across the fire. “But then he got a chance to ride along on a cattle drive back when I was seven or eight. He took to the trail and wasn’t home much after that. Grandma helped Ma raise me and my brothers. We worked hard on that farm.”
While he talked, he picked up a stick and scratched absently in the dirt they had cleared around their campfire. Emma watched his profile. His eyes grew distant with memories, and the hint of a smile played around his lips.
“Do you miss farm life?” she asked.
Her question jerked him out of his reverie. He gave a quick shrug. “Sometimes.”
“What happened to your farm?” Papa asked.
“The bank took it.” The words were clipped through tight lips. “That’s when I joined up with my pa on my first cattle drive. I’ve been riding the beef ever since.” He tossed the stick into the fire.
An ache tugged at Emma’s heart at the idea of losing his family’s farm. When he stopped being a cowboy, where would he go if he had no home? Her gaze was drawn to the drawing he’d etched in the dirt. At the top, a half circle pointing downward with lines radiating from the outside. Below, a smaller half circle faced up.
“What is this?” she asked.
He looked at the drawing as though startled to see it there. “A silly sketch. When I was younger I had plans to buy a farm one day and raise my own herd. You’ve seen the Triple Bar brand on the cattle in my herd?” Emma nodded. “That’s Mr. Hancock’s brand, and it’s pretty plain. I always wanted something different. I wasted hours designing a brand for my cattle.” He pointed to the top circle. “That’s a sun, and that,” his finger indicated the smaller inside circle, “is a C on its back, called a lazy C. My grandma used to tease me when I was a boy.” He stiffened his back and adopted a high-pitched tone. “‘Luke Carson, the sun done risen over your head, you lazy boy. Git up outta that bed.’” He laughed. “She knew I used to stay in bed on purpose to rile her.”
Everyone joined in with a chuckle, even Maummi. A glance at her face revealed a softer expression than Emma had seen her display for Luke yet. The comment sounded so much like something Maummi would say, full of honeyed vinegar. Sharp, but with the sweetness of love to tone down the bitter taste.
Luke picked up his hat and climbed to his feet. When he stood, he swept his boot in the dirt and blotted out the sketch. Emma wasn’t sure anyone had noticed except her. Something about the finality of the unobtrusive motion saddened her.
“I need to get back. I don’t want Griff thinking I’ve left him to stand guard alone.” He set the hat on his head, and nodded toward Rebecca. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”
She climbed to her feet and dipped into a polite curtsey. “Thank you for the cakes.”
“Glad you liked them.” He offered a hand to Maummi. “I enjoyed meeting you, ma’am. I hope you get those scratches out of your hutch.”
“Danki, Mr. Carson. The Lord keep you safe on your travels.”
When Emma pulled her feet beneath her to rise, Luke turned to help her stand. She stared at the hand he extended. A strong hand, well shaped. She laid her hand inside his, and his fingers wrapped around hers, cradling them like tender arms around a newborn. Throat constricted, she allowed him to pull her to her feet.
“Have a nice life, Miss Switzer.”
The same farewell he’d spoken earlier, only this time the words were gentle, almost whispered. His gaze searched her face, as though memorizing her features, until she felt heat rise up her neck and threaten to flood her cheeks. Thank goodness for the dim orange glow of the firelight that might hide an embarrassing blush.
“You too, Luke.” Gently, she extracted her hand from his and swept it behind her back to clutch it in the other.
He shook hands with Papa. “Safe travels, Jonas. I hope you get to Troyer without any more trouble.”
“We have decided to return home,” Papa told him. “Will you stay in Hays until Wednesday? I will bring your money there.”
At the mention of Luke staying in Hays, a few miles from Apple Grove, Emma’s hopes rose, only to be dashed at Papa’s arrangement to pay back his debt. On the occasions when Papa and the other men