A Family Found Read Free

discourteous. “Until tomorrow,” he echoed, then thanked the Hurlburts and went to the barn to mount his horse, all the while thinking,
Never was there an unlikelier mountain adventurer.
    * * *
    Sophie turned to reenter the house, momentarily flustered by Mr. Tate Lockwood, whose tall, muscular body had towered over hers and whose dark brown eyes seemed to drink her in. Yet
acerbic
was the only word that came to mind to describe his personality. Although he hadn’t come right out and said it, it was obvious he thought her upcoming stay in the mountains was the height of folly. It was as if he deliberately withheld his superior knowledge of the place, hoping she would learn the hard way the arrogance of her expectations. Well, she’d show him—and all the other doubters.
    â€œDid you enjoy Mr. Lockwood?” Effie hovered at her elbow.
    â€œI’m not sure
enjoy
is the best word.”
    â€œWhat is, do you think?”
    â€œHe was
interesting
maybe, or...” Sophie floundered.
    â€œA bit brittle perhaps?”
    â€œCertainly self-contained.” Sophie frowned. “He doesn’t want to take me.”
    Effie sighed. “I suppose not. But he’s right, dear, it’s a harsh environment.”
    â€œI think that may be exactly what I need.”
    Behind them Robert locked the door. “I’m off to read, ladies. Good night. Sophie, I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Effie put an arm around her shoulders. “Would you have time for another cup of tea?”
    â€œI would welcome one.”
    In the kitchen, Effie bustled with the kettle, her back turned to where Sophie sat at the table. “The past still weighs you down, then?”
    â€œI doubt it shall ever leave me, but I am determined to quit living in the limbo of my regrets.”
    â€œIs Estes Park the answer?” Effie set the cups down and took a seat.
    â€œI know it sounds ridiculous, but I truly think it may be. I need a new place. One where my lungs fill with fresh air and my eyes are dazzled...”
    â€œAre you running away or running toward, I wonder.”
    Sophie watched the steam rise from her tea. Outside a dog barked. “In truth, a bit of both.” She took a warming sip. “I love my family, but I couldn’t stay in Cottonwood Falls, as much as the Flint Hills are my heart’s home. To watch Caleb and Lily together, so happy and fulfilled by little Mattie and Harmony. To live in the same house with Rose and Seth, the dearest souls on earth, and envy their luck with Alf and little Andy was stifling. All the time knowing what I’d had and lost, never to regain. I caught myself becoming resentful, self-pitying and, worse, angry with God.”
    â€œI’m so sorry, dear.”
    â€œThen whenever I saw that beautiful new courthouse, where every single stone had passed through my Charlie’s hands, I...I...” She swiped at her eyes, then laughed derisively. “Well, you see, then. Something had to change. I have to change.” Clearing her throat, she went on. “I’ve always enjoyed reading travel articles and books, and descriptions of the Rocky Mountains captivated me. Then one day, sitting in church, I heard these words as if for the first time, ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.’ And I knew. I had to come here. Thanks to dear Caleb, I have been led to you and the major and your loving hospitality.”
    Effie cupped her drink in both hands. “I know some of your story from Caleb, but you’ve never spoken of your Charlie.”
    Sophie wondered if she was able to bare her soul. After a moment of thought it became clear to her that doing so was an essential part of this journey upon which she was embarking.
    She fortified herself with a gulp of tea before beginning. “My Charlie. He
was
mine. I was his. He came out of the blue, as if God-sent. Who would suppose a master stonemason