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But naturally enough, Lindsay's primary focus was now her husband, her new marriage. And Maddy had undergone some emotional trauma in the past year. Her parents' divorce had been hard on her. Then, at work, she'd been facing burnout, and Julie Pounder's death had been devastating. It'd taken her months to even speak of it. As a result of all this, the closeness Lindsay had once shared with Maddy seemed less intense and, somehow, less central to their lives. Lindsay hoped to recapture it. At one time, there were no secrets between them. Now, it'd been two weeks since the blizzard and not once had her friend even mentioned her time with Jeb McKenna.

“Sounds wonderful,” Maddy told her.

They sat next to each other on the sofa, tucking their legs beneath them the way they had as schoolgirls. Lindsay waited, hoping she wouldn't need to prod Maddy about the incident during the blizzard.

“Tell me what's been going on with you,” Maddy said.

“School mostly,” Lindsay replied, disappointed that Maddy had turned the conversation away from herself. “It's much easier the second year. At least I don't feel like I'm wandering around in the dark. I know my students and they know me. I think I already told you we decided to do the play again this Christmas.”

“You did mention it. That's great—I'm looking forward to seeing it.”

“We're making a few changes, but nothing drastic. I thought it'd be less stressful since this is the second year, but I was wrong. It's demanding nearly as much time and effort.”

“But you have the theater?”

“Oh, yes,” Lindsay assured her. “That, at least, isn't a worry.” Shifting her position, she leaned forward. “What's been really wonderful is having folks come in from the community to talk about growing up in Buffalo Valley and what they remember of their childhoods. They discuss their family histories and their work and their hobbies, and it's amazing what happens. These teens, especially the ones who live on farms, have started to bond with the older people in the area. They look forward to Friday afternoons as much as I do.”

“Has Jeb McKenna ever spoken to the high-schoolers?”

“No, but I wish he would. I've tried countless times to get him to agree, but he won't. It's too bad because the kids would love to hear about raising buffalo.” Lindsay spoke animatedly about her Friday-afternoon speakers until she realized that, once again, she was doing all the talking.

“Just a minute here,” she muttered. “I've been talking a mile a minute and you've barely said a word.”

“There isn't much to tell,” Maddy insisted with a shrug. “The grocery keeps me occupied.”

“Have you been overdoing it?” Lindsay asked. “You're not looking well.”

Maddy raised her palms to her cheeks. “I suppose I have been working too hard.”

“Maybe you're ill because of being caught in the blizzard.”

Maddy shrugged again.

“So how'd it go at Jeb's?” Lindsay asked casually, watching for any telltale reaction from Maddy.

“Okay.”

Lindsay wasn't fooled. Maddy's face told her things were far from okay. “What happened, Maddy?”

Pain flickered in her friend's eyes. “You mean other than me making a fool of myself?”

“How do you mean?” Lindsay asked gently.

“Well, for starters, I made a few assumptions I shouldn't have.”

“What kind of assumptions?”

Maddy shook her head, dismissing the question. “Let's just say I should've known better.”

“He hurt you, didn't he?” Lindsay couldn't resist asking, angry at Jeb.

“He tried,” was all Maddy would tell her.

There was a strained silence. Lindsay knew the best way to dispel Maddy's disappointment was with some good news. “Listen,” she said, barely able to hold in her joy. She reached for Maddy's hands, holding them between her own. “One of the reasons I asked you to come early today is because Gage and I have an announcement to make, and you're the first person I'm telling.” Her heart was so full, it was all Lindsay could do not to weep. “I learned last week that I'm pregnant.”

Maddy's reaction was the last one Lindsay would have expected. Her friend went very still.

“Maddy?”

“Lindsay…” Maddy whispered, her fingers tightening about Lindsay's “…so am I.”

At first Lindsay was sure she'd misunderstood. “You're pregnant…you're going to have a baby?”

“Yes.” Maddy nodded. “I bought a test kit in Devils Lake, and…and the result was positive. So,” she whispered, taking a deep breath, “I'm pregnant, too.”

J
oanie Wyatt was looking forward to this evening out with Brandon. Thanksgiving with her parents had gone beautifully. Brandon had said it made no sense to stuff seven of them into Joanie's small house, so he'd suggested they all come out to the farm. She had agreed and relished cooking in her own kitchen again. It'd been almost a year since she'd moved out. A year of changes.

Their first appointment with the new counselor had gone well for them both. Brandon was able to communicate better with Dr. Gaffney. She didn't ask them to fill out surveys or compile lists, although she
had
given them an assignment. They were to go out on a dinner date.

Joanie couldn't remember how many years it'd been since she'd spent an evening away from the house with just her husband.

Rachel Fischer had lent Joanie a sleek black dress that made her feel…attractive. Because she was nursing, her breasts filled out the bodice, which was rather tight, but Rachel assured her she looked fabulous and sexy and told her not to worry.

Leta Betts had offered to babysit Sage, Stevie and Jason. She was bringing Mark Fischer with her, and Stevie was thrilled to have a friend over. Sage was pleased, too, because she knew Mrs. Betts would let her help with her baby brother.

