.

frightened her, but she could also imagine Ty kissing her, something that hadn’t happened. He hadn’t even come close and she didn’t know what to think. That’s why she was sitting in the kitchen at almost midnight with a cup of lukewarm tea. Ty had left the house two hours ago, and she hadn’t shaken her disappointment in yet another polite goodbye, or her concern that he’d somehow let her down.

       “Josie?” Mama appeared in the doorway. “You’re up late.”

       “I can’t sleep.”

       Mama sat with a soft plop. “Because of Ty?”

       “Always!” She chewed her lip in frustration. “The past week has been good. I really have forgiven him, but I’m just not sure I can trust him again.”

       “I understand,” Mama agreed. “Forgiving someone who’s hurt you doesn’t mean you let it happen again. It means you don’t hold it against them. You start over and make new choices.”

       “Even that’s confusing,” Josie admitted. “I thought maybe we would sit on the porch like we used to, but he leaves the minute you go to bed.”

       “I’ve seen how polite he’s been.”

       “Too polite.”

       Mama thought for a minute. “He’s always had a lot of pride. Maybe he’s bothered to be working for you.”

       “I don’t think of him as a hired hand. He’s more like family.”

       “A brother?”

       Josie’s cheeks flushed. “No, not at all.”

       “Does Ty know that?”

       “I think so, but it’s complicated. He’s always had an impulsive streak. It’s what got him into trouble, and it still worries me.” She sighed. “Sometimes I think he cares about me, but he treats me like…like Nate.”

       Mama’s voice turned conspiratorial. “Would you like some advice from an old lady?”

       “You’re not that old.”

       “I’m old enough,” Mama replied. “Here’s what you do. Invite Ty to take a walk in the moonlight. If he doesn’t kiss you, then you kiss him.”