It was rough but carefully made.
The legs were uneven.
The mane was only a few shallow cuts.
But it was unmistakably a horse.
"She'll love it."
"I hope so."
Martha looked at him.
"You'll be a good father."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Gideon's expression changed.
Neither spoke.
Martha set the wooden horse down.
"I didn't mean—"
"I know."
He looked toward the window.
For years, children had been a subject they rarely discussed.
Not because they did not care.
Because sometimes life simply refused to give people everything they wanted.
There had been seasons when Martha had hoped.
Seasons when she had quietly counted days.
Seasons when she had watched other women hold newborn babies and wondered whether something inside her was simply not meant to happen.
Gideon had never blamed her.
Never asked why.
Never made her feel incomplete.
Eventually, the subject became another quiet room in their marriage.
They did not enter it often.
But they knew it was there.
Martha touched his hand.
"I meant that."
"I know."
He turned toward her.
"And you'd be a good mother."
Her eyes filled slightly.
She looked away.
"Don't make me cry before breakfast."
"I wasn't planning to."
"You did."
"Sorry."
"No, you're not."
"No."
She smiled through the tears.
"No, you're not."
The sound of footsteps came from the sleeping room.
The little girl appeared in the doorway.
Her hair was tangled.
Her face was pale.
She held the edge of the blanket around herself.
Martha immediately crossed the room.
"Good morning."
The girl looked at her cautiously.
"Morning."
"Did you sleep?"
She nodded.
"Your mother is still sleeping."
Another nod.
"Is she going to wake up?"
Martha knelt.
"Yes."
"When?"
"I don't know."
The girl's eyes dropped.
Gideon crouched beside them.
"Your horse is safe."
Her head snapped up.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Can I see her?"
"When you eat something."
The girl looked suspicious.
"Why?"
"Because people who are hungry don't have enough strength to visit horses."
She considered that.
"Do you have eggs?"
Martha smiled.
"We do."
"Three."
Gideon looked at Martha.
"She negotiates."
Martha whispered, "I like her already."
The girl ate four eggs.
Gideon said nothing.
Martha gave him a look.
He wisely remained silent.
After breakfast, they brought the girl to the barn.
The gray mare raised her head when she heard the little footsteps.
The girl's face brightened.
"Her name is Daisy."
Martha looked at Gideon.
"Daisy."
Gideon nodded.
"Good name."
The girl wrapped both arms around the horse's neck.
"Daisy was Mama's horse."
Martha's smile faded.
"Your mother?"
The girl nodded.