She had survived without him.
Jack had to learn her again.
And she had to learn him.
They argued.
They cried.
Sometimes Lucy became furious.
“You should have found me!”
The first time she shouted it, Jack went white.
Then Lucy began sobbing.
“I know you thought I was dead.”
Jack held her.
“I should’ve questioned it.”
“How?”
“I don’t know.”
“You were sick.”
“I know.”
“Then stop apologizing!”
He stared.
“You sound like your mother.”
Lucy smiled through tears.
“Was she difficult?”
“Terrible.”
“Good.”
They laughed until both cried.
Spring came.
Snow disappeared from the pasture.
Gracie followed Jack everywhere.
“Where are you going?”
“Barn.”
“Why?”
“Horse.”
“Why?”
“To check his leg.”
“Why?”
Jack closed his eyes.
“Sarah!”
From the porch came laughter.
Gracie climbed into his arms.
“Daddy Jack?”
The name had become her solution.
Not Papa.
That belonged to Matthew.
Not Mr. Callahan.
Too formal.
Daddy Jack.
The first time she said it intentionally, Sarah held her breath.
Jack smiled.
“Yeah, bug?”
“Can I come?”
“Always.”
That evening, Sarah found him repairing the porch.
“You know she remembers Matthew.”
“I hope she does.”
“She calls you Daddy Jack because she loves you. Not because she forgot him.”
Jack hammered another nail.
“I know.”
“She doesn’t need you to replace him.”
Jack looked up.
“I know.”
“What do you need?”
He put the hammer down.
“You.”
Sarah went very still.
Jack rose.
“I don’t mean because you cook.”
“That’s fortunate because you still owe me wages.”
He smiled.
“I mean I wake up and listen for your footsteps.”
Sarah’s eyes glistened.
“I mean when something good happens, you’re who I want to tell.”
He stepped closer.
“I mean I spent six years believing loving someone again would betray Mary.”
Sarah whispered, “And now?”
“Now I think Mary would kick me straight through that fence if she saw how long it took.”
Sarah laughed through tears.
Jack removed something from his pocket.
Not Mary’s ring.
He had considered it.
Then decided against it.
Mary’s ring belonged to Mary.
Instead, Jack had bought a simple silver band from Mrs. Parker.
He held it out.
“Sarah Collins, would you consider making my life significantly louder?”
She stared.
“That is the worst proposal I have ever heard.”
“It’s my first.”
“Try again.”
Jack sighed.
Then lowered himself onto one knee.
“Sarah, I loved Mary.”
“I know.”
“I always will.”
“I know.”
“I love Lucy.”
“I would hope so.”
“I love Gracie.”
Sarah began crying.
Jack’s voice softened.
“And somewhere between burnt biscuits, paper stars, blizzards, impossible letters, and you ordering me around my own ranch…”
Sarah laughed.
“I fell in love with you.”
He swallowed.
“Will you marry me?”
Sarah looked toward the open doorway.
Lucy and Gracie were peeking from behind the curtain.
Both vanished instantly.
Sarah shook her head.
Then looked at Jack.
“Yes.”
Gracie exploded from the house.
“She said yes!”
Lucy followed.
“You were supposed to wait!”
“I forgot!”
Jack laughed as both girls crashed into them.
