"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v08TM1bPI
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YnB31rpFs
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyc6oqtsM6
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL0erOasNY
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA19FPCMtk
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslBy91Qi8B
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARwULs7jt7
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8Tg7y2d5M
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttwXdP4GpK
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8arbm42L3
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB4AtwckIL
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJhNluRf0I
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3E1BeeeME
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwEOpCJ6kq
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTClSiI7sZM
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQU4BZb4JT
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5pNwJR082
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGWNWhbc6u
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiCuhc6KCz
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhzw5wOa0R
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQiPwWkn0t
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju4voFKjYy
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIHiILxyi7
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd0mUxrSoq
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC5zmSHBIP
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXxnsPkVgE
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMiLBypX0V
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3gnHSnsXs
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS6aqHhDDs
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3TpqvReDu
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEX6HLKLWi
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJF21t4dUQ
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT9QRfgKkq
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVWohRnf2L
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmKgfPMNAA
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVni0lKPX5U
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIODrtZJio
get up and make something for these munchkins, dear?" He said to Mary.
She hummed. "I suppose we should. How bout you get it started, and I'll feed Sal?"
"Sure."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkzosivySw
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCka4llE6f
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhKGoJkmVo
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCWRoS8l3C
ready?" He suggested to his daughters.
The girls ran out eagerly, their messy hair swooshing around them. Then they closed the bedroom door as they ran out.
After395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc7BJIGlaC
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCSSLLqBOI
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq9D6dgWIz
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXUYhOXln8
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyyYVDbgiA
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvV0HdNtxx
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FIu3iSgZP
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Sx2Imoqrr
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOMYE8aMVw
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYajBm0Z7N
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpmsz6HXz
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXdKpmTg1x
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGAwPBUomQ
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4ehkv2qRY
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzU33TgvpL
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlyEw0J46P
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyPs9PKhnC
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L6CPQmIk8
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFQT8f10q1
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGO61LzbbA
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaihScmzn4X
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnFPxVQPLt
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EWj9tRWX9
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX7i16Emqh
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURZwmQT7PQ
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoomawPROpf
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG1atBUMy5
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lqNs6G3Sd
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0g3fn6Q0S
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAga70Yf3ix
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRUkBt8jNb
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AZXwhpv6W
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMd0cDpRKh
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdA3KqDoqC
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WzEhlrT5G
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSxG6aGURj
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDekmtN4Uiy
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgDDXJ2jQh
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66AqPjYtrZ
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PaO12n9Zz
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68OcGe0bFn
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkXkCKqLJK
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBStAZ4a9uI
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOwqQuueyD
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP22bAQDZeV
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaUEHxPVB3
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZQN09GzI0
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEAheeHZt5
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QlhELE0A0
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Zi86AWy2
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTebweG8B4
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUAHc5svTL
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0nc3T5ilW
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAanH71R23w
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpvkg0ARdg
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXbHnbYRwL
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ziv7YCfBq
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMJLKpFZEl
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGQH1lQS7i
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hZLx5LWcU
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8FKiWBZeZ
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUapn5Tgi0b
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZAFdVqJ7m
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcMAFTeYcd
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkVTdNRYcp
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO09R6t3zdW
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMmXRFBXFd
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAeWzCfX09
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIICjhXEIm
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotaW0TtO8m
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTIb3dKEoR
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u2SIpJ0Hz
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHesJsbML69
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciZ3j6ouue
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLESbKZFjfq
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YBqfAkYOr
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NC4flIdbJ
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3afgfleJl
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBZCNqIMml
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAUra6GBxY
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSLT0SOV01
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofa3Po9rd8
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WVlWE8zmj
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVhUOv4ImE
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPixtU3On4
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3RGMfhbAZ
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H7XzQAf1X
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgVPOjbEeU
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFPFpisO0e
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ16V1SCBM
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsKKRiSktm
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC1bqs4bfF
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNPtMpxxwO
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDCRCtlBEh
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtez7ZAuw3
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w4RbGySLD
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTRS8SUmLb
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMuivTBKTi
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W6S2JpEjp
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Pidsexuf
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPK1fI4hgD
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN69pr227FR
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3VLVfQbLx
pushed it back up.
"I wanna go, papa!" Ethel said hopefully, lifting her arms toward her father.
He chuckled and picked her up. "When you're a little older, sweetheart." He told her and kissed her brown head.
