She counted in her mind. “About a week.”
“And you’ve missed your monthly. Has that ever happened before?”
“Nay.”
He leaned forward once again and reached out, resting his hand over hers. “Then I do believe you have some very glad tidings to share with your husband.”
“You think it possible? Truly?” Her throat began to ache, but the thought was so precious she hardly wished to cradle it at all. If she allowed any hope…
Nathaniel’s angled features grew soft. “There is a very strong possibility that you are with child, Anna. It will be another month or two before you will know for certain, but I believe the chances lie in your favor.”
Her breath caught and she turned her face to hide the hot tears that flooded. “Forgive me.”
His kind grip tightened. “The Lord delights to give good gifts to His children. He wishes for you and William to have joy, Anna.”
She tugged a handkerchief from her pocket and dotted her eyes. Lord, could it be?
Nathaniel stood and she followed suit.
“I am pleased you came to see me,” he said, motioning to the back door. “I hope you will feel comfortable to confide in me at any time.”
“Of course.” Looking up, Anna’s gratitude nearly caused her to reach out and embrace him for his goodness. Kitty was a fortunate woman indeed. As was she.
She walked through the parlor to the back. “I wish I could express the depth of my gratitude. I feel foolish for not discerning such a thing on my own.”
“Nonsense. ’Tis understandable, indeed.” He opened the door, that same congenial smile on his mouth, the same generous depth in his tone. “I do believe in time, we shall be offering our congratulations to you and your husband as you have for Kitty and me.”
She nodded her thanks and stepped from the house. “You will keep the news to yourself? I should like to be the one to tell William.”
He gave a quick bob of the head. “You have my complete silence.”
She turned toward the road with a grin that reached through her middle. Then, as if the knowledge were melting the frost of disbelief from her mind, Anna’s heart burst. Striding home, eyes wide, breath quick and shallow, she half-laughed, half-cried.
With child? She could hardly think the words without weeping.
The emotions spilling from her eyes weighed at her feet and she stopped. Closing her eyes, she prayed. Joy, so rich and deep she felt it clean through her soul as the tears spilled over her cheeks. She clasped her hands in prayer at her chest. How is it done, Lord? I am unworthy of such goodness.
The winter sun warmed against her cold cheeks and she opened her eyes, her gaze landing on her ring.
Forget not He who loveth thee.
~~~
Paul marched through the snow-flecked center of town, the mid-morning sun shining bright above him, his limbs pulsing with ravenous need. Warren had expounded their good fortune this very morning—only an hour past—that he had found the man they sought. It hardly seemed real, but it was. He will be mine. After all this time, Donaldson would finally be brought to justice.
Passing the last shop and heading toward the grist mill, Paul increased his pace. Everyone believed Donaldson was so virtuous. ’Twas almost blasphemy, when the man worked against the very thing he swore to uphold. Was not following through with the old man’s request to take his daughter away first not proof that he himself was more righteous than the benevolent Donaldson?
He reached for the gun beneath his colonial coat. The urge to shoot at first sight of his prey twitched in his fingers.
Turning up the road to the right, he paused, a motionless figure in the road, her back turned to him. As he neared the stranger’s visage found place in his memory and he stilled.
Dark hair, petite frame.
His curiosity pricked. It must be her. But why was she alone?
Before he could retreat from the thought, he spoke. “Miss Whitehead?”
The woman straightened and turned, the color draining from her face when she saw him.