QUOTE : I know we thought to keep this to ourselves, but I feel the children should know my intentions. I want to marry your sister. I want for us to be a family.” “You’re too old,” Andy blurted out. “Besides, I want her to marry William. He knows how to take care of the ranch and break horses, and he’s not old.” “Or fat,” Marty declared. Lockhart turned beet red, while Hannah coughed nervously into her napkin. She had no idea why Andy would suggest marriage to William Barnett, but it had definitely irritated Mr. Lockhart. She wanted to say something, but Andy piped up again quickly. “Hannah needs to marry somebody like William who can work hard.” Her brother turned to look at her. “She works too hard and so she needs a man who can help her with the work.” “And who isn’t fat,” Marty added in a most solemn manner. “Martha Dandridge, mind your manners,” Hannah managed before turning to her brother. “And you . . . finish your dessert so that we might retire to our room.” Lockhart, however, was not to be put aside. “Miss Dandridge, am I to understand that Mr. Barnett has become a rival in winning your affections?” Hannah shook her head. “There is no rivalry, Mr. Lockhart.” He smiled rather smugly and leaned back to tuck his thumbs in his vest pockets. “I could not imagine that there would be.” She didn’t wait to continue. “There is no rivalry, because I have no affections for you.” His expression fell. “Furthermore, I am not of a mind to consider matrimony at this time.” Marty leaned closer to her sister. “He’s losin’ all his hair, Hannah. You can’t marry a man who doesn’t have any hair.” Her sister’s serious consideration of a beau very nearly sent Hannah into peals of laughter, but she held herself in check. “Marty, it doesn’t matter as much what a fella looks like, but rather what’s in their heart—if they love Jesus and if they are trustworthy.