Nathaniel came inside at noon and ate four slices before she slapped his hand away.
“That is supper bread.”
“I’m checking it.”
“You checked three times.”
“Thoroughness.”
She laughed.
Then pressed one hand to her abdomen.
Brief.
Protective.
Nathaniel noticed.
Again.
He had seen the gesture on the wagon.
Twice at breakfast.
Once while she carried laundry.
He thought stomach pain.
Travel sickness.
Perhaps nerves.
He considered asking.
Then remembered privacy.
Thursday evening, snow began.
Heavy.
The first true winter storm.
Wind pushed against the cabin walls.
Nathaniel finished the barn late.
When he entered, Adeline stood by the fireplace.
No supper cooking.
No book open.
No sewing.
Just standing.
Both hands clasped over her stomach.
Her face pale.
Nathaniel removed his coat.
“What happened?”
Adeline looked at him.
Nothing came out.
He stepped closer.
“Are you ill?”
“No.”
“Pain?”
“No.”
“What?”
Adeline closed her eyes.
“Nathaniel.”
He stopped.
The way she said his name warned him.
She turned fully.
“I have to tell you something.”
Nathaniel waited.
She looked toward the fire.
“Before we make anything legal.”
He understood.
“You want to leave?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Adeline’s breathing became shallow.
She pressed both palms against her abdomen.
Nathaniel finally understood the gesture.
Not completely.
Enough.
His face changed.
Adeline saw.
Tears filled her eyes.
“I’m expecting a child.”
The room became very quiet.
Nathaniel did not move.
The fire snapped.
Wind hit the window.
Adeline waited.
Nathaniel’s eyes dropped to her hands.
Then slowly rose.
“How far?”
“Almost four months.”
The answer struck harder than the confession.
Four months.
Before the advertisement.
Before the letters.
Before him.
Nathaniel turned away.
Adeline’s face crumpled.
“I knew you’d hate me.”
Nathaniel faced the fireplace.
“I don’t hate you.”
“You should.”
“I don’t.”
“I lied.”
He looked back.
“Yes.”
That hurt her.
He did not soften it.
“You lied by omission.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She wiped her face.
“Because I thought you were my only chance.”
Nathaniel stared.
“That is not a kind reason to marry a man.”
“I know.”
“Did the father abandon you?”
Adeline’s expression changed.