Chapter 9 - A Cabin Rebuilt
Neighbors from miles away arrived.
Word had traveled through Red Creek.
People who once whispered about Gideon now brought lumber.
Food.
Blankets.
A widow named Mrs. Bell brought dresses for Tess.
The blacksmith brought Toby boots.
Deputy Hollis brought news.
Amos had been seen heading toward Black Pine Pass.
Maeve helped rebuild.
One evening, Gideon found her hammering boards.
“You don't have to do everything.”
“Neither do you.”
He smiled.
It transformed his entire face.
Maeve stared.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring.”
“I've never seen you smile.”
“Don't get accustomed.”
She laughed.
Gideon laughed too.
Toby appeared.
“Are you getting married?”
Both adults nearly dropped their tools.
“No,” Maeve said.
Toby frowned.
“Why?”
Gideon coughed.
Maeve turned red.
Tess joined them.
“You should.”
Children, Maeve discovered, possessed no mercy.
May you like
Yet later that night, she found herself wondering why the idea no longer frightened her.
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