Chapter 2

Luck was on my side. Owen Miller was taking his mule cart to town to sell eggs and offered me a lift.

As we neared the village entrance, I spotted Margaret under the big oak tree, holding court with the neighborhood gossips.

She had eyes like a hawk. Her smile vanished the second she saw me. "Emily! Albert is home alone. What in God's name are you doing out here?"

I was ready. "It's the weekend. I'm going to pick up Sadie."

Her face soured. "Usually, she stays an extra night, and we hitch a ride with whoever's going tomorrow. No need for you to trek all that way. Besides, Albert can't be left alone!"

"Aren't you here? He was so excited hearing you're making braised beef tonight."

I glanced at the cluster of women, their shrewd eyes darting between us. "Plus, I'm picking up some craft supplies for a few side commissions while I'm in town. I'll buy Sadie some treats. A growing girl needs her nutrition."

She wasn't happy, but with everyone watching, she just nodded grudgingly.

As the cart rattled away, I caught the women's praise drifting on the wind.

"Margaret, you hit the jackpot with that one. She is gifted with her hands and work hard, and she's so devoted to your family. Your son won't find a better wife!"

"Pah."

Margaret spat out a sunflower seed husk, dusted off her dress, and headed home. "Capability doesn't matter if she can't pop out a grandson. Just a useless girl so far. What's the point of all that schooling? Just raising a wife for some other family."

One woman teased, "Emily's young. Babies come easy. Seen the midwife? Boy or girl this time?"

Margaret sighed, "If it was a boy, I'd put her on a pedestal!"

Owen dropped me at the school gate since I was heavy with child.

It was mid-afternoon. I begged the guard to fetch the teacher and Sadie.

The white two-story building stood empty under drifting dead leaves.

In my past life, it was late December when the teacher came for a home visit, asking why Sadie had been absent for two days.

I had dragged my crippled leg to town, only for the guard to tell me her "grandmother" had withdrawn her days ago.

I had rushed home to confront Margaret, only to be met by her and James at the village entrance, putting on a show for the neighbors.

"You jinx! Had to go fetch Sadie yourself! You lost your own daughter!" Margaret had screamed.

I couldn't prove a thing.

Time crawled in agonizing wait, each second stretching like eternity.

Finally, around the corner of the building, a girl appeared in a faded, patched blue jacket, a heavy bookbag weighing her down.

It was Sadie, my baby girl.

Her eyes lit up when she saw me. She ran over, breathless. "Mama! What are you doing here? Doc said you need rest."

Sadie had my oval face and big eyes, but her lips were chapped white from the wind, and her little hands were freezing.

My heart shattered. I turned my face away to hide the tears and grabbed her hand.

"Come on, sweetie. We're getting your favorite broccoli cheddar soup, then new clothes."

"Really?" she exclaimed. Joy flashed across her face, followed instantly by fear. "But will Grandma be okay with that?"

"It's fine. I have money."

I gripped the stolen bills in my pocket, squeezed her icy hand, and turned away from the road that led home.

We ordered two big bowls of broccoli cheddar soup. I grabbed her two warm zip-ups, some skincare, the heavy groceries, and a few of her favorite treats. Then, I knocked on the door of my childhood friend, Lana Orwell.

Lana was the rebel of our village. She had broken ties with her family to escape an arranged marriage and lived alone.

She was handy and good at knitting warm socks, towels, and gloves. She even made shoes, making a living by knitting and sewing.

In my past life, when I was laid up in the hospital after the miscarriage, Lana was the only one who brought me food.

Lana laughed, pouring me warm water. "Emily! Did you rob a bank? Running around with that belly? You got a death wish?"

I held the cup, letting the warmth seep into my palms.

The memory of dying alone in the snow and of my unborn baby and Sadie suffering choked me. Tears spilled over.

"Hey! Hey now! What's wrong?"

Lana patted my shoulder. "Is it that old witch Margaret? Is she bullying you because your folks are far away?

"Come on! I'll be your family. Let's go break her legs!"

Sadie hugged my waist, wiping my tears with her small hands.

I stopped Lana, shook my head, and forced a smile. "No, just missed you too much. Got emotional."

I took a breath. "Things are chaotic at home. I need you to watch Sadie for two months."

Lana grinned. "Is that why you're crying? Girl, I'd watch her for two years."

Once Sadie was safe, I found Owen and headed back to the lion's den.