She395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9KCj9lLvT
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUv6iIbmH7
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PHfAfS59Q
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktekbGN1Rb
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjrSNQ3lMK
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ598Uqyr9RJ
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFoNqJdImJ
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl76bKTiqhX
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4TnTlYmbz
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1vrkHSjKE
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ceK1rB6N
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQYOYep368
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEV2BZUIzg
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HrbWvF9zx
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUEdZAcCqv
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRpmL0OmWb
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxiEq2gvZk
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vd809aB0B
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uHRxdEHdV
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjpeIaWWjH
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPigasU3b7
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9dCZLghWr
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV00xzTXjP
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN5QwB5NMa
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlziSsOkdn
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q8yohwzmN
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUqxjd8iYQ
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWVn7uC7Vk
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkVU00bxI1
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkVJRPl8rN
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCADClotR1K
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsv4mbsbs3
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRnLyOAkFy
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQNUJQAKOd
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6us4EVijU
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ki3Z6zZxo
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCyvGsOsQm
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqGXEUxN4T
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAuoFs9pG0
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTD4f3vTmK
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMs4orvXBB
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1khUFPwaT
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEorKb9z2fm
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs58JUNKR9
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyyCkAtHOX
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA01nQ5Lt7d
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVLGqYZxQm
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnimvl7qcp3
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXETm4lWlhD
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnpgQQ9a7B
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcujNa7Dqmz
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRTxs8bTTz
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNfe2VGyHX
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tSUS2tWcl
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpshkv9840
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVopBCL4vL
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxoXq4CKJW
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyZWgUkucJ
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9MTKnPpiw
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Isvb4uNPs
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa9dDi5y2d
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPghoKDVT5O
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY9QubnD8B
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOiMaWg0eU
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RkVdUSlBi
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z46AjMUr1
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBigF2zgtX
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZAIVd6eHr
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeziCrmxKR
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81AU28nIqg
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgcMp8Ad4O
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4GmqaCs6n
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIq5rVCJcE
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopHn2eQcL8
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rCNEBJa7J
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt5T4o33vl
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGNXRgfz5U
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkOTmyngbx
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rJ0r4NR9h
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65Tz9Q7ws9
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9V6ID0nDQ
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2qiX18FgZ
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZFtptJMs1
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNzYagg2fn
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2U4fiDUsU
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKxaKp6OVf
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXsVxYHKdz
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIsWctSgRx
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnB8mTZd2L
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAds9K08d1h
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRrXSYAWZn
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2idf98eun
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriXsbQx3lt
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpp2XnYHYM
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFu5qjC85Z
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9iXYlBiQP
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMgBv7NkNJ
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkqot1LP5L
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyZAXx4h49
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeQ5wkLtqB
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshZt5zmDae
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYEJ2ZWfP4
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MuHD5jt4S
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnav91iN3K
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPTnaZ6YmB
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepSjFL1Q4f
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm2RAQnIJ2
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9i1yhtd1f
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0yeaxqWwW
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRyo3T4Z7L
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfaucVheLh
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVwJAk3kCv
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt85WnfXwap
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI05CO1gQhO
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmIRknZOaM
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5PiTKnM87
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb0lPrkXa9
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudFxgCwiXr
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtQEBIrdZb
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtOi3bLgFH
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbPLNnqbxW
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTgq8XOaYN
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSYTRqGk9U
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdBNWo6hF4
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2owpZ6LaII
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QdhUgQthL
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYGL1rPUDJ
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZKRiNXBA7
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhMDkLCrJr
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ryuapzt5Q
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxZ8w5PQyt
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm0ju1yUhh
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEp6xaBNIl
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo70tFdFJi
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqDZY1j14U
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLxmDg2zhA
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4AiFFGSke
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJhuk6F7NL
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2aPJFzWyU
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyi4tZ7RzB
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKgOtmGWfL
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkThENeHRY
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O6sPw0jXT
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWZjnq988z
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnLSPuPz0q
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQEVdv5hrW
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2Xf5XW1er
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsQPlfbIfk
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdou9r5MWW
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6eRxLBV3g
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VlMVEb3eM
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNnTgjoAni
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhNfOcWopW
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxxLYYSIIp
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9iqplWC3a
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO6Hokkrib
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkZuQxQPT3
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP45lXsRrJ
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzQSPFFJ5n
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxF87yom2v
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwkLZUEYSt
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekOoldnKke
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3j7OEuSSp
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuQeIMIQcD
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZshBBtpaNe
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fdWUgG4Mu
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaqgCArjFn
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0SoK6T3nb
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWt8kmPIlP
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LVt8qPsnh
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBQgEBDtwW
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhwaRz1zeZ
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoI8fAeeYG
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sveK5WA2Q
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6quK7xHl7
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxc8WPl6Jx
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt8r2Da9on
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4LBj27hiy
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiyLe9kD6G
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHj0ONAXQD
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jgijZjA5A
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhCFdixCTg
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkRcourJQi
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyz6oVzVxO
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyPT2NcIhU
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaGllTx8Fd
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMvtmmJdSZ
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtsmlHlgmp
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcszpKe8qP
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwju1UszYMb
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRKDusO1Os
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaXCOwfiK8
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXete07n8l
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3krxxGslt
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8cWqSwOvI
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB8aEtDEo5
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrQqa1vB37
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wHJwefPOq
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP38UB43AC
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XzWmKIMvx
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPgLwvgowX
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqZouF0weB
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB2JCoXh5f
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZgEbF7qfF
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL1XmUfKjf
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk9NcdSwy3
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGAKeral2Q
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi26vrRiSH
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipEfFNvCLt
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm44M63pcEd
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dwLpqwKCu
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFQYsMsiMN
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadwqYiMidI
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp00OWHXhn2
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2Iv5Zyscb
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHtQf9y0jL
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxdUKboARF
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvFUHVM4NB
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ceLULPZUV
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rJqsaGxNH
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJgTE54xC7
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX5JRvGQoo
that moment, had changed.
