Havelock rose early in the morning impressed with how cold the weather had turned. The windows at the bed and breakfast were frosted over and the fireplace down stairs was roaring. Fastening his coat he stepped out to the stables to prepare the surrey. The search for Pleasant Day seemed to be taking them in circles until they finally ended up in Maryland. By now everyone was tired and disappointed and Asmund had voiced that it was perhaps time for them to go home. Margaret-Gay; however, thought otherwise and her choice won out in the end.

Opening the barn door he was happy to be stepping out of the wind. With the way things were going they could easily be in for an early snow. "Morning," he greeted the horses as he removed their blankets. "You ready to get back on the road." Going over to the wagon he unloaded a bag of oats and poured it in the feed trough for the horses to eat. "Your breakfast almost looks better than mine." He smiled and petted the horse behind its ear."

"How soon can she be ready?"

Havelock turned to see Margaret-Gar walk determinedly into the barn a little surprised that she had gotten through her large breakfast so quickly. "As soon as they finish their oats I'll hook them up," he said.

"Good," Margaret said wrapping her arms around herself.

"Mrs. Blanche, we don't exactly know where to go next," Havelock said. "The owner didn't recognize the photograph and there weren't any other guests to ask."

"Henry thinks we should try again at the station and the post," Margaret said. "We are getting close I can feel it." She grabbed his arm. "Please have faith in me."

Havelock looked into her brown eyes and gave a nod.

"Thank you," Margaret said. "Well I had better tell Henry and Asmund to hurry along."

Havelock had to smile as she left the barn. The woman was committed to the task at hand he had to admit. Walking around the horse he checked its body and legs to make sure it was fit to travel. As he came upon the last leg a shriek from outside the barn sent him running to the door. Outside on the wet grass he found Margaret on her hands and knees clutching her stomach and groaning.

"Help me up!"

Havelock hurried over to her and helped her to her feet. "Are you able to walk?"

"I think so," Margaret said then chuckled. "Henry is always warning me to stop running being this heavy."

Havelock helped inside the house feeling the much preferred warmth from the hearth as soon as they walked in. The short old woman who owned the operation was the first to meet them as they came in.

"What happened?"

"She fell," Havelock answered.

The words sent Henry and Asmund running and Margaret was passed off to her husband who helped her upstairs to the bedroom with the old woman to aid them.

"Well that does it," Asmund said going back into the kitchen. "We've been at this for over a month without incident, something was bound to happen."

"I think she'll be all right," Havelock said.

"Let's hope so," Asmund said picking up his plate and putting it in the sink. "Either way I think it's time we called this thing off." He lowered his voice. "May could be dead and they have no way of reaching us."

Havelock looked out the window.

"The snows will be here soon," Asmund said. "And by the looks of it they will be early. We don't want to be trapped here."

"I could telegram home," Havelock suggested.

"To who?" Asmund asked. "Do you really want Baldwin to know where we are at this point?"

"He's not the enemy," Havelock said. "All Mrs. Blanche has done this whole trip is speak ill of him."

"I know you have a strong attachment..."

"He's our brother."

"I know," Asmund admitted. "Maybe I was not that close to him growing up but I do care about him. I only don't agree with the way he has done a few things. And as for Mrs. Blanche, well put yourself in her shoes."

Havelock crossed his arms. "Her shoes are ridiculous."

Asmund laughed. "Maybe," he said.

"Well it doesn't look like we'll be leaving today," Havelock said looking up at the ceiling. "I'd better get Hedwig and Erma's blankets back on."

As Asmund watched his older brother go he wasn't surprised he was conflicted. He had always felt closer to Baldwin than the rest of them. It often seemed that Baldwin was the only person Havelock ever let in.

Erma raised her confused head as Havelock stepped back into the barn. "We won't be going anywhere today, girls," he picked up a brush, taking it to her thickening coat. "Don't worry we'll have you back home soon." He lifted her muzzle and smiled at her. "And Pleasant too." When he had finished brushing them he fastened the blankets back on then mucked out the little mess they had made in the stall. Filling the wheelbarrow he dumped it around the back of the barn onto an old pile.

Returning the wheelbarrow to its place in the barn he rubbed his hands together against the cold before stepping back outside. Halfway to the house he felt someone ram into him and hook their arm around his neck.

"Hello, little brother!" Espen said as Havelock struggled against him. With a laugh he let him go.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Havelock demanded rubbing his neck.

"I followed you," Espen said. "Don't look so surprised. Henry isn't cut out for this sort of thing and by now Margaret-Gay must be driving you all mad."

Havelock shrugged.

"So...Maryland... Any leads?"

Havelock turned to the house. "We were pointed this direction but no one around here has seen her," he said.

"Have you checked back at the station?"

"We were going to but Mrs. Blanche had a fall."

"Is she all right?" Espen asked. "Is the child all right?"

Havelock shrugged. "Mr. Blanche and Mrs. Hawks who owns the place took her upstairs."

Espen rolled his eyes. "You ought to show more concern for people, Havelock," he said. "You're starting to remind me of Dick."

"And you shouldn't be so anxious about another man's wife," Havelock retorted quickening his pace.

Espen laughed. "Is that how it's going to be, Baldwin the second?"

Havelock paused on the back porch and returned to the steps. "First I'm Cedric then I'm Baldwin, what the heck is all that supposed to mean?"

