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me great peace.”
    â€œMe too. When I’m out here, I wonder how anyone could not believe in God.” He pointed upward. “No one can ever tell me those bright stars just happened into space, or the moon or the sun just happened to be where they needed to be to give us light and life.”
    Being a Christian made all the difference in Zeke’s attitude. When he’d first come to the ranch, he hadn’t been a believer, but working around Pa and Ma, you either became one, or you moved away in a hurry. Most usually stayed and became strong in their faith. That was Pa’s way.
    Ben stretched out his hand. “I found a piece of land over behind those rocks down by the old mill. I want to build a house there and bring home a bride. Pa says he’ll give me a share in the ranch when I turn twenty next year.”
    â€œThat’s good. You work as hard around here as any of our hands. You’ll be a good rancher. Got anybody in mind for that house you want to build?”
    â€œMatter of fact I do, but it’s gonna take a heap of praying to get her to leave her home in Boston and come out here. Ma did it, but she and Pa were already married and had a family when they came.”
    â€œIs that Mary Beth’s friend?”
    â€œOne and the same. Ma sent a letter last week telling Mary Beth we’d be attending her coming-out party. Pa won’t leave, so I’m going with Ma.” He had already started counting the days until he’d be back in Boston. The trip couldn’t come soon enough.
    The wind picked up and send a bone-chilling gust their way. Ben pulled his hat tighter on his head. “Getting colder out here. I think it’s time to get on back to the house. I hope Ma left some coffee on the stove, and a piece of her berry pie will taste good. Care to join me?” He turned his horse back toward home.
    â€œDon’t mind if I do. Your ma’s pie is about the best around these parts.” Zeke followed alongside Ben.
    About half a mile from the house, Ben spurred his horse. “Race you to the stables.” Blackie took off like a streak of lightning, leaving Zeke to try and catch up.
    After a cup of hot coffee to ward off the chill and a piece of pie to fill his belly, Ben would spend the rest of the night with sweet dreams about a brown-eyed girl with curls in her hair.

    Isaac laid his robe across a chair and strode to the bed where Lenora already lay. She was just as pretty now with her lacy nightcap on and the covers pulled up over her chest as she was when he’d first seen her almost twenty-five years ago.
    He sat on the edge of the bed. “I think tonight went very well. Both Mary Beth and Amelia were quite lovely in their gowns, and their dance cards were full. Amelia appeared to be enjoying the evening more tonight than I’ve seen at other events.” He reached over and grasped her hand. “You did a wonderful job with the menu and decorations. The house looked beautiful.”
    Lenora sighed and shook her head. “Thank you, but I’m wondering if part of Amelia’s joy was because Mary Beth told her of Ben’s coming to the cotillion. Mrs. Haynes said she’d heard from Elizabeth and that she and Ben planned to arrive on Thursday of that week.”
    â€œMr. Haynes told me the same. He seemed to be quite pleased to have his grandson coming back. Ben is to be Mary Beth’s escort.” With such a shortage of eligible young men, that was probably a wise choice for her. Amelia hadn’t said anything yet about who would accompany her, but he hoped it would be Philip Barlow.
    â€œAmelia must make her decision for an escort very soon, or there will be no young men left.”
    Isaac lay back on his pillow and arranged the covers across his body. “It would please me if she chose Philip. His father and I have become good friends since our firm is handling some of their business.”
    â€œThat would be