They got home well before dark.Β While Joe and Little Joe milked and tended the stock, Anya put Sally in her sling and walked across the meadow down to the creek.Β The cow and calf grazed near the willows, the calf didnβt have to be kept up to protect the milk, though all it enjoyed was its motherβs company since sheβd gone dry.Β Joe hadnβt bothered to scythe down the weeds since he didnβt have to worry about the coming calf.Β The stand of Queen Anneβs lace waved its graceful heads, its regal beauty given no hint of its hidden use.Β Anya had often gathered wildflowers on her walk, bringing back an apron full of Black-Eyed Susanβs, bright Indian Blanket, and Texas Bluebonnets, loving the way their colors brightened the cabin.Β Sheβd never been especially fond of white, but today, filled her apron with the lacy white flowers and nothing else.
Emma had sent home enough chicken and dumplings for another meal.Β With biscuits from breakfast and Emmaβs conserve, it made a festive supper.Β Little Joe licked his plate and Sally kept squealing and reaching for the conserve, long after she plastered herself with hers.Β They laughed as they cleaned the little ones up.Β The children were reluctant to settle in bed after their exciting day and the hilarity at supper.Β Joe lay on the cot with his little namesake was still while Anya rocked Sally.
He came back to the table and took Anyaβs hand.Β Looking pointedly at the pot of white flowers, he said, βYou want to be careful with those.Β You know they made the cow lose her calf.Β I donβt want nothinβ happeninβ to you.Β A baby is just a baby.β
Anya started crying.Β βJoe, I donβt even know if I want this baby.Β I was hopinβ things could go on the way they were.Β You have already taken in your dead wifeβs little ones and now this.Β This baby was forced on me.Β I donβt know if I can do right by it, let alone love it.Β I think it might be better if you let me do what I need to do and after, if you want, we can figure somethinβ out.Β We can make a clean start or I can leave once I am back on my feet if you want. We ainβt married and you done took care of me a long time.Β You donβt owe me nothinβ. Β You could always look for a woman to come stay and help out till sheβs bigger.Β The West is full of women who need somebody to do for anβ a place to stay.β
Joe was a man of few words.Β βAnya, I know what it is to be alone.Β I never knew my pa, these younguns donβt know their pa.Β You done without a ma. The world donβt have to be such a cold place. Youβre are a good woman anβ I seen how you love these little fellers.Β I want you, and that little feller youβre aβcarrying if thatβs the way you see it.βΒ He picked up his hat to go to the barn.
Anya looked from Sally to Joe as a tear dropped on Sallyβs blonde head.Β She reached out, putting a hand on Joeβs shoulder.Β βStay, Joe.Β Itβs time Sally started sleepinβ in with Little Joe.β
Tenderly, Joe tucked Sally in on the far side of the cot with Little Joe, then put out the light.