Dr. Parker is thrilled at how well the boys are doing and encourages Anika to continue sleeping, eating, and feeding the babies. Daisy has made sure to keep her fed and Allen has been teaching Delaney how to care for some of the farm animals.
Anika finishes with Quinton and lays him in the wooden cradle with his brother before stepping to the window to enjoy the evening sunset. The bruises on her face are gone while her body is still recovering from the abuse. Not to mention childbirth and nursing twins. Feeding two babies is a challenge, but she is determined to get them on a schedule instead of nursing them every hour.
Glenn is walking back from the barn and glances up at her window as if sensing her presence. He frowns and touches the tip of his hat, and the black cloth around his arm reminds her of his loss. Work has become his saving grace. Exhaustion beats at him, but he finds sleep elusive, so he rides, works and works more. Delaney is ever watchful of him as if she senses the rage boiling in his soul. As Anika stares into his eyes, her heart weeps for him, this man who has been through so much. She presses a hand to her stomach and decides the strange feeling in her stomach must be hunger.
The past five years of his life have been hellish, and he will not lie to himself and say he isn’t questioning his faith. His wife is buried only three weeks now, and he is having feelings for a woman he barely knows. Is this another test? Anger boils, and he stamps it back down. Sleep will not come easy this night. Turning back to greet their guest he is unaware that the woman caring for his sons is wondering the same thing.
A carriage comes rumbling down the dirt lane, breaking the moment. Glenn smiles for the first time in a week when the door opens. A young woman leaps down, ignoring proper protocol and runs flinging herself into his open arms, knocking her hat from her head revealing red hair.
Pushing back from his bear hug she snaps, “Let me breathe you moose,” and they laugh as she grabs his face and looks into his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Glenn, I came as soon as I could.”
“Thank you. God, it’s good to see you. Let’s go inside.”
Anika frowns as they walk away arm in arm and reminds herself that it’s none of her business. “I just work here.”
“Mama, who are you talking to?” Delaney asks looking up from her book.
“No one sweets.”
“Delaney are you happy here?” She asks.
“Yes, Mama. I’m sad that Mrs. Sue had to go, but I’m happy we get to stay. You won’t leave me will you Mama?” She asks twirling her long dark curls.
“Come here, Delaney.” Delaney moves into her mother’s loving embrace, and they sit on the window seat. This has become a daily question in the last week. “Mrs. Sue was sick for a long time, and I'm not sick.”
“I know, Mama, but I don’t want to lose you.” Delaney sniffs, Anika hugs her close and closes her eyes, sending a quiet plea to find the right words to comfort her daughter.
“Delaney, I can’t promise I won’t die, because that is one thing that we all have to walk through some day. What I can promise you is that you will never be alone.” Anika pushes Delaney back and looks into her eyes. “The book of Joshua says, ‘Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,’ and that means you are never alone.”
Delaney smiles and hugs her tight. “I like that. Can I go see Mrs. Daisy now? I am through with my lesson.”
Anika nods with relief and sighs as Delaney skips from the room. The fear Delaney carries is a mirror image of the fear weighing her down. Allen stirs and begins to fuss. Anika picks him up and lifts him to her shoulder, patting him gently.
“You can’t be hungry already, piggy.” He burps loudly, causing her to giggle.
“That’s a beautiful sound to a Father’s ear.” Anika turns slowly to greet Glenn and his visitor.
Anika smiles softly, “You’re just in time to visit with them.”
“Anika Coltrane, I’d like to introduce you to Savannah Ward, my sister.” Savannah steps forward, eager to see the babies and meet the woman who saved them.
Sister, of course. The resemblance is in the coloring and blue eyes. Anika hides her surprise and relief. Saul wasn't faithful during their marriage, and her anger at him grows when she realizes how he has colored every aspect of her life. She is ashamed when she realizes she automatically assumed Glenn was the same way.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Coltrane.” Savannah's eyes drop to baby Allen draped across her shoulder. Tears flood her eyes, and she covers her mouth with a hand.
“Please, call me Anika. Would you like to hold him?”
Savannah glances up at Ward and takes a step back only to have her brother gently shove her. “Don't tell me you're afraid of a tiny baby?”
“It's just that he's so small, Glenn.” Savannah stares at Anika with a blush of embarrassment. They are the same age, yet here she is caring for three children.
“Oh, he’s growing by the day. Quinton is the smallest, but he’s very strong,” Anika encourages her. Glenn moves over to pick him up. He seems even smaller held against such a large man.
“They’re so beautiful,” Savannah wipes her eyes with a cloth.
“Alright, peanut, you promised no tears,” Glenn wraps an arm around her shoulder and
