The snow crunched underneath their feet, as Emma, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen and Erin walked. Emma pulled her coat more tightly around herself. It wasn't very warm that Sunday morning.
They stopped quite soon after by Drucilla's Pond, where they sat down and unwrapped a picnic. Elizabeth sighed as she bit into an apple. "I think this is going to be the best Christmas we've ever had! I know mama was very against us goin' for a picnic in the dead of winter, but its fun!"
"Emma, where did you disappear to yesterday? I was looking for you." Erin asked, changing the subject.
"Well, Ben met me here and I had my first kiss." Colour rose to Emma's cheeks as she glanced around her sisters.
Elizabeth's mouth dropped open and Mary Ellen smirked. "It was a matter of time."
"What do you mean?" Emma poked Mary Ellen playfully. Mary Ellen shrugged and smiled.
"I'm going to start working at the Dew Drop Inn." Jason announced at supper.
"What?" Olivia's eyes widened. "That honky tonk place? Jason I will not have you working there." All eyes turned to Jason, who went slightly red.
John put his hand over his wife's. "Now Liv, Jason is nineteen years old. He needs the extra money."
Grandma scowled. "John, how could you support that! Why with all those temptations and sinful things-"
"Now Esther." Grandpa gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Please mama?" Jason pleaded.
"I don't know what harm it could do." John Boy smiled at Jason.
Olivia pursed her lips. "I will not say another word." Standing up, she started to clear the dishes over to the sink. Like everyone knew, John was the head of the household, but Olivia was strong in her ways, and everyone respected her decision.
The town doctor, Curt, came over for supper for the first time that night. Emma thought he was nice looking, not as nice looking as Ben of course, but she knew why Mary Ellen liked him. The two clashed with their similar personalities, often butting heads at the most simple of things. But Emma could tell that they liked each other really.
"Mary Ellen! Mary Ellen?" She called as she walked around the side of the house. Biting back a smile, she saw Mary Ellen and Curt kissing. Giggling quietly, she headed back inside.