My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the men approach, their faces a tapestry of stern determination. I knew Joshua’s family had never approved of our marriage. They viewed me as an outsider, an unwelcome addition to their tightly knit clan. Yet, here they were, crossing the threshold of the farm Joshua had so carefully shielded from their influence—and mine.
The leader of the group, Michael, Joshua’s older brother, stepped forward, his gaze scanning the room with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. “Catherine,” he acknowledged tersely, his voice as chilly as the Canadian air. “We didn’t expect to find you here.”
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I replied, trying to steady my voice and my nerves. The enormity of the gift Joshua had left me was still fresh, and I wasn’t ready to confront whatever this visit might mean.
