the town’s company. First impressions were everything, especially in an intimate setting.
Josie met his gaze. “I’m a liar. What positive example can I set?”
Travis’s chest tightened, guilt rising in his chest. Josie had lied to him once, and he had yet to forgive her. He tried his best to be supportive, but when he thought about his fears, he couldn’t help but blame himself for marrying a stranger. He didn’t bother to take time to get to know her.
“You were scared. I understand why you kept the baby a secret.”
Josie shook her head, pushing her loose hair behind her ears. “It’s no excuse. Those ladies believe I’ll give birth in the spring because of . . . our timeline. When winter comes—”
“Josie,” Travis said gently. “Stop worrying.”
Josie buried her face in her hands. “I’m tired, Travis. I’m tired of lying.”
She continued to cry, and Travis could no longer bear those sobs—painful sobs he couldn’t help but feel responsible for. He treated her poorly all these months, not bothering to comfort her while she suffered in silence.
Travis placed his hand on her back, rubbing in soft circles. He hadn’t wanted to touch her when they first married, and dancing with her had been an act of gentlemanly courtesy, but now, Josie deserved to be shown tenderness and care. Just enough that she could know he was there for her. Travis wanted to start over, to trust his wife again.
“You’re going to be a great mother. You want to know why?”
