"Do you have any idea where we are going, Susan?" Brieanna said as she along with Sam and Gwen followed her on horseback as Susan led them. Aednat was ridding behind Susan on her horse.
"Just follow the gorgeous redheads," Susan teased. "Grandpa will meet us there." Mad-Doo was following them as they kept pace with Susan and Aednat. "You ride like a pro Nit!"
"I love to ride," Aednat replied, "we had ponies for me to ride at home."
George was standing at a gate which he opened as they approached. "I think you'll like this place Ana," he said smiling. They rode through the gate and George closed it. "I simply walked over." They dismounted and walked to the cottage. It was a timbered stucco design with a slate roof. There were window boxes for flowers, now empty. The walk way to the house was lined with fruit trees.
"It's beautiful!" Brieanna said.
"It's rather small compared to you mother's," George said, "but there are hot springs on the property and it has a nice bath house."
"What about the kitchen?"
"I'll let you decide. It has eighty acres of pasture, about forty acres of tillable land with another forty not used, and about fifty wooded acres."
"It's more than I could have imagined!" Sam said.
"The sheep also are included in the price I quoted."
"Can we get a cow and some horses?" Aednat asked. Sam nodded.
"Let's check out the house first," Brieanna said, "then the barn." They toured the house and Aednat was enthusiastic over her bed room on the second floor.
"It has a window seat!" she exclaimed sitting in the seat.
"This will be your room, Gwen." Brieanna said. "It has a window seat too. We will need to buy bedding and furniture. Look Sam it has an indoor privy! Let's check out the bath house." Brieanna chose the large bedroom on the first floor for her and Sam.
"Well, what do you think of the kitchen?"
"I love it. It's bright and spacious. I've never used a stove or an oven."
"How did you cook?"
"We had an open fire and a big kettle."
"I'm sure your grandma will love showing you how to use the stove. It also warms the house in the cold weather. You can arrange for coal delivery from the village," George said. "I'm just down the road from hear. Ruth is just in the next farm over."
"How did you find this Grandpa...it's perfect?"
"It's newly on the market. The owner wants to retire and live in Avalon. It's simply a matter of luck."
"This is so much more than we had hoped for," Sam said. Then looking at Brieanna who nodded said, "We'll take it." They toured the property and the barn. The dog immediately began herding the sheep. "The barn needs work but its otherwise sound," Sam said.
"I don't see any baby sheep!" Aednat said sounding disappointed.
"It Autumn here Nit," Sam said, "There will be some in the spring."
"I will spend my bride's prize to furnish the house," Brieanna said. "I'll get Mom to take me to the village tomorrow to go shopping."
"We'll come too," Susan volunteered.
"The redheads or the twins?" Brieanna teased.
"Both," Susan and Gwen said in unison.
They left the farm and headed over to Ruth's home. George promising to have the papers for the purchase ready by the morning. Sam dismounted to open the gate for Ruth's farm when Gwen, Brieanna and Susan simply jumped the fence laughing as they sped past the gate. Aednat gave a happy shriek as they cleared the fence.
"RUTHIE WE"RE HERE!" Susan shouted as they rode to the house. Sam caught up with them in time to be tasked to take the horses to the paddock and give them some hay. He caught up with them a second time as they toured Ruth's home. Mad-Doo was content to lay on the porch in the sun.
"That was quite a birthday party Mom threw for you yesterday," Ruth said. "It's odd you're both sixteen on October sixth."
"My birthday is actually June twelfth, but is the same day on my world as Susan's." Gwen said.
"That makes us twins," Susan said happily.
"I'll let you explain that to the family next week at the family reunion," Ruth said. "Did you take the farm?"
"Yes we did," Brieanna said. "It was more than we expected. We still have enough for some horses and perhaps a cow."
"What do you like best about our world?" Ruth asked Aednat.
"Lunch!"
"We only took two meals per day," Brieanna volunteered, "Nit is enthusiastic about having three."
"Well, we are about to have lunch now," Ruth said to the child. "We're just awaiting Bill. Oh before I forget, we have plenty of chickens so take a few for your farm."
"Thank you Ruthie, we will," Brieanna said.
The next morning they all gathered for a trip into the village. Aryanna and Sam drove the wagon and the others followed on horseback. It was about seven miles to the village and they planned to take a late lunch in the village. "What are you going to buy?" Aryanna asked.
"We need everything," Brieanna said. "Bedding, a table and chairs for now."
"I'll arrange for a coal delivery too," Sam added. "I'm going to visit my parent's shop, just to announce our presence and test the waters."
"Want me to come?" Brieanna asked.
"Sam explained everything to me this morning Ana, we had a long talk while you were bathing. I think it's prudent for you to wait," Aryanna said softly.
"Sam...did you mention Loki and Lemuel?" Brieanna asked.
"I shared everything with your Mom," Sam said. Brieanna looked worried as she looked into her mother's eyes.
"Ana, it's OK. Sam is not Lemuel. We are family now."
"Thank you!" Brieanna whispered.
"Well let's go shopping!" Susan happily announced. "I can't wait to have sleep overs with my twin."
5"zw2Y{
YOU ARE READING
The Dragon's Redemption
Fantasy"The destroyer will come, a Valkyrie from hell on dragon back. Your rein will be cut short, your sons will shed each other's blood and your daughters time on earth will end on the last day of her fifteenth year."
