"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblmuQm29pB
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTIqcNGxkR
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMjQbcq6A7
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IhTrvnQ6Q
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQZtFy4RUw
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34fCr5uAb5
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf11ksfWl3
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M5KrOLgoR
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmYocESlpS
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc2snbcZ4k
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtuu0AKthQ
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpokGsYvou
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxfDldbbAm
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n60sssINW
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPJAp5H2Ew
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIzUrzHvdc
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9IMuwNbi1
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vX8fpmz0D
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11mQQ6fUIp
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqefRkrbCKn
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXdZGZm1Bh
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4HOc03o3O
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrqV23SOdw
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPatH3B1vB
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxkbgaI9Ez
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiHGqXLDxX
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTazUg1PAZ
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wb6j0do02
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMEGyRp5Yd
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv6zO4NetY
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZxwPcE6dY
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iGGiHAtkp
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiDHg2cuO7
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJh5PQTr3x
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WxkDIGBm7
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmWhaZRPiT
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pZLzcTtHe
get up and make something for these munchkins, dear?" He said to Mary.
She hummed. "I suppose we should. How bout you get it started, and I'll feed Sal?"
"Sure."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaERbGHUqk
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpIKiVWDyt
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy4s2qegjI
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hnTbcPPaY
ready?" He suggested to his daughters.
The girls ran out eagerly, their messy hair swooshing around them. Then they closed the bedroom door as they ran out.
After395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPScWJIh78
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWqRqhyQtP
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXISNFPWY8
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx36avEMT5
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEGTXPPVPE
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYywthLVKD
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi2FxAlnTo
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxgqGymVB6
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Undw20thK
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xmAvUHKpT
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP03xKLV7ar
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoaTfGgnSF
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSOxpiV3hc
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UnQq1AVpr
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCCLxbFoLs
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7oLRF2QZF
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEPp4Nzn3D
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrW0ezCpjF
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFla7G2iaG
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha7hQdy9HN
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsLZVxKeKB
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RVzbsgduH
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQO95v0eo7
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuU0LdUB1h
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkg2uaMMTy
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCRsDrOFtK
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXd0fIDvDn
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW83yiyYAlN
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31TQhUdS3D
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxboRdca9Z
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEOrd9wAuJ
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNxpEe1Szp
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG5cTOtzWd
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eJaOjEkaV
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xuJTo93Yb
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkwDqho7rg
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyiJAcqMzs
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzHRodpqrZ
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgZEmTOi86
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuSleGBRe2
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XgTNPmLDv
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcLXd25Zbp
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCP6J5Sfzc
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DjnVHSgGu
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxavvaYB7eZ
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon9mCRk55b
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18aDVmsfPU
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSWOZcVIbz
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthpcIhrWwD
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmHpKO8pzn
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgjU442xoM
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS7dPa7t8t
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaX1VbH2f5
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHMsRz6oXo
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAf1TLdWN3
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTjA8HVHte
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0OuWukmrJ
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwL2lxYbP3
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7HDR7VCAx
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBUkWlf6xH
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsemoSCOcVC
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPvZXkOPpK
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHUyU4Gq90
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVmllJPy8d
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatgf0zYGV6
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DbicytK4x
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yBrCDDnhM
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6yRygQFUw
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3mZTKnvix
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoO1vsXt2g
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Yh1jYhvd
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn2CVGOEpu
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi6OwiZwZ4
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK9KqcR9qX
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFekf0mYm9V
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKbLYCdPyU
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6jkmZOU1q
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxk7KNWGrR
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxiIDNhB7n
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQN8hfndyL
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSKP4FS5vo
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPYUWNsftZ
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPasATmQ69
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaA1FGe0eY
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWshvXVM2y
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARJP15i22Y
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6pzIK7tu9
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUbiLYw2gt
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY9jriSb8J
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqToulVETYE
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pp0GyJ7H0
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zKHEc4JOC
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nii27Kzmt
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW6Kud7pCs
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmf5gzWaYO
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo3Eg5FwvI
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zrQMp8d29
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VKBAC0U2J
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ9Ycn3Trc
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcctg3QpNai
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzUsZm1HS0
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ9CKfYsTT
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWRW4nm5no
pushed it back up.
"I wanna go, papa!" Ethel said hopefully, lifting her arms toward her father.
He chuckled and picked her up. "When you're a little older, sweetheart." He told her and kissed her brown head.
