SPRINGTIME PROMISES *published*

CHAPTER 4: THE ROOTS THAT HOLD STEADY

The sun had just begun to rise, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills of Kingston as Earl F. Bruton rose from his bed. His movements were slow but deliberate, a steady rhythm ingrained from years of working the land. At twenty-four, Earl was the embodiment of hard work and reliability, traits passed down from his father, Archibald, and honed by the daily demands of farming life. There was a quiet strength in the way he carried himself, as if the soil beneath his feet was as much a part of him as his own flesh and bone.

Earl buttoned his shirt, glancing out the window toward the fields that stretched out before him. They were his pride and responsibility - a source of both sustenance and security for the Bruton family. He wasn't a man of many words, but when Earl spoke, people listened. He had earned that kind of respect over time—through his diligence and his unshakable commitment to doing what needed to be done.

Downstairs, the clatter of breakfast preparations echoed from the kitchen as Edith moved about, her gentle presence filling the house with a sense of warmth. Earl knew his sister had dreams beyond the farm, and while he admired her devotion to the family, he often worried she would be weighed down by it, but Edith had her own path, just as he had his.

He slipped on his boots, the familiar creak of leather comforting as he prepared for the day's work. The farm awaited, as it did every morning, and Earl found solace in its routine. The land was predictable, unlike the world outside their small community where everything seemed to be changing too fast. Here, in the fields, there was order—a sense of control that made life manageable.

As he stepped out into the crisp spring air, Earl took a deep breath, the scent of fresh earth and dew settling in his lungs. He could already hear the distant clucks of the chickens and the lowing of the cows waiting to be milked. The sun bathed the landscape in soft golden light, and for a moment, he stood still, taking in the beauty of the morning. It was moments like this that reminded him why he loved the farm. It wasn't just work—it was his legacy, the very foundation of his life.

"Earl, you're up early," came a voice from behind him.

He turned to see his younger brother, Harry, leaning against the doorframe, a grin on his face. Harry was always the more carefree of the two, his eyes filled with mischief, but Earl knew beneath the playfulness, his brother had a deep admiration for him.

"Always up early," Earl replied, giving a half-smile. "Work won't do itself."

Harry chuckled, stepping out to join him. "You're too serious sometimes, you know that? It's spring—there's more to life than work."

Earl raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He had always been the one to shoulder the responsibilities - to ensure things ran smoothly. It wasn't that he didn't understand the need for fun—he just didn't have time for it. Not when there were crops to tend and animals to feed.

As they walked toward the barn, the conversation drifted to the upcoming spring dance. Harry, of course, was eager for the event, his excitement palpable.

"You planning on going?" Harry asked, nudging Earl playfully. "I heard Louise Wolsey might be there."

Earl's heart gave a small, unexpected jolt at the mention of Louise. He had known her for years, their families often crossing paths, but recently, something had shifted. Louise wasn't just the girl next door anymore. She was kind, intelligent, and had a quiet beauty that drew him in. Earl wasn't one to rush into things—he valued steadiness in all things, especially matters of the heart—but the thought of seeing her at the dance lingered in his mind.

"I haven't given it much thought," Earl replied, keeping his tone even although Harry's grin widened as if he could see right through him.

"You should. I've seen the way you look at her." Harry laughed, clapping him on the back. "You'll be dancing with her before the night's over."

Earl shrugged, not willing to give his brother the satisfaction of a full response. Still, the idea wasn't unwelcome. Louise was the kind of woman he could see himself building a life with—steady, like the land he loved, and someone who shared his Methodist faith and values. They didn't need grand declarations or extravagant gestures. What mattered was trust, understanding, and a willingness to work side by side through whatever life threw at them.

They reached the barn, and the familiar tasks of the morning took over. Earl worked in silence, his hands moving with practiced efficiency as he milked the cows and tended to the animals. Harry's chatter filled the air, but Earl's mind wandered to thoughts of the future.

The farm was his responsibility now, especially as his father grew older, and Earl took that duty seriously. He had no grand dreams of adventure or leaving Kingston. His place was here, rooted in the land that had sustained his family for generations. He had never questioned it—it was simply the way things were and yet, the thought of Louise entered his mind again, more persistent this time. Maybe it was time for him to think about the future in a different way - to consider what it might mean to share his life with someone. A partnership, like the one his parents had built, grounded in faith, love, and mutual respect.

By the time he and Harry finished their chores, the sun was fully up, and the day had begun in earnest. Earl wiped the sweat from his brow, looking out over the fields that stretched toward the horizon. This was his life—hard work, tradition, and the quiet satisfaction that came from knowing he was part of something bigger than himself. As he walked back toward the house, Harry's words echoed in his mind. Maybe there was more to life than just the farm. Maybe, just maybe, there was room for love too.

As the day unfolded, Earl couldn't help but think about the spring dance, about the possibility of seeing Louise there, and about the future he hadn't allowed himself to fully imagine until now. A future that, like the land, needed time and patience to grow. For now, though, the work continued, and Earl would face it as he always did—with quiet determination and a steady heart, but deep down, he knew change was coming, and for the first time in a long while, he was ready for it.