Tobias didn’t answer her immediately. He seemed to be mulling it over. Bess could tell how difficult this discussion was for him, and her heart went out to him. Not only did he carry the weight of the farm on his shoulders, but he had to watch their father deteriorate day by day. It was a burden that nobody should have to bear, and she wished she could do more to help him than come home on the weekends.

She might have hugged him if she thought he would appreciate it and he wasn’t driving the trap. But Bess doubted that his older sister’s embrace would comfort him now that he was a grown man. The best thing she could do was listen and be there for him whenever he needed emotional support. Whitby wasn’t all that far away.

Bess sat in silence as he got his emotions under control. Finally he smiled a bit sadly and agreed with her assessment of the situation. Her smile echoed his. “You will soon be in charge and will be able to do things your own way. For now, humor him and treasure every moment you are able to spend together. I wish I could see him more often. Would it help you if I took a few weeks off from teaching?”

Taking time off would take a big bite out of her savings, but she would do it if Tobias needed … or wanted … her with him. Family was more important than money and she knew that she would not lose her job as she was one of the best teachers the school had. And she could still design jewelry for William while she stayed at the farm.