"This would be so much easier if you knew my father," Sarah told him. "Everything is an obstacle when it involves me. They know of Lori's plans to get married because Gil's told them in that letter. My mother immediately told me not to go. But I reminded her of how long such an event would take to plan. I had no idea Lori would jump into it. Now that she has, mother would again say no if she learns of it."

He blotted his lips with the napkin and placed it on his lap before leaning his forearms on the edge of the table. "Since you believe it's best they don't hear about their wedding at this time, what do you expect me to tell them if they ask me when she plans to get married?"

"I was hoping you could think of something. You could mention that Brad and Kate were married. Perhaps they will assume Lori will wait?

His brow drew down in reservation as he asked, "What happens when they learn the truth? They won't be happy with us for not being honest and things have a way of doing that. Gregor is gonna be busy building her a house, and Lori wants your company. That's the truth. She'll want help making rugs and curtains and all kinds of things to make a home. You can help her." He paused while she thought about it.

She picked at the seam of the napkin as she tried to think of how to make him understand. "We can do it your way and tell them the truth. But if they say I cannot leave, it may be a year before Father allows it. You must decide how involved you wish to become in helping me leave."

The way she stated that gave him pause. "Alright, I'll give some thought to what to say."

He finished eating and sat back to wave at the cook. She looked over and he held up his empty tea glass. The woman carried a pitcher over and gave him a refill.

He stared at Sarah as she played with the food left on her plate. She was back to worrying that lip again. "If we play this your way, keep them in the dark about recent events, what are the chances he'll allow you to come?"

Sarah sat back in her chair. "As it stands, he is expecting me to leave with you."

"OK, then I should get the tickets for tomorrow's train."

"We can do that now. I left my bicycle at the depot. There's only one train out tomorrow afternoon at two. That gives me the morning to give you a little tour of the town—unless you would rather spend the morning with my mother dodging her questions."

He chuckled at her sarcasm. "Well, since you have decided to consider my courtship, it would be a good idea to see your schoolroom. Will we ride your bike?" He liked seeing the surprise in her eyes. "It may surprise you, but I own a bike. I rode it back and forth to work in Virginia. It was better than using a horse that I'd have to take care of during the day. Why don't I peddle while you ride on the handlebars?"

Sarah giggled at the very suggestion of doing such a thing in town. "My father did that with me when I was very young. If you and I rode that way it would cause too many tongues to wag. I believe the buggy would be best under the circumstances."

"Then, of course, we'll use a buggy. I look forward to seeing your school." He had some ideas and seeing her schoolroom would help him to discuss it with her.

Frank paid the bill and led Sarah outside. He released a soft whistle and offered his arm. She took it just as his horse joined them. He covered a yawn as they headed back towards the depot.

"I'm afraid this week has caught up to me," he admitted. "Sleep has been troubling not knowing if you would reject my desire to court you. You're wise to suggest we wait until tomorrow to meet with your parents. In my condition, I wouldn't want to face any questions they may have."

Sarah gave his arm a squeeze of understanding. "I'm not sure if I should apologize or be complimented that you felt that strongly. I still believe it was wise to wait until seeing you before I began explaining the difficulty facing us."

"I understand. You can explain more tomorrow when we take the buggy."

"OK." She pointed just down the street. "There's a boarding house with a sign out front and it includes meals. Mrs. Brown is a kind-hearted lady. She started taking in boarders after her husband died. Most prefer it over the hotel because it's a home atmosphere. But if you would rather have the privacy of a hotel, it's on the opposite side of the street about a block down. You can't miss it."

"I'll take the hotel. Privacy to sleep is what I need. At this point, I could sleep under the stars and take a bath in a creek." He fought another yawn by biting on the knuckle of his finger. "Thank you for understanding."

He led her across the street to the depot and went inside to buy their tickets while she waited next to her bicycle. After he came back out, he stepped to his horse and took the reins. "I'll follow you home to see where you live."

