"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z7eUzWrZW
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZmA76KmfJ
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqU0JZI6uU
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ035AL2fnAn
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGO95pCeUM
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf4sfEXzL7
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWCrAu1b5j
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqJElcdgzv
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWlccsmv8d
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpt9lvx2ur
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefPani4kPR
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK1wh1soXP
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbFwXg0g4e
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlwByB7wr1
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pla1ogU00
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSdxLPFqSV
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5ASpet8A9
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF0zcmLWWm
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8JR89HBlH
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnBO1M9WzU
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxIeRuApXZ
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz6HIrDLAZ
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8WrlmBd61
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3ihwVX39o
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwihUOOtxN
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdQO59pAwp
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5IMMiGKVs
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK2b3Zn9gQ
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj9EQeJmBF
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA11FujibuR
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4yzVdEWfK
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QZ53OfMdq
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jOaouJ4eV
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8VqnDNgxY
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjHBjmN1iR
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d0ZzGDjW6
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqcgAEmGf0
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."392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgUCsobQcP
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbin9E3qUwN
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlGf4ss5GX
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZKnePsmFq
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.
After392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdflTxdjJZC
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZazyScDsm
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSFgeWQyRK
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNhJmnvnac
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYs1V72CzT
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKomSY828sJ
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5snEarLlI
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu7YEc5pa0
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJS3nkKA5
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AYjnqYQl3
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2FIOCRE07
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFjdtdc5kN
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9U8Q9EN7L
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx4nF4SiJw
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w6wpbmut7
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2VAPk7COA
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaeKf8dfRP
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWqHE98znl
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddeFd624sL
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt66tdGtBT
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrFsZFiheq
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLSx5wQypw
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncaPx4XB84
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcEkgEVvQL
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwcMorCZwx
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWBRdSmFHL
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kED4ofLNq
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ6EDWVQQ1
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VPX0CsnlQ
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqjvYEYJHU
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKLPExZ6Cb
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWZBDXM6mB
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNLcZNORlm
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Sd80iNpC
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIjtEReqHK
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBDyusGtmZ
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4kcmzVcPn
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp19tjAYCuW
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRFD11Fbcm
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruwcXFd8OF
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gsTcyVOUx
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIkXXc4QSz
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo59JJ3c2n
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3mU211NTI
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjhS9spj1j
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarT7tCPbw6
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iUdCNZDlo
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZPLB4OaKb
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshlBFCjrU3
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTHbOEDoPq
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO7WuElw5P
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFwHMgSK0V
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYppnmaX23
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3DgQQlk3C
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6HOKF3LCz
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE4Jvw35bW
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJicQpIKmka
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5XSG3gyfG
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RkgezastF
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTJbPlEYWQ
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiI4Edakgz
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx98601spY
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ726dVN4xdk
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJxJUrUH0d
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmo4hxktLG
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnhlaWD7XY
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy2TLrZ7BZ
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec2NPEZfjG
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RDxiY108s
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1doTx4EVF
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Uroypu8f
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNCdX4hyL6
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyUtvFT5Sr
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBf0eFTjlN
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw6jr0AksR
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhZw3pDLOH
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MrUgaElMR
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK36i4aBLO
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurS6IsEgtf
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGqNCnbyUr
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurmuYIgCrb
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNStzHVTEo
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa9bO1GnJU
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JNAsw8xtL
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYv2wgrq4q
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVLM6Xqolr
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUFi8so76u
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIOhQ5ey8h
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT76MhSzScp
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EMm3EPivR
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOEq5V2jp3
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7ipBtuHle
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmmo45CkRg
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94htzmSXRq
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC2n71u7r7
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1hCGvefb4
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy0H2J8FRo
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyzO7wU4XK
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfPjUcVAJa
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTKTjDuuaU
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOulfmKzAuX
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRzmp7p1AH
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPBPBl6dwo
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.
