From his perch high up in the cab, Lucas couldn’t hear a word she said. He brought the machine to a stop and turned off the engine. She called out to him again. “Huh? I can’t hear you, Mom.” He hopped down from the cab. “What did you say?” She put her hands on her hips and looked around. “You know, this road can wait. Your brothers can finish it up before winter.” He shook his head. “No, I want to get it done. These ruts are hazardous, especially when the road gets wet. I don’t like you driving on it in bad weather.” She took his arm. “Well, I appreciate it, I do, but you worry me, son. You haven’t stopped moving since the day you came back. You barely even sit still for a meal.” Lucas couldn’t stop. If he stopped he’d think. When he thought he thought about Sydney Blake. He wondered what she was doing. How big the baby was getting. If she had enough help to move the cows up to the high country. He wondered if she thought of him. If he invaded her dreams the way she did his every single night.