She395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fFCNdeZFG
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGQ0BFFP7S
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLrotqEVTm
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IPgMKwGj5
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnqNDQgYUB
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGMRsnfI4d
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vdt7abkM6
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqxthiRJyf
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1plTOiKjig
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEhWiR39nl
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztQ7RiHjwW
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAGIMzmHhh
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U7QYREVCB
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgWe0zZy1L
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yJ6lipoNY
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwRDNDG0gl
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXICLnl6C1d
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthY2ty0SZ8
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItklJWZfWN
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzduOfHSOdf
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgg2O35wYd
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkiPAvGDF9
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp3M0lk51u
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyItGpz0Rn
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW85cqcqi0r
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4vEK1EyvI
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XIJ4LRKF4
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkRgzz8Jrl
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBisBNqVHN
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA85C4SwT9
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXqNFd8vpM
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlTeUrD7rE
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP69DD6ucp
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArToAQYJXT
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCRGg2tIEE
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRVN8mvjQO
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgnqyYH7de
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt24S4PWzwe
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzDRgso72G
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7bu24JbpT
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXBtMKUhZu
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBvaqP8Vsh
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd4kJLfxsA
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cFpaa7ijl
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXAvJVd4sK
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrZTbjqG0Z
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j741Zhdrh
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0QyuPCC3V
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxazvJdHkiB
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fnpK8u8O7
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEbOHfSv4Y
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheVZaitwyh
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRe9qkEIjv
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT6d6OFPh6
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7iOLzgBVZ
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhekmiDQ13s
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTr97RIWZt
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9IQDXoZAu
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwycfNCGoe1
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwgwjlek6j
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvpyNVcSCX
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKSjv3Dup1
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iIgfxddLy
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpoPUBtK4k
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTCaWZ6xpT
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanxRTLLrAd
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuTogM3Vjg
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWFFf9y0iq
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI880UXeJG
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPlYes0ZGd
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO57bfFSn4O
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRghDInEsU
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6GTZzRauy
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M9MN4bHNd
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59coLDBSF7
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjREjkQ8DBo
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4dG5upMzg
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutK2LQ2kck
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHHy8Rbpm7
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzIGHqXvaq
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HYYtxuLT7
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZdZgdDdXP
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCzF14Xm7z
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PmUR6YTB0
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKE1j7kBrR
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIWDAv7TXY
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjWemXAbHB
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJdXlqBWcy
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzAZ0DSfxv
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyLkUOx5DD
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ9GTYcVIc
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmXGLpHW1b
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiDZirrcgG
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z78px1ULk
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeNvk92mbe
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckeZrTF6FG
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAONa7mNZQ
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr81bHvaSFO
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJPJRkzQbe
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sHE4vVPAV
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXkgnDTwZe
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7XX41CiK0
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOF3CUsCod
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRl9Nn2oL3
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezpMlfXegl
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcOn1ZGxVI
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnoL44Q7ae
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ6JpianUS
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9tZkGLUOz
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnvGG9ly2j
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNUCTReWib
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D7YZcL9wb
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIWHMq6arq
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpJAlsnnfX
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQWr3tlQSe
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1GxKoFSw4
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9nyT7ZNto
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QbGbXeVVU
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79360u0OHZ
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9wTEKzdEj
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUEUrJq47O
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesw7oour20
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06RHWoFTSp
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qx80evViS
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYuMaM5q34
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYmYWhGvJy
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr2MdKSV1n
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTICjwLAFJL
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n2AyOLYZI
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GmDVmIgk2
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlFRFoA8gi
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b7KwgIbAt
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aCB9qGtqU
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlYm7cqSxG
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNw4x1ys4f
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcRn5zKNbH
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzTGd2cnn2
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPZ7XKA9pU
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQT3KvpURH
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB9OuEo6hy
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEAcsgPvEo
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL64szdEfT
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPzBF8iISc
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZArsiiVVN
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce9K1pjZVX
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fdrC3mNce
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB56m0Djo3E
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCp1iaDZZI
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu2u4DzZpU
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TYH3wEfVX
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkey1XR1jo
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycNbJXO0g5
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEm8lbck6I
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsmaS7ZEo6
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8ILM6GWy9
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDCyyEvBRX
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMCvLJoZHl
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDMG6wA01B
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhVzoexOFY
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx3nD1HSRV
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R0UxWCcBk
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe5OPhox50
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JyJ1XsveV
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNojxRifOc
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAJDF6pTbn
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9rHFfIcwa
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEr4eQc7uN
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3mHcGFizU
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsnlQdgRJS
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNKovUeXkj
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOSqM4MHUT
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65u32gSYaJ
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBEGOUHUUf
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E5qRAKDYp
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb77eLw0ce
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhg8JZfhdx
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNDesPXc80
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQDJunVVdy
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHBkAgCPzo
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoNcMgRI4j
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqsB2YtmCj
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbstpl1NTOq
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwPI3pCmQ0
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0urTFGspx
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER2alHxa5g
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ660iarRDaX
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYf09MCc4W
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUVqf2EGMX
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAY4XEF0Zy
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj74YOKvKep
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Za8q10ws
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRKr2j2dcn
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UNKWAKybK
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59bd3YV7OC
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHL6H77O0R
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw6aa4i7ee
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sqxoMfm9s
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSwjDS2lnN
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BepFqOmAC
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXx2wDHsJQ
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFfhbj2CTb
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMprbpsEbb
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP4TSfc5ff
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpTVjb7VHY
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYExhzbg0P
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y1DNZyfw2
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZx59fSqWW
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0goDfnHIeh
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6no97RBDmY
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FehsIiLHH
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXPzppHFco
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFsR0SijcU
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmEnaXhNpi
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdZzNH3zmg
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WgSlkZoqW
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrard8NPjvu
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuD109vrVc
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7eBm6dYVT
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFvwQqIAyV
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAieRB1zsQ
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHEzmXl5sD
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDunrmpyKzN
that moment, had changed.
