Chapter Three
With their vows freshly exchanged, Joel Trinity clasped Erna Brown’s hand, signaling it was time to leave.
“Let’s head on out,” he said.
Erna nodded, her eyes bright with excitement. She turned to Faith, who was standing by with a quilt she had stitched together with love. “Faith,” Erna called out softly, her steps quickening toward her twin. They embraced tightly, the bond of sisterhood evident in the silent exchange of smiles and tears.
“Take care of him,” Faith whispered, smoothing a stray curl behind Erna’s ear. “And more importantly, make him take care of you.”
“I will,” Erna promised, pulling back just enough to look into Faith’s eyes, “and you take care of everyone else, like you always do,” Erna added with a gentle laugh.
Faith nodded, her own laughter mingling with Erna’s as they shared a knowing glance. With one last squeeze, Erna turned away, the skirts of her simple wedding dress swishing softly against the grass.
Joel and Erna set off side by side, leaving the warmth of the gathering behind them. The half-mile to Joel’s ranch stretched out, a path they would now walk together. The air was dense with the heat of a Texas summer evening.
“Seems like just yesterday I was baking bread for the bakery in town, and now here I am, walking with my husband,” Erna mused aloud, her voice filled with wonder.
“Life has its turns and twists,” Joel replied, his thumb caressing the back of her hand. “Never thought I’d find someone who’d want to share mine.”
They talked about everything—the sky, so vast and filled with stars, the future, uncertain but promising; and the small joys of everyday life. They spoke of the ranch, the children she loved and hoped to have, and the crafts that filled her quiet moments.
“Ever ridden a horse at full gallop?” Joel asked, a smile playing on his lips.
“Can’t say I have,” Erna replied, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Well, we’ll have to change that,” he declared, a note of excitement in his voice.
“Only if you try your hand at baking,” she teased.
“I can do that,” he said, “but I warn you, I’m not much good in the kitchen.”
“Then it’s good you have me,” she said.
Erna stepped into the modest homestead, her eyes wide with both surprise and delight. It was clear from the outset that Joel’s living space was designed more for function than comfort—a single room serving as kitchen, bedroom, and living area all in one.
She smiled, not at all dismayed by the sight. Already, her mind was abuzz with ideas to make this space their own. “I can hang curtains here,” she mused aloud, touching the window frame gently, “and maybe some flowers on the table.” Her fingers traced the rough wood of the table, envisioning it covered with a clean cloth and a freshly baked pie in the center.
“Needs a woman’s touch, I’m sure,” Joel said, somewhat sheepishly as he watched her take it all in. His hands found their way to his hips, and he looked around as if seeing the place through her eyes for the first time.
“It does,” Erna agreed, her voice filled with a quiet excitement. “But you’re in luck because I’m a woman!”
He laughed and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a collie bounded into the room, its tail wagging furiously. His intelligent eyes immediately sought out Joel for approval before turning to inspect the newcomer.
“Erna, this is Prince,” Joel introduced with a hint of pride in his voice. “He’s been with me since he was just a pup.”
“Hello, Prince,” Erna greeted the dog, kneeling to offer a hand. Prince sniffed it cautiously then gave a gentle lick, accepting her presence. Erna laughed, the sound light and genuine, as she scratched behind Prince’s ears. “Aren’t you a sweet thing?”
“Thinks he runs the ranch,” Joel commented, but there was no annoyance in his tone. Instead, there was an affectionate note that suggested Prince was more partner than pet.
“Looks like I have two boys to look after now,” she teased, standing up and dusting off her skirt. “But I think I’m up to the challenge.”
“Something tells me you are,” Joel agreed, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smile.
Erna’s eyes scanned the room, a soft smile playing on her lips as she imagined all the ways she could brighten up the modest space. Her gaze landed on the bed, its sheets wrinkled and speckled with traces of the day’s work. With a gentle determination, she began rummaging through the wooden trunk at the foot of the bed, searching for something clean to sleep on.
“Found them!” she exclaimed, pulling out a pair of scarcely used sheets that still held the scent of fresh cotton. Shaking them open, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of contentment. It was a small task, changing the bed linens, but it symbolized the start of her new life here with Joel. Erna knew the days ahead would befilled with chores, but the thought of caring for Joel, of making this house a home, brought her an unexpected joy.
Joel watched her with a mixture of admiration and sheepishness. “I reckon I should’ve cleaned up some before bringing you here,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. The disarray of his home seemed more apparent now, in the presence of someone who saw more than four walls and a roof.
