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behind.”
    â€œWill you buy some here?”
    â€œWell, not right now, not until I have some money.” (As Christine had been gazing out the window, she had decided to find work as soon as possible.)
    â€œBut if you have no money, how will you pay my daddy for making you all better?”
    â€œEmily!” A deep, masculine voice spoke sharply from the edge of the room. Emily spun around to face her father, her small hand going to her mouth as she realized who had heard her.
    Mark advanced slowly and spoke quietly to Emily when he stopped before her. “You will apologize immediately and then you will go to the kitchen and help your mother with lunch.” Emily turned slowly back to Christine and spoke quietly. “I’m sorry, very much.”
    Christine reached out a hand and gently touched the top of Emily’s shiny blonde head. Unsure of what to say, she simply smiled her kindest smile so Emily would know all was forgiven.
    Emily smiled back with a hesitant look at her father to see if she had done all right. His nod was her reward, and she walked quickly from the room.
    Mark took a chair near Christine, intending to make his own apologies, but Christine spoke first.
    â€œEmily is right, you know. I haven’t a dime to my name. I was, as a matter of fact, just sitting here thinking about a place to live and a job, hoping there would be something right here in town.” She smiled a small smile. “I really feel I have traveled enough for the time being.”
    Mark listened to her speak. As he had half expected, she was calm, self-assured, proud. Gone was the crying girl from last night. She did not take easily to a handout, he was sure of that. She was in a fix and planned to work her way out. Mark could easily pay her way home, but he felt this morning that God was leading him to keep her near for the moment. Christine’s own words confirmed this thought. “I thought you might feel that way, Christine. Why don’t I tell you of an idea I have during lunch?”
    â€œOh, thank you, Dr. Cameron, that’s very kind of you,” Christine replied as she stood and moved toward the kitchen.She turned back to say she was going to lend a hand with lunch, but Mark stood also and Christine found herself staring speechlessly into his chin. Mark watched her eyes drop to his shoes and then her head tilt back as her eyes met his. He had to fight to keep from laughing as he watched her mouth drop open. She stared this way for some moments before Mark spoke.
    â€œMy sister Julia is your height. Outside of her husband and her brothers, there are not many men she has to look up to. From the look on your face, it must be the same for you.” His voice was full of amusement and Christine’s mouth shut with a snap. Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment as she realized how she had been staring, her mouth hanging open like a codfish on a hook.
    Not knowing what to say, she mumbled something about helping with lunch and made a hasty exit, thinking as she did so that Baxter had held more embarrassing moments in less than a week’s time than Spooner had in 19 years!
    Lunch went fine, Mark felt, as he walked toward his grandmother’s house. Christine had been very receptive to his job idea. She was a sweet young woman who seemed to get along well with everyone. Now if he could convince Grandma Em that she and Christine needed each other, everything would be fine. He found himself wishing Luke were here. Luke had a certain way with Grandma Em. Maybe he would try a bit of Luke’s firmness with her if it came to that.
    He knocked on the front door and entered. “Hello, anyone home?” His footsteps echoed loudly on the polished wood floor of the parlor before hitting the rug. He passed through the parlor and into the kitchen, spying his grandmother through a window as he walked. She was out by her flower garden in the backyard. Her neighbor, Mr. Turley, was by her