Hettie stood on the front steps, idly watching the clouds overhead roll by. It was a warm day by all accounts, but by now, she was used to the relentless, dry Texas heat. Actually, during her months at the Pruitt house, she had come to enjoy the blinding sunshine and the warmth it brought.

Such beautiful sunshine on a day like this felt almost like a promise. The perfect blue sky and fluffy white clouds told of good things to come; so far, it was shown to be right. After all, today was Dagger Harney’s trial, and the outcome had been better than expected. Better still, for another reason entirely.

Vince had run off to work as soon as the trial had ended, leaving them no time to discuss matters. Hettie didn’t mind, not really, because by now it had become expected of Vince to spend most of his time at the sheriff’s office. Still, the house was lonely without him, and she prayed for his quick return.

“Hettie!” a voice called from somewhere inside. “Can we finish making supper?”

At the sound of Susannah’s sweet voice, Hettie smiled. “Of course, love.” Trotting back up the stairs, Hettie took her time wandering back into the kitchen. Her feet ached from the healing blisters. The cut on her cheek hadn’t quite healed, leaving her feeling tired most days. But now, there was another reason for her to feel tired – a reason she wasn’t quite ready to admit yet. No, she needed Vince to be here for that.

Susannah stood on an old wooden stool, and she still struggled to reach the wide counter top where the half-made dinner sat. Chopped vegetables and chicken were spread all over, the whole counter a mess, but Susannah smiled proudly as she held up a knife. “See? I did it!”

Quick to sweep over and pluck the knife from her hands, Hettie only smiled. “That’s great, but perhaps we should leave the cutting to me, hmm?”

Her little face fell, but it was the sweetest thing she had ever seen. She really did take after Vince, not just for her vibrant blonde hair and intelligent eyes, either. She had the exact same frown, her thick eyebrows furrowed and lip caught between her teeth. It was so sweet that Hettie couldn’t even pretend to be upset.

She wondered, idly, if their own child would look just like Vince, too. Would they have his blond curls or Hettie’s own dark locks? His rich brown eyes or her blue ones? It was impossible to know, and yet, the thought still made her giddy.

“…Hettie?”

Blinking back to attention, Hettie beamed. “Yes, love?”

“Can we make apple pie too?”

Scooping some of the vegetables into a cooking pot, Hettie mulled it over. “Well, today is a day for celebrating, isn’t it? So, we deserve something special.”

Susannah beamed. Although she didn’t know what had happened that night of Hettie’s disappearance, she understood more than they gave her credit for. She was bright, with a sharp mind and good ears. People talked, and Susannah was bound to have heard rumors. “We deserve it because the bad man has been put away?”

Ruffling her hair, Hettie nodded. “Exactly. He hurt a lot of people and did some terrible things. But now, he’s in prison, and we’re all safe.”

Susannah nodded along, as if what Hettie had said was very wise and sensible. How much she actually understood, Hettie didn’t know, but neither she nor Vince had ever tried to hide it from her, simply sugarcoating the truth for her own peace of mind.

With chicken stew in the pot to simmer, it was time for pie. The simple act of cooking felt so domestic and so normal, and it was the one thing that kept her grounded when things got rough. Now that she and Vince were officially married, she was cooking more than ever. Trying new meals and trying to impress him, she liked to think that it was a sign they were getting back to normal – or rather, starting their new normal.

At one point, Martha popped her head in, a bright smile on her face. “Need any help, girls?”

Although she was certainly more spry on her feet than when she and Hettie met, Martha was no young woman any more. Knowing that, Hettie did her best to take the strain of chores away from Martha. Although, given Hettie’s own condition, she wouldn’t be as nimble soon, either. Shaking her head, Hettie smiled. “No, thank you. Just you relax and enjoy yourself, Martha. We can all enjoy some sweet tea once supper is prepared.”

Apparently content, Martha disappeared back into the kitchen.

A comfortable silence settled over the two as they worked. By now, they had a system. Hettie chopped and peeled the fruit while little Susannah made the pastry. They worked so well together that once Vince commented it was as if they’d been cooking together for years. Susannah had puffed out her chest proudly, and Hettie had stifled her laughter behind her sleeve.

