Free To Dream Anew by Tracie Peterson Page B

rewarded with a spectacular show of northern lights. Koko had shared that her ancestors believed the lights held mystical powers. Some even thought conception would be easier during the light show—as if The lights could somehow create life.
    Dianne stood at her window watching the night skies blaze red, then fade to green and white. She never tired of the show, but tonight it made her especially joyful. She’d just come to realize she was expecting another baby, even without the help of the lights.
    Cole yawned as he entered their bedroom. “It’s cold out there,” he said as he closed the door. He went immediately to their fireplace and began putting on enough logs for the night.
    Dianne turned from the window. She pulled her wool shawl close and smiled as she watched Cole work.
    “Despite the snow, I don’t really think we’re in for a bad winter.” He straightened and noted her face. “What are you grinning about?”
    “I have some news,” she said, coming to him. “Very good news. Do you want to guess?”
    He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. “They’ve captured Sitting Bull and his men?” he teased.
    “No, silly.”
    “Portia has decided to leave?”
    “I wish that were true,” she said, relishing the feel of Cole’s embrace.
    “Hmm,” he murmured as his lips touched against her neck. “I’ve run out of guesses.”
    Dianne giggled. “We’re going to have another baby.”
    Cole straightened. “Truly?” His expression was filled with wonder. “Another baby?”
    She nodded. “Come late spring or early summer.”
    He hugged her tightly, then released her. “That’s the best news ever. Luke turned out so good, we must be doing something right.”
    “Children are a gift from the Lord,” she said. “I think we should give credit where it’s due.”
    “To be sure,” Cole replied, then surprised Dianne by sweeping her off her feet and into his arms. “To be sure.”

CHAPTER 7
    July 1877
    “H E’S NOTHING L IKE LUKE,” D IANNE SAID AS SHE CUDDLED her newest baby. Micah, now nearly two months old, was a fussy, needy child.
    “Every child is different,” Koko told her niece. “I think I can mix a few things together to ease his upset stomach.”
    “Babies are more trouble than their worth, if you ask me,” Portia said absentmindedly. She looked up quickly, as if suddenly realizing she’d spoken the words aloud. “It’s just that out here,” she hurried to explain, “babies are so easily lost to sickness and the isolation.”
    “It’s true that raising children in the wilderness is more difficult,” Koko agreed, “but they are certainly worth the effort. Especially when a woman is in our situation—being a widow.”
    Portia frowned. “I suppose it might have been nice to have Ned’s child, but the thought of raising a child without a father would be terrifying.”
    Koko nodded. “It is hard. I would trade most anything to have Bram back with us. The children miss him horribly. There isn’t a day that goes by that one or the other doesn’t encounter some Papa-sized hole that Bram would have perfectly filled.”
    Dianne saw tears form in her aunt’s eyes, but Portia turned away and walked to the front widow to gaze outside for the tenth or eleventh time. “I don’t understand why we can’t have word from the army. My father should at least have time to write.”
    Dianne put Micah to her shoulder and began patting his back. No one wanted Portia gone from the Diamond V more than she did. The woman, although she lended a hand at times, was still a constant bother. She would often feign confusion on how to do some task or work some piece of equipment, all the while knowing that it would be easier for someone else to step in and handle the situation rather than take time to teach Portia all over again. “Sometimes those things don’t work out—especially given all the conflicts.”
    “Well, with the governor calling for volunteers to help capture the