Chapter 41
Company at the Door
The sun had risen higher by the time Sam eased himself back inside. The warmth of the kitchen wrapped around him, a welcome contrast to the crisp air outside. Tessa had put the kettle back on, humming absently as she wiped the counter.
Eli tromped in behind him, shaking off snow. “Isaac got the hammer back. Mostly. Pike’ll be proud.”
Sam smiled. “Did he fall in?”
“Just up to his elbows,” Eli said, grinning. “But he didn’t panic. You should’ve seen him.”
Isaac slipped in after, sleeves dripping, cheeks flushed with triumph. “It was cold,” he said, matter-of-fact. “But I got it.”
“You did good,” Sam said.
Isaac straightened. Praise still startled him, but he held onto it this time instead of shrinking from it.
A knock sounded at the front door—two knocks, firm but not loud.
Tessa brushed her hands on her apron. “I’ll get it.”
Sam moved to follow, but Scout cut him off again, stepping in front of him like a four-legged wall. Sam sighed, rubbing the dog’s head. “I’m fine.”
Scout didn’t budge.
Tessa opened the door to a gust of cold air—and Abby, bundled in her dark green coat, cheeks rosy.
“Morning,” Abby said, smiling warmly as she stepped inside. “Thought I’d check on my brothers before the weather turns.”
Behind her came Rafe, tall and steady, a basket in one hand and an amused glint in his eye.
Sam stiffened out of habit—Rafe always saw too much—but Rafe only nodded and held out the basket.
“Jo sent this,” he said. “She’s got Reed running errands in town, so she made enough food to feed the whole valley out of nerves.”
Tessa accepted the basket, lifting the cloth to reveal warm rolls, roast slices, and a jar of blackberry preserves. “Please thank her,” she said. “This will help a lot.”
“Where is he?” Abby asked, scanning the room before her gaze landed on Sam.
She walked straight to him, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed his cheek. “You look better today.”
Sam flushed, ducking his head. “I’m getting there.”
Abby studied him a moment longer, satisfied when Scout leaned against Sam’s leg as if confirming the statement.
Rafe clapped Sam on the shoulder—gently, because everyone knew Sam was still sore. “You need anything fixed around here, just holler. Ben and Cal are just finishing the fence on our end.”
“We’re fine,” Sam said. “Tessa has everything under control.”
Tessa paused at the stove, caught by surprise, color rising to her cheeks. Abby’s eyes widened slightly—then softened—seeing what Sam didn’t know he’d revealed.
Before anyone could comment, boots thudded on the porch again and someone knocked once, quick.
Tessa opened the door to find Jesse, breath puffing in the cold, hat askew.
“I brought more firewood,” Jesse said, shifting the bundle in his arms. “Cal said Sam shouldn’t be carrying any yet.”
Eli perked up. “Jesse! Come in.”
Jesse stepped inside, stamping snow off his boots. When he spotted Isaac, his face lit. “Hey. You settlin’ in all right?”
Isaac nodded quickly, not hiding behind anyone this time. “Eli showed me the trough.”
Jesse raised his brows in approval. “That’s a good start.”
Isaac beamed.
Abby crossed to Tessa’s side. “How are you holding up? Really?”
Tessa blinked, surprised anyone had asked her. “I’m… all right. Better now that the boys are safe. And Sam’s healing.”
Abby touched her arm gently. “You’ve done good work here. More than you know.”
Sam watched the exchange, a lump forming in his throat. Abby wasn’t just complimenting her—she was welcoming her. Folding her into the family without needing Sam to declare a thing.
Eli and Jesse guided Isaac toward the hearth, where Jesse began teaching him how to stack kindling properly. Isaac watched every movement like it was a secret skill.
Rafe bent to scratch Scout’s ears. “Boy’s taken to Isaac already,” he said quietly to Sam.
“Isaac’s trying hard,” Sam replied. “More than he needs to.”
“Then teach him he doesn’t need to,” Rafe said simply.
Sam nodded, absorbing the words.
Tessa placed a pot of tea on the table. “Everyone, sit. You’re letting the cold in.”
Abby laughed and ushered them all toward the chairs. “As bossy as Jo,” she teased.
Tessa went still. “I—I didn’t mean—”
“No,” Abby said warmly, “that was a compliment. Our family needs more women willing to tell stubborn men to sit down and drink tea.”
Tessa flushed but smiled.
Sam’s gaze met hers across the table, something gentle and unspoken passing between them.
Eli, oblivious, plopped into the nearest chair. “Sam, can Isaac help me check the chicken coop later? He did good with the hammer.”
Isaac looked up sharply, waiting for Sam’s answer—not fearful, but hopeful.
“Sure,” Sam said. “Long as you both take Scout with you.”
Scout wagged his tail, ready for his next assignment.
Isaac grinned. “Okay.”
Abby leaned toward Sam, lowering her voice. “You’re doing a good job.”
Sam shook his head. “I’m not doing anything special.”
“Yes,” Abby whispered, “you are.”
He looked away, embarrassed, but the warmth in his chest stayed.
Jesse poured himself a cup of tea awkwardly, trying to mimic Eli’s casual stance. Rafe helped him settle the kettle without spilling, and Jesse murmured a grateful “sir”, even though Rafe always told him not to.
Tessa watched the whole table—Sam quiet, Abby glowing, Rafe steady, Eli animated, Isaac relaxed, Jesse trying hard not to look proud—and something eased inside her chest.
This wasn’t just Sam’s home anymore.
It was becoming theirs.
Rafe stood after a while, brushing snow from his coat. “We’ll head back before the storm rolls in. But holler if you need anything.”
Abby hugged Eli, kissed Sam’s forehead, and squeezed Tessa’s hand in parting.
Jesse lingered a moment. “I’ll come by tomorrow. Pike says I should practice tracking in the snow. Maybe Eli and Isaac can learn too.”
Isaac’s eyes went wide with excitement. “Really?”
“Sure,” Jesse said. “If Sam says it’s okay.”
Sam nodded. “That’d be good for them.”
After they left and the house quieted, Tessa moved to clear the cups. Sam rose to help.
“You sit,” she said, hands on her hips.
“I’m fine.”
“But you’re dizzy,” she said gently. “I can tell.”
His breath caught—she said it with such quiet certainty, no judgment, just care.
“I’ll sit if you sit,” he countered.
Tessa blinked at him, startled… then smiled faintly. “All right. Deal.”
They sat together at the smaller kitchen table, close enough that Sam could feel the warmth of her sleeve brushing his.
“I like your family,” Tessa admitted softly.
“They like you,” he said, just as soft.
Tessa lowered her eyes. “I’m not sure I deserve that.”
Sam’s heart twisted. “You do. More than you know.”
When she dared to look up, the emotion in her eyes was steady and unguarded.
Not courtship yet.
Not a promise.
But something undeniably moving toward it.
Scout settled at their feet, sighing deeply as if content with the shape their lives were taking.
And Sam, for the first time since the kidnapping, felt the day stretch out in front of him not as something to endure, but something to look forward to.