Page 41 of Westbound Awakening

Instead of replying Miss Lady looked to Elma who replied. "Senor Joshua is a good man. Senora Mary and Senor Joe doted on him. After his parents died one after the other from illness, they raised him as their own and he repaid them by always remaining an obedient boy and later the good man he is today. "

Elma's knowing gaze lingered on hers. "He will make someone a good husband one day. "

"But?" Mae prompted already knowing what Elma's reservations were.

"He deserves a woman's full heart."

Mae nodded in agreement. "Yes, he does."

Elma picked up the sleepy Wesley and left hushing him when he began to wake. Mae's gaze followed the pair, and she smiled when Wesley promptly fell back to sleep.

"Your heart will break when he goes to live with his father. You may as well prepare yourself and be strong." Miss Lady's soft smile went from the child to her. "As far as the man, Joshua, goes, don't get his hopes up. It won't be fair to him, although..."

"Of course Miss Lady, you're right. I will talk to him in the morning and tell him I cannot go into town."

Miss Lady placed her hand over hers and stopped her ranting. "It's not what I'm tellin' you girl. What I was sayin' is that it wouldn't be fair to him, if you're going to continue to expect for something with Captain McClain. Although Joshua Hawkins is a handsome man and may be just want you need to get Captain McClain out of your heart, you need to make sure first. "

"Oh goodness, I don't know what to think. It's too soon. I need time." Mae slumped forward.

"Now," Miss Lady began again. "When you take the child to see his daddy tomorrow, make sure you keep your distance. A lady does not lead on two men at once."

A chuckle escaped, and Mae shook her head. "Miss Lady, I am not leading anyone, anywhere."

* * *

Spring was in full bloom; the fields were lush and green. From her bench seat the beauty of the land did not escape Mae's notice as she rode alongside Alan toward John's house. Wesley leaned against her, seated between them in his hands a wooden horse his father had made for him.

"The gray mare is about to foal any day now, very late for it, but I suppose nature has its way not carin'." Alan told her, Mae suspected he spoke just to make conversation.

Mae nodded. "It seems early. Did Joshua speak to you about hiring men to prepare the land?"

"Yes. He's just hired two field hands in town. Said there were plenty of colored men looking for jobs, told me where to find them."

"I can go with you."

"No ma'am, he suggested I go alone as it's not the kind of area to bring a lady along to." His eyes went to her briefly. "I will go in the next few days. Don't fret about it."

They arrived at John's farmhouse. From the looks of the building, John had completed much work on it. New front porch steps were built and a fresh shed attached to the side. Alan helped Wesley down and then her.

The boy ran towards the house just as John walked out. He wiped his hands on a cloth and took the boy into his arms. Over the child's head, John looked to her. Mae's stomach pitched at seeing him. He appeared sturdier, tanned. At first he did not acknowledge them, but his gray gaze locked on Alan when the man went to help her down. Mae noted his lips thinned.

"I made you some new toys," John told Wesley and placed a kiss on top of the now squirming child's head.

With a happy yelp, Wesley raced into the house

Mae reached for a basket from under the bench while Alan went to the back and unloaded some bags of feed and seed, which Mae brought as a gift for John. Her footfalls echoed up her body with each step toward the porch. She made her way to John who finally stepped down to meet her.

"It's nice to see you Mae." From his stoic expression she had a hard time believing it. "What is he unloading?" He looked to Alan who unloaded the last sack.

With a shrug, she went into the house not waiting for him to help her with the basket. "A housewarming gift."

His uneven footsteps followed her inside.

Once inside, she placed the basket on a large table, which looked to be newly constructed, and Mae ran her hand over the top of it. "This is beautiful. Did you make it?"

"Yes." The warm breath on the back of her neck made her close her eyes, but she stepped away and turned toward Wesley who'd already claimed his toys from a basket beside the hearth and began to set up an elaborate display.

Her eyes scanned the room. "The changes in here are unbelievable." She smiled at John, but then caught sight of Alan in the doorway.