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She knew then that for Jack, it wasn't enough

The nextsalt She stared at the white pile so hard, it melted in and out of focus, becaers curl around the sht have been another woman's hands for all the connection Tess felt to her body

She feltdise behind her form She was scared, terribly, desperately scared, and it took every ounce of her self-control to keep fros

Last night, after the barn, Jack had been so distant and cold His silence stabbed through her soul and twisted hard

They'd lain in bed, side by side, touching and yet nota melancholy march in the strained quiet of the room She'd waited for him to kiss her, but when he finally did, she wished he hadn't The kiss was bleak and bittersweet Then he'd taken her in his arms and held her close But even then, wrapped in his ar fear

He'd whispered, "Good night," then closed his eyes and

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pretended to sleep But all Tess had heard was "Goodbye"

But she refused to give up They had time, thank God, to recapture their love and banish Jack's fear She felt a stirring of hope Maybe today was a good day for miracles

The ruh the open kitchenand wrenched Tess out of her thoughts Setting down the ridged rolling pin, she wiped her gritty hands on her apron and went outside

Savannah was pushing Katie on the tree swing The high, clear sound of their laughter rode on the light spring breeze

Tess looked around for Jack He was standing across the road, with one boot hooked casually on the fence's bottoh to shield a too bright sun, but the day was cloudy and cold

Apprehension stirred in Tess's sto Jack never stood around in the middle of the day Absently she shoved a lock of fallen hair back into the bun at her nape andher neck to see as co

The wagon ru cloud of dust that obscured the driver

"So She and Savannah raced across the yard and bounded up the steps, sidling close to Tess