Chapter Ten
Erna and Joel made their way to Kane and Faith’s house. Thankfully, it was early October, and the heat wasn’t as bad as it had been, though it still felt like summer to Erna. Church had left them both with a feeling of contentment that only the promise of a hearty Sunday dinner could enhance.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know your sister,” Joel remarked as he held the door open for Erna.
“You’ll love her,” Erna said, stepping into the cool foyer, where the smells of roasted meat and fresh bread were already making her mouth water.
As they settled around the dining table, the conversation flowed freely, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of cutlery. Joel leaned back in his chair, a twinkle in his eyes, ready to regale them with a tale.
“I need to tell y’all about the time I tried to break in that wild stallion over at the Murphy ranch?” Joel began, his hands animating the story as he spoke of the obstinate beast with a fondness in his voice that drew chuckles from around the table.
“Sounds like you met your match,” Kane jested, his own laugh rich and full.
“Maybe so,” Joel conceded, “but by the end, we came to an understanding, him and me.”
They ate heartily, enjoying the simple pleasures of good food and better company. Afterward, Erna and Faith cleared the dishes, hands moving in sync as only twins could. The clatter of porcelain and the splash of water accompanied their quietconversation about patterns and stitches - the language of sisters who shared a lifetime of memories.
Once the last dish was dried and put away, Faith’s face lit up with excitement. “Erna, wait till you see what I’ve got for you,” she said, fetching a small bundle from the other room.
Unwrapping it, she revealed four tiny quilts, each a masterpiece of miniature stitching. The colors were vibrant, the patterns intricate, and Erna’s fingers traced the delicate work with awe.
“Faith, they’re beautiful,” Erna breathed out, her voice thick with admiration and affection. She wrapped her sister in a grateful hug, feeling the love that had been sewn into the tiny quilts.
“Joel, come look at these,” Erna called, beckoning him over with a smile.
He ambled over, nodding appreciatively as he inspected the handiwork. “Faith, these are something special. You’ve got a real gift,” Joel said earnestly, his straightforward praise ringing with sincerity.
“Thank you, Joel,” Faith replied, her cheeks flushed with pleasure at the compliment.
“Can’t wait to see them on the dollhouse beds,” Erna said, already picturing the tiny bedrooms brought to life by these glorious additions. She’d made sweet covers for each bed, but these were so much better. She’d include both when she sold the dollhouse.
“Your dolls will be sleeping in style,” Joel chuckled, imagining the delight of children’s faces when they would play with such treasures.
Erna shuffled the deck of cards with practiced ease, the soft slap of paper against wood punctuating the quiet hum of the house.
“Your deal, sis,” Faith said with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she glanced at Erna.
“All right, let’s see if Joel’s luck holds out,” Erna replied, dealing the cards deftly into four piles. Joel leaned back in his chair, a playful glint in his eye.
“Remember, darling, I’m just full of surprises,” he teased, picking up his hand and fanning the cards before him.
Laughter mingled with the clinking of glasses. The game progressed amid light-hearted banter, with Kane throwing down his cards at one point and declaring, “I think these hands are better suited for roping than card playing,” which only elicited more chuckles.
Joel pushed back from the table and stretched. “Kane, how about we take a stroll? I can see the ladies have things they want to talk about,” he suggested, rolling his shoulders.
“Sounds good,” Kane agreed, standing up. “Don’t go starting another round without us now.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Erna replied with mock solemnity, watching as the two men disappeared out the door.
In their absence, Faith began stacking the cards neatly, her fingers moving with the same precision she used for her quilting. She turned to Erna, her expression contemplative. “They’ll be driving the cattle into town in a few weeks,” she remarked, almost to herself.
“Is that so?” Erna’s interest was piqued, and a hint of concern flickered across her face. “You worried at all?”
“Nah, they’ve done it plenty of times before,” Faith said, brushing away the concern with a wave of her hand. “But you know me—I’ll be a little anxious till they’re safely back.”
“True enough,” Erna nodded, understanding the unspoken bond of worry that knitted the community together whenever their men faced the perils of the trail.
“Let’s just hope the weather holds,” Faith added, a hopeful lilt in her voice.
