A Journey of the Heart Collection by Colleen Coble Page B

expected this much of a reaction. He reached over and put an arm around her. “You know we were only teasing. I’ve always liked your nose.”
    Hannah just cried harder. “It’s not that,” she finally sputtered as Rand handed her his bandanna. She drew a deep breath. “It’s just so wonderful to have you here, to see Jacob smile again, to hear your voice—” She stopped and gulped.
    The dimples deepened in Rand’s cheeks as he stared at his sister. “It sure is good to be home. To be with you all again just like before this crazy war ever happened. You don’t know how anxious I was to get home. I was so scared when no one answered my letters.”
    Their parents had been watching the exchange between their children with indulgent smiles, and Ma’s eyes welled with tears at Rand’s words. She dabbed at her eyes with a lace-edged hankie.
    His dad cleared his throat gruffly. “You’re just in time to help with the farming too. It’s almost more than Shane and I can handle. I’ve tried to talk your brother into staying home, but he won’t listen. Now I’ll have some help come spring.”
    Rand glanced at Jacob. Hadn’t he told them of Rand’s plans? He and his brother had lain awake for hours talking last night. He’d been hoping that by now Jacob would have broken the news to their father. His brother shook his head slightly.
    Pa’s gaze traveled from one son to the other. “What is it?”
    Rand hated to disappoint their father. “I-I won’t be able to stay long, Pa,” he stammered. “I’m in the Third Cavalry. I can stay for about a week, but then I have to report for duty.” He winced at the stricken look in his mother’s eyes. “I’ve been garrisoned at Fort Laramie. I still have two years to go of my service.”
    â€œNot you too!” Hannah stood twisting her hands in her apron. “The Sioux have been rampaging for months out there. Isn’t it bad enough we’re losing Jacob?”
    Jacob shrugged. “That’s why so many of us are being sent out West. And I’ve found out in the past couple of years how much I enjoy the cavalry. I’ve always wanted to see the frontier, so I don’t mind the assignment. Maybe I can find my own spread while I serve my country.”
    â€œRand, no.” His father rose to his feet. “Why do you think I’ve worked so hard on this farm? Always expanding, always looking for ways to make more money?” He put an arm around Ma. “It’s been for you! For you and your brothers. You can’t go! Surely the army would release you after all you’ve been through.”
    His mother flinched as the words echoed in the warm kitchen. He stood and faced his father. “I don’t want to be released. I’m a grown man, Pa. This is what I want.”
    Ma laid a gentle hand on his arm. “Your pa is just concerned, Rand. Can’t you think about staying home now and letting us all begin to heal? You can raise horses right here on land that’s been in the Campbell family for twenty-five years instead of fighting Indians to gain a small piece of land in some godforsaken wilderness. You haven’t been with us for three years.”
    His mother had always been able to change his mind in the past, and he fought against the soft persuasion in her voice. “I can’t, Ma.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I need to prove something to myself, to build my own dreams with my own sweat. I have to go.”
    Pa took a long look at his son’s granite face, then left the room. Ma opened her mouth to try again, but one look at the firm set to Rand’s mouth changed her mind.
    Always the peacemaker, Hannah cleared her throat and laughed self-consciously. “So, the calvary, huh? You’ve always had the magic touch with horses and cattle. When Ma was carrying Jacob, she asked