Page 56 of Charlotte

She did not believe him, but she understood this was not the night to say so. Instead, she picked up the cookie tin and held it out.

“For the men. Mrs. Beck believes cookies improve civilization.”

He accepted the tin with his left hand. “She believes many things.”

“Some of them loudly.”

That earned another small smile.

Progress, Lottie thought, was not always a grand march. Sometimes it was one smile which allowed a heartbeat longer than the last.

They walked back toward the camp together, not close enough to touch. At the edge of the clearing, Peterson stopped.

“Miss Bellamy.”

“Yes?”

“The book is due next Tuesday.”

“I know.”

“I may keep it until then.”

Her smile came before she could prevent it. “That is the purpose of borrowing.”

“I thought I should say.”

“I am glad you did.”

He gave one brief nod and carried the cookies toward the cookhouse.

Luke looked up from the bench. The red-bearded logger beside him did too. Their attention moved from Peterson to Lottie and back again.

Peterson set the tin on the table between them.

“Miss Bellamy brought these.”

Luke stood so quickly his coffee nearly tipped. “Thank you, miss.”

“You are welcome.”

The red-bearded logger opened his mouth, then seemed to reconsider and took off his hat instead. “Beg pardon for earlier.”

Lottie looked at him. “Do better next time.”

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Peterson’s gaze shifted to her, and there was something in it that warmed her more than praise would have.

Respect, perhaps. Or gratitude.

“Let me walk you back to town.”

She nodded and they began the journey back to the meeting house. Lottie felt the day settle around her. She had wounded him, and when she apologized, he had not sent her away. He had given her a piece of his name and kept the rest, and for once, she understood this was not rejection. He was learning to trust. At the meeting hall, he left her with a nod to Delly, who was standing near the open door. The lamp lit up behind her.

“Well?” her sister asked, once Peterson was away from the door.

Lottie stepped inside and hung her bonnet on the peg. “I apologized.”