Faith Hope Love Repeat pt. 16
"I've missed you." Crane whispered.
"I've missed you too." Molly answered. "I don't want to let go."
"Then don't."
They eventually pulled away and Molly hugged Hannah again. Hannah felt four arms wrapped around her legs. She looked down and smiled.
"Girls, this is Molly." Hannah said as she knelt down. The girls hid in Hannah's chest and Hannah smiled. Molly knelt down and looked at the girls.
"Which one of you is Holly?" Molly asked. Holly looked at Molly and then hid her face. Molly looked at Riley and started to tick her. "So you must be Riley. I've heard a lot about the two of you. Want to show me your brother and sister?"
The girls ran inside and Molly and Hannah laughed.
"They are adorable." Molly laughed.
"We love them so much." Hannah answered. They went inside and saw Holly and Riley on the floor with the babies.
"Oh, Hannah, they're so adorable."
"I know."
Molly picked up Luke and held him close. Luke cooed and babbled in Molly's arms.
"How old is he?" Molly asked.
"He will 8 months at the end of the month. Briana will be 6 months in a couple of weeks." Hannah answered.
"SO where is everyone?"
"Evan and Sally went to town on personal business. Guthrie and Ford are at school. Today is their last day. Daniel is at work. Brian is in Sonora trying to get what they need to build a bigger dog shelter. Jane and James are at their house and I don't know where Adam or Dakota is."
"I couldn't believe it when Crane called and said that Daniel was married."
"Adam was the only one that wasn't surprised about it. He knew the most about the situation and he saw how Daniel was."
"Maybe because he knew what it was like."
"Yeah."
Adam walked out of the bathroom and walked downstairs.
"Hannah, do we have anything for stomach cramps?" Adam wondered.
"I think so. Why?" Hannah answered.
"My stomach has been bothering me for a while. I don't have a fever, just stomach cramps."
Hannah went to the kitchen and came back out with pills.
"Thanks." Adam said. He saw Molly and smiled. "Hey, how long have you been back?"
"Only a few minutes." Molly answered.
"Crane know?"
"Yeah, he does."
Adam walked outside and Hannah and Molly sat down and talked. Dakota walked in several minutes later and saw Molly and Hannah.
"Hi, I'm Molly." Molly greeted.
"I'm Dakota." Dakota introduced. Dakota walked into the kitchen and Molly looked at Hannah.
"She's not used to people." Hannah said.
"I know." Molly answered. Riley walked up to Molly with a big smile on her face.
"Guess what?" Riley whispered.
"What?" Molly wondered.
"Today is mommy's birthday."
"I know."
They went outside and the girls played while Hannah and Molly sat on the porch talking.
"What are you making?" Molly asked.
"A quilt for one of Dakota's babies." Hannah answered.
"I heard she was having twins."
That afternoon, Adam walked inside and kissed Hannah.
"Grab your purse." Adam said.
"Why?" Hannah wondered.
"Because I say."
Hannah grabbed her purse and sighed. Holly and Riley walked over sadly.
"Daddy, we don't have a present for mommy." Riley said.
"Giving her hugs and kisses will be enough." Adam answered.
"But we want to give her something."
"Why don't you ask Dakota or grandma? They might have an idea."
"Ok."
Adam took Hannah to town and the girls walked up to Dakota who was in her hammock.
"Aunt Dakota, we need help." Holly said.
"What do you need help with?" Dakota wondered.
"We don't know what to make mommy."
"Oh. That is a problem. Maybe my book can help us."
They went inside and Dakota grabbed her book. They looked through it and Holly saw flowers and plants pressed into some of the pages.
"That." Holly said.
"Well, that will take a few days, but I think we can do it." Dakota answered. Dakota pulled out a book and let the girls look at it. "I'm making this for Hannah, but I can't bend down as much as I want to. Can you help me pick flowers?"
"Yeah." The girls exclaimed.
They went outside and picked leaves and flowers. Molly walked over and saw the three of them.
"What are you doing?" Molly asked.
"Picking flowers and leaves to press in a book." Dakota answered.
"Oh."
Holly ran up with a flower and put it in the basket. Riley walked over with a berry.
"What's this?" Riley wondered.
"I'm not sure but I think it's a black raspberry. Maybe you should ask your uncles." Dakota answered. Riley ran down to the house and saw James.
"Grandpa, what's this?" Riley wondered as she held up the berry.
"It's a black raspberry. You don't see many of these around here." James answered. "Show me where you found it."
Riley showed James who smiled and popped the berry in his mouth.
"I was right. They're black raspberries." James said. Riley picked one and ate it.
"Can we pick these for mommy's cake?" Riley asked.
"I'm sure your grandmother will enjoy that."
The girls picked the berries and put them in the basket.
"Dakota, do we have enough flowers?" Riley asked.
"I think we do." Dakota replied. They walked back to the house and went inside and saw Jane baking a cake.
"Grandma, we found black raspberries." Riley exclaimed.
