"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMvBx3bLPg
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQlkrEzSxv
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sV9NPGGLP
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH5QFgT8cP
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvmQpzjaJE
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwFlgFXEFB
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fIkwOmkQa
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4EnzAzTci
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfcioFjgsv
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuHzqKSC3f
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvtRYsuC8U
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoTG35qG7c
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIn6brL1Ds
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIUlQolNv3
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FvCrUEgni
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLjQwRTe4G
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklGqOE83vQ
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo2iLxSVFh
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZe6KIAWX0
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqAuX9YKjN
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxLF8nXgYl
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJpXUpCbkz
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboow9mBLFD
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qEttC69rl
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYMNPTpCrj
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7ucxKiZwK
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w4oLYjSi1
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqWGnO2whr
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtgwrUoIPf
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHxonVB7xR
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcghpuqMiU
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHtk6uVhmA
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1QQLvfVrN
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznRdHS9uZd
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaiaEBF4FN
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC92M4FpF6S
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnDYeYeoAy
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."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWoWzKlrIv
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjMxwcfpZb
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7NjhFteiD
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkDtrGdIfI
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.
After378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaw52NbnIU
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36UqenF8jG
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR8If2U4E1
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGP4G7lGAv
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDI3m8wE3K
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAnpqGgjOV
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKEnI1KYVX
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Z1TNRMiZ
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiu2HugGo3
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MqNGp3rhC
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rPA8ivIMK
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmzhWees6S
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCwq5Uk4W7
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkivGh0HS49
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGl8Yp656B
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzj4rEQFBt
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Lji8l7cW
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sIoLByTED
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWm9ZvnSGn
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL18W6uHMFw
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZOk8CcNrr
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9kqf6Ziws
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvQe6mUSZO
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ751AYKtvK4
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXeUgAsMSQ
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCQF4l1IXP
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pRtehGwQG
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9QQbJ9zxT
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoxt2FYhg8
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R9oJKJ44P
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFg9lrPwtW
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2xpZ2awmK
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLDi4ebyk9
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHsl0PB1PB
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY7HbDerDx
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FCgYc59xy
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdcZ19XBcw
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2pCgFi6t6
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVQMVdWMm1
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LN0QeEG6C
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQNs0NL1x6
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoffbYb8kcF
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV99La14mrS
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQXLjGRogw
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLul1N8yXd
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17ftzA0U9Y
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Klor37RZ3
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9XU1xy984
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBGY9k5a6K
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GETHWUMVV
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgBbfxpGCg
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyHp5QrL9z
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIbU7oMrG6
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyCSFr1jsK
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEOMTRT2Qf
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLEGvioMr4
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fzbEAcI4p
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd62pOYbuK3
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ87LodNR7k
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE10knffNm
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe611Amv8b
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKyHwJgsUN
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm38UsqfZFT
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5OhOftjWS
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqml3qY3l9L
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzknOUFqba
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmA03qA43m
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCKW09tSGs
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLs0RzlDQn
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9YvkV6UxZ
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeaWT5sLWY
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07axoZnu9A
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuopuK8ylE
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWhaQ8mya9
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5loluSaNMi
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6go3cqvjB
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg2qQf28Yj
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqzZG2CXia
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0AiQUIfB0
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvcwuxQY8q
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyJ8QRC9fc
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEzmsld02w
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM21rbc44O
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrjQU45PI9
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACo6ZRaLjc
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mVRHbT1Sl
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7symI9oa5
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x6BQsAe0l
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA6HXz16Is
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV985aU5mC
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc0MRGNgq4
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC91twizQdO
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom99VosqWq
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fmobokvnp
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNoaaPSkBd
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ5OFN7UcE
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx1EEs3hZn
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrepAZYWEO
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs07582qp5H
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqvMh7Au0F
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKfnV3Cb06
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d5q16U7zl
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhAEaP1xYl
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.