Brandon was due any minute. Joanie finished with her mascara, dabbed on some more perfume and checked her appearance in the bedroom mirror one last time. “Not bad,” she murmured to herself, sucking in her stomach. Then she picked up her purse.

The doorbell chimed, and Joanie heard her daughter run into the living room. “Daddy,” Sage cried with such joy that a smile came to Joanie despite her nervousness. She hadn't told Brandon she was dressing up for this evening, and hoped she hadn't overdone it. He hadn't mentioned where they were going; she hoped it wasn't just to Buffalo Bob's.

She could hear Brandon chatting with the children when she entered the room. He'd crouched down, talking to Sage, and glanced absently toward her. His head snapped back and he froze, his mouth half-open. For one wild moment, he seemed incapable of moving or speaking.

“Joanie!” Slowly, stiffly, he got to his feet.

“I hope I'm not overdressed.”

Her husband wore a black sweater she'd knit him several years earlier and gray slacks. She thought he looked strikingly handsome.

“No…no. You're…beautiful.”

“Don't sound so shocked,” she said with a light laugh.

“I'm not…it's just that…I find it hard to believe someone so beautiful could be married to me.”

“You're embarrassing me,” she said. He got her good coat from the hall closet and held it for her; she slipped her arms inside.

They lingered a few minutes while Brandon gave Leta a phone number where they could be reached and talked to the kids about being good for Mrs. Betts.

“You didn't tell me the name of the restaurant,” Joanie commented as he escorted her to the car.

“It's a surprise.”

The blast of cold seemed less severe with Brandon at her side. “A surprise?”

“I figure it's time we introduced a little mystery into our marriage,” he said as he opened the car door for her.

As soon as they left town, Joanie figured out that Brandon was headed for Grand Forks. This was the second night in a row they'd made the long drive, but he wasn't complaining and neither was she.

“I liked Dr. Gaffney,” she said, grateful for this time to talk.

“I did, too.” He clasped her hand and gently squeezed her fingers. “I'm glad we didn't give up after Dr. Geist. I'm even more grateful you didn't give up on me.”

“Or you on me,” she felt obliged to add. A few months earlier, saving their marriage had seemed an impossible task. In fact, Joanie hadn't expected it to survive. They'd both been in such horrific pain that all they seemed capable of doing was lashing out at each other. The weight of their financial problems had brought their marriage close to collapse. Fortunately the prices for corn and wheat had been good this year, so their debts were nearly paid off, which removed a heavy burden.

“I know I mentioned this earlier, but I want you to know I enjoyed your parents. I was a bit apprehensive about having them spend Thanksgiving with us, but it worked out well.”

“They aren't so bad, are they?”

Brandon chuckled. “Not in the least. I especially enjoyed your dad.”

“He's a character, isn't he?” Joanie had always been close to her father, much as Sage shared a special bond with Brandon. The strain between her husband and her father had been hard on Joanie. These were the two most important men in her life and until recently, they rarely spoke. For years Joanie had blamed her husband, but since their time together at Thanksgiving, she understood that her own parents had played a role in the dissension.

Brandon hadn't felt welcomed or liked because her parents had hoped she'd marry another man. The rift between her husband and her family had finally been mended this past week. She wasn't sure what had caused the change, but attributed it to the fact that both her husband and her parents realized she loved and needed them.

Joanie and Brandon talked nonstop, and when they arrived in Grand Forks, Brandon drove to an upscale steak house, where a valet met them.

“Oh, Brandon,” Joanie whispered. And he'd chosen this restaurant long before he'd seen her dress!

Her husband glanced both ways, then whispered, “I don't want to ruin your makeup or anything, but would it be all right if I kissed you?”

“It would be perfectly fine,” she breathed, smiling up at him.

He turned her into his arms, right there, outside a five-star restaurant, and kissed her in front of God, the valet and anyone else who happened to look in their direction.

“Oh, baby,” he groaned when he lifted his head, eyes still closed.

“Come on, big boy,” she teased, “feed me first and then I'm yours.”

He reached for her hand and led her into the darkened interior of the restaurant. Once Brandon gave the hostess his name, they were immediately seated in a private booth upholstered in dark red velvet and handed gold-tasseled menus. The candlelight, the small crystal vase with its three perfect roses, the soft piano music—it all created an atmosphere of elegance.

They placed their order and chose a wine, a burgundy, that was expertly served. Joanie took a sip, then leaned toward Brandon. “I know we agreed to wait six months before making a decision.” She'd returned to Buffalo Valley after Jason's birth with the intention of giving this reconciliation six months before deciding one way or the other about their marriage.

“Yes?” he said, his eyes telling her he was eager for her to continue.

“I was thinking the kids and I could move back to the farm before Christmas. That is, if you agree?”

Brandon took her hand and kissed her fingers. He smiled broadly, his pleasure evident. “I think that's a brilliant idea.” A sigh rumbled through his chest. “I can't begin to tell you how I've yearned to hear you say those words.”