She392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtbYbM6fVB
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqKGf65ZS8
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKqRUpIVB6
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHquH6iR1XX
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8BeZ9CckY
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmEOUM9OOv
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4gPi7Yl5b
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YF8tTz0Gm
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ndUcLSKhG
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxdDinOn36
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUFbDJf31A
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyBrIdWcG4
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnZ1GL5Lu9
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF094V0KTeS
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbwDZiD9ou
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmicBwujDW
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgu72bAk7q
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg4uLvt8sN
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7yz72mRJS
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEGmlTyqF6
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CwOevn1dp
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDOCTNTCUn
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf1yVZQ4I4
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi629wQFA2
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueYcrBk15h
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiNzG309aq
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSqpYuB4m8
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RbdQ4bze7
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVpsiQloez
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IxteW5JuT
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJiSLuVP9U
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSugDZH6x6
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZBwOthhjk
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkBksbvJLG
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRM2AT0Fef
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9BoW7hoWF
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs1aWJVJgx
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPavTj3DU30
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4vlEEaMdt
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIjnSqt486
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRmMviCAzu
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJzsGrLztK
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBIIARJYCG
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOH5eAzprR
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlAUO7FAtz
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYKXP9QaNL
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Ak1YVpEO
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrfnyMyy7u
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj38Afzr391
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK9DYYSJiv
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8K5t0Vz2l
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0qsTcp8iY
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOIGVylEAA
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK0ELZDLqu
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkK1z3iM38
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEOs7OfdYN
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInCQfgWVh5
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3h59UdLZZ
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs3EdDDPq0
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeterYMbhgq
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqWFWRInYU
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYHDx7DCtQ
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzqp5noaYh
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NAJMaBne3
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1rITuN679
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujyFFLl0gb
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67R4mbyoly
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbit4WGO87U
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxvE3OFjGO
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ng6UWzVBd
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIt1CzMJ21
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WvZAG9faH
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUXuwMlVhC
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I4t42rBVz
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdGOODKjm2
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsNjkbTLgn
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUkf18lws7
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnNj4ZB8yi
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex2RHdO7LT
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qXARkDm9v
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0T8I2Kfno
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFoetsSVCk
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAzzo60cgP
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFwbfiEbe0
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULSYykEu2m
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8T3sc9jNq
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRyIy2Jt2I
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8VqUBBjED
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtMwqXgET4
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm0NSpADA7
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAv0UgafnO
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2aGkZsTz7
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHV1yVEK8i
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsndnChjtQ
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBnrNy2f5N
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPzKpLYgnC
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VsKpFQnUk
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rzQNhjVDP
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS40f4zDfUl
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghyBOUXR1X
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjMRpkROtb
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasWxFD9HqR
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooBz71Hbay
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE5mJ4k964
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRVhzsCNV9
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ssd8vOZhs
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAwdxG59Ls
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqzfL3hPSL
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpeFIYDD03
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qvMFKfF1t
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryF6qPfiGg
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrBLMsr6eD
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdMdovftam
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl39Bvwqs9
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpbdtZFKbX
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZHYzeQ2vM
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip0Be53WS3
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf59gg8wsxS
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5jIR5t4yh
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipEn9GJFT
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphtGWZW31X
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzqkO1WmxR
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM12m5CcBU
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUiNWHDToT
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbMhGvlmhS
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmsuU2D8uH
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7gBjd2f4c
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWxLIngwF1
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMpeaIxxgk
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnhraVCsPR
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9z6lur0q4
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiUQdfdQpo
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWmcicULne
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN1LBG0qif
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyh2zQ3g1a
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLwRW0qN8N
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgvS9Ynx9L
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nqs7re7iy
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG45DrNo198
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6V8RxHFxw
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD5Dol8fZA
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcJCX6QZKl
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQWLe1VUZQ
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN327boVdt
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YDIPyM8N7
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TIPBO6Toz
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNnF8fDtY6
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjGecbNHMP
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3gTuTKA3T
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqW8X6SwlL
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1jP0sRuM9
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfHR4sjyN4
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrQZVYuhup
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40u4ST4IsP
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYCIz6rbWH
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqm1NTeJc6
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoC6LaszzT
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MqlqMk8OR
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgGUiQog89
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8d1EQMg5Y
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwMHPOrvL6
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVOmx72w8j
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn9u5GMZph
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh4GdFz2Os
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElqdpqVmNU
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkE5wtXp8n
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0RYS2GLb2
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXNDmkssvX
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZNkHIaceW
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzttl7nCCYP
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydkJm6QVke
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdlYcjpAEh
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGYRcBpZvA
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r1d0JPL7c
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aydzOhEoC
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoqX4Zzqtm
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsqC8lhODR
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BWVVhoj3M
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KyMxrx3Dq
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvnxoEMSRV
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IvzUbwLMg
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxznSp6QxV
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2HVAGhtFh
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6Jd9wkOnN
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSiZo9Yex3
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxYx4CifrZ
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTGdFHjDdm
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwR9JHTzoK
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKEidBCKLD
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEtmXXMXS1
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHjppLG2hi
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyABJX9Vze
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbRV7E3v8p
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLzmXmssNd
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNI21bvA1T
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDQGe1JyeY
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHw2DSLqcV
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNFgFAvkX9
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HcgtsTZAM
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoZNJqsnJ7
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2ujjZJehY
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUPtT7sN80
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcl6qBZq0N
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95YqdmF0j7
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnhqcfFU7d
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMooxUcpNpR
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ250R13vZDX
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB6HGDLqfc
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPXICk74ko
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhA0xkbkgx
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyknFDhXgB
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji3NjueoGw
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSQTGLuKNq
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0D4mIenEB
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY79cwEHvRp
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72jBDAfvhc
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16ruetafYR
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dIK5mC9pv
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTop6QMl9wR
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NFtASYQag
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVgI8lE0Vo
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4mwwbZnMw
that moment, had changed.
