The cook took care of meals, but they often cleaned or did wash, not wanting Matt to waste precious time on the mundane. Gradually, Beth got out of bed less and less. When she did, her gait became unsteady and slower by the day. She spent hours reading to Hope or sitting on the porch swing, watching her daughter play with Rachel and Reyne. She also spent a lot of time talking with Matt about the future—possible problems, situations, “girl things” he would need to know about. Matt took it all in gravely, finally shushing her with tender kisses and cuddling with her on the couch. Those were the times that Reyne would have to look away. She could not bear the thought of Matt without Beth or vice versa. And seeing them together made her ache for Logan’s arms. Logan had been called out to Wyoming the previous week and hadn’t been back since. He tried to call as often as possible, eager for word of Beth, and Reyne was quick to recognize that he was checking on her, too. He was as worried about her as he was about Beth.