Now, Susannah was intent on the task. She was diligent, quick, and attentive. In went flour and butter into the mixing bowl, her deft hands working expertly. Abigail had taught her well, and Hettie was honored to be allowed to continue that teaching.

“Mama used to make rhubarb pie all the time,” Susannah said, as if she had read Hettie’s mind. “She liked it sour with just a little sugar, and it went really good with fresh cream. She was friends with the milkman’s wife, and he always gave us extra.”

Hettie smiled fondly at the thought. “That was sweet of him.” They still didn’t talk about Abigail often, and Hettie never brought it up, but she loved when Susannah spoke about her mother. It was an insight into their lives, into what made them who they were now. “Was it the best rhubarb pie you ever tasted?”

Susannah wrinkled her nose, a snort of laughter leaving her throat. “No, it was horrible! But she made it, so we always pretended it was delicious.”

Hettie let out a bark of laughter at that, she couldn’t help it! She loved the mental image of Vince grimacing through a huge slice of pie, just to make her happy. She wondered, then, if he’d ever had to do the same for her own cooking. It brought another round of laughter threatening to spill from her, and she clamped her lips closed to fight back the grin.

Whatever she might have said next, however, was quickly cut off by the click of the front door. The old hinges had recently been oiled and now it drifted open silently, but Hettie had come to learn the signs of Vince’s arrival. Namely his heavy feet on the hardwood floor and the thump of his shoes as he kicked them off.

“I’m home!” he called a moment later. “So sorry I had to leave, but some things can’t wait. Jack found new evidence in the Turner case.”

Ah, the Turners. A young family who had their entire fortune of jewelry stolen in the night. It was Vince’s newest obsession, now that Harney was no longer plaguing him. Truthfully, Hettie loved that he was so devoted to work. After proving himself a worthy sheriff, he had come miles in his confidence. It was good to see him so enthusiastic.

“We don’t mind,” Hettie called from the kitchen. Apples chopped, she left Susannah to finish making the pastry. Peeking into the hall, she saw Vincent taking off his coat. “Your work is important, and you’re helping a lot of people. It’s all right that you have to dash off sometimes.”

“But so soon after the court hearing?” Vincent frowned, but it was playful. When he smiled, it was beautiful. “I promise, the rest of today will be just the four of us. A family day, to celebrate a court case won.”

The court house had been stuffy and hot, bodies pressed together and windows locked tight. It had been awful, seeing Harney again, but it had been worth it just to see his awful face when he had been sentenced. Even now, she hardly believed it was true.

Vince wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to the corner of her lips. “Regardless, Harney won’t be getting out for a long time yet. If ever. Doesn’t that feel good to say?”

Hettie grinned up at him. It did feel good. Amazing, in fact, to know that justice had been served. To know that her family were safe. Unable to hide her grin, Hettie leaned up to kiss him softly. It was brief, knowing that Susannah was just one room away, but she still enjoyed the lingering feel of his soft lips on hers. “Today has been a brilliant day for all of us,” she agreed. “The guilty verdict is fantastic news. But,” she hesitated, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “I have other news, too.”

“Oh?” Vince quirked a brow, a smile spreading across his lips. “What kind of news?”

“The kind that’s best told in front of everybody.”

Vince’s eyes sparked with intrigue, lips pulled back into a curious smile. “All right,” he replied slowly. “Then I’ll fetch Susannah.”

“I’ll wait for you in the living room.”

They parted ways long enough for Vince to fetch Susannah, in which time Hettie settled awkwardly on the edge of her favorite armchair. She shifted anxiously, feeling the worry build up in her chest. What if this was wrong? What if Vince didn’t want this, and she had just ruined it for everyone? She had tried not to think about it all day – all week, really – and now it was time to finally tell, Hettie wasn’t sure she wanted to.

Too late to turn back, because Vince slipped into the room with Susannah in tow. Susannah proceeded to plop herself down on the sofa, big eyes turned to Hettie. “Papa said you had something to tell us? Is it good?”

