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Iris.”
    “Thank you,” Dannan said again, his heart so apathetic that all of this felt like an illusion.
    “We’ve made plans for you, Dannan,” Conner put in, seeing a tiny bit of life in the young doctor’s eyes. “We have a coach and a man who will take you to Worcester. You can catch a train to Willows Crossing from there. If something should go wrong, the coachman will take you all the way to Willows Crossing.”
    Dannan’s thanks was automatic and uttered without a trace of expression. Wanting to sit down, Dannan glanced at the sofa and noticed Scottie heading that way. He took the other end and looked at her. The Kingsleys were surprised as well and took chairs in order to watch.
    “Was your cousin an older man?” Scottie asked, her voice and face kind but also matter-of-fact.
    “No, he wasn’t. Just a year older than me.”
    “With a family?”
    “A wife and a little girl.”
    “I’m so sorry, Dannan. How awful for you.”
    Dannan nodded.
    “Had you seen him lately?”
    “Not since moving here.”
    “What will happen to his wife and child? Is there family nearby?”
    “His wife died with him. I don’t know right now what will happen to their daughter.”
    “How old is she?”
    “She just turned three.”
    Scottie’s hand went to her mouth, and tears filled her eyes.
    “Did they share your faith, Dannan?” she whispered. “Did they know the Way?”
    “Yes,” he answered, his voice catching a little.
    Scottie’s glance went out the window, and Dannan watched a tear slide down her cheek.
    “I’m glad,” she said when she could speak. “I’m glad you have that to give you comfort, and one day their little girl will be old enough to be comforted by that as well.”
    Reese had all she could do to keep her mouth from swinging open. When Dannan had been so stunned, she had left him to himself, but Scottie’s combination of compassion and boldness seemed to give Dannan just the outlet he needed.
    “By her second birthday she was reciting dozens of Bible verses.”
    “Dozens?” Scottie repeated. “That’s wonderful.”
    “She’s very bright, and Annie worked with her on some passage every day.”
    Scottie didn’t ask who Annie was. She knew it was the child’s mother. She stayed quiet, and Dannan added a bit more.
    “I can’t think about her being so little and not understanding where they are.” After putting words to some of his grief, Dannan’s shoulders seemed weighted. “I should have been there. I’m sure I could have done something.”
    “Don’t forget how much you learned from Dr. Collier,” Conner reminded Dannan. “He must have done all he could.”
    At the moment Dannan didn’t remember telling Conner about learning alongside Dr. Collier, but he was right. That older doctor knew more than he ever would. Dannan was on the verge of saying this when someone else knocked at the door. Conner went to answer it and returned with Ollie, Troy in his wake.
    “I’m ready to leave anytime,” Ollie said.
    Dannan looked at this man and realized he’d seen him around town. He was not very old, early forties maybe, but he had a weather-beaten look about him that spoke of wisdom and keenness. Dannan had the impression that if needed, he could put his life in the man’s hands.
    “I left my horse and buggy at the store,” Dannan suddenly recalled.
    “Doyle took care of them for you,” Scottie filled in.
    Dannan stood. “I need to gather some things from home.”
    “I’ll meet you there with the coach,” Ollie said, slipping away.
    Dannan didn’t linger. He thanked Conner and Reese and then Troy. He nearly left before remembering Scottie. He turned to find her standing. She smiled when their eyes met.
    “I’ll pray for you, Dannan.”
    Dannan nodded and went on his way. He knew the numbness was complete. He hadn’t felt a thing when Scottie Peterson smiled at him.

     
    By the time Dannan sat aboard the train, his ride to Willows Crossing was little more than a