Martha looked over at Daisy, who had climbed onto the nearest cot and pulled the wool blanket up to her chin.

“Because I reported the cracked header beams in the main hall to the county inspector,” Martha said softly.

“Arthur told me if I didn’t keep my mouth shut, he’d make sure I never worked a build in Lancaster County again.”

Nathaniel stared at the red star, then turned to look at Daisy, whose eyes had closed as her breathing settled into the quiet warmth of the room.

Arthur Vance poured dark coffee into two gold-rimmed china cups, the spoons clinking against the mahogany desk.