"Soo. . . that was the doctor you told me about in your letters? The one you thought you might be falling for?" Emma asked her younger sister.

Faith was silent.

"And you've obviously fallen for him," Emma observed. ". . . and he's a good man."

The last sentence sounded more like a question than a statement.

"You don't like him."

Emma sputtered. "I didn't say that, Faith. I just think. . . well, I think you should be cautious with your heart."

"I am," Faith said firmly. She felt uncomfortable in this conversation. "Emma, have you traveled miles upon miles just to investigate my love life?" she questioned. She waited for her sister's response.

"I'm your older sister. It's my job to look out for you. I love you dearly, you know that. I have wanted to visit you for the longest time! I haven't seen you since you left Hamilton to be engaged to Peter. It's been four years, Faith." Emma ran her hands down Faith's arms. "Look at you. I barely recognize you. You aren't the young girl who was engaged to Peter anymore. You look so much like. . ." Emma choked on tears.

"Like Mother?" Faith whispered, struggling to contain her own tears.

Emma only nodded as she blew her nose with an embroidered handkerchief. "This seems like the appropriate moment to tell you."

Faith nervously laughed. "T-tell me what?"

Emma, knowing Faith's habits, recognized Faith's nervous laugh. She assured her not to worry. "It's just. . ."

"Sister, you're stalling me. And when you stall, I can only assume something's wrong. And that makes me - "

"Father. Father's back," Emma blurted out. Her bottom lip trembled after speaking.

Faith's inhaled sharply. "What?" she cried.

"He investigated to find us. He found me and Meg while Liam and Mark were working. Our servant let him in, unknowing of who he was to us. Oh, Faith, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw him! Instead of attacking me with cruel words, he apologized and begged our forgiveness. I forgave him, so very reluctantly, I might add. Meg did not. She hates him still."

Faith leaned her sister in shock. "Do you really believe he's sorry?"

"I think so. But everybody is still bitter. I'm not. I believe he's trying to change, while everybody else is quick to believe the worst about him." Emma looked at her sister. "He asked about you in particular."

Faith didn't reply. There were a hundred thoughts going through her mind.

"He said he was cruelest towards you and Mother. He wants to beg your forgiveness. Of course, I told him you were far away in the town of Hope Valley - "

"You told him where I am?" Faith was incredulous.

"Indeed. He might come sometime to make up for what he did."

"You had no right telling him where I am!" Faith let out an angry huff. "I doubt he's sorry at all. How can he be?"

Emma was surprised by her sister's uncharitable behavior. "Give him the benefit of the doubt!"

That day was tiring to Emma. Her sister was so stubborn! Faith would most likely never forgive her father. Her stubborn streak was coming back from when she was younger. Before she had become sullen and quiet from tragedy.

Emma was walking through town. She had told Faith that she wanted to pick some things up at the merchantile. That was only part of Emma's venture into town. She was also going to the infirmary. Whether or not Faith would forgive Father was not in question at the moment.

It was her infatuation with the doctor.

Faith's heart had been tossed around by several men. Men were attracted by Faith's beauty; there was no denying her little sister was beautiful. Carson seemed rather infatuated with Faith as well. Emma had read Faith's letters. She knew very well that Faith had had a crush on Carson for the longest time. But she had never heard of the doctor's intentions. They had always seemed unclear. Until Emma had found Faith and Carson's lips inches away from each other.

Emma opened the squeaky infirmary door.

"Miss Carter, how may I help you?" Carson asked.

"I wanted to speak to you."

"If this is about Faith - "

"It is," she assured him. In assuring him of the subject matter had assured him of nothing. "Carson, so many men had pursued Faith's heart. Men in Hamilton, her no-good-fiance, even several men here. They played around with her heart then discarded it."

"No-good-fiance?" Carson repeated, confused.

Emma ignored his confusion. "I don't want that to happen again," she continued. "What are your intentions toward my sister?"

Carson was taken aback by the direct question. "Courtship," he said simply.

"Hmm," Emma turned to leave the infirmary, her blonde curls bouncing with her. She stopped. "Don't you dare break my sister's heart." She almost left before Carson stopped her.

"I won't," he said sincerely. "I promise."