Caleb smiled that wonderful smile at Mama. His hazel eyes glowed with kindness. His dark blond hair, unruly from the long ride, curled around his ears. He patted Mama’s hand where it rested at his elbow. “I am starving, ma’am. I’m surewe’re covered in trail dust, but Laura doesn’t want to go tidy up when she’s been so anxious to see you. If you can bear our grime, food would be very welcome.”
Mama smiled right back, and Laura fell a little more in love with him. “Come along, then.” She linked her hand through Laura’s arm, too. “And, Nick, you too. I’ll ask the kitchen to send us some food, and we can all talk.”
When they faced back toward the morning room, Edgar still stood near the office, glowering. His eyes calculating as he studied them.
I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe.
Laura now owned one-third of Papa’s lumber business. Edgar looked to be trying to figure out how to put a stop to any interference, especially interference with the flow of money he’d taken possession of. Could the calculation be removing her husband from the picture?
Horrified, Laura knew rationally that even if Edgar arranged something awful for Caleb, she’d still own the company. Of course, there were ways a woman could be forced into marriage, including at the muzzle of a gun. Her little chant ofI’m safe, I’m safe, I’m saferang hollow.
Laura hoped the day would come when she believed it.