Second-Chance Bride (Dakota Brides Book 3)(23)

“You aren’t a man.”

“Anker,” Lena warned.

“Does the Bible not say that in God’s sight there is neither male nor female?” She popped the peas into her mouth. “Lovely dinner, Lena. Thank you.”

Ward quickly added his thanks before the conversation could shift back to the argument between brother and sister. Then he turned to Nels. “I hear you are building a house.”

“Yes. I have a good start. I’m waiting for a load of lumber to come on the train so I can finish. And then my Inga will join me.” He grinned widely.

The conversation shifted to talk about life in Norway and Ward’s sons listened intently. He knew they saw the Hansen family as ideal even after the argument between Anker and Freyda. Ward had never had family so he enjoyed the stories as much as his sons.

The meal over. Lena turned to the boys. “Would you like to be excused to play outside?” Ward remembered the mischief his sons were capable of. “I’ll go with them.”

Nels got to his feet. “Let me. I like playing with little boys.”

Ward wondered if Nels wanted to leave him to be questioned by Anker and he gratefully accepted another cup of coffee. Could be he’d need the fortification.

Anker leaned his chair back. “Freyda, you are always welcome to live with us.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you know if I ever want to.”

Lena chuckled. “Anker, she isn’t going to change her mind just because you say so.” She gave Freyda a sympathetic look. “Just because you’ve always told her what to do.”

“She can’t manage a farm on her own. You know that. You tried.”

Lena grew very still. “Are you saying I couldn’t do it? Seems to me I managed okay until my house burned down.” She turned to Ward to explain. “My husband died in early spring last year. I ran the farm by myself along with caring for little Charlie until fall when I lost my house to a fire.” She turned back to Anker. “If you recall, it is because I love you that I did not return to work my farm.”

Anker looked uncomfortable for a moment then he got a stubborn look such as Ward had seen from time to time on Freyda’s face. “But this is Freyda we’re talking about. She’s never been independent like you.”

Freyda threw her arms in the air and turned to Ward. “See what I mean. My family will never see me as anything but a child.”

Lena glowered at her husband. “I insist you stop treating her like a child. She’s not, you know. She has been married and lost a husband. That makes a person grow up really fast. You must accept that she is grown up and can manage on her own.”

“I second that,” Ward said. “She needs help learning things she doesn’t know, but none of us were born knowing those things. She learns quickly.”

Anker sighed. “I hope I am not proven right.”

“I wish I could believe that is what you truly think.” Freyda spoke softly, and if Ward wasn’t mistaken, with a hint of pain.

He was beginning to understand her need to prove she could run the farm by herself.

They lingered over coffee then Anker showed Ward around the place while the women did dishes. He suspected Freyda would appreciate time alone with her sister-in-law.

They returned to the house and prepared to leave. The boys climbed into the wagon box, giggling about something. They waved good-bye to Nels and Charlie, who rode in his uncle’s arms and then they were on their way.

The boys whispered together, leaving the adults able to talk.

“Freyda, I will help you learn to run the farm on your own. I can see why it’s so important to you.”

“Thank you. I must succeed. Not only to prove it to my family, but maybe even more so to prove it to me. I’ve always been made to doubt my capabilities.”

He curled his fingers around her hand. “This from a woman who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and most of America, who takes care of her livestock, who keeps two little boys happy? Freyda, you will succeed whether by sharing responsibilities with me or doing it yourself.”

“Thank you.”

Kit squealed and drew their attention to the back of the wagon.

Milo tried to hide something inside his shirt.

Ward pulled to a stop and shifted about to confront his son. “What do you have there?”

Milo looked at Kit and the pair turned to Ward, faces set in stubborn lines.

Ward held out his hand. “Let’s see.”

Milo put his hand in his shirt and eased out a gray furball.

“A kitten! Where did you get that?”

“How sweet. May I hold it?” Freyda asked, and Milo allowed her to take the kitten. She cupped it in her hands and lifted it to her cheeks. It meowed and licked her.

Ward could not tear his gaze from the look on Freyda’s face. Her eyes were closed and her lips curled in a gentle smile. Such a look of peace and joy. He swallowed hard and forced his attention back to Milo.

“Explain yourself.”

“Papa, you said we could get a cat and Nels said these were ready for new homes.”

“These?” Dare he hope it was a slip of the tongue?

Milo reached behind Kit and withdrew a second kitten. This one was also gray but a little darker in color.

“We thought Mrs. Haevre would like one.” Milo looked the innocent child as he turned big dark eyes to Freyda.