parents, her time in the orphanage, and how she’d come to work for Mrs. Calhoun. She explained how no place had ever felt like a home. She was either surviving Catherine’s harsh hand or existing only as an employee. She hoped someday to have a place of her own—one that wouldn’t disappear on her, as so many things seemed to do.
Isaac listened intently. He absorbed every word of her story and found himself wishing she had been blessed with the same family joys he had. He knew he was lucky to have two parents who adored him and his brother so much. He knew how hard they had worked to give them a home they could be proud of and countless memories to fill their hearts. He wished she’d experienced some of the same traditions he’d enjoyed as a child—decorating their tree around the holidays, the turkey hunt at Thanksgiving, the apple picking they did each fall. His mind began to race as he realized she would be here this year for the holidays. Perhaps he could help her enjoy some of the benefits of family that she had yet to enjoy. Maybe he could show her what family was all about. Where were these thoughts coming from ? he thought. Why am I suddenly so concerned with her understanding of family? The thoughts troubled him, and he couldn’t understand his sudden need to mend her insecurities.
As Hetty finished her story, she rose from the table and began washing the dishes. She suddenly felt shy that she’d revealed so many details to a man she’d known for so little time. What he must think of me! she thought. She couldn’t deny she felt comfortable around him. Despite their first awkward encounter, she felt a pull toward his kind nature. Something about him made her believe everything would be okay. Somehow she’d make it through, and maybe her dreams of her own family would remain intact. He’d taken the time to include her in his prayers. She became overwhelmed with a feeling of gratefulness that she’d accepted this job. While her knowledge of family was limited, Hetty knew she could take care of them and she could do it well. She’d only ever wanted a family of her own and, for now, maybe she could pretend the Wheeler clan was hers.
Hearing movement behind her, Hetty turned to see Elizabeth and Lottie strolling into the kitchen. She stopped what she was doing and immediately fixed them each a plate. “Good morning, ladies. Are you hungry?”
“Goodness. I’m not sure I’ve slept this late since, well, ever. Son, why didn’t you wake me so I could help Hetty?”
Hetty interrupted before Isaac had a chance to answer. “We thought you might enjoy the extra rest. Besides, I have no trouble handling breakfast.” She placed the plates on the table while Elizabeth and Lottie took their seats. She returned a moment later and refilled Isaac’s coffee, noticing the smile he gave her so willingly.
“Hetty and I already ate, mother, and I need to get to the shop. Promise you’ll rest today.” He rose and kissed his mother on the cheek. He downed the last of his coffee and placed his cup in the sink. “Don’t let her fool you, Hetty, she’s a hard one to keep down.”
“Be off with you, son,” Elizabeth said, trying to sound annoyed, but the sparkle in her eye gave her away.
“All right, you ladies have a good morning. I’ll see you at lunch.” Isaac put on his hat and made his way to the door. Before stepping out he turned to Hetty. “The breakfast was wonderful, Hetty, and the company was even better.” Then he was gone.
Hetty didn’t realize she was holding her breath. She let out a deep sigh. The kitchen suddenly felt empty without Isaac’s presence. But she wouldn’t allow herself to dwell on their strange breakfast together this morning. She wanted to continue her day and spend a bit of time with Elizabeth learning the tricks to running a ranch house. She poured herself a second cup of coffee and sat down at the table where Elizabeth and Lottie seemed to be enjoying the meal just
Isaac listened intently. He absorbed every word of her story and found himself wishing she had been blessed with the same family joys he had. He knew he was lucky to have two parents who adored him and his brother so much. He knew how hard they had worked to give them a home they could be proud of and countless memories to fill their hearts. He wished she’d experienced some of the same traditions he’d enjoyed as a child—decorating their tree around the holidays, the turkey hunt at Thanksgiving, the apple picking they did each fall. His mind began to race as he realized she would be here this year for the holidays. Perhaps he could help her enjoy some of the benefits of family that she had yet to enjoy. Maybe he could show her what family was all about. Where were these thoughts coming from ? he thought. Why am I suddenly so concerned with her understanding of family? The thoughts troubled him, and he couldn’t understand his sudden need to mend her insecurities.
As Hetty finished her story, she rose from the table and began washing the dishes. She suddenly felt shy that she’d revealed so many details to a man she’d known for so little time. What he must think of me! she thought. She couldn’t deny she felt comfortable around him. Despite their first awkward encounter, she felt a pull toward his kind nature. Something about him made her believe everything would be okay. Somehow she’d make it through, and maybe her dreams of her own family would remain intact. He’d taken the time to include her in his prayers. She became overwhelmed with a feeling of gratefulness that she’d accepted this job. While her knowledge of family was limited, Hetty knew she could take care of them and she could do it well. She’d only ever wanted a family of her own and, for now, maybe she could pretend the Wheeler clan was hers.
Hearing movement behind her, Hetty turned to see Elizabeth and Lottie strolling into the kitchen. She stopped what she was doing and immediately fixed them each a plate. “Good morning, ladies. Are you hungry?”
“Goodness. I’m not sure I’ve slept this late since, well, ever. Son, why didn’t you wake me so I could help Hetty?”
Hetty interrupted before Isaac had a chance to answer. “We thought you might enjoy the extra rest. Besides, I have no trouble handling breakfast.” She placed the plates on the table while Elizabeth and Lottie took their seats. She returned a moment later and refilled Isaac’s coffee, noticing the smile he gave her so willingly.
“Hetty and I already ate, mother, and I need to get to the shop. Promise you’ll rest today.” He rose and kissed his mother on the cheek. He downed the last of his coffee and placed his cup in the sink. “Don’t let her fool you, Hetty, she’s a hard one to keep down.”
“Be off with you, son,” Elizabeth said, trying to sound annoyed, but the sparkle in her eye gave her away.
“All right, you ladies have a good morning. I’ll see you at lunch.” Isaac put on his hat and made his way to the door. Before stepping out he turned to Hetty. “The breakfast was wonderful, Hetty, and the company was even better.” Then he was gone.
Hetty didn’t realize she was holding her breath. She let out a deep sigh. The kitchen suddenly felt empty without Isaac’s presence. But she wouldn’t allow herself to dwell on their strange breakfast together this morning. She wanted to continue her day and spend a bit of time with Elizabeth learning the tricks to running a ranch house. She poured herself a second cup of coffee and sat down at the table where Elizabeth and Lottie seemed to be enjoying the meal just
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