UNBROKEN PROMISE

~10~ House tour

I wiped the dust from my hands, glancin’ over at Oma, who stood just outside the house, arms wrapped ‘round herself like she weren’t quite sure what to do. She was just a slip of a girl, and I couldn’t blame her for feelin’ out of place. Hell, movin’ out here’s a big change for anyone, but for her, it’s a whole new world.

We’d just got back from town, and the sun was sittin’ high over the ridge. Megan had lunch ready soon as we rolled in, and the smell of roast chicken and vegetables hit me square in the gut. Reminded me I’d been workin’ since breakfast and hadn’t stopped for nothin’. My stomach growled so loud, I was sure Oma could hear it.

“I’ll help ya bring these in,” I said, pickin’ up the bundle of supplies we’d fetched in town. She nodded real quiet-like, followin’ me into the house.

The place once rough around the edges, no doubt. Dust clung to the windowsills, and the floor had a good layer of dirt, but I’d eas now finally looking better after oma tried cleaning it yesterday, but it still needed a woman touch . I set the bundle down on the kitchen table and looked over at her. She was already unpackin’, slow and careful like she was tryin’ to make sense of it all.

Poor girl. She’s got a lot on her shoulders, but she’ll find her way soon enough.

“Let me help ya with that,” I offered, grabbin’ a pot from her hands. We worked in silence, side by side, unpackin’ everything from flour sacks to the few little knick-knacks she’d picked up. She was real deliberate, like she was arrangin’ the pieces of a puzzle, tryin’ to make it all fit.

As I watched her, it hit me that I hadn’t shown her the place proper yet. “Y’know, I ain’t actually given ya the grand tour,” I said, scratchin’ the back of my neck. “We’ll do that after lunch. Can’t have ya feelin’ lost in your own home.”

She looked up at me, startled, like she wasn’t expectin’ me to offer such a thing. She gave a small smile, though, which was somethin’. I was about to say more when Megan’s voice rang out from the main house, callin’ us to lunch.

“Come on, let’s eat,” I said, noddin’ toward the door. Oma followed behind, quiet as a mouse.

When we got to the main house,Caleb was already sittin’ at the table, his face covered in dirt. Lord knows what tlhe’d been up to. Jacob, came in from the barn, wipin’ his hands on a rag and noddin’ hello to everyone.

Lunch was its usual lively mess. Caleb was chatterin’ a mile a minute, talkin’ ‘bout the animals and whatever mischief  he’d stirred up. Megan and Mama Becca kept the food comin’, their hands always movin’. But Oma, she was quiet. Pickin’ at her plate more than eatin’. I saw it, but I didn’t push. She’d had a long day, and the adjustin’ was gonna take time.

After lunch, she helped clear the table, her hands busy but her mind clearly somewhere else. I leaned over to Mama Becca. “I’m gonna have a word with her,” I said low, not wantin’ to startle Oma. Mama Becca nodded and shooed the twins outta the kitchen, takin’ them off to cause trouble elsewhere.

I turned to Oma, seein’ her stiffen a bit at my words. She knew somethin’ was comin’. “Come on,” I said, keepin’ my tone calm, firm. “Let’s take a look ‘round the house.”

I lead her out of the main family house down to our house
She followed me, quiet, hands clasped in front of her like she wasn’t sure what else to do. I opened the door, lettin’ her step inside before me. I wanted her to feel like this was hers, not just a place she was passin’ through.

“We got four bedrooms upstairs,” I said as I led her toward the stairs. “Plenty of room, considerin’ it’s just the two of us for now. Maybe more someday, dependin’.”
I glanced at her, seein’ the color rise in her cheeks. Lord, I didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable,I kept goin’ "or when Caleb decides to visit" .

I pointed out the bedrooms, explainin’ what we’d use ‘em for. "That’s mine, and those others can be for guests or—well, whatever comes next.”

“And here’s the bathroom,” I said, swingin’ open a door to show a big ol’ room with a tub, sink, and toilet. “This here’s a luxury, believe me. Not every house has one of these.” I gave her a grin, hopin’ to ease the tension, but she just stared, eyes wide. Guess she wasn’t expectin’ it to be that big.

“There’s another toilet room down the hall, too,” I added, leadin’ her back toward the stairs. “Might come in handy Caleb stay over now and again.”

Back downstairs, I showed her the kitchen, dinin’ area, and the livin’ room. The house was simple but sturdy, more than enough for us. I kept my pace slow, lettin’ her take it all in without rushin’. She seemed to appreciate that, though she didn’t say much.

When we got back to the kitchen, I turned to her, softenin’ my voice a bit. “I know it’s a lot to take in,” I said, leanin’ on the table. “But this is your home now. I want you to feel comfortable here. I’ll help ya where I can, but there’s gonna be things you’ll need to take care of yourself.”

She nodded, her hands still wringin’ in front of her, shoulders tight.

“I’m gonna head out and tend to the farm,” I told her, standin’ straight again. “But later, we’ll talk ‘bout settin’ up a garden. Might give you somethin’ to work on while I’m out in the fields.”

I could see the weight of the day sittin’ heavy on her. “For now, focus on cleanin’ the house. It’s a bit of a mess, but you’ll get it sorted.”

She nodded, her voice small. “Yes, sir.”

I gave her a nod back, headin’ for the door. But just as I reached for the knob, I stopped and looked back at her. “I ain’t as hard as I might seem,” I said, my voice low. “But I expect things done right. You understand?”

She looked up at me, eyes wide, but there was a flicker of determination there. “I understand,” she whispered.

With that, I stepped outside, the door creakin’ shut behind me. As I walked toward the barn, my mind drifted back to our conversation that mornin’. I knew she was scared, maybe I’d been a bit too firm. But that’s how it had to be. She’d learn, same as I had.

In time, she’ll settle in just fine. And so will I .