“We've come a long way.”

“I know, but I think it's important that we follow through with our commitment to the counseling sessions,” he said seriously.

Eyes wide, Joanie murmured, “I never thought I'd hear you say that—but I'm glad you did.”

“Something else,” he said, still holding her hand. “We came very close to getting a divorce. We opened that door, proved we're both capable of living apart. Once we decide to end this separation, it's important that we not use the threat of divorce as a weapon against each other.”

Her husband's wisdom astonished her. This wasn't something she'd considered, but she knew he was right. “I agree with you,” she said slowly.

“It'd be far too easy to spend the next few years walking in and out of that door. If you and the children move back to the farm, then it's with the idea that we both intend to give this marriage one-hundred percent.”

Joanie nodded. Brandon sent her a loving grin, then wiggled his eyebrows.

Joanie giggled, well aware of the message behind the twitching brows. It was his way of telling her that he was looking forward to getting her back in his bed. What he didn't know, but would soon learn, was how pleased
she
was at the prospect.

“Oh, Brandon, I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, baby.”

“Sage and Stevie are going to be thrilled.”

“I want us to continue dating, all right?”

He wasn't going to get any argument from her.

“I don't want you ever to doubt my love.”

 

“When are you seeing Rachel Fischer again?” Lily Quantrill demanded as she rolled her wheelchair toward her grandson.

Heath regarded his grandmother and released a long, slow sigh. “I'm not seeing Rachel. At all.” He hated to spend his weekly visit arguing with his grandmother. Lily continually asked questions about his relationship with Rachel, and he'd put her off a number of times already. He'd manufactured excuses, listed reasons and, whenever possible, avoided the subject entirely. It was time, past time actually, that she knew the truth.

“Not seeing Rachel? Why not?” Lily snapped. “I thought you were keen on her. Seems to me you wanted to bed her.”

“Grandma, listen—”

“I like her. I knew her parents. For that matter, I dated her grandfather. Would've married him myself if I hadn't met Michael when I did. She's exactly the kind of woman I want to see you marry.”

If only it were that easy! Heath stood and looked out over the view of the winding Red River, the very river that had devastated Grand Forks a few years earlier. He'd been living in Europe then, and even there the television news had carried pictures of the flooding. Much of the town had been on fire. He'd watched in horrified amazement as he caught sight of the family bank building shooting flames into the sky, the dancing reflection caught in the flood waters below. By the time he got home, it had been rebuilt, reminding him then as now that the people of North Dakota endured and began anew when they had to.

“Heath,” Lily said with impatience. “What's gotten into you?”

“It isn't going to work with Rachel and me,” he admitted, not bothering to disguise his disappointment. He could think of no way to say it other than flat out.

He and Rachel had started out on the wrong foot, and he blamed himself for that; he'd pushed too hard. However, on their second date they'd gone to a movie right in Buffalo Valley. He didn't care that he'd seen it two years earlier and it'd been on video for months. After patiently waiting for her to give him a second chance, Heath would have been willing to watch Donald Duck cartoons. She couldn't fault his behavior, either; he'd been the perfect gentleman. At the end of the evening, he'd gently kissed her, then quietly left.

Since then, they'd gone out periodically, but it was obvious that a relationship with him was a low priority for Rachel. Every spare minute she had was spent on her restaurant business. It was her second love—after her son—and he fell back a distant third. No, fourth. Hell, he didn't even know if he was in the running. Their last so-called date was a prime example. They were supposed to have breakfast together. She'd managed to squeeze him into her busy schedule only to cancel at the last minute. Although she'd seemed genuinely sorry, her apology had done little to soothe his ego. Simply put, she didn't have time for him.

What annoyed him most, perhaps, was that Rachel didn't seem to understand or appreciate that he was a wealthy man. If she invested as much effort in a relationship with him as she did in her business, she need never work again.

Generally, once a woman learned he had money, she fawned over him, stroked his ego and made it clear that she was interested.

Not Rachel.

“It isn't going to work?” his grandmother repeated, drawing him back into the conversation. “I'm sorry to hear that.”

No sorrier than he was to admit it.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” she asked, her tone gentler, as if she recognized that letting Rachel go had been difficult for him.

“No, but I don't have any choice.”

Lily sighed deeply. “Well…I suspect you're wise to cut your losses now.”

He nodded and forced himself to relax. Sitting down, he noted that his grandmother seemed quieter than usual.

“I'd like to see you married before I die,” she said in a wistful tone.

To date, nothing about his grandmother had been pensive or subtle. When she wanted something, she forged ahead with a take-no-prisoners determination. Her attitude now worried him.

“I've decided to see Kate Butler,” he said, hoping that would lift her spirits. “She's the manager at the Fogle Street branch.”

“I know who she is. She's a good businesswoman,” Lily said, but she didn't show much enthusiasm. Heath didn't blame her; he wasn't that enthusiastic himself. Kate was the one who was interested in him and frankly, after the beating his ego had taken with Rachel, Kate's attention felt damn good.