"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQZ3EqJJf2
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MeZehSknz
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wh77KiYZy
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NKIbLeGVH
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1wiJ1KvFD
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvyQiyF4EV
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5oX94plSt
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylJQUX50Ch
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNLyOG3yys
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkN24s51Nr
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7iuDCUjv5
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY0wu262Gc
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqPHhtxxFA
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC9LcnrjVL
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoiztHNPXF
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwPkKROSd0
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad42cQerl4
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFmSkkiqjT
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuNUWiTd8S
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1gXm50snG
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg8Yc7bUA0
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdXf2pGMEj
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRJOJ6rius
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMu41bhvSc
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh5w88BXFD
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhawo71wfuT
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPw8fQKh1C
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnryo0od8j
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcCj5rRm5T
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpQeNOzD4H
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwDaj7chPC
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s8Z5KkIMw
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gu0ZMvCP8
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9bWaK30N5
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJmGULr9yU
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl8GdeXQ9N
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtS5I1V31c
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."391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJe7tdsfU3
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKpKyLEoyD
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpTcpiwOFC
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJkpwYY5fr
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.
After391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByDXDakZoV
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpl3NtcL2B
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgIdGHtGBF
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOV1cbWXbW
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E5p5zrjg9
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKtwP0elI2
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmoS8tF952
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr2sK2Ldfc
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jGGcoJLQU
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOQWYKeNMN
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVIIBSdFbG
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspMBeZ4mHI
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KTGezaAKf
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRVFXWz0Ys
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNCtdWVGRT
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6BLItXRGz
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTeoF8G77e
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhIJB99BgZ
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5UcYyDmdj
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtgBi1Mssk
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVzcEug3EK
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20n4rWQMyu
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN18HiKn7rq
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSznP63qrmL
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGK1gzDBjT
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte35Qx8Ttt
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1qvL8wp0e
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcF5ZPz8GK
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sgBSzEsKn
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfNRBfJTsQ
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwtCOr8Cbb
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78W6jvM0jK
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFuBb5TB65
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQwzo800rS
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStfzmvp8sP
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pYV6Xv1fZ
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtyx4es2IK
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk2k4PZKey
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HZcLzl7cS
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8TaYIUZth
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s5a5St6GG
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FNQo1vA62
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l2DdveT0p
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAw6kLqCuY
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQxx6bQOqi
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7Q2usaUHP
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ze7wT6QVO
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y2QP42SZq
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3uUl6Ox9s
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT55a2Rv7v
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDGMYnvXfZ
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5mf15JaMn
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJROFxiBa71
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLojCPocyE
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh07ASDxFfr
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDshadvVqZ
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vfmTcEzl6
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac9xNO2Doq
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPffr0kol5l
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5JsHibrwa
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBbTzbedaK
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q8y9vUyz1
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpaxgTh3gS
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglOMYAl0EF
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbuwb970An
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFToCzgfC
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0gfUvELxa
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wCnEX1R2N
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa96m9rZqo0
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXzY7ixhrZ
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1cvkUgybA
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6KbUYhBOx
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cx4YTzPFA
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjChEgWRJSL
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dUS2rjb4C
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3mMlc0RJa
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz98dMyP2fb
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRaov7ktPH
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOVBid9WkO
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUHz3ad6EH
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm8QPb4Qab
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAKDIpslWD
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmUDSG9zEk
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7xzsrGm3r
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hs1IbdGCg
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ9IH1HCJf
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8cWlgoC6Q
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QxZhSiVEQ
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w7bmjb6qL
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0DrrOEf6p
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocCOnw6Zb9
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEg1erS7Tl
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTooPC8DRW
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYdxZ43ZXg
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT2ryPNeN7
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1jW8kRuzO
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFeJNdXPVO
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkgU0Z0Xmr
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGb4p9Kshx
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JQU3EiqVb
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzYnyqLZhc
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufJRrbOpLj
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D8HpzEtDo
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.
