“Do you really think the farmers need to carry rifles with them while they're working?”
“I don't know. Maybe. It's wild here, not like Wisconsin.” Jean shuddered slightly. “One night when your father and I were working here late, we saw a big sow lumbering across the field. She had two cubs with her. They headed down to the creek.”
“You did? Why didn't you say something?”
“We didn't want to frighten anyone. And to tell you the truth, I forgot all about it until just this moment.”
“Do you think they'd really attack someone?”
Jean thought a moment. “Yes—if the stories are true. I guess it doesn't take much to get their dander up, but lots of folks have been living here for years and have never had trouble with bears.”
Will stepped out of the front door. “Hello,” he called. “Boy, I'm glad to see you. I'm starved.” He stuck his head back inside the house. “Hey, lunch is here,” he hollered.
“Oh, boy! I'm hungry!” Brian shouted, dashing out the door. He raced to his mother, threw his arms around her legs, then leaned his head back and looked up at her. “We've been workin' hard. I'm real hungry.”
Will unbuckled his work belt, set it just outside the door, and stepped off the makeshift porch. Taking long strides, he met Jean and gave her a sound kiss. “You look real pretty.” He brushed back a strand of her hair. “Just as pretty as the day I met you.”
“You're fibbing,” Jean said with a smile. “But thank you anyway.” She glanced around. “Where do you want to eat?”
“I'd say right here is fine. No place on this property is more beautiful than any other.”
“All right, then,” Jean handed Susie to Will.
“Hello, sweetie pie,” he said, hefting the little girl above his head. She giggled her delight.
Jean spread out a blanket on the ground and sat. “How's the work been coming along?”
Will sat beside her. “Good. I figured it might go slowly, what with the extra carpenters working over at Robert's place, but we've made real progress.” He nudged his hat off his forehead and turned his eyes to the spot a little east of the house. “As soon as I get the paddock done, I'll get to work on the barn. Hopefully winter will hold off a while yet. Don't know though. It's only August, and already the nights are cold.”
Laurel sat across from her parents and opened the basket. She handed her father a cheese sandwich. A shadow fell across the blanket. Expecting to see Luke, she looked up and said, “We were wondering …” Her sentence died in her throat when she saw Adam standing over her.
He grinned. “Good to see you, Mrs. Hasper, Laurel.”
“Hello, Adam,” Jean said.
Adam looked at Laurel. “How've you been?”
“I'm fine.” Laurel knew Adam had helped her father before but hadn't expected to see him today.
“Adam showed up this morning with his hammer and a hankering for work,” Will said with a smile. “For a reporter, he's a darn good carpenter.” He looked up at Adam. “How about something to eat?”
“You sure there's enough?”
“I made plenty,” Jean said.
“All right then.” Adam sat, folding his legs Indian style.
Brian took a sandwich from the basket and leaned against his father. “Daddy pounds nails real fast,” he told his mother. “I tried, but it takes too long. I'm no good at it.”
“You do fine,” Will said. “You'll learn. You've still got some growing to do.”
Laurel handed Adam a sandwich. “How have you been? Haven't seen you since … well, since the funeral.”
“I'm good.” Sadness touched Adam's face. “I'm sorry about Justin. He was a nice kid.”
Somehow, hearing Adam's regret renewed Laurel's pain. Tears burned her eyes.
“Hey, you guys left me some, didn't you?” Luke asked, bounding off the porch. He stared down at his family.
“Course. You know your Mama always packs enough for an army.” Will grinned and gave Jean's cheek a peck.
Luke rummaged through the basket and took out two sandwiches. Stripping wax paper off one of them, he said, “I think I'm going to stretch my legs. Alex said he might be down at the creek.”
“And his sister, Mattie?” Adam asked, his eyes alight with mischief.
“Uh, maybe. She might be there.” He strode off across the field.
“What was that about Mattie?” Jean asked.
“Nothing really,” Adam said.
Laurel smiled. “Seems Mattie's always part of the group, especially when Luke's there. I think they like each other.”
“Can't say I blame him. She's real pretty and sweet too.” Will handed Susie a piece of his bread and the little girl shoved it in her mouth.
For a few moments everyone ate in silence, accompanied by the whistles of chickadees and raucous calls of whiskey jacks.
Jean leaned back on her hands. “It's lovely out here. I can hardly wait to move in.”
