He felt her studying his face and kept his eyes on the path they walked. Finally, he felt a deep sigh flow from her.
“I’m fortunate we landed here,” Maggie admitted. “Everyone has been more than kind.”
“Because we care about you, Maggie. I…” He cast about for words that usually came so easily. “I care about you.”
Four simple words. Nothing profound, but they made Maggie snuggle a little closer and smile. And that made the words perfect.
Silence settled between them as they climbed the steps to the Bittners’ front door. Kris bid Franz and Rebekah goodnight, patted Maggie’s fingers, and tipped his hat in farewell. As the door closed, he realized just how badly he’d wanted to go inside with her, to comfort her and let her cry out her fear and grief on his shoulder, to help her carry the heavy burden of her sorrow. But he didn’t have that right. Only a husband could offer her that comfort and support.
He turned for home, finally admitting he’d give almost anything right now to be able to claim the title of Margaret Marie Flanaghan’s husband.
****
Maggie slipped upstairs and hurried to the window to watch Kris walk away. He was a good man, handsome and gentle, and the way he looked at her made her feel warm and safe.
Once he disappeared from sight, she closed her eyes and imagined him strolling with purpose to his home behind the church. Hanging up his somber black coat and hat, removing his string tie and shoes. He was a man who liked to be comfortable, she decided, for when not leading services, he wore well-used boots and simple clothing.
Maggie smiled a little at the memory of him escorting her to the church this morning. He’d seemed invincible in his long coat and top hat, a warrior of God sworn to see her safely through all trials and tribulations.
“Stop it, Margaret Marie,” she scolded herself, trying to ignore the pleasure evoked by the memories. “You’re not the woman for him. You’ve made choices, fallen from grace. Though no one knows but you, Kris deserves someone pure and perfect.”
Pondering what might have been, if not for Albert, Maggie readied herself for bed. As she banked the fire, she said a prayer of thanks that she had a warm place to sleep and friends who cared what happened to her. “I miss you, Papa,” she whispered after climbing beneath the blankets, shivering herself warm. “I know you’re happy to be with Mama, I just wish you’d stayed with me a little longer.” Sighing through fresh tears, she rolled to her side and tucked the blankets close.
Maggie let her mind wander as she tried to go to sleep. The service had been lovely, with Papa’s favorite hymns and a reading from Isaiah he’d often quoted and pondered. And Kris had looked so wonderful standing before the congregation, sharing her sorrow and gently showing her that life eternal was an amazing gift, a gift her father now enjoyed.
Had she thanked Kris? Thinking back through the day, she remembered saying something about the service while they were at the church, so she probably had expressed her appreciation.
Still, there was nothing wrong with thanking him again for his kindness. She could take him some cookies…or maybe help to ready his garden for winter. Perhaps he would walk with her to the cemetery, or just around town, show her his favorite places. It didn’t matter as long as she could be with him.
She just had to remember that he could never be hers.
CHAPTER SIX
“Good afternoon, Miss Flanaghan. Mrs. Bittner.” Kris tipped his hat to the two lovely ladies walking toward him. “Is it market day?”
Rebekah smiled in greeting. “Some, but mostly I just needed to get out a bit.”
“I believe Mr. Thompson at the mercantile was happy you indulged the need. Let me carry those packages for you.” He lifted the parcels from Rebekah’s arms.
“Mr. Thompson barely noticed us.” Maggie offered token resistance then relinquished the basket she carried. “He had a dozen other customers.”
“Settlers?”
“Mostly,” Maggie confirmed. “I’m happy his business is thriving, but it means River’s Bend is already beginning to grow with those bound for the west.”
“It’s not just settlers.” Rebekah resumed walking. “We’ve seen an increase every spring since Kansas City elected their first mayor two years ago. But this is different, somehow.”
“The violence over slavery is spilling ever closer.” And it worried Kris that River’s Bend was so close to the trouble.
Both women grew quiet, no doubt worrying for their families and the good people of River’s Bend. “You have a fine day for your walk,” Kris tried to redirect their thoughts.
“We do,” Maggie smiled up at him and he felt himself straighten a bit. “The sun feels so warm, it’s hard to believe we had snow last week.”