He sat at her side, and soon, the group was enjoying apple and blueberry pancakes along with other fruit.
“What about apple-flavored maple syrup?”The words sprang out at her before she even thought to stop them.
The group looked at her and each other.Thea laughed.“That’s an amazing idea.Add it to the list, Knox.Gray planted a few sugar maples out front.We can plant more if it works out.”
Excited chatter about the idea had her grinning.Not only was she welcome to contribute to the group, but she wanted to—to fit in and be a part of things.
Nash flashed her an approving smile and her heart warmed again.
Maybe she was on her way to making all her dreams come true.
Nash walked through the orchard with Charlie and Olivia at his side.She carried the little girl in her front-facing pack and Ella Mae enjoyed the walk.
There weren’t many birds in the trees as some had flown south for the winter.But Charlie spotted a few and tried to get Ella to repeat birdie for him.
So far, she was happier sayingLaandMama, which made always Olivia smile.
None of them knew much about bird species, but Charlie loved seeing birds he’d never seen before.Nash figured it wouldn’t be long before Charlie had a Vermont birding guide he wanted to order on his e-reader.Maybe a bird-identifying app.It would be fun to learn along with him.
Olivia and Ella had been at the farm for a few days, and things felt natural.It was normal for the four of them to spend the day together talking about everything and nothing.It was natural to think about including them in whatever activities he planned for him and Charlie.
Today, they’d decided to get a little more serious about figuring out the cider business.A few cabins were scattered throughout the property, and they hoped one would fit the requirements.
They’d checked the one where Thea had lived when Jay had owned the property.It was okay, but probably a little small for their experiments.
They’d been told about another cabin a little closer to the far side of the property.Ford had used the ATV to make paths throughout the orchard, and they led to all the cabins, the Worminator, and Duckington Palace.That left plenty of room for the snow to act as a playground.
Yesterday, the four of them made snowmen.Then Charlie suggested they make snow creatures from Olivia’s fantasy land of Norissamin.
Now there were snow dragons and snow brucans scattered around the property.When Olivia mentioned she was considering adding another species or two of fantasy creatures to future books, Charlie reeled off about a million questions and suggestions.
Then he’d made more snow creatures.Things combining characteristics of dragons and brucans along with the more mundane goats, squids, monkeys, and dogs.
So many dogs.The hints were getting louder and more frequent.The fact that the land already housed three dogs didn’t abate Charlie’s desire for one of his own.
Dad, Fox belongs to the land and Thea.Hemsworth is Jolie and Ford’s, and he works with the ducks.Boomer doesn’t like to be out of Amber’s sight.Wouldn’t it be great to have a dog of our own?
Charlie was right, but Nash had no intention of telling him that yet.Itwouldbe great to have a dog of their own.It wouldn’t be a problem for the rest of the group.They were all obviously dog-friendly and adhered to a philosophy of the more, the merrier, just like they did with people.
A dog would be great for Christmas.
Along with all his other plans.Nash had never been a Scrooge, but he knew his savings wouldn’t be able to cover all his dreams for this year’s holiday.He’d have to pick and choose.
Skates and hockey equipment, for sure.Charlie would love it, and he hoped everyone else would, too.The native Vermonters might already know how to skate, but it would be fun for the rest of them to learn together.
Having sticks, pucks, and nets would give them something to do once they could stay upright on the skates.
As they walked, Nash considered the path they were following.Could they make a rink that was a path through the orchard?That would be fun and a quick way to get from one end of the orchard to the other, especially if this cabin worked out.It was a long hike for little Ella.
“There’s the cabin, Dad.It’s way bigger than the other one.Do you think it’ll work?”
Nash laughed.“Let’s find out.”
They did a quick tour of the outside.Like Ford had told him, it was secure with all the windows intact.Icicles hanging from the eaves indicated a heat loss issue, but Ford knew about that.The cabins weren’t on the priority list for this season.
They kicked the snow off their boots, but left them on because the inside of the cabin was cold.If things worked out, they could all leave extra shoes or moccasins here to use.
Like a family.
