Esther's period was late.
Every morning she checked her sheets, but now many weeks had passed confirming her worst fear.
The spotless laundry she was taking off the clothing line and folding into a basket under the Oklahoma sunset provided a painful reminder of the unstained sheets on her bed.
How did things turn out this way? A younger version of herself would not have recognized her.
A soft, "Excuse me, Miss," startled her out of her thoughts.
A man she'd never seen before was addressing her, hat politely in hand.
"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't startle you."
"Oh," Esther clamored. "It's alright."
Esther's mother walked out onto the porch, investigating the man's voice she didn't recognize.
"Good evening, ma'am," the stranger greeted her.
"Good evening."
"Allow me to introduce myself and explain why I was speaking to your sister."
Esther's mother blushed slightly. "Oh, she's actually my daughter, Esther."
"My name is Grant. And what may I call you, ma'am?"
"My name is Carol."
"Well, it's wonderful to meet you both," he smiled at the women.
"Now, I hope this is not terribly rude of me but I was passing by and as it's supper time, I was looking for something to eat. It just so happens whatever you're cooking smells more delicious than anything I think I've ever had the pleasure to smell. I was wondering if I could buy a plate from you. I'll be sure to wash the plate and return it tomorrow and I'll pay a restaurant's price and then some for your trouble."
"Oh, why of course." Carol was charmed.
"But you can't take a plate away just for the food to get cold. I insist you eat with us. My husband will be in any minute. There's a pump behind the house you can wash up at. I hope you like turkey."
"I love turkey. Thank you so much. You can't know how much I appreciate this."
During supper, Esther studied the stranger while the older adults talked and ate.
He looked to be in his late 30s, with lots of dark, wavy hair he'd styled into place, and some stubble. He was wearing jeans and a flannel shirt that his lean muscle strained ever so slightly when he reached for things on the table.
But it was his eyes that were his most attractive feature, light golden brown and piercing.
He told Esther's parents he was in town to configure a cattle deal with a local rancher and his horse was at the town inn where he was staying.
"And where are you heading back to, if you don't mind my asking?" her father said.
"Branden, Texas. So not too terribly far of a journey."
Esther stiffened.
"We have some friends that moved there recently. The Coles," Carol chimed in.
"Lovely. I hope they find it as nice as I do."
Esther knew what her mother was about to say next and wished she could scream at her to stop talking.
"Yes, I think they are finding it lovely. We had hoped Esther would marry their son, but it seems that was not in God's plan."
"Well, with all respect, I doubt Esther will struggle to find a husband. She seems like a very hard worker from what I saw. You clearly have done an excellent job raising her."
Her parents beamed at the praise while Esther wanted to hide under the table.
After supper, Esther's mother went to the kitchen to put away food, while her father went to light the sitting room fire.
Alone with Grant, Esther stood and started stacking the plates. Her face was passive, but her mind was whirling.
Grant stood to help her clear the things.
"Oh, please, there's no need," she stammered.
And then to his surprise, she brought her mouth to his ear and whispered, "I need your help. Please. Tomorrow at eight in the morning come back to the house. My parents will be at church."
Intrigued, he nodded but said nothing.
Grant was invited to sit with the family in front of the evening fire but he politely declined. Esther's father refused to let him pay for his meal and so with many thanks, he disappeared into the dusk.
That night Esther couldn't sleep. She'd packed a dress, some underclothes and a couple sentimental items in a sack and hid it under her bed, waiting for dawn.
At six o'clock her mother entered the room, concerned that her daughter hadn't risen yet.
"I feel awful. I must be ill," Esther murmured.
"You do look quite unwell. Should I stay home or send for the doctor?" her mother asked, concerned.
"No, no, neither is necessary. I just want to rest."
As soon as her parents left for Sunday service however, she rushed downstairs to pack some food.
At eight o'clock sharp she heard a small knock on the front door. Esther took a shaky breath before opening the door and ushering Grant inside.
She stood there shy and nervous while Grant stayed as cool as when they met the evening before.
He spoke first.
"So, just what am I risking my reputation and yours to be here for, Miss Esther?"
"I, well, I'm pregnant."