She391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwqc6rr6WE
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFF7Fi8xy9
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3gilgjl6V
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Adc5v8kp
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmL2U48Llb
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKrgYwYw4s
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqZj0UcZRB
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOpaKxsHJe
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nXmxusb0O
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuYqR6WtnR
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrwKyu5dwV
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslwElCFi0Z
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcmUTAREGR
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK6CL5OKo6
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzAW8m8Ioc
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZZ3cZQW8j
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPLBLM6aTZ
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn07aMKOILa
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwG6sUHo5X
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD1CpdvHOh
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdywj1YJyK
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2dx8wvdRQ
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfeU4PgHOa
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmZK9FIZbY
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1rgTFJERW
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ100FkoJ8tP
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWXeuMz32p
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu9kxXRg0z
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95FHAE4SBK
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSwjtNf42K
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE8SvkDDph
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW6Eaw0WQo
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zOvRKLxsv
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuosY3GhD9
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMjRY2Qdkr
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5jazWblNm
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1fr4b3yE6
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ8kL8nSOd
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIfyh0oRGl
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp9lasNSO1
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP8ZP0hjuP
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpJ4LFYoVb
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6izpJzbOab
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3i1BGSxzf
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtIrXNl49Y
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsL7TKOG5r
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECS8CGJcO3
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16vlaDHwcf
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTtrCsTJrO
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcFyxaesll
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHVfnKXgse
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw0liH0ttm
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhT2ra9ZFQ
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMLjXkf5Fh
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJpQPcz22G
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF4C1ls9yx
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eOgNc09pA
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsN0DTARWP
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEFppoQabc
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC4A8YHEO8
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwOgFkC0Gt
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPBP00GDkK
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMCygnrM7M
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aynOKx74i
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AcdCQYLnG
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgIFZ63lzO
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmxXWMSa1z
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV5kw49L8i
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9EyD4Bsza
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4rIHbxAmg
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfoSgiVE8q
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eH0vBmtZJ
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMGCFk3RFK
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnij4TXYHuc
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaIVWTF7Ij
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTQN2xWi1L
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxqQlbaMmf
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHAVbAzwsZ
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5hdWDBPxM
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS0G64d9WT
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFARawSZXy
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6qpcxNLWR
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU1y9yHmJw
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVG3z9hIyK
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbojrGBW5pu
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo787bJ3TWE
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0AdApGfID
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVDETIr0g6
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz95R3kvTtW
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkRJoDVFBP
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMnsxHj8G8
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ6Vv5O96U
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36PhqkIpEc
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8sxq59k3l
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6lKECTfef
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IZEm76jEr
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPRRzgw9Fm
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD4K4diiDF
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDZbMaGlB1
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfXhRRy8Mh
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylXa2c9qx2
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YmNxKMxW7
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6DHLyG0o1
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnsvMP9cjN
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYhOHZH318
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OGAvYpa0B
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRmnz946np
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVjxIxDzgl
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1IXzPZK7Q
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE2aZuj1he
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0RkkZzmag
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAoTEdiAkS
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0xmUWuyx4
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkXRVFnqqK
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPSG9HEiIf
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc11rvuuNJh
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6fda3fSYA
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb4CQAPY1f
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVfvPRDVPU
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRztESiyJ8
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MC1sFy9jL
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMJvbOcdCM
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa0KuzOVCv
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tGBPcmFge
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQswzP7Amfm
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3V7DUax4b
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBK4mvvm4d
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZoDvSCVua
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcTy2c3qfB
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jKtYoQFwR
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFaoTuFVc8
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yayvFJW4W
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgaCGdwSR6
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzI3bnJdS2
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW67R1geRUH
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZl94Cm5iv
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCgRDuBGZr
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMynhhp3Sh3
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjRFKa5Sly
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP5KJNjWjj
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6cP4vIVcz
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2xxaZyg2Q
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlznDGEoB4L
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2vDS78kpM
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxb2DiY0Uo
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9pAcLjymO
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVhsobBTKI
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP6jJViGuY
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkDhDfhNkC
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPYy7DdxaF
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkxPMKnqmE
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJtEXHKPX4
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuoP1sGBNg
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZpffJ9bhd
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsCymUu5Ta
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Kkc6mPEh
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MyX2WWmoA
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jWLtwvpd2
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EKgw7a8MA
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxg3InDKXL
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdzDMBAzxl
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NgioJgWa5
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkgBDmxKKm
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sGln0wYFO
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDREqodrI7x
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxJmRoSAJO
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuRGTfLbqg
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdum32cSuf
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurEr3TpnJ3
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuGG6CU3Vs
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebiL5OgIXd
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRzvZ01Xhh
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWeSJbnSJk
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPWvFLLHOj
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7EI3NaZkf
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xa3wX3tl3
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemQp7o93xM
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDzHl7xYLd
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQFtnJNHue
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgF07mWCP0
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLOr0rtuay
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4NUkdUc9I
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEMa94Vs5S
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFTOVberSx
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT2vE9D6HJ
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q9ebRD5lK
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFWMyIEb4K
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuPxroH64S
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqbKXzdkRI
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMoiTmVFMP
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvZifgndyw
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhnvWOM1wI
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabYgvcakLn
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDitoMOmc5
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L4nBXrisn
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ523VHjk8Ff
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5985Z06pdr
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGEHySHBeG
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF5WK6LTcn
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwd3nTgJrX
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUCJIWuw0Q
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8SYLMbktz
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtghCKqYmo
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eA6k9rHxI
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGnlF1JmrR
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p64lN3ReO
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiCFN8Sed8
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDuwGGNwoy
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBe06aQdUp
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq5tKs8MXS
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT6QFCswnA
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42NJwSbyja
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTusuEKRqn
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJA1rkbMd0
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovDX2nvwzJ
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigPhDVuk5V
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhzr3J9CiS
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauTLO8cnDo
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LZvJ6Bq5v
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J1aD5bq4h
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXP4vuGYrU
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttMS0fysz4
that moment, had changed.
