1842 || hs

Five

Word Count: 1898

We carefully unloaded the pies and cakes we had baked for the barn raising, taking them over to the old picnic table filled with other baked goods. I subconsciously looked around for a curly headed boy, but to no avail. I was helping my mother carry the last few things to the table as I heard a wagon roll to a stop. Whipping my head around, I saw a group of familiar men jumping from the wagon. I smile grew on my face as I set down the berry pie I had made.

"I wonder if Louis likes apple preserves." Felicité murmured as she bounced Jacob on her hip. She had spent hours making apple preserves to impress Louis.

"Everyone with a sane mind likes apple preserves." My father chuckled as he rubbed his large stomach.

"Right you are Mr. Edwards." Harry's warm voice sounded from behind us, as he grasped my father on the shoulder, shaking his hand.

"Wonderful to see you here Harry." My father smiled at the taller boy.

"It's a pleasure. I hope you don't mind I brought my friends with me." Harry gestured behind him.

"The more the merrier." My mother pitched in.

"Not like we had a choice with Harry babbling about some Adaline girl." Niall grumbled as he took a bite out of an apple the was as red as my cheeks.

"Was he now? Our little Adaline?" My mother grasped both arms around me.

"Oh damn. That's her? Sorry bud." Niall slapped Harry's shoulder as Harry remained quiet.

"Harry, would you fancy catching a fish with your bare hands with me?" I piped up, aching to remove the uneasy tension.

"Sounds like fun." Harry held out his arm for me to lace mine through. We walked in the direction of the fish pond together, only to notice the rest of his friends, along with Felicité had decided the join.

"The more the merrier." I recited my mother when I noticed the disappointment on Harry's features when he noticed the group behind us.

"I suppose. Have you ever caught a fish with only your hands?" He changed the subject.

"Actually caught the fish or attempted? Because those are two very different things Mr. Styles." I grinned.

"Caught. And don't call me Mr. Styles. It makes me feel older than I really am." He scrunched his nose in disgust.

Nodding, I answered his question. "Then no. I haven't. I've attempted. Many times."

"No luck eh?"

"No luck." I giggled.

We stood in front of the fish pond, the water only going up just above my ankles.

"The poor fish." Liam spoke from behind us. "Seems traumatizing to be in a small pond of water while people grope at you."

"That's one way to put it." Felicité said as she shifted on opposite feet in order to keep Jacob quiet. She'd been much more willing with him since running into Louis. Though it probably shouldn't have taken a man for her to do that.