Free Brides of Idaho by Linda; Ford

waiting?” He thought they’d say an hour, maybe most of the day. But what they said shot through him like a bullet.
    “Been three days now,” the boy said, and the little girl sobbed quietly.
    “Maybe you should wait back in town. I could take care of you until he gets back.”
    The little girl’s eyes widened with hope, but her brother shook his head. “I promised Pa I’d stay here.”
    He gave them the biscuits and jerky he had with him and refilled their water canteens then headed back to town. “The offer is open if you change your mind.” It troubled him to leave them there, but he didn’t want to forceably remove them. How would he explain dragging two screaming children into town?
    Perhaps their father had returned by now.
God, keep them safe. Bring their father back to them. Guide me as to what I should do.
    He spent the day visiting various people. But his thoughts returned over and over to Glory and the kiss he’d stolen. He went back to the stopping house more eagerly than usual. He could hardly wait to see her at the evening meal. See if her cheeks flushed when she saw him.
    She clattered into the dining room and crowded in next to Mandy. “Sorry I’m late,” she murmured.
    Levi had seen her earlier peeling potatoes and doing the other chores that seemed to be her responsibility, Toby assisting her. The boy had stopped going to the saloon. Not something Bull appreciated, but Levi was pleased.
    He stood to say the blessing as had become his habit then sat and waited for Glory to glance his way. She made a great show of being busy with passing the food. He grinned. Avoiding him proved more than an angry glare would have, and he turned his attention to the man on his right to answer a number of questions.
    “Could you please pass me the salt?” the man on his left asked.
    As Levi turned to do so, he looked toward Glory and caught her watching him, her expression serious, guarded. Yet the hunger in her eyes made him forget what he was doing until the man spoke again.
    “The salt, please.”
    He passed the salt and directed his attention to his plate. Suddenly the impact of what he’d done hit him. What was he thinking? He had no business telling Glory he cared. His task required all his time and attention. And he silently repeated the vow he had made to God.
I’ll devote myself to working for You while You work on Matt in prison. Keep him safe. Bring him to repentance.
    After the meal, he joined the others outside, but he listened to Glory cleaning up the meal inside. She usually left the house after the chores and disappeared until dark. He’d watched her. Saw she carried a Bible. Guessed she found a quiet place to read it, and he rejoiced in the fact. He didn’t like to interrupt her reading, but tonight he would follow her and apologize for kissing her. Not that he was sorry. But he had no business.
    He knew the moment she slipped from the house even though he didn’t hear her or see her. His heart tracked her as she crossed the yard and ducked into a thicket of trees. Giving her a moment to settle, Levi excused himself from the knot of men visiting and sauntered away, choosing an indirect route. As he neared the trees, he called softly, “Glory, I need to speak to you.” Then he hastened forward before she could escape.
    She sat with her back against a tree, the dappled light making it difficult to read her expression. “Can’t a person enjoy some peace and quiet without you interrupting?” And she turned her attention to the Bible in her lap, pointedly ignoring him.
    There wasn’t room to lean against the same tree, and she made it clear she didn’t welcome closeness, so he chose the next tree over and sat down, his legs sprawled out in front of him. He took in a deep, satisfying breath. “I won’t keep you. I only want to apologize. I shouldn’t have kissed you. Or said those things.”
    “You’re taking it all back?”
    He considered his answer a moment and could find nothing