Tracie Peterson - [Heirs of Montana 04] by The Hope Within Page A

a rapid pace with someone. Probably Mara. Ardith’s daughter found it curious that Mara was sewing a wedding dress. Ardith thought it merely silly.
    Ardith noted that all of the dishes had been washed. Apparently Mara thought to do her the favor, but frankly Ardith would have rather had the work to keep her mind occupied.
    “Can I be of help?” Joshua asked as he came into the kitchen.
    Ardith had her back to him and scowled. Why couldn’t he leave her alone? He seemed compelled to practice the religion he felt was so important. But frankly, his counsel was not something she desired. Yet she knew he’d offer it.
    “I thought maybe you’d like to talk about Mr. Stromgren’s proposition. I sensed that your brothers were very opposed to your leaving. Perhaps there is some merit in their concerns.”
    She turned to face him. “I think there is better merit in minding your own business.”
    “Perhaps your thoughts are clouded on the matter and it would help to discuss it with someone,” he offered.
    He was hardly more than a boy at twenty-two. Ten years her junior. Who was he to suggest she didn’t know her own mind?
    “I’m merely thinking of your daughter,” Joshua said as he pressed his point home. “She needs you here with her. Not in New York City. Do you even have any idea what that town is like? I do. I’ve been there.”
    “Good for you,” Ardith said, finally losing her patience. “I suggest you go back there or leave me alone. Either way, I don’t want to hear any more about this. You are hardly the one to be giving me advice.” She picked up a damp dish towel and started to fold it.
    He frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
    “You’re barely a man. I had lived a hundred lifetimes by the time I was your age.” She held his gaze with a hard stare of her own. “You have no idea what I am capable of doing or not doing.”
    “Maybe not, but I know that little girl. She spends hours each day with me because you won’t!” Joshua said sternly.
    He came to where Ardith stood, dish towel in hand. She was glad she didn’t have hold of a plate or she might have busted it over his head. “How dare you!” She leaned forward until she was nearly nose to nose with the man. “You aren’t even a father. You know nothing about parenting.”
    “I’m beginning to wonder if you do.”
    She had never been treated in such a manner. Levi had always been so careful and tender with her, and even Dianne avoided upsetting her. Ardith’s throat ached in that awful way it often did when she couldn’t cry and she couldn’t calm herself. She tried to speak but the words stayed lodged deep inside.
    “Look,” Joshua began, his tone more gentle, “I just don’t want you to make a mistake and throw away the most important person in your life. If you go away, things will never be the same between you two.”
    Still she could say nothing. She backed away, twisting the towel in her hands. She wanted to run and leave this conversation, but Joshua stood between her and any means of exit.
    “Winona talks to me about her father,” he said. “She misses him. She wants to know that she’ll see him again. She wants to know that you won’t die and leave her too. She has a million questions to ask you, but you avoid her. Why?”
    “Because she has a million questions.” Ardith barely squeaked out the words. She looked to the towel and realized she’d nearly knotted it in her frustration.
    He nodded and stepped back. “I know you’re struggling. I can see that you’re still in pain, even after all these years, but you can’t make the pain go away by ignoring your child.”
    Ardith regained a bit of her composure. “You’re twenty-two years old. You’ve spent the last few years studying to become a pastor. You’ve been preaching God’s Word and saving souls. I suppose it’s natural that you think you have all the answers—that you can save me too.”
    “Only Jesus can do that,” he said with a smile. “I