14

C H A P T E R

Gwen

Gwen’s heart skipped a beat when she heard him say that. She didn’t know why because he hadn’t given her any sign that he might look at her that way. Of course, he had kissed her, but a kiss doesn’t equal a marriage proposal and happily ever after.

She opened her mouth to ask him what the right woman would be like, but Millie bustled into the room.

“There you are. I was wondering if you would mind helping out with dinner. The girls are doing some cleaning and Joseph and Elsie are trying to wash their clothes in an old metal tub Daniel found in the shed.

“I’d be glad to help out with whatever you need me to do,” Gwen said.

“Do you need my help?” Sawyer asked.

“No, Sir, but I imagine that Daniel could use some help carrying in more wood.”

He saluted her. “On my way.”

Millie handed her a knife and potato peeler. “We’re going to have some fried potatoes tonight to go with hominy and pork chops.”

“Sounds delicious to me.”

“We’re friends now, right?”

“Sure,” Gwen said cautiously.

“Then I can ask you, what in the world is your father’s problem?”

“I bet there are a lot of people who want to ask that same question.”

Gwen explained the entire story.

“I’m so sorry about your brother. I know that hurts. I lost my brother when I was younger. He was in the military and engaged in a skirmish that never should have happened.”

“That’s terrible. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It nearly killed my parents. There is no pain in the world like being handed that folded flag. They’ve gone on to be with him. I have the flag in my living room.”

Gwen didn’t know what to say, so she focused on the potato, cutting it into thin slices.

“Sawyer is an incredible man. If I wasn’t so in love with Daniel, I think I’d be crushing on him.”

Gwen laughed. “Sawyer is a great guy. He was always incredibly nice to me when I was a kid. Sawyer never minded when I tagged along with him and Kyle. He treated me like I was his little sister.”

“He doesn’t look at you like you’re his little sister. You certainly don’t look at him like he’s your brother.”

“To be honest, I think I’ve had a crush on him since I was in diapers. Then, I let my father get into my head.”

“Luckily, you evicted your father and you’re thinking straight now. What are you going to do about Sawyer?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll take it one day at a time.”

“That’s the best course. Daniel and I were friends first. When that friendship turned to love, it gave us a good solid foundation for a solid marriage. We’ve been married for forty-one years.”

“Congrats.”

Millie scooped up the potatoes that Gwen had sliced and put them into a large skillet with melted butter and diced onions. She seasoned them and then put the lid on the pan.