for Grace.”
“Thanks. I know you will.”
When they reached the front door, Rob turned to Garth with a serious look. “Be careful.”
Garth nodded. “I will.”
“I’ll be praying for you.”
“Thanks. I’ll need it, that’s for sure.” Garth gave Rob a brotherly hug and thumped him on the back. They had been through so much together. Soon they’d be parting ways. Garth didn’t want to think about that.
Rob stepped back and looked Garth in eye. “I’ll be storming the gates of heaven for you.”
“I’m counting on it.”
They pushed open the door and walked into the kitchen.
Grace rose from her chair. “What did the doctor say?”
Rob moved to her side and lowered his voice as he relayed the doctor’s parting words and the warning he’d shared.
Garth shifted his gaze away, his thoughts already carrying him down the road toward Tweed and his hopes of finding Emma. Would she be glad to see him, or would she tell him she’d given her heart to another man and turn him away?
Grace carefully lifted the wooden tray filled with steaming coffee cups and a plate of apple-cinnamon muffins she had just taken out of the oven. Their spicy scent tickled her nose and made her mouth water. They looked perfect! She couldn’t wait to offer one to Rob and see his reaction. Maybe this would show him she’d finally mastered some cooking skills.
She walked into the sitting room, where Chester rested on the couch with a pillow beneath his head and a blanket tucked around him. Rob and Mabel sat in the two chairs by the fireplace.
Rob put down the book he was reading and smiled as she came closer. “Something sure smells good.”
Grace’s stomach quivered, and she returned his smile.
Mabel looked up from her knitting and surveyed the tray. “Those muffins look wonderful, Grace. Why don’t you set the tray on the table by the sofa?”
Grace lowered the tray and then held out the plate toward Rob. “I hope you like apple-cinnamon muffins.”
He grinned as he took one. “You bet I do. Thank you, Grace.”
Chester slowly sat up, eyeing the muffins. “I’m not sure my doctor would approve, but I’d like to try one of those.”
Mabel frowned. “Now, Chester, I don’t think that’s the best idea.”
“One muffin is not going to set me back.” He motioned Grace closer. “Bring that plate over here.”
Mabel finally gestured her consent, and Grace held out the plate to Chester. He selected a muffin and nodded his thanks. As Grace turned to serve Mabel, Chester gasped and sputtered. Grace spun around.
Chester’s lips puckered and he held out the muffin, minus one big bite off the side. “Saints alive, Grace! What did you put in these?”
Grace’s thoughts tumbled. What had she done wrong? She’d been so careful to follow every step in the recipe Mabel had written down for her.
Mabel picked up a muffin, took a small bite, then coughed. “Mercy’s sake! How much salt did you add?”
Grace blinked, trying to recall. “Just one spoonful. That’s what your recipe said.”
Mabel’s eyes widened. “One teaspoon, one tablespoon, or one serving spoon?”
Grace’s face flushed. “I’m not sure. I just took a large spoon from the drawer and used that to measure the salt and baking soda.”
“Well, that’s the problem. The recipe calls for one teaspoon of salt, and you put in at least four times that amount.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize the difference.”
Chester tossed his muffin back on the tray. “Well, don’t worry about it, Grace. Any new cook could make a mistake like that. It’s not your fault.” He sighed and settled back on the couch. “It was probably the Lord’s way of reminding me I shouldn’t be eating sweets. The doctor told me they’re not good for my heart, but they smelled so good, it was hard to resist.” He looked her way with a teasing smile. “Next time you make them, use a teaspoon, and then hide them from me.”
“You’re not upset with me?”
Chester laughed. “Upset? Over a batch of muffins? Never!”
Grace glanced at Rob and then Mabel, thinking one of them would scold her for her foolish mistake. But Rob’s eyes glowed, and Mabel’s mouth twitched up at the corner.
Grace blew out a breath. “I suppose the pigs won’t mind salty muffins.”
Mabel’s laughter broke out, and she shook her head. “Oh, Grace, you do beat all!”
Rob chuckled and sent her an approving nod.
Grace finally joined in the laughter, grateful for such kind and accepting friends. They hadn’t scorned her for ruining the muffins. Instead,