“That would be awesome.”The walkie on his hip squawked and he answered.“Yeah, Ford?”
“I need a hand in the barn.You busy?”
“On my way.”
“See you later,” she said.
“Love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too.”
She turned and opened the window to let in the gentle breeze, then bent to open the box of sewing supplies they’d ordered from a store in the northern part of the state.
Just as she was pulling a few yards of dark blue fabric for Zara and Crew’s bedroom curtains, Tatum knocked on the door to the sewing room holding a box under her arm.
“Hey, lady, how’s it going?”Tatum asked.
“Great.How was the library today?”
“Always fun.I had a teen boy come in to do research on the Jersey Devil and boy did I have a lot of stuff to tell him about!”
“Do you think the Jersey Devil is real?”
“Heck yeah.New Jersey is huge and full of wooded areas, people who don’t want to be found, and myths galore.I absolutely believe in the Jersey Devil.Maybe he’s a shifter!”
“I hadn’t thought about that.I’m sure the boy was happy to have someone who loves myths and legends at the library to give him information.”
“I sent him off with a big stack of books and resources, and I had a great time chatting with him about the local legend.But anyway, we also have a book sale going on, and I set aside all the board books I could find so you could go through them.”
“Oh!How fun!”
Tatum set the box on the sewing table next to the coveralls and opened it.She handed book after book to Fallon, from sweet A B C books about animals, to classics about bunnies who got into trouble, and little girls who fell into magical holes.
“Okay, I want them all,” Fallon said.“I just need a bookshelf.How much do I owe the library?”
“I already paid,” Tatum said.“Consider it a congratulations gift on the pregnancy from me and Grey.They were only fifty cents each and there are thirty books.”
Fallon gave Tatum a hug.“Thank you so much.You’re the best.”
“I try!I’ll keep an eye out for more books, especially as your little one grows.Every child deserves a bookshelf full of fun books.”
They sat in the room and talked about the books, about motherhood, the farm, and the future.Fallon felt closer than ever to the human female who loved books and legends.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Fallon’s chest wasn’t tight with worry.Her mom was safe.She and the baby were safe.Somehow, despite the chaos that had come to their doorstep, the herd had carved out some peace and she was grateful for it.
Grateful for a sewing room that smelled like dust and possibilities.
Grateful for friends like Tatum and Zara, Tris and Nancy.
And her bestie Sunny.
The future was just starting to take shape, and it sure looked amazing.
“Would you like my piece?”Avi asked as he noticed Fallon eyeing the wedge of cornbread on his plate.
She reached for it, then hesitated.“Are you sure?There isn’t any left and I already had two pieces.”
“Make it three,” he said, lifting the plate toward her.