"Good. They can go on the cake as well as the blackberries, blueberries, and red raspberries." Jane answered. They put the berries in the bowl and then sat down at the table. Molly, Dakota, and the girls pressed the flowers and leaves into a book.
"How long will it take before we can put them in mommy's book?"
"A week." Dakota sighed.
"That's a long time." Holly mumbled.
"I know, but I think I know something that you can make and give to Hannah today."
"What?"
"A necklace with wooden beads on it."
"Yeah."
Dakota pulled out a container of beads and showed the girls how to make a necklace.
In town, Hannah and Adam were walking around town.
"Are they planning a birthday party for me?" Hannah wondered.
"Maybe." Adam answered. Hannah saw that Adam was pale and was in pain.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just the stomach cramps. I thought they'd go away, but they haven't. I've taken several things for it and I took grandma's suggested and used a heating pad, but... it's still there."
"Want to go see dr. Wolf?"
"Normally, I'd say no, but... I want you to have a good birthday."
"Let's go."
They went to see Dr. Wolf and he examined Adam thoroughly.
"How long have you had it?" Dr. Wolf asked.
"Since last night. It wasn't as bad though." Adam answered.
"Well, I can schedule some tests, but I think you're just bloated. Something might not have agreed with you."
"That's what I thought, but we didn't have anything different."
"Well, I can prescribe something that could help. Take it for a week and let me know if it's not helping. See if Daniel's wife or your grandmother knows of something that can help."
"Ok."
Dr. Wolf filled out a prescription and Adam and Hannah went to go get it.
"I'm sorry, honey." Adam said as they got in the car.
"It's ok, Adam. I'm just glad you didn't try to hide it." Hannah answered.
"It was too uncomfortable for me to hide it."
"I think we should go home."
"Yeah."
Hannah drove them home.
At the house, Riley and Holly put berries on the cake.
"Thank you, girls." Jane thanked. "Now, you can put the veggies on the platter." The girls did as they were told. Mike and Hoops walked in and Hoops stole a carrot slice that Riley had put on the platter.
"Hey." Riley exclaimed. She stood up and looked at Hoops and gave him Hannah's look. Hoops laughed and picked her up. He blew raspberries on Riley's cheek and Riley laughed. "Uncle Hoops, stop."
Hoops put Riley down and looked at Holly who had put the celery down on the platter.
"Holly, want to show me the puppies?" Hoops wondered. Holly nodded and Hoops picked her up. They walked to the living room and saw Belle with her puppies. Speckle and Troy were starting to play together. "Which two are these?"
"Speckle and Troy." Holly mumbled. Then she pointed at two puppies who were curled against Belle. "Benny and Bee." Then she picked up one of the puppies. "Piper." Holly put Piper down and picked up Cocoa. "Cocoa."
"They're getting big, aren't they?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah, soon, they won't need Belle and they'll go live with other people." Riley explained.
"Hoops, help get the food outside." Jane said.
"Yes, ma'am." Hoops sighed. Hoops helped out and soon, they saw the car pull up. Hannah and Adam got out of the car and walked up to the house. The girls ran up to Hannah with a necklace.
"We made this for you." Riley said.
"Thank you, girls. It's beautiful." Hannah answered. Hannah put it on and then hugged the girls. Brian walked out with Luke who was holding onto Brian's hands and trying to walk. Sam brought Briana out and Hannah took her. They ate dinner and talked.
"So, how's the house coming along?" Tom asked.
"Good. They just finished the foundation and have frames on the first floor." Daniel answered.
"Good. DO you think it'll be finished before the babies are born?"
"It might be, but we're not holding our breaths."
Ford and Cleo walked around the yard enjoying the birds and scenery.
"Graduation is Saturday." Cleo said.
"Yeah, it is. I still haven't thought about what I'm going to say." FOrd answered.
"Does your family know that you're valedictorian?"
"No. I want to surprise them."
"What are you going to do with your life?"
"I'm gonna become a vet. I can go nearby. What about you?"
"I'm going to Davis. I want to be a teacher."
"That's where I'm going. Maybe, we can come home and go to school together."
"I'd like that."
They stopped and Ford wrapped his arms around Cleo. Ford could feel worry throughout Cleo's body and it confused him.
"What's wrong?" Ford asked.
"My dad. He's been so weak lately and forgetful. I've had to help him with his business. I know something's wrong with him. I just don't know what." Cleo answered.
"Have you asked him?"
"I've been afraid to."
"I can understand that."
Cleo looked at Daniel's house and sighed.
"Where's your piece of land?" Cleo asked.
"In front of Evan's. You see that ditch?" Ford replied as he points to a ditch.
"Yeah."
"That ditch goes 20 yards to the left of Evan's property. Where it ends is where my land is."
"Is there a path leading to it?"
"Sure. Let's go look at it."
They walked down the path along the ditch till they reached the end of it. They came to a wide-open area and looked around.
"This is nice." Cleo said.
"Yeah. It is. One day, I'll build a house on it." Ford sighed.
