The Road to Love by Linda Ford

bedraggled and I’m sure most people looked at us with disgust and suspicion even though we were just good people looking for a kind word. Your mother took us in and cared for us. Have you forgotten? Did you feel the same about us as you do about that man out there?”
    Sally jerked away from the window. “Of course not. But that was different.”
    Kate refused to look at her, anger making every muscle in her body tighten. Her hand slipped. She barely managed to stop the knife before she sliced her finger. She stared at the blade. “How was it different?” She glared at Sally. They’d been friends since Sally’s mother had taken care of them. They’d all been sick, one after another but the woman had never flinched at cleaning up after them, washing the bedding, making nourishing broth. She’d nursed them ten days before Father found a job and a little house for them all. During that time, she and Sally had become best friends.
    She ploughed on with a whole lot more energy than she got from the old tractor. “Did we become friends just because your mother thrust us into your life? If she hadn’t, would you have seen us a dirty, no-goods to shun?”
    Sally gasped. “Katie, how can you even ask? You’ve been my dearest friend all these years.” Her voice broke. “I could never have survived losing my baby without your help. Just think, I might have had a child the same age as Mary.” She rushed to Kate’s side and hugged her. “It’s only because I care about you that I wonder about the man out there.”
    Kate received her hug reluctantly, her anger still not spent. “If you care then you know I have to do what I have to do.”
    Sally stepped back six inches and studied Kate. “Doyle has been more than patient with your putting him off. One of these days he’s going to stop courting you. Then where would you be?”
    â€œIf Doyle isn’t prepared to wait then he doesn’t love me enough. And if he stops asking, I’ll still have my farm. I’ll still have my home.”
    Sally shook her head. “There is absolutely no point in arguing with you, is there?”
    Kate smiled past the pain in her jaw. “So why do you try?” She squeezed Sally’s hand. “I don’t expect you to understand what it’s like not to have a place you can call home. But it’s a feeling I will never again have as long as I have my farm.” Her resolve deepened. “My children will never know what it’s like to be cold and dirty with no place to spend the night.”
    Sally didn’t respond for a moment. “Does Doyle know he’s here?”
    Kate knew she meant Hatcher. “Not yet.” Kate returned to the window to watch her land being prepared for planting.
    â€œWhat will he say?”
    For a moment she didn’t answer then she smiled sheepishly at Sally. “Strange as it might seem, I never gave it a thought. But I suppose he’ll be glad I have help.”
    Sally sighed. “I hope so.”
    Suddenly Kate had to get outside, touch the land that meant so much to her. “Come on.” She grabbed Sally’s hand and dragged her outside. She didn’t stop until she got to the edge of the field. “Take a deep breath.”
    Sally did. “Now what?”
    â€œDon’t you smell it? The rich aroma of freshly worked soil? The heat rising from the ground, carrying with it all sorts of delicious scents—new grass, tiny flowers.”
    â€œYou sound like Frank. He can’t stop telling me how good things will be once the drought ends. If it ever does.”
    Kate laughed. “It will and the land will always be here no matter what.” She tipped her nose toward the trees. “Smell the leaves as they burst forth. All the signs and scents of spring. I love it.” She swung her arms wide. “I love my farm. It’s mine, mine,