“Got to check on the cattle,” he called over his shoulder. Erna nodded, her own smile steadfast as she watched him disappear into the sprawling fields.
Turning her attention to the task at hand, Erna rummaged through the woodpile inside the barn. Her fingers danced over the rough textures, selecting pieces with the right grain andsturdiness. The money from the dollhouse had sparked more than just joy. It ignited a flame of purpose within her. Each splinter and knot in the wood whispered potential, and she gathered them like treasures, envisioning the next miniature creation already taking shape in her mind.
Erna dusted off her apron and made her way inside. Humming a tune that echoed the day’s victories, she set about making an apple cake. She cut the apples up into small pieces. Adding the cinnamon and sugar to the apples, she smiled, happy there was a little extra sugar to add for a change.
She had just popped the cake out of the oven when she heard Joel open the door.
“Smells like heaven in here,” Joel’s voice drifted in from the doorway.
“Wait till you taste it,” Erna said with a wink.
The clink of forks against plates filled the cozy kitchen as Erna and Joel sat down for supper. A gentle breeze wafted through the open window, carrying with it the scent of the apple cake cooling on the windowsill.
“This is delicious,” Joel complimented, his fork spearing another piece of chicken.
Erna beamed at him, her cheeks warmed by more than just the heat from the stove. “I was thinking,” she started, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, “with the money from the dollhouse, I could start on a new one. We had so much fun making it, and we sold it for a good amount.”
Joel chewed thoughtfully, his eyes lighting up with interest. “That’s a fine idea. And I think I’ll carve the next family for you.” He set his fork down, his gaze meeting hers across the table. “Might not be much for sewing and quilting, but I can whittle a figure well enough.”
Her heart skipped a beat, not just from the tender look in his eyes, but also from the joy that bubbled up inside her knowinghe shared in her passion. “Would you?” Erna grinned, her hands clasping together in excitement. “That would be wonderful!”
“Then it’s settled.” Joel’s voice carried a cheerful certainty. “We’ll make it a project together.”
“Can’t wait to see those little figures,” Erna said, picturing the tiny wooden people that would soon populate the dollhouses they’d create side by side.
“Neither can I,” Joel replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Neither can I.”
