She gestured once, simple and certain.“Higher ground.Still shaded.Far enough from the river that it won’t flood come spring.”
Everett crossed to test it, pressing his heel into the earth.He nodded.“She’s right.”
James laughed softly.“Saves us trouble later.”
Just like that, the tools moved.Shovels shifted.The men began again where Lula indicated, without argument or hesitation.
Ella watched the work resume.After a moment, she bent, scooped up a handful of dirt, rubbed it between her fingers, and nodded.
Belle caught Lula’s eye and grinned.Sebastian did nothing at all except lift another load of earth and keep working where his wife had chosen.Lula, Belle, and Ella immediately began moving the rocks to the new location, with Ella’s husband, David, joining them.
By afternoon, the pit was taking shape properly.Rocks were stacked neatly.Shelves were discussed and measured.Babies passed from arm to arm.Food was set aside for later.
As the men finished their work, they leaned their tools against the growing rock walls and scrubbed their hands at the river’s edge.The cold house was taking shape, with only mud needing to be added to the walls to finish the project.
Their meal was laid out on the makeshift table, and they all sat.They’d worked up an appetite with their long day of work, and they were all ready for a feast.Myrtle’s bread was torn instead of sliced.Agnes laid out strips of dried salmon, sharp and savory, while Sally’s vegetables were passed hand to hand.Belle’s jars of berries were opened sparingly, spooned carefully so everyone had a taste.
At the center of it all, Lula uncovered the pot of venison stew.The smell alone drew appreciative murmurs.Sebastian ladled it out, thick and rich, meat tender enough to fall apart at the touch of a spoon.
They ate on benches and crates.Belle’s little boy made a determined attempt to toddle through the group, earning cheers when he managed three whole steps before dropping triumphantly into the dirt.
Someone made a joke—no one could remember who—and suddenly everyone was laughing.Everett laughed so hard he had to bend over, hands on his knees.James wiped his eyes.Myrtle swatted Aaron’s arm and laughed harder when he only grinned at her.Even Tom, usually quiet, chuckled into his bowl.
Lula laughed too, a sound that felt lighter than it had in days.She looked around the circle—the women, the men, the children, the food that had come from many hands—and felt something settle into place.
Ella sat beside David, eating quietly, her mouth curving into a small smile as she listened.She didn’t say anything.She didn’t need to.
As the last of the stew was eaten and the pie cut, Lula looked around happily.It had been a good day.The work would continue the following day.But for that evening, it felt as if they had already found what they were building toward.
Chapter Six
Sebastian didn’t knowwhen the feeling had begun—only that it refused to leave him alone.
At first, it had been no more than a sense that Lula stopped herself before finishing certain thoughts.He would ask a question—a simple, harmless question—and she would answer carefully, as if deciding if each word was safe.He told himself it was habit.Or grief.Or the result of marrying a stranger and trying not to offend.
But the feeling didn’t fade.
