Josiah was indeed up before the sun as he met Levi in the barn, and they silently saddled their horses before heading out into the open. As they left the yard, the sun had just started to crest the horizon, and Josiah stopped and admired the view.

The freshly fallen snow glinted in the morning light, and the air was crisp and fresh. He took a moment and thought of Tessa and how excited the view would no doubt make her. He gave a soft smile at the image his mind conjured.

"Is everything alright?" Levi asked as he looked over his shoulder at Josiah.

"Only admiring the view," Josiah returned.

Levi turned his gaze to it and smiled. "Yes, it is beautiful. Sometimes I forget."

Then, without another word, they fell into the routine and ranch business. When they returned to the yard and after they tended to the horses, they joined Trinity in the kitchen for breakfast.

Josiah was still getting used to seeing her in the house every morning. He was glad that his father had found the happiness that had been lacking in his first marriage, but he felt like he was being pushed away. It wasn't anything specific, and maybe it was all in his head, but he couldn't help the feeling.

"That was quick?" Trinity commented, looking at the clock. "I didn't expect to see either of you before I left for the office."

"There were no problems today since it was such a light snowfall," Levi commented as he dropped a kiss on Trinity's lips, then moved to wash his hands. "Josiah, would you like some breakfast?"

"Sure, but nothing too heavy, I have a lunch meeting with Tessa, and I have to keep my boyish figure." He grinned as he followed behind Levi to wash his hands.

"How did your dinner date go last night?" Trinity asked, hiding her smile behind her coffee cup.

"Dinner date?" Levi asked, grabbing the necessary supplies from the fridge.

"Hmmm, yes. Josiah had an old college friend drop in on him yesterday. She was on a fishing trip." Trinity was watching Josiah's reaction to her words.

"Fishing?" Levi frowned.

"Yes, for a husband." Trinity grinned outright. "Rita and I asked Tessa to save him, and her answer was to pretend they were a couple." 

Josiah watched a look pass between Trinty and Levi that he didn't understand.

"Really, how did the old friend take it?" Levi asked as he laid down some bacon.

"Tessa, kind-hearted as she is, was no match for her." Trinity shook her head as she remembered the insult dealt.

"So, she was mean to Tessa, and you still took her on a date?" Levi asked, confused.

"No, I invited her to dinner with Tessa and me at Tessa's house. And, I would like to add that Tessa gave as good as she got." Josiah moved to sit at the island and wait for his breakfast.

"Would you like some coffee?" Trinity offered.

"Sure," Josiah said. Normally, he would have poured it for himself, but the house was no longer his mother's home; it was Trinity's, and he didn't want to overstep. They were still defining the rules of the new arrangement. 

"Did she really?" Levi asked.

"I shouldn't be surprised," Trinity said with a shake of her head. "She shot me a zinger the first day we met. Is Tessa the one who got rid of Amber Woods?"

"Amber Woods?" Levi asked. "I remember that name. Your mother never said much to me, but she did mention her and how she had high hopes for the two of you."

"Did she really?" Josiah was shocked. Perhaps Amber and his mother had bonded more than he realized. "Tessa got rid of her in a roundabout way."

Levi and Trinity turned to look at him, waiting for the rest of the story.

Josiah couldn't help his grin. "It started snowing, and then Tessa wanted to play in it. Amber got bored and left. It did the trick, and no one's feelings were hurt."

"I don't buy it," Trinity set her coffee down and looked hard at Josiah. "Amber was definitely on the make, and she wasn't afraid to steal you away from Tessa. I can't see her giving up that easily. What were you doing while Tessa was playing in the snow?"

"Watching her."

Trinity was silent; the only sound was the bacon sizzling in the pan.

"I like Tessa, Josiah. She fits in well. Don't screw it up."

"I don't plan to," Josiah said, sipping his coffee. "And I hope no one else does either."

"What does that mean?" Trinity's eyes narrowed.

"Simply that she told me that Rita told her we were desperate, and now that's the only reason she thinks we hired her."

"You hired her!" Trinity reminded him. "Perhaps you weren't clear as to the reasons why you hired her, and that's on you. I'm sure that it was taken out of context. Rita's not a mean person."

"No, Rita's not a mean person, but Tessa is a sensitive person."

"And we should walk on eggshells around her?" Trinity demanded, just as Levi cracked an egg. Trinity was not impressed and shot him a look.

"No, that's not what I'm saying, Trinity." Josiah took a deep breath. "For reasons I promised not to divulge, there is a good chance she could choose to go home. I want to ensure that we keep her as happy as possible and let her know that we all value her so she chooses to stay. I agree with you, Trinity. She fits and has some great ideas."

Trinity took her cup over to the sink and rinsed it. "I have to go."

Josiah and Levi watched her gather her things and leave.

"Don't be mad at her, son. She's very protective of those she loves, and she loves Rita." Levi said as she carried their plates of food to the island and sat next to Josiah.

"I'm not mad at her, but I think she's mad at me." Josiah shook his head. Things hadn't been the same since their fight about Levi, just before the plane accident when Levi was flying down to Georgia to get Trinity back.

"Son, I know you better than anyone, and you haven't been yourself lately. What's going on?"

"Feelings, Dad. So many feelings. How did you know you were falling for Trinity?" Josiah pushed his food around his plate.

"Easy, I thought about her more than anything else. I imagined a future with her. I craved to be near her and felt alive again when I was." Levi kept eating and didn't look at Josiah, making it easier to share. "Is that what you feel?"

"Not exactly, but I am seeing the world differently," Josiah admitted. That and a strong attraction like he had never felt before.

"Like a beautiful view?" Levi asked, nodding, knowing the answer before Josiah could answer. "Be patient with yourself, Josiah. You never saw love when you were a kid; it might be harder for you to recognize or totally different for you than it was for me, but seeing the world in a new way seems like a good start." Levi clapped him on the shoulder. "But Trinity's right. Don't screw it up with Tessa. Whatever you decide, be very sure of your decision. We need her." Then he picked up his plate and carried it to the sink.

"Tessa had a few ideas about the cabins. She's going to meet with you about them soon. Will you keep an open mind?" Josiah asked.

"Yes, Trinity's filled me in a little, and if you are both intrigued by it, I'm certain I will be too."

Josiah watched Levi leave the kitchen as he picked up his plate of half-eaten food.

They were right. He needed to dismiss any potential feelings for Tessa. They needed her too much, and none of them would forgive him if he screwed it up, which his lack of experience in love would assuredly make him do.