Understanding slowly crossed his face.
"If I stay now, I need it to be because I chose it."
Thomas looked back at the road.
For a while he said nothing.
Then:
"Fair."
No pressure.
No argument.
No declaration designed to change her decision.
That made leaving harder.
Anna rented a room from Widow Chandler.
She began assisting at the Willow Creek school.
For the first time in her life, every dollar she earned belonged to her.
She opened an account at the local bank.
She bought a new dress with her own money.
She mailed Mrs. Dalton repayment for the thread the older woman had once purchased for her.
Mrs. Dalton returned the money with a note.
Don't become unbearable.
Lily visited twice each week.
Thomas usually drove her.
Sometimes he came inside.
Sometimes he remained in the wagon.
Anna noticed the difference between missing a place and needing it.
She did not need the ranch anymore.
That realization did not make her want it less.
It made the wanting honest.
Summer arrived.
Wildflowers appeared along the hills.
The school closed for three weeks.
One Saturday, Anna rode out to the ranch with Mrs. Dalton.
Lily saw her from the porch and screamed so loudly that one ranch hand dropped a bucket.
She ran across the yard.
Anna barely had time to step down before Lily wrapped both arms around her.
"You took forever."
"It's been four days."
"Exactly."
Thomas came from the barn.
He stopped when he saw Anna.
Something in his face changed.
Not surprise.
Happiness.
Simple and unguarded.
Anna felt it in her chest.
"Miss Miller."
"Mr. Reed."
Lily groaned.
"You know each other's names."
Mrs. Dalton muttered, "This child is the only sensible person on the property."
The day passed naturally.
Anna helped Lily pick beans.
She baked bread.
Thomas repaired a broken gate.
At sunset, Mrs. Dalton deliberately announced that she was too tired to return home and would sleep in the guest room.
Nobody believed her.
After Lily went to bed, Anna sat on the porch.
Thomas joined her.
The mountains were purple beneath the remaining light.
Crickets had begun calling from the grass.
Thomas said, "How's the school?"
"Good."
"Mrs. Chandler?"
"Still convinced I need to marry the pharmacist."
Thomas looked at her.
"Why?"
"He owns his building."
"Strong qualification."
"Apparently."
Silence.
Anna smiled.
Thomas stared toward the pasture.
Then he said, "I've been trying very hard not to ask you to come back."
Anna's heart started beating faster.
"Why?"
"Because I understood what you said."
She waited.
"If I asked too soon, you'd never know whether you chose the ranch or whether you were grateful."
Anna turned toward him.
"And now?"
"Now you have work."
"Yes."
"Money."
"Some."
"A room."
"Yes."
"Choices."
Anna nodded.
Thomas finally looked at her.
"So now I can ask."
The entire world seemed to become quiet.
"Ask what?"
"Come back."
Anna swallowed.
"As your housekeeper?"