An Unexpected Love (The Colorado Brides Series Book 5) by Carré White

There’s nothin’ more we can do here anyhow.”
    “We gave it our all,” said Samuel, who had a streak of coal tar across his face. “It was an uphill battle from the start. It’s almost impossible to fight Mother Nature.”
    “Indeed it is,” agreed one of the workers. “Let’s pray the cold weather kills off the eggs. There won’t be any pests left next year.”
    “Darn straight there won’t,” agreed a man in a red calico shirt.
    “Go on home then,” said Nathan. “Go clean up and have your supper. I’ve kept you long enough. Thank you again for all the help.”
    It was sad that our efforts had failed, and that Nathan and Hannah would lose their crop. Feeling dejected and fatigued, I met Fanny and Jack by the wagon, as Mary and Susanna clambered onboard.
    “Well, that’s it then,” said Fanny. “I wonder if they’re in our field?”
    “We’ll find out soon enough.”
    “What a travesty,” said Mary. “All that work.” There was dirt smudged on her nose.
    “Will we have to go to school tomorrow?” asked Susanna. “I think there’s tar in my hair, and I don’t know how to remove it.”
    “Please don’t make us go to school, Fanny,” implored Peter. “I’m all tuckered out now. I could sleep for twenty hours straight.”
    Fanny glanced over her shoulder. “I…don’t know. You’ve already missed two days.”
    “We’ll make up the work on the weekend,” said Connor.
    “Let’s go home,” said Jack. “We’ll see how we feel later. We might need a day off to help with the laundry.”
    Mrs. Hoffman brought out Thomas, who fussed. “Here he is. His underthings are clean now.”
    “Oh, thank you so much,” said Fanny, holding out her hands. “You’ve been so kind to watch him, mother.”
    Mrs. Hoffman looked wilted, as her cap hung limply upon graying hair. “It’s been a trial for everyone, I’m afraid. We occupied the little ones the best we could. We made cookies and built blockhouses. They played together very well. This one is a little scamp, but he was a doll.”
    “He’s at that age where they tear into everything.”
    “Oh, yes.” She smiled kindly. “You’ve been so helpful. I watched you from the window. Your girls worked tirelessly without complaint. I’m proud of all of you.”
    Hannah approached. “Now I have to make supper. Heavens above, what a day. Thank you all so much for the help.”
    “We’ll see you on Sunday.” Fanny patted Thomas’s backside. “Now stop fussing.” The toddler cried, rubbing his eyes. “He’s tired.”
    “Tell Nathan we said goodbye,” said Jack.
    “I will. He’s still digging trenches.” Hannah squinted into the distance. “It’s all over, but he hasn’t accepted it. Not all seasons are meant to be good, I suppose.”
    Mrs. Hoffman put her arm around her daughter. “We have plenty to see us through. What we don’t have He will provide. None of us are sick or injured. We’re all here together, forging ahead in this brave new world. That’s the only thing that matters.”
    Hannah nodded. “True.”
    It was heartening how the Hoffman family had pulled together to help Nathan and Hannah, although they hadn’t been successful. The longer I was in their presence, the more I felt in communion with them. As we ambled out of the yard, I scanned the fields, which appeared green beneath the grayish haze, although the grasshoppers continued to make a meal out of each leaf and stalk. The damage had been done. The dress I wore was a reminder that I could have gone up in flames myself today, and I had. If it weren’t for Ryan, I might have been badly burned. We had indeed been lucky today.
    The wagon slowed. “What is it?” asked Fanny. “Is there a problem with the axle?”
    “I don’t know.” Jack seemed perplexed, glancing over his shoulder. “What is he doing?”
    Being in the rear with my brothers and sisters, I wasn’t able to see what was happening, but movement caught my eye, as someone ran towards us. It