Nervously, her eyes flickered to Vince. “I hope so,” she replied quietly, “but that’s up to you all to decide.”

Martha, who had been unusually quiet up until this point, sent Hettie a knowing smile. It was the kind of smile a mother might send her daughter. As if to say I know what’s going on. It was meant to reassure, to say I understand, and it sent a little flurry of relief through Hettie’s chest.

Vince didn’t sit, instead choosing to linger by the fireplace. Although she had learned it was almost always unlit, he seemed to like standing there when he was unsure. Like a nervous habit.

Well, there was nothing for it now. If she could stand up in court and relay her trauma to a room full of people, she could tell her family this one simple thing. Except it wasn’t so simple, not really. It was life-changing. Swallowing thickly, Hettie uttered, “I think I’m pregnant.” Then a pause, and she shook her head. “No, that’s not right. I know I am.”

Silence filled the room. It was thick and tense. Awkward. Nobody spoke, or so much as breathed, and Hettie began to worry that it had all been a mistake.

Then Susannah leapt to her feet, all but throwing herself at Hettie in her eagerness. “I’m going to have a little sister?” she gasped.

And just like that, the tension broke. Relief flooded her, and Hettie bit back a laugh as she scooped Susannah into her arms. “A sister, maybe. Or a brother. Which would you prefer?”

“A sister, definitely. Boys are mean!”

Laughter erupted throughout the room – even Vince was grinning. It was the most beautiful thing that Hettie had ever seen. For a moment, everything else melted into the background. She had worried that he wouldn’t want this; but seeing him now, the delight clear on his face, made her heart melt. How had she ever been worried?

Before she had the chance to say another word, Vince was on his feet. He scooped Susannah up, smiling when she giggled, before setting her aside. Then he held out a hand for Hettie, his expression turning soft. “Do you mean it?” he asked, as if he couldn’t believe it was real.

“Of course,” she replied, “I’ve thought so for a while, but I didn’t want to say until I was sure. Now, I am.”

Vince embraced her, his arms gentle yet strong as he scooped her up. She was pulled effortlessly to her feet by the tight embrace, head buried in his shoulder, and Vince kissed the top of her head with a sigh. “I didn’t think this would happen for us – at least, not so quickly. Some couples try for years.”

“We’re just lucky, I suppose,” she answered fondly. Her voice was muffled by the way she was pressed into him, but she didn’t want to break this embrace for anything. If Hettie could have stayed in his arms like this forever, she would have been happy. Squeezing closer – if such a thing was even possible – she let out a content sigh. “I know it’s sudden, but I didn’t know how much I wanted this until it happened.”

“Neither did I,” Vince admitted quietly, “but doesn’t it just feel so right?”

It did. It felt wonderful. A child of their own, a child they could watch grow up together. A sibling for Susannah, too, who was still grinning at them as if Christmas had come early. Hettie loved Susannah like her very own daughter, and she was delighted that she was happy, too.

When they finally parted, it was with reluctance. Hettie straightened out her hair, a faint flush covering her features. She had finally developed that rich Texan tan, and she only hoped it covered some of her blush from view. “I know it’s early, but I’ve been thinking about names,” she said finally.

“Just don’t call it Martha,” Martha interjected with a grin, “you can’t name any children after me until I’m already gone.”

“There can only be one in this house,” Vince replied fondly.

Hettie smiled. She hadn’t been thinking of naming it Martha at all – as a middle name, perhaps. Hesitantly, she voiced her idea. “Jack, for a boy. He’s done so much for me, and he helped save me from Harney. It’s only right he gets a mention.” Still playing with that one loose strand of hair, she cast her gaze aside. “For a girl, I was thinking Abigail. If you think it’s strange, just let me know. I don’t want to cross a line-”

“Abigail sounds perfect,” Vince replied, his voice heavy with emotion. Yet, when Hettie looked at him, his eyes were bright with joy.

They kissed again, and this time Hettie didn’t care who saw.

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