The Farmer's New Wife

Chapter 7

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the fields, John suggested they head back to the house. Dot agreed, her body feeling the fatigue that came with a day spent in the sun. They walked back together, their pace slow and unhurried, with Dot's hand resting on her bump as they talked about the day's work.

When they reached the porch, John held the door open for her, and they stepped inside. The house was cool and dim, a welcome respite from the heat outside. Dot made her way to the kitchen, intending to start dinner, but John stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.

"Why don't you sit down for a bit, darlin'? I'll take care of dinner tonight."

Dot looked up at him, surprised. "Are you sure? I don't mind cooking."

John nodded, his expression firm. "I'm sure. You've done enough today. Let me handle this."

Dot hesitated for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Alright, but I'll be your assistant if you need one."

John chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring. "I'll keep that in mind."

Dot settled into a chair at the table, watching as John moved around the kitchen with a practiced ease. It was clear that he knew his way around a stove, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for him. He was a man who took care of what needed to be done, no matter how big or small the task.

As John worked, he glanced over at Dot now and then, noting the way she seemed more relaxed, more at ease. He found himself wanting to make her feel comfortable, to take some of the burden off her shoulders. It was a new feeling for him, this desire to care for someone else, but it wasn't unwelcome.

"John," Dot said after a few minutes of quiet, her voice breaking the comfortable silence. "Do you ever think about... what it'll be like when the baby's here?"

John paused in his work, his back to her as he considered her question. "I think about it, yeah," he admitted, his voice steady. "A lot, actually."

Dot looked down at her hands, which were resting on her belly, gently caressing the growing bump. "It's hard to imagine sometimes. Everything's going to change."

John turned to face her, leaning against the counter as he met her gaze. "It will, but change isn't always a bad thing. And darlin', a child... our child... that's a good change. It's a challenge, sure. Caring for a newborn is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. There'll be sleepless nights, lots of crying, and plenty of moments when you'll wonder if you're doing it all wrong."

As he spoke, John crossed the room and knelt down beside her, his presence warm and comforting. He reached out and gently placed his hand on top of hers, which was resting on her bump. The touch was tender, reassuring, and Dot felt a shiver of surprise at the intimacy of the gesture. But as John's hand began to caress her belly, she found herself welcoming it, loving the feeling of his large, warm hands on her skin, grounding her in the moment.

"But," John continued, his voice softening as he looked up at her, "it's also one of the most beautiful things you'll ever experience. You'll discover a kind of love you didn't even know your heart was capable of. It's a love that grows with every smile, every tiny hand that grips your finger, every moment you hold our baby close and feel them breathe."

Dot's eyes softened, but there was a hint of sadness that lingered in them, a shadow that John could see all too clearly. She looked down at their joined hands, gently caressing her belly together. "I'm scared, John," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared I won't be enough. That I'll let this baby down."

John's heart ached at her words, and he squeezed her hand gently, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "You won't, darlin'. You've got a heart bigger than you know. You're gonna be a great mother, and our baby... our baby's lucky to have you."