A Journey of the Heart Collection by Colleen Coble

half-pint?”
    â€œGreat! I’ve missed you so much. When can we go fishing?”
    Rand grinned at the familiar question. He’d always felt sorry for the lad. William’s health prevented much of the usual father-son relationship, and Wade wasn’t much of a fisherman. He’d started taking Joel fishing when he was two. “Soon.”
    He pulled a hand free and thrust it out for Sarah’s older brother. “Good to see you, Wade.” It wasn’t really, but he could at least make an attempt at civility.
    Wade ignored the outstretched hand. “You beat up my sister’s fiancé and think you can just sit on our porch like an old friend? Why aren’t you in jail?”
    Rand lowered his hand and put it back in his pocket. What was there to say in the face of such animosity? Wade always saw things his own way.
    â€œThat’s enough!” William’s voice boomed out in a sudden surge of strength. “Your treatment of a guest in our home is unacceptable, Wade. You have no idea of the wrong that’s been done to him over the past few months.”
    Wade glared at his father, his massive hands clenched. “So he was a prisoner of war. Lots of men were. He can’t just show up here as if we’re all going to bow and scrape and give up all we’ve worked for to accommodate him. Sarah, get inside. We have a wedding to prepare for.”
    His father lifted a brow. “You know as well as I do that Sarah would never marry Ben now.”
    Wade’s color deepened. “How do you know her feelings haven’t changed? Ben would make a much better husband than Campbell.”
    â€œWhy, because he’s rich? A man who could deceive her the way Ben has isn’t worthy of my daughter.” William directed a slight smile Sarah’s way. “Besides, she loves Rand. Always has, always will. Right, honey?”
    Sarah nodded.
    The muscles in Wade’s jaw pulsed as he clenched his teeth. “But what about the land?”
    â€œIs that all you care about? More land, more money?” William shook his head wearily. “I’m telling you right now, if you do anything to hurt Sarah or Rand, you won’t have this land or house.”
    Wade stared at his father. “You’d cut me out of your will?”
    â€œIn a minute. Now get in the house until you can get a civil tongue in your head.”
    Wade shot a glance at Sarah, then swung his blistering gaze toward Rand before stomping into the house. He let the screen door slam shut behind him. Rachel sighed and followed him.
    â€œGood for you, Papa.” Sarah slipped her small hand into his.
    â€œWade’s had it coming. I should never have let him get away with his arrogance for so long.” William took his hat off and rubbed his forehead. The confrontation had drained him. “Come in out of the rain, sweetheart. You and Rand can have the parlor. I’m just going to have a bite to eat and go to bed.” He shook Rand’s hand. “Stop by tomorrow and we’ll talk. I’m just as eager as Joel to hear the full story.” He walked into the house, his shoulders stooped.

    Sarah watched her father stumble up the steps and into the house. An order from Pa wouldn’t stop Wade for long. Why did he hate Rand so? She shook her head. Ever since she could remember there had been antagonism between them. And Rand had tried. But every overture he’d made had been ignored or ridiculed.
    She pushed the disturbing puzzle out of her mind and turned back to Rand. “Can we talk?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to say right now.” His tone was abrupt. “I still don’t know how I feel about you or anything else.” He took off his sopping hat and ran a weary hand through his wet hair.
    â€œCampbell!” Ben’s hoarse growl interrupted them. Glowering, he raised his head from the back of the buckboard. “This isn’t over, Campbell.