Letters

Chapter 20

July 2017

Aurora awoke slowly into the barely dawn hours.She lay in bed with Rocky pressed warm against her side.

Her mind was quiet at first but it wasn't long before her thoughts quickly shifted as they always did.

Her hand rose to stroke the small bump just below her ribs.

"It's ok baby, mommy is here and Daddy is somewhere safe.We have to think that."

Worry rose in her mind.Her last letter to Jake had been returned.it had been months since Ryan had wrote to her.Nothing had come since then, but the news was showing worsening events in the east.The reports of bombing, mass casualties and deaths were escalating daily.

Slowly Aurora rose from her bed, thankfully she was barely showing at 5 months.She hadn't even realized she was missing her period until late March, by then the doctor figured she was already 3 months along.She smiled as she thought back to how she had reassured Ryan that they were safe.

"I guess you were meant to be baby".
She smiled as she spoke, it gave her hope to talk to the baby and made it less lonely.She missed Ryan, and without letters to let her know how he was, she worried.

Changing and easing comfortably into yoga pants and a tee, she whistled to Rocky.

She walked outside and watched Rocky make his rounds.She followed the path way around the house towards the barn.Grabbing the pail beside the door she entered the goat pen.Sally quickly came to her and allowed herself to be led into the milking area.Juilet and her kids tried to follow but she shut them out.

Humming Aurora milked Sally easily.She stroke Sally's side as she set the milk out of the way on a shelf before letting Sally out with the others.
Stepping into the pen, she let the goats into the feeding pasture.

She returned to the barn and took some grain over to the chickens.Setting the eggs she found in her shirt for safe keeping.

Carrying the milk bucket she walked back to the house.After setting it on the wood stove, she add wood to the fire to heat the milk.Then added a small pot with water to the cook top.

Washing the eggs she looked out the window and watched the sunrise above the tree line.She turned and add several eggs to the pot before setting the rest in her fridge.

A cup of tea was easily made from an already steaming pot on the fire.

Taking her cup, Aurora went out to the porch and sat down.Time passed as she sat watching the world awake.

Jerking she startled awake.Her tea had cooled but not much.She laughed.

"A nap was needed huh baby?", she rose to check her milk and eggs.

Adding another set of logs she toasted a piece of bread on the fire and gathered her boiled eggs.After shelling them and setting the milk aside to cool she returned to the porch.

Rocky came panting to her feet and stretched out.He huffed as he lay down.

"Getting old, boy?", Aurora asked as she stroked his head.

Doggy snores answers her as she dug into her food.

Peace surrounded her and she cleaned up her dishes then returned to her spot on the porch.This time curling up on a swing seat with a book.Lazy summer days were the best she thought as she began to read, the world falling away as she absorbed the story.

Time slipped by and her eyes grew heavy as she read.She usually feel asleep easily these days.The baby was growing well but used a lot of energy.She was tired often, and took advantage of napping when she could.Her eyes drifted shut as the sun rose over her house.