It had been far too long since he had been around children like this. It felt like ages since he’d last seen Nettie, and longer still since she had been Mable’s age. There was something so refreshing about spending time with her and not worrying about how it made him appear, or whether his humor undermined the things he preached.

Malachi shook his head, but quickly clarified, “not a favorite, but I suppose there are colors I prefer.”

Yet another question he had never really given any thought.

“Black, white, blue – I could not choose a favorite. Do you?”