She378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXGZurNgb3
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qpcpTg0o4
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp3T1cdwRi
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpSpVYOT67
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2I4F24swX
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4qP1adxW0
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3c0tclNCi
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uVbOpNqRs
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzQhCgktRY
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv5rImUZvI
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6UcOIhg2r
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDxrsagOn9
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYRpUilZ4C
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UrRbvVvDT
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8rU8FNjy1
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhCdFdGi9A
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G9E3L4hi6
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3j8yL2LQo
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7KfczsnE8
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhpYN490kX
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDLAGaC3rb
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQKurruhIZ
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCanJ3qYPFW
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXdLQpJJwq
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKJj4bITxi
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOve1utWgq
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDlWgAwtvz
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMcH1WJr04
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsd4KU9LCN
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTbqCI4KCe
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1DR97mxeV
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok6JEhYhx3
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCejg1hymN
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze8z6Eh3pN
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgOvX2R92U
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXjtmtoifk
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnZJaB3usR
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmdUmjeY2z
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hyGGWLE3t
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09jguAPkIC
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yizUGbXkI
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvbV4avKm4
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaGbRD9sJu
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZc4BiPRQx
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o3wmi3XOs
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE30vDAkHl7
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUFr1nL8uu
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSlqabrdgR
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkZRxgc9uN
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqjTwnOBoL
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0dmKnfbpW
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPCK2ngZKW
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Li5tzB3Ro
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fen73frCn
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG0gZuzJQb
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlyhszhWgE
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06yYiywazu
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexzaGgMmfQ
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG4Fnfjjvm
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqSn2OcjCA
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCng3Aaytr
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwEsawLtJ0
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lStfCpc9h
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl33ECait4W
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOOkRgwa4R
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucRWFJedrr
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBIvhJNSuc
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaAy68ikhl
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAPn7eept8
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRqa1unbKg
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCLSlG5r4N
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31sSkJxWLL
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQGJ5XJY7z
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvobaAlf6yl
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8HwxbHsTp
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxPxJifELE
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WrrvZbeVA
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKNLzhUUmZ
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3AccMAuF5
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHedMFzsqT
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDhdKMYR5x
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo5WJrIvoW
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ5KW9RC2u
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPv6u7rpVS
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpWzPPjraK
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBpYglrANx
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu0aa2rBF6
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS27mxRzK5e
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFWdiewO59
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3cjC14CsU
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodrVaEDMC9
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2rC0MQfaO
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUv1Aue9Mt
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYS5zyFPQf
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFEsHbgpF5
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60IoZ663x8
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy9NrW080o
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoyw6bmE35
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZCZ0I1Y18
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z2sQleuSE
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1joOwax1LZ
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSSqbPiOSB
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2VhRj16Gq
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAlHsEVrYs
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgY7sT89Kl
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ616irt9XYq
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreluX39iaG
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN720dKRU5o
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uoUwizf72
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M5V1IWBAq
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJAvD1tF9P
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLyk1qUY1J
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRyV7CnXWy
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM97BcdV4E
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykp3mOyiM2
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucJFeTmBtL
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyUzdsGX0w
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qzWu9Iacw
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn7jTtqfGy
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhq97sW7sK
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu975fe26o
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtycSq0eMPM
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBWl25wD6G
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnnA3RWGFg
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sXSUJoTle
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUt9EWqhda
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9Zj3Vv4WU
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J3KcIUpRD
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYP9YRkAZV
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIwkxSc2li
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v94PxKNdO
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaxuWw5RVB
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x5jgiWeIn
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL99VLzIDl
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLHiasnWVT
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN7TBm2Ud7
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrdWIKS5g4
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE18jCLUmBq
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf6O53QfcR
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAYbkvDYpm
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNQKzm7o7q
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhTolbdqkh
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VbmZ4Vhlk
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW7kwHCnLF
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9FHh4zIT6
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu677790fJ
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKp3d0MpAq
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUN9parauj
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYcEkbqPqI
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPKvcL8OkN
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLpw9GuKqi
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUCDP5jaCe
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtloMEnMpLo
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJpQnPYzJQ
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf9k6d0e8Q
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjgcjehfdg
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh8fdK8QOC
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT22482J0hS
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjM8tkbn3U
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FtNS20JTK
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRzGyy0fuj
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf7zj8hy2h
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEdjTNLADq
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIHOTkuRlH
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ddrXBiV0Z
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDFSv81eMv
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksmJZffryV
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xJqv8xFLN
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsldHjSyHy
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv85dfpfJZl
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl2z3asYKL
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoYhkr8LVx
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CEsJmwOgG
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicAkoPX4oU
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXflyGaLtV
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrx45iujrp
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8DR3y2yKo
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWHJrsdlNf
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87iTq1Rxh7
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHWGdtrLf4
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns1y0PcV7g
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6INcsTAn5
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsL3qvwSlp
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Vftd3tnG
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJIG0efD1t
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo1X1QBmwp
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwFqUsmHLQ
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg6fcCXnlF
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoIVdwe75j
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMQsTQ224l
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWM6KlGHND
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHfXwJ76nm
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXXwRDkOBO
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT9wdPfkDN
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ylN3N8Z6
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIh88F2jpr
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlw67ldwYW
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4RBlJzW5G
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt1LWOgYfS
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmwhK3GRlV
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDgm8CUBQT
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZzWYXo4hI
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgdJk27FOx
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7tFpu9Tee
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsMrcHwhTq
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2MJwhOfqn
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlskpWt1PnR
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5I6rhp2w8
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqvhbjsWWo
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnaHRko175
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfGc7xyOVd
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGCMxdmaib
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkio5yVZaf0
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE3eubJlTH
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EViKUDSir
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkrwz02vr1
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRzfHpjtVL
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdMNtnBwij
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOThRDvRHCk
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPTLEORvM3
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj70avqNCA
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ8CIpekRc
that moment, had changed.