Crane and Molly were at Crane's piece of land down below where Ford's was.
"The apple trees mark where my land ends and where Ford's begins. Mom and dad tried to keep us away from each other, but still, give us access to the driveway." Crane explained.
"This is almost like Daniel's, but not as many trees." Molly answered.
"Yeah. Guthrie's land is a little closer to the driveway. His land starts at the corner of where my land ends. See that old stone fence?"
"Yeah."
"That surrounds Guthrie's land."
"Where's Brian and Adam's?"
"ON the other side. In front of Daniel's house past the grove of trees is Adam's land and then behind Daniel's house on the other side of the trees, there is Brian's. Then there are about three slots on that side and two on this side that are for grandkids."
"They sure knew how to plan ahead."
"Yeah, they did."
"Have you given any plans for our house?"
"Yeah, but I want to know what you want."
"I want an office maybe two. One for you and one for me. 4 bedrooms. One for us, two for our kids, and a guest room. Three bathrooms. Open floor plan. The kitchen, dining room, and living room one big area. Storage room."
"Henry says that he doesn't get a whole lot of business. He said if it wasn't for us, he'd be out of business. I'm sure he'd like more work to do when he finishes Daniel's house."
"Yeah, but we have to get married first."
"I know. I would ask you to marry me, but I know we need to spend some time together. We have changed."
"Maybe. I start work on Monday. My uncle said that he needs help with the horses."
"Good. Maybe we can go out on a date after you finish work."
"Ok."
"Saturday is the graduation ceremony. It'll be outside. Ford and Cleo will be graduating."
"I'll be there."
"Ok."
On the porch, everyone watched as Guthrie, Eddie, and Jenny played with the girls.
"Holly's starting to come out of her shell." Marie said.
"Well, she knows everyone here. She knows she's safe. AT church, it's still a work in progress." Adam answered. Holly tripped and fell. She got right back up and continued to play, but she limped around.
"Adam, I think she's bleeding." Hannah stated when she saw blood on Holly's knee.
"I think so too."
Adam walked over to Holly and Holly lifted up her arms. Adam picked her up and looked at Holly's knee.
"Let's go clean up your scrape." Adam said. "Does it hurt?" Holly shook her head and Adam smiled. They went inside and Adam cleaned up Holly's knee and put a bandage on it. "You can go play now, but don't take this off."
"Ok."Holly mumbled.
"Give me a kiss."
Holly gave Adam a kiss and Adam put her down. Holly ran outside and Adam followed her. Adam sat back down next to Hannah and kissed her.
"I love you." Adam whispered.
"I love you too." Hannah answered. "How do you feel?"
"The meds are helping a little. It's not as painful and sharp."
"Good."
The next day, Adam was in the shed working when a car pulled up. Adam looked and saw that it was Wheeler.
"Wheeler, what can we do for you?" Adam asked.
"I need to speak to you alone." Wheeler sighed.
"Go ahead."
Wheeler sat down a bail of hay and Adam joined him.
"I have cancer." Wheeler said.
"How bad?" Adam asked.
"Bad enough."
"Can't they do treatment for it?"
"They've been treating it for a year. It hasn't gotten better. In fact, it's gotten worse."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Doc says it could be days or weeks. Maybe even a month."
"But not longer?"
"I won't live to see my baby go off to college."
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
"Ford, Cleo, and my business."
Adam nodded and Wheeler looked around.
"You've really turned this land into a nice place." Wheeler sighed.
"I had help." Adam answered.
"I haven't told Cleo yet. I'm worried about what the news will do to her."
"I can understand that."
"I've asked around trying to see what I should do with my business and I don't like the choice that I have left. Most people would take my land and throw away all the hard work I've done."
"That'd be like dying in vain."
"Yes, it would. You're my only option, Adam. Or really Ford is."
"What do you mean?"
"Ford's been helping out whenever he can. I've noticed that he's a good businessman and good with finances. I know he's young and he wants to be a vet and I don't want this to stop him or Cleo from living their lives. I was wondering if Ford could run the ranch when I die. My wife will still be there and she can help while the two are at school and I know you would be willing to help, but I know that FOrd wouldn't throw away my hard work, and neither would Cleo."
"It'd be a lot for him."
"But it was a lot for you to run this ranch and care for your brothers. If you can handle it, Ford could too."
"I think you should talk to him and Cleo about it. I can see them running the business when you're gone. We'll certainly help out. I know it's what my father would do."
"Yeah, it is. Your father was good at chewing off more than he could swallow, but somehow, he always made it work. I guess that's what irritated me most about you McFaddens."
"We did learn from the best."
"You sure did."
Adam sighed and looked at Wheeler.
"Go talk to Cleo." Adam said. "She needs to know."
"After the graduation ceremony." Wheeler replied. "I want to see her happy."
"Ok, but don't wait too long."
Wheeler nodded and went home. Hannah walked out and looked at Adam.
"What was Wheeler doing here?" Hannah wondered.
"Asking for advice." Adam answered.
"About what?"
"The future."
TBC