Chapter Three

      As Gage’s SUV drove up the rutted drive to Micah’s house, neither man said a word. Then a two-story house with a gabled roof came into view, a barn not far away. A woman was visible outside the house, hanging laundry. She was small and blond, looking as delicate as a flower petal.

      “That’s his wife, Faith. The school bus won’t bring their kids home for another half hour, at least. I’ll wait for you unless you tell me otherwise.”

      Ethan nodded. His face felt chiseled from stone. Gage wheeled into the large yard, waving at Faith as he did so. She waved back, one hand holding a shapeless piece of laundry.

      “There you go,” Gage said. His hands were tight on the wheel as he stopped.

      Ethan paused for a moment, then climbed out.

      He had no idea what to expect. Faith froze like a frightened deer when she saw him. Statuelike, she watched him approach. He did so slowly, not wanting to frighten her more, wondering why she was frightened at all when Gage was here.

      But then, in an instant, she dropped the laundry she held and gasped, “You look just like Micah when he was younger.”

      Ethan paused awkwardly. “We’re related.”

      “I thought so.” Then she astonished him by hurrying toward him and wrapping him in a hug. “This is wonderful,” she said. “Absolutely wonderful!”

      A moment later she stepped back, holding his arms as she looked up at him. Her smile was wide and welcoming, and then perplexity entered her eyes, followed by the wavering of her smile.

      “I’m sorry I shocked you,” Ethan said quickly.

      Faith shook her head. Biting her lower lip, she continued to search his face. “You look so much like him. You’re not just a cousin, are you?”

      She said it more like a statement than a question. Ethan hesitated, not sure whether to lie, and that hesitation apparently gave him away.

      “You’re…you’re his son, aren’t you?”

      Slowly Ethan nodded. He hadn’t expected to feel gut-punched, hadn’t expected to feel his stomach quiver nervously. He had thought very little could fill him with fear any longer. But he felt fear now, as if everything rested on this small woman’s decision.

      There was an instant, just an instant, when she seemed to gather herself; then her smile steadied again. “That’s wonderful. I’m surprised he never mentioned you.”

      “He doesn’t know.”

      She nodded, almost a rocking movement. “I see. Well, then, this will certainly be a great day for him.”

      “I wish I were sure of that.”

      A little laugh escaped her. “I am.”

      “You’re not upset?”

      She tilted her head to one side. “Micah was forty-two when I met him. I’d have to be a foolish woman indeed to think I was his first and only love.”

      Tension seeped out of Ethan, allowing him to smile at last. “Thank you.”

      “Come inside. He’s in the upper pasture checking on the sheep, but he’ll be back soon.” She turned and gestured to Gage to join them.

      “I’m just the transportation,” Gage called. “Don’t let me get in the way.”

      “You’re never in the way. But if you want to go home to Emma, we can take care of him.”

      “You’re sure?”

      “Absolutely.”

      Gage waved and drove back down the long ranch road, trailing a cloud of dust in his wake.

      Leaving the laundry, Faith took Ethan’s hand and gently urged him toward the door. “This is remarkable,” she said. “Absolutely remarkable.”

      He thought the only truly remarkable thing was that this woman, who had never seen him before, was so ready to accept him and take him in.

      Inside, she motioned him to the kitchen table. “Coffee?”

      “I’d love some.”

      She put a pot on the stove to brew, then sat facing him, her eyes drinking in every detail. “It’s strange, but I feel like it’s fifteen years ago and I’m meeting Micah for the first time.”

      “I didn’t know I looked so much like him.”

      “Except for the beard.” She nodded, her fingers twisting together. “So tell me about yourself, about your mother. Or you can wait for Micah, so you don’t have to do it twice.”

      “I…” He hesitated. Then he said frankly, “I’m not used to talking about myself much.”

      “Then let me tell you about us.” She seemed comfortable with that, and he was grateful. “We met and married about fifteen years ago. I have a daughter by a previous marriage, and together we have two daughters, twins. Micah saved my life.” Her eyes darkened with memory, but he didn’t ask, allowing her to tell her story in her own way.

      She shook herself a bit, then smiled. “You also have an uncle here. He and his family live on a ranch a few miles from here.”

      “An uncle?”

      “Micah’s brother, Gideon. They didn’t grow up together, but you’d never guess it now. You’ll like him, I’m sure. He’s a born horse whisperer, and he mainly trains and breeds horses these days. His wife is also a deputy, Sara Ironheart.”

      “Interesting family.”

      “To put it mildly.” Faith smiled. “And now we have you. I’m the only ordinary person in the lot.”

      “Ordinary?”

      She shrugged. “I’ve never done anything special. Everyone else has.”