Chapter 33: Chapter 33

“Otter! Matthew! What are you doing here? Where are Lucas and Helen?”

When neither of us answered, John’s grin died, and a glimmer of fear lit his clever black eyes. He grew solemn. We rode the rest of the way in silence.

Cuthan and Alex walked in from the field to greet us in the yard. Mary was still wiping her hands on an apron as she stepped out onto the porch with the girls. Mouth-watering aromas spilled from the house.

Their cheerful greetings fell away when I explained what had happened. Mary immediately took charge of settling Matthew into the household. As the family had grown, Cuthan converted the western porthern of the house into bedrooms for the children. This newest addition to the family would room with John, who was elated. Matthew was less so.