a step toward Luke. “An Amish proverb teaches ‘Be kind to unkind people. They probably need kindness the most.’”
Spouting proverbs was Maummi’s exclusive domain. Papa rarely weighed in with a wise saying from the deep store that had instructed him his whole life. That he did so now spoke to the strength of his convictions in this situation. Though Emma knew full well he condemned the rustlers’ actions, his compassion for them overrode his condemnation. The Lord would have them feed the hungry, regardless of their sins. Love for her father washed over her like a strong, refreshing breeze on a hot summer day. She caught her breath, waiting for Luke’s response.
His gaze sought hers. “What do you think, Emma?”
He was deferring to her opinion? These were the men who had kidnapped her, and before that they had stolen her family’s belongings. But she could only spare thoughts for Luke. He sought her opinion. Warmth spread through her stomach, and looking away felt like ripping her eyes out of their sockets. But she managed to nod and focus on the task at hand, filling two plates with food.
“Untie one hand each,” Luke told Charlie. “We’re not the barbarians they are.” Then he pointed a fork at Jesse. “But watch them while they eat. If they make a move, you know what to do.”
Jesse grinned and patted the pistol that rested in his lap. “Oh, yeah.”
When Emma had handed two full plates to Charlie for delivery to their prisoners, McCann sidled up to the fire where Maummi stood, an empty plate in his hand. He shuffled his feet and blustered for a moment before he managed to speak.
“I don’t like people going through my things.” His voice growled. “But those were the best hotcakes I ever ate. And I don’t know what you did to those apples on top, but I could eat a whole pot of ’em by themselves.”
Maummi busied her hands with pulling the hot griddle off the coals and setting it aside to cool. “That’s a nice griddle,” she admitted, nodding toward it. “A good cook arms himself with good tools.”
Emma nearly choked. That was as close to a compliment as Maummi was likely to give.
McCann cleared his throat. “We’re going to be pushing hard today. By the time we stop tonight, the men are liable to have a roaring appetite. I’d appreciate a hand rustling up the evening meal, if you’ve a mind.”
She cast a narrow-eyed sideways look up at him. “Too many cooks in a kitchen step on each other’s toes.”
For a moment, Emma thought she’d pushed him too far. He drew himself upright, glanced down at the steaming pot of stewed apples, and then let out a breath. “Then it’s a good thing we have the whole outdoors to cook in. Plenty of space for both of us.”
A smile twitched Maummi’s lips as she scraped the scraps from the skillet. She gave a curt nod. “A good thing indeed.”
Emma released her breath. A compromise reached, and a hesitant partnership formed. She found herself looking forward to whatever concoction the two of them paired up to create this evening.
As the men scraped their plates clean, Luke sidled up to the fire to stand beside her. “Are you and your sister planning to lend a hand with the herd today?”
She concentrated on her empty plate. Better to avoid eye contact than to turn an embarrassingly adoring gaze on him. “Do you need us?”
“It’s going to be a hard day.” His answer was vague, as though he didn’t want to impose.
Charlie approached to hand her his empty plate, and she smiled her thanks to him. When she turned from setting it in the dishpan near her feet, Luke grabbed her hand, forcing her to look up at him.
“I need you,” he said, his voice low and insistent.
A storm erupted inside her rib cage. From the delving gaze that bore into hers, she knew he referred to more than his need for another cowhand for his expanded herd. Somewhere behind her, she was aware that Papa watched, his stare a weight that dragged her soaring heart back to the ground.
She snatched her hand away and busied herself with the dishes. “If you need us, Luke, then of course we will help.”
He didn’t move but stood silently beside her, watching her work. Maybe he was listening to the thudding of her heart, which pounded in her ears like Indian war drums. He stood so close she could smell the earthy