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barn to find the cats and how Rose had started her list of names.
    When she cut him a piece of pie, Teagen asked if this was the crust that had been on Bethie’s head. Jessie smiled as if he were kidding.
    He liked her smile and didn’t tell her that Martha wasted nothing. His question hadn’t been a joke.
    She touched his arm as she asked if he minded that Martha moved his things downstairs and gave two of the upstairs rooms to her and the girls. The housekeeper had also transferred Sage’s clothes and personal items to the third bedroom upstairs so when his sister returned home her room would be ready.
    “No,” Teagen said, more aware of her touch than what she was saying. “All the rooms are the same. It makes sense that the upstairs become the girls’ and the downstairs be mine.” He also knew he could leave early without waking anyone if he were downstairs. Since he was the only McMurray here, he had to pull double duty to guard the ranch.
    They walked through the rooms to the stairs. Teagen showed her the study lined with books.
    She smiled when she saw them. “My father once said that a man who owns a dozen books is a rich man.” Running her fingers along the shelves of volumes she whispered, “You’re very rich indeed.”
    Teagen didn’t argue. He also saw this room as a treasure, and he was proud she understood. “You’re welcome to borrow and read whatever you like while you’re here.”
    She turned to him. “Thank you. I’ve read all of them, but revisiting them will be like calling on an old friend.”
    “All?” He doubted.
    She nodded.
    “Then we’ll talk more about them later.”
    Jessie laughed. “Is this going to be a test or a challenge?”
    He thought about it. If he had a right to ask her questions to make sure she knew the books, she should have the same right. “A challenge.”
    She agreed. “Tomorrow night, after I get the girls to bed, we’ll begin.”
    “I look forward to it.” Teagen was surprised at just how much he meant the words.
    As she climbed the stairs, Teagen thought again how he didn’t mind her being here. In fact, he’d enjoyed the meal more than he had in a long time, and the idea of discussing the books sounded interesting.
    Halfway up the stairs, she turned. “Good night, Teagen.”
    “Good night, Jessie,” he said and watched her disappear before he went to what was now his bedroom. Having her visit here would be quite pleasant, he decided.
    At breakfast the next morning he reconsidered.
    The seven-year-old, Emily, refused to eat anything and cried silently every time anyone talked to her. Rose, who’d just turned five, insisted on bringing in the half-wild barn cats, who darted through the house like furry cannonballs. And Bethie, sweet little Bethie, wanted to sit in Teagen’s lap while she ate and spilled oatmeal on his shirt. Which wouldn’t have been so bad, but she wanted to play with the mess while Martha cleaned up.
    Jessie tried to corral her batch of troublemakers, but Martha thought it was all very funny. If Teagen didn’t know better, he’d swear she’d found the bottle of whiskey he kept stashed in the library. The old housekeeper seemed delighted to have the children around.
    When he finally managed to pry free of Bethie, Teagen went outside and almost ran for his horse. He’d already made a predawn round, but it was time for another. Suddenly a chance encounter with rustlers didn’t seem all that bad compared to the chaos at home.
    “Bye, Mister,” Rose said from the porch.
    She waved, and he touched the brim of his hat. Rose had her mother’s brown eyes, Teagen thought. Of the three girls, she’d be the one to grow up to be a rare beauty.
    As he turned the animal toward the back of the house, planning to ride up on the hill for an overview of the place, he saw Jessie. She stood several yards away in the weeds beyond the garden.
    He walked his horse closer.
    Her head was down, almost as if she were in prayer.
    Ten feet away,