Before they had even crossed the highway, Sterling could see a black sedan pull into his father's driveway. In the distance he watched his father near it with caution.
“Who do you think that is?” Paige asked.
Sterling thought about his visit with Dotty. He never should have gone into the city. Was it already over? “It could be a government car. We crossed state lines, so it’s possible the FBI could be after us.”
The passenger door opened, and a boy about ten stepped out. Another boy a few years older appeared beside him. “They must be recruiting mighty young these days,” Paige said.
Sterling unlatched the gate as the driver emerged. When he saw the brunette woman in her early thirties, he dropped the lock and chain he was holding. How could she have known he was here? Did Dad call her? He wondered if she’d even want to talk to him again. He knew a child was on its way when he left but had intentionally not asked for details because how could he have stayed away then?
He bolted across the road. As her features became clearer in the night, he could tell she’d been crying. He stood still about five feet from her, unsure how she would react at the sight of him. His dad took a step back and let her take the lead.
“Sterling?” she said. “You’re here?”
He moved tentatively toward her. “Linda, I came back to help a friend.” Her shoulders began shaking, and he could see large tears begin to stream down her face. “I’m so sorry I screwed everything up,” he said.
She sniffled, trying to get control of her emotions. “You didn’t. I did.” She lifted her arms and took her brother into a tight embrace.
Sterling thought coming to terms with his dad was going to be tough, but Linda opened a whole new chamber of his past he hadn’t been ready to consider.
“You’re Uncle Sterling?” the little boy at his side said. “You don’t look that mean.”
His older brother whispered to the boy. “He does have a gun.”
Linda didn’t try to correct them but put a hand on each of her sons’ heads. “This is Tyler and his younger brother Josh.”
Sterling handed the rifle to his father and knelt before the boys. “Good to meet you.” He put out his hand and shook theirs in greeting.
Josh pointed behind his uncle. “Who’s that?”
Standing, Sterling motioned for Paige to come join him. “This is my friend, Paige. We had a bit of a scare with wild dogs. Maybe we should head inside.”
“No,” the boy said. “Who is that?” He pointed to the creature in Paige’s arms.
She came close to Josh, so he could see. “This is Daffodil. She was just born.”
His eyes widened, and he reached his hand up then stopped. “Can I touch her?”
Paige nodded, and the little boy ran his hand against the kid’s mostly dry coat.
“Me too,” his brother said and pet the kid’s neck and side gently. “Where’s her mama?”
“She didn’t make it.” Paige’s voice broke.
“It’s okay, Daffodil.” Josh said. “We’ll be your friends.”
Sterling put his arm around Paige, and they headed to the house. “Dad, Austin and I can take the couch tonight, so the boys have a bed.”
Paige interrupted. “Where is Austin?” She looked around and saw the pickup gone.
Sterling’s dad responded. “He went to find Misty. She also covers animal control. Now about the sleeping arrangements. . .”
Paige interrupted. “They can sleep with their mother since I’ll be in the kitchen with Daffodil all night. She’ll need to be watched and fed.”
“We can do that.” Tyler volunteered. “I’ve fed calves before at the dairy in Etna.”
“They’d be good with her,” Linda added.
“Well then.” Paige handed the newborn to Tyler who stood a little taller and carefully carried the small goat into the full and messy kitchen.
Linda looked around at the folded quilts on every surface. “What is this?” She seemed to grow misty-eyed.
“It’s my soap. I make it from goat’s milk,” Paige said.
Sterling could tell she was embarrassed, thinking Linda’s comment was derogatory. He wanted her to understand what Linda was feeling. “When my mom would make soap, the kitchen looked just like this.”
“It’s true,” said Linda, patting Paige’s arm. “It makes it feel like home again.”
“Oh,” Paige covered her mouth. “Bedding may be a problem, too. I used all the quilts.”
Sterling’s dad slapped a hand on his youngest grandson’s shoulder “Josh, why don’t you help Uncle Sterling climb into the attic and get two sleeping bags.”
“Three,” Tyler added. “We’ll need one for Daffodil.”
“Three then,” he said. Sterling knew his dad hoped to get the boys comfortable with him as soon as possible and agreed. Now wasn’t the time to worry about what happened so long ago. It was time to do the best he could. There would be plenty of opportunities later to work out the other issues.
At one thirty in the morning Paige finally let her head hit the pillow. The day wasn’t only physically exhausting but had emotionally taken its toll. She closed her eyes and envisioned Petunia lying there struggling to cling to life. Unbidden tears dripped down the sides of her face and tapped on her pillow. Paige hoped Linda couldn’t tell she was crying. Sterling’s sister slept on her side with her back to Paige, who took a shuddered breath.
Linda rolled onto her back, looking at the ceiling. “Thank you for turning what could have been one of the worst days in my life into one of the best.”
“Your brother did the same for me.” Paige remembered how he held her after Petunia was gone and chose the kid’s name.
Linda smiled and rolled to her side again. “It’s nice that he’s changed.”
That was all she said. Paige laid there awake until she could hear her bedmate’s breathing become deep and even. Like a sliver under her skin, she couldn’t leave it alone. He was keeping something from her, and she couldn’t love him completely until he trusted her enough to share it.