Montana Legend. Jillian Hart

Redding told me she isn’t looking for marriage. In case you have any ideas.”

      “Aw, Pa. I already got ideas.” She leaned her cheek against his arm, all innocence and dreams.

      She’d been too young to remember how it had been, so he didn’t blame her for wishing, but he had to be honest with her. Maybe in time she’d understand.

      He wouldn’t be walking down the aisle a second time.

      Lucy took the basket from him and lugged it into the shanty. Her footsteps faded away, and he was alone on the windblown prairie, staring after a woman in a simple checked dress.

      She grew smaller with distance and still he watched. Her blue skirt became nothing more than a dot on the brown plains, and he could not turn away.

      One thing was sure. When it came to Mrs. Sarah Redding, he’d be wise to keep his distance.