"It means you walk around like you have a cactus stuck up your-"

"Need I remind you which one of us is the black sheep of the family?"

"My God," Espen shook his head. "My God you sound just like him! I figured it couldn't be a onetime thing; that at least one more of us had to be heartless. With Baldwin I can find excuses; there is the whole issue with Johann but you Havelock...I just don't understand."

"Go home, Espen," Havelock said turning back to the door.

"I didn't come all this way for my little brother to order me home," Espen said coming up on the steps. "I'm here to help find Miss Day."

Havelock scoffed. "You of all people."

"Those were different times."

"Tell that to her," Havelock said. "I really don't see how you think you can help at this point."

"You're a hypocrite, Havelock," Espen said. "You condemn me for a few thoughtless jabs in the past but you defend Baldwin who broke her heart and sent her away."

"You're the biggest hypocrite I have ever known!" Havelock fired back. "Where shall I start? How about how you tried to prevent Pleasant from becoming a teacher. You went against Father and Baldwin at every turn. Yet you had no problem being friendly to Mrs. Blanche."

"That is different."

"Really?" Havelock asked. "Because I'm just wondering, Espen if that child is going to be born half white." Havelock watched the anger rush his brother's face and he braced himself for a fight.

The backdoor suddenly opened and Asmund stepped out. "I thought I heard your voice!" he said hugging Espen. "You followed us?"

Espen looked at Havelock whose green eyes were still glaring at him. "I just wanted to make sure everyone was safe."

Asmund laughed. "Since when? Come inside I'll get you something warm and introduce you to Mrs. Hawks."

Havelock soon found himself alone on the porch. He never even realized he could have such a temper. He felt the sudden urge to return home come over him but just as quickly it was gone. He had to find Pleasant. He had to do it for May. As the early flaky white spirits came down in the yard he turned his back on the idea of leaving and went into the house.

/

As the front door opened Baldwin took a deep breath. He was relieved to see Susanna's face though it was drawn. "Thank you for receiving me," he said as he removed his hat.

"Well Miss May wanted to see you," Susanna said. "Considering the circumstances I thought it appropriate.

Baldwin nodded as he removed his gloves. It had been many years since he had been at Tucker House.

"I'll show you up," Susanna said going ahead of him on the stairs. She went into May first then returned for Baldwin. "She's ready for you."

Hat in hands, Baldwin entered the room happy that it took on the warm morning sun.

"Mr. Monhollen," May greeted from her bed. "I am so glad you made it."

Baldwin nodded absently. He didn't know how to look at the young woman.

"Please have a seat," May said setting aside a sewing needle and patches.

Baldwin looked to Susanna who nodded from where she sat across the room. Pulling up a chair he took a seat next to the bed keeping his head down.

"You are sad."

Baldwin brought his head up slightly. "Me?" he scoffed. "I'm doing fine."

May reached out a delicate hand and pushed his broke free bangs aside. "You are certainly sad. Why?"

Swallowing a lump, Baldwin looked up. "I am not sad," he said unable to hide the reddening of his eyes or the tremble in his voice. "I heard...I heard you are unwell."

"I am," May said. "But I shall feel much better when I see Pleasant again. I heard Margaret swore to me that she would bring her back." She lifted the quilt she had been working on so he could see it. The heavy blue fabric rolled out before him decorated with white stars save for a pattern of yellow ones that made up the Big Dipper. "It is for Pleasant. I will give it to her when she returns."

"You think she will?"

"She will and I shall see her again."

"She will never forgive me."

"You don't know Pleasant."

Baldwin shook his head. "I could never forgive myself."

May smiled and touched his hand. "She'll decide that too."

Baldwin looked down at the blanket before them. "It's a beautiful quilt."

"Thank you," May said. Gathering the folds she located a yellow star at the end of the dipper. "This one is you."

Baldwin gave a weak laugh. "I'm so far away." He nodded his head. "Pleasant is going to love the quilt."

"You can win," May said. "Whatever it is you are fighting against you can win."

"You think so?"

May nodded as she folded the quilt. "When I consider the existence of day and the stars tonight I believe anything is possible."

Baldwin smiled as he stood. "I'll remember that," he said. "Thanks for having me." He nodded to Susanna then showed himself out. As he crossed the yard to his horse he paused at the sight of the familiar white stallion before him and its grinning rider.

"Better watch your step right there," Dick said causing Baldwin to pause. "Machine dropped a load."

After safely navigating to his horse Baldwin climbed into the saddle and trotted over to his cousin. "What are you doing here?"

"Asking you the same question."

"I came on a visit," Baldwin said.

"That meddling woman isn't back yet is she?" Dick asked. "You must be so angry at Asmund and Havelock for taking them after her, and now Espen is gone off too and Minas was the one who suggested it. You must really be cross with Minas."

Baldwin turned his horse. "No," he said and started away. "I'm on my way to see him right now. I have a little something I picked up for my nephew."

Dick scoffed. "What do you care about him for, he's got a father?"

Baldwin shrugged. "I've taken a liking to him I suppose," he said as his horse walked on.

Dick reined his horse. "And what am I supposed to do? Alice doesn't exactly like me."

"Go home and try not to mess anything up," Baldwin said. Waving his cousin away he pushed house into a gallop.

Behind him Dick sheathed. He had grown tired of Natt Fristad and decided then that it was time to move on before he indeed made a mess of things.