"I would like that, Frank. It isn't far." She backed the bicycle out from the stand, saw him mount his horse and then wait for her to get on her bike. When she did, she took off peddling fast, and seeing it, he grinned taking off after her. He had hoped to spend more time with her, but after eating, his heavy eyelids fought him.

Sarah turned down a street, and Frank kept close behind. Most of the houses were made with white clapboard siding and wide front porches. He paid close attention so he wouldn't ride up to the wrong house later on, but then he noticed the rock pillars holding up the porch roof instead of wooden ones. She rode to the side of the porch and stopped, leaned her bike against it, and then hurried over to speak with him.

Seeing her coming, Frank climbed down. "Did you remember something?"

"Since I know you probably have a perfect sense of direction, I won't ask if you can find the house, but I was wondering if you would like to come and have breakfast with my mother and me in the morning. She would love to meet you."

"Sweetheart, that sounds fine. I don't sleep much past dawn. What time?"

"My father leaves for work by seven-thirty."

He stared at her a moment considering why she hadn't included her father in that invitation. "What will your papa say to you having me to breakfast after he's gone to work?"

"My father would not join us. He likes his routine and that means getting ready for work, eating his breakfast alone with the paper, and then leaving. Lunch is a better time to see him, he's expecting you. It's my mother who is most anxious to get a chance to meet you. If father were here, she would not have the chance to visit. He would see it as an interruption.

Frank had a hunch about something. "Your father likes order, doesn't he Sarah?"

"Yes. That's why his permission to visit Lori is such a shock."

"I met a man like that once. His kids rebelled the moment they were out the door. Do you plan to wrap me around your finger, Sarah?"

She laughed. "I doubt that is possible from what I know of you. You are reasonable but make your own judgments. I am much the same way, but I'm wondering..." she quit talking as she looked at his red eyes. "You're exhausted and I'm keeping you from getting your rest. Forgive me."

"I'm interested in what you were saying. Go ahead and tell me."

"If you insist. How would you handle a situation in which I would object to something you wish to do?"

He could tell this was important to her. "I'd listen and then we would discuss options or I'd give you my reasons for why it's important. Then, if we came to an impasse, you could discuss your worry with any member of my family and they can offer their wisdom to our problem. The one thing you don't have to worry about is them choosing sides. We don't think that way. We use logic and truth for decisions. Often, what one person misses, the other doesn't. Jacob is good at strategy. He often helps me when I miss something. Lori has her ways too. Now there's Darkmoon and Gregor who are wise men. In time, when you become better acquainted with all of us, you will see the workings of a cog in a wheel. Together we are strong. Alone is always harder and often not as prudent."

She could hug his neck for what he said. "I look forward to witnessing how your family makes decisions. Did they agree with your desire to court me?" she asked him.

He wanted to pull her into his arms again. "As you know, Lori had high hopes for it and my brothers, well, Brad and Jacob weren't surprised, Thomas laughed and almost knocked me down when he gave my back a swat of congratulations, and Bo asked what the hurry was. That's to be expected because he's not twenty-two yet." He stared in her eyes and told her, "They all agreed I should marry you—not just court you."

Her eyes grew wide. "They don't know me. How could they think..."

"As I told you, we all have a pretty good take of someone's character." He noticed that each time he spoke of his family, her interest and approval was there in her face.

"I'm not as nervous about seeing them again, now that I know this. I will let you go so you can find a bed. There's a stable for your horse in back of the hotel. There's also a small café at the hotel if you wish to have coffee in the morning. I'll be waiting for you, Frank. I hope you find a peaceful sleep."

He enjoyed the way she tried to help. "I'm sure I will. I'll see you in the morning." He happened to see movement at the window. "I believe your mother is waiting for you. Please explain my need for a bed."

She glanced over her shoulder. "I will. Hurry before you get trapped into speaking with my parents."

"Goodnight, Sarah." He vaulted into his saddle and took off towards the hotel. He wasn't disappointed by what he saw in Sarah. He enjoyed women who had some spunk and demanded to be heard. Yes, the more he got to know her, the better he liked her. He was sure this would work out well for both of them.