Four months old, Emily was a tow-headed little ray of sunshine with Cass’s pert nose and quick smile, her sweet disposition making her the darling of everyone who saw her. She was spoiled rotten, passed from arm to arm all day until Brian wondered if she’d ever learn to walk given that her feet never touched the floor.
Cass had informed him proudly yesterday afternoon that Emily had rolled over on her own, however. All evening she’d performed her new “trick” to a rapt audience in the living room, looking startled when cheers and clapping greeted each rotation, until Elise, now eighteen months old, had taken umbrage at this hogging of attention and tried to sit on the baby.
Brian grinned at the memory, dashed up the stairs and kissed his wife and daughter. “Breakfast time?”
“Almost. We need to get the show on the road if we’re going to make the most of the fair today.” She led the way indoors.
“I’ll put Emily’s portable crib in the truck. I can get Elise’s, too, if you want,” he said to Wye, who was setting the long wooden kitchen table.
“Thanks, that would be great,” Wye said with a smile. She was wearing a long, light sundress dotted with tiny flowers, with capacious skirts that covered her pregnant belly. “Slow down, Elise,” she added as the little girl careened through the kitchen, a toy plane in her hand.
“Where are you going?” Brian scooped up Elise and flew her around the room in the same manner she’d been flying her toy, zooming her up and down and then depositing her in Emerson’s hands when he appeared in the kitchen a moment later.
“Fair!” Elise crowed.
“That’s right, we’re going to the fair,” Emerson told her. “What’s with the plane?”
“Connor gave it to her. He got one for Emily, too,” Cass said from the stove. She’d put Emily in her bouncy seat, where she’d be safe to one side of the room, and the baby was reaching for the toys that dangled over her head. “I think he’s pushing them both toward a career in the Air Force.”
“Navy all the way, right, Emily?” Brian crossed the room, squatted down by his daughter and brushed a finger over her soft cheek.
“Get those cribs packed up and get back here for your breakfast,” Cass told him.
“Yes, ma’am.” Brian kissed Emily’s head and touched one tiny fist. “Gotta do something for your mama. Be right back,” he told her and went to perform the errand.
By the time he’d loaded both portable cribs in his truck, the kitchen had filled up. While Jo and Hunter were camping out in their nearly finished house, where the kitchen appliances weren’t hooked up yet, they were eating their meals at the main house again. In a week or so the kitchen would be done, and they’d be back to eating on their own. Most days Wye and Emerson ate breakfast and dinner in the trailer Emerson had refurbished but had lunch at the main house since Emerson still helped the General a few hours every morning. They were here for breakfast today just to keep everyone on one schedule.
Lena and Logan had moved into the tiny house Jo and Hunter had vacated. They, too, were planning to build a larger house, but not for another year. They were too busy enjoying their mutual love for all things active and dangerous, as Cass put it, and when their work was done, they spent hours riding, racing the dirt bikes they’d bought or ranging all over Montana to go kayaking, a new obsession they shared. They ate almost all their meals here, grateful for Cass’s cooking, since neither Lena nor Logan cared to spend time in the kitchen.
Jack and Alice planned to break ground soon on a home positioned near the carriage house, where Alice had her studio. They’d hired an architect, who’d come up with a plan for a three-bedroom, two-bath home with skylights and wide windows that would drench the interior in light.
Even Sadie and Connor were planning a home, situated halfway between the main house and the outbuildings, with wide verandas and a second-story balcony that would overlook the mountains in the distance. They’d decided they could be patient and wait a year, as well, however. “Two houses built this year and two next year,” was the way Connor had put it.
“Everyone’s leaving,” Cass had told Brian that night when they were alone. Tears had flecked her lashes.
“They won’t be far. Besides, we’ll fill this house right up again, won’t we?”
She’d smiled at that. “I guess.”
Now they were on their way, Brian mused as he lifted Emily from her bouncy seat, tucked her into the crook of his arm and took his seat at the table, nodding at the General as the man lowered himself carefully into his own chair. The General was far more limber than he’d been when he’d arrived home, thanks to the exercises Emerson still made him do, but he was tentative when it came to changing position.
“You’re looking happy,” the General said as Cass set a plate full of bacon in front of him.
“I am happy,” Brian said, taking a piece of toast from another platter on the table. “I’ve got everything I ever wanted, thanks to you, and I’m looking forward to a fantastic July Fourth.”
“Someone had to get you back on course.” The General snagged several pieces of bacon with his fork and placed them on his plate.
“You did that and more.” Brian wasn’t reluctant to give the man his due. If the General hadn’t interceded in his life, who knew where he’d have ended up?
“Everybody eat so we can get to the fair.” Cass took a seat next to
