Twilight's Serenade by Tracie Peterson

position, but it requires more than I’m willing to give.”
    “Such as?”
    She met his steely eyes. Britta grew uncomfortable—almost fearful that he might guess the real trouble surrounding the subject.
    “I believe I stated that already. I would have to move to England. Besides, we have more pressing matters. The children are more important.”
    Yuri got to his feet, and Laura held up a saucer. “I help. See?”
    “You’re doing a good job, Laura,” he told her.
    She smiled and went back to work while Yuri crossed the room to Britta. “Maybe we could talk in private when Laura has her nap?”
    “It’s nearly that time now. Perhaps I could get Mother or Kay to put her down, and then we can discuss whatever is on your mind.”
    “All right.” Yuri took a seat at the table. “I’ll wait here.”
    Britta nodded. “Come along, Laura. I think Grandma Lydia has some cookies and milk for you, and then it will be nap time.”
    “I like cookies,” Laura told Yuri.
    He smiled. “I do, too.”
    Britta gathered the child in her arms. What was Yuri thinking? Surely if he spent enough time with his children, he wouldn’t want to send them away. Of course, Darya wasn’t his.
    If only she could get Yuri to see how much they needed him . . . how much they all needed him.
    Yuri waited patiently for Britta’s return. He liked the homey feel of the cabin and noted that the women had put it in order nicely. New heavy drapes hung at the window. They would keep out the long evening hours of light in the summer and insulate against the cold in winter.
    Walking around the house, he peered into the bedrooms and found them suitable. Someone had made up the beds with beautiful quilts. He wondered if Britta had helped sew them.
    She’s been gone so long, he reasoned. She wouldn’t have had time. Still, he ran his hand over the beautiful star pattern of burgundy and gold. This was a real home—nothing like the cabin he’d shared with Marsha.
    He walked back to the kitchen, where Britta had been putting the cupboards in order. He smiled at the thought of Laura helping. Here, he could imagine being happy. What would it be like to stay on indefinitely? Lydia said they had no other purpose for the cabin—at least not at this point. Perhaps it was the solution to his problem.
    “You are certainly deep in thought,” Britta said, taking the seat opposite him at the table. “I said your name twice and you didn’t hear me.”
    “I have a lot on my mind, as you well know.”
    She nodded. “I’m glad you wanted to talk. I think it’s important to weigh all the options available to us.”
    “Us?” he asked.
    Britta blushed. “Well, I am the one caring for the children. I figured to be a part of this decision.”
    “I see. Well, I suppose that makes sense.”
    “Yuri, let me be blunt. I know you’re just getting your feet under you. I know things are so awkward right now, but in time, that will pass.”
    “Britta, I can’t have you—”
    “Please, just hear me out,” she interrupted.
    She fidgeted in her chair, smoothing her pale green sleeves as if they were out of place. Yuri could see this was difficult for her. “Go ahead, then.”
    “Thank you. I just want you to be reasonable about this and not make rash decisions. I feel it’s important for you to know that you have so many people who care about you. I, for one, want to do whatever I can to make life better for you and the girls.”
    “I can see that. You’ve already done so much.”
    “But only because I care about your well-being and theirs. I don’t feel I have to do anything; rather, I want to do it. You need to know that.”
    “You can’t throw your life and opportunities away on me and my problems.”
    Britta put her hands on her hips. “Laura and Darya aren’t problems, they are babies. They are helpless little girls who need their father’s love.”
    “They need a family,” Yuri replied.
    “Indeed they do, but with both of us helping