Josie poured the broth into a bowl, hardly able to wipe the smile from her face. Jonas’s recovery had been the light of the day thus far. She sighed, pushing away the event from earlier. She had more pressing concerns than her husband loving a woman far too perfect for Josie to compete with. Josie brought the broth into the bedroom, where Aunt Polly sat at Jonas’s bedside, brushing his hair with her hands. Jonas glanced over at Travis; fear etched across his brow and in his eyes.
“Is Pa gonna be all right?”
Josie didn’t know how to answer. Jonas was never as bad as Travis. Travis’s illness progressed rapidly, bringing different symptoms—delirium and dehydration. His swollen tonsils made it nearly impossible for him to drink.
Josie dipped Jonas’s spoon into the bowl and gently blew over it. “I have faith God will take care of Pa like He did you.”
Jonas opened his mouth, sipping some of the broth. Josie glanced over at Travis, who shivered and muttered Sophie’s name. His head shifted from side to side as he wrestled with the covers. Aunt Polly rose from Jonas’s bed and moved to Travis’s side. She placed a hand on his forehead, then turned to Josie. Her bottom lip quivered as she slowly shook her head.
Josie pressed her lips together. She was right about one thing—only God could take care of Travis now. Her job was to surrender it to Him. There was only so much she could do.
Chapter Thirty-Five
WildflowersbrushedagainstTravis’slegs, swaying with the wind. Sophie had always adored this meadow, cherishing each flower whether she knew its name or not. The snow had melted, welcoming spring once more. A cool mountain breeze wrapped around him, carrying the scent of fresh earth as grass and wildflowers danced in harmony. Everything here felt untouched, unspoiled—a haven of quiet perfection. This was Sophie’s place, where her spirit seemed to linger, as beautiful and free as the wind.
Then his breath left his lungs. Sophie appeared before him, wearing her familiar white-and-blue calico dress, her copper-brown hair stopping at her waist. She looked as radiant as ever. The moment felt too real, blurring the line between dream and reality. Was this truly happening? Sophie turned to face him, a soft smile on her lips, holding a bouquet just as she always had. The setting sun bathed her in a warm glow as she stepped toward him.
Travis’s heart raced, his legs trembling. He couldn’t just stand there—he had to reach her. Without hesitation, he desperately broke into a run, afraid she might disappear before he could hold her again.
He didn’t stop until she was in his arms, his hands sliding around her slender waist as he pulled her close, embracing her against him. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling the scent of honeysuckles. Travis sighed, closing his eyes as he laid a kiss against her temple. Tears blurred his vision while he cupped Sophie’s face, studying every inch of her.My wife, my darling wife.Her green eyes met his, those innocent eyes he’d never forget.
“My sweet Sophie. Tell me this is real. I beg you.”
Travis leaned in to kiss her lips. Her kisses were like a drug to him, and the year without them had been pure agony. Now, with her back in his arms, he had the chance he never thought he’d get again, and he wasn’t about to let it slip away.
Before his lips could touch hers, Sophie pulled back. Travis’s brows furrowed in confusion. This wasn’t like her. They had been apart for so long—why would Sophie turn away from a moment they both craved?
“Travis, I can’t let you kiss me. It’s wrong.”
Wrong? Sophie had always been a good teaser, but something in him said this wasn’t one of her flirty tricks. Why would she torture him again when her lips were so close?
“How is this wrong? You’re my wife, Sophie. I vowed till death do us part.”
“Travis,” Sophie said softly. “Death did us part.”
Travis shook his head, his grip tightening around her back, holding her closer. “No, we’re together again. You’re here with me now. We can start again, you and me.”
Sophie removed his arms, pulling them to her sides. “You can’t join me . . . not yet. You must be there for the children. Theyneed you now more than ever. You can’t leave them without a father.”
The children were everything to Travis. He couldn’t leave them, but when he looked at Sophie, he couldn’t help but think about his selfish desires. He had already moved on without her and was now starting a new beginning with Josie. He knew she carried secrets, ones she hadn’t yet revealed, but her caring and selfless nature never wavered.
He remembered the first time he made Josie laugh—the way her eyes squinted and her laughter spilled out, soft and musical like a melody. His mind wandered to the day he braved a blizzard to fetch Aunt Polly to deliver Nathan. Holding the child in his arms for the first time, he felt a rush of warmth he hadn’t understood then, but now he did. The day he found Josie ill in the fields was the moment he realized he’d risk everything for her—and he had, more than once.
Travis’s soul ached as he gazed into Sophie’s face. How could he betray her? How could he let these thoughts consume him while holding the woman he had loved all his life in his arms?
Sophie lifted Travis’s chin. “It’s all right to love her, Travis. I gave you my blessing long ago when I left this earth. I want you to be happy. You won’t betray me because I want you to live on with the joy life brings. You need Josie, and she needs you. You must go home to her and the children.”
Travis pressed his lips together and closed his eyes, fighting to restrain his tears. He had already made his decision, but he wanted to savor this moment with Sophie one last time. He wrapped his arms around her and ran his fingers through her soft hair, just as he had done thousands of times before.
“I’m sorry, Sophie. Everything was my fault. I should have known what having another baby would do.”
Sophie dried his tears with her fingers. “And it was all worth it. Please know that, Travis. Know that when you look at our sonevery day. Without your sacrifice to let me go, he wouldn’t be here.” Sophie pressed a kiss to the top of his forehead.
“I love you, Sophie,” Travis whispered.
“And I love you,” Sophie said with a smile. “Now, go to them. Live life to the fullest and tell the children how much I love them.”
“Travis? Can you hear me?”
