Finding Home (Book 1 Of The Finding Love Series.)

Four

Fall had finally hit. The leaves were falling from the trees and the once green grass was brown and stiff. Dolly rocked in a rocking chair by the fire, sewing one of Silas' work shirts. The sound of the wagon pulled her attention from her work. She awkwardly pushed herself up and out of the chair, her six month baby bump already weighing heavy on her. She walked to the front door and opened it in time for Silas and the kids carrying things in from town. They had to get everything before winter hit. Luke dragged in a five pound bag of beans, making her giggle. He dropped the beans and ran over to her. He immediately wrapped his hands around her growing belly. She smiled as he said," A-A-re the-the-they k-k-kick-king a-alot?" She smiled at how much his speech was getting better. He still had troubles with a few words and letters but he was getting better. She nodded and said," Yes he is. I think he's getting excited to meet you." Luke giggled and kissed her belly before going back to the beans. Silas carried a few more bags beans and rice in before coming over and giving her a quick peck on the lips. He pulled away looked down to her growing belly. She smiled up at him as he pressed a hand to her belly, feeling the baby kick against it. He smiled and said," I think we'll have a tough one on our hands." Dolly nodded in agreement as Zoe carried in a basket of fabric and yarn. Dolly looked at the basket and gasped at the amount of everything inside it. Silas smiled and said," A gift from Ma. She said that you were gonna need plenty more yarn and fabric for baby clothes and socks." Dolly pulled away from him to inspect the basket. She placed the heavy basket on the table to find tons of fabric colors and patterns and three balls of white yarn. She teared up as she looked through it. Silas noticed the tears and came over, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She sniffed as she said,"Audrey is so nice. I can't imagine how much something like this would cost." Silas kissed her temple and pulled her close. He smiled and said," Well she said not worry about that. Some of the fabric is stuff they couldn't sell over the summer and some is the last little but of the roll. The only thing she bought was the yarn and that was only a couple cents." Dolly let out a sigh of relief as she wrapped her arms around his middle. Silas kissed her temple one last time and said," I have to get back to work. I'll be tending to the cattle if you need me and let Zoe help lift some this stuff. Don't you dare touch them bean and rice sacks till I'm back." Dolly just mock saluted him making him chuckle before he pulled away and went to work.

Dolly held her belly in one as the other held a spoon, stirring a pot of potatoe soup. She winced as the baby kicked her hard in the ribs. Gently rubbed the spot as Zoe came to stand beside her with a large smile. She looked down to Zoe as Zoe said," When are we gonna give Pa his birthday present?" Dolly held a finger to lip before playfully shushing her. Dolly took the spoon out of the pot and said," We're gonna give him his present at dinner. Speaking of dinner, do you want to grab your father? Tell him supper is done." Zoe ran out the kitchen and the front door in search of her father. She went to the barn knowing he'd be in there working on his project. He would never tell anyone what he was working on and it bothered Zoe, she had to know. She climbed up to the loft to find her father slowly carving at a wooden spindle. She smiled and said," It's time for dinner, Pa." He smiled at Zoe before nodding. He gently held up the spindle, looking at it in the light. He smiled proud of his work before standing up. Zoe sighed and said," Can you tell me what your building now?" Silas chuckled as he waved her over to the carved wooden pieces laying around. Silas looked at his work and said," I'm making Dolly a crib for Christmas. I know Christmas is still awhile away but I want it done before winter just in case the baby decides to be early." Zoe smiled and giggled as she looked over the beautiful pieces her father carved. Zoe hugged him and said," She's going to love it." Silas smiled as they started towards the house. Silas smile grew at the smell of potatoe soup reached his nose, his favorite. He sat at the table with the kids as Dolly labeled out bowls for the family. Dolly sat beside Silas and his hand immediately attacked her belly, gently rubbing. Silas said a quick prayer before they all dug in. Dolly went to take a bite but looked up to see both kids staring at her with wide eyes and smiles. She smiled and nodded as they ran. Silas scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion as she smiled to him. She took his hand in hers as the kids came running back as Zoe carried something close to her chest covered in a towel. Dolly watched Silas smiled at his children as his daughter handed him the blanket. Silas slowly opened the towel to find a brand new hunting knife in a leather sheath. He teared up as he see his initials carved into the handle. He brought Luke and Zoe into a big hug before turning to Dolly. He pulled her in for a quick chaste kiss as the kids sat down. Silas smiled and said," Thank you. I love it. It looks just like the one my grandpa had when I was a kid." Dolly laid a hand on his thigh gently patting before letting it rest. He wrapped an arms around the back of her as they finished dinner.