Hello everyone, I have decided to publish two chapters this month, a little gift of confinement in these difficult times! I hope you are doing well and that it will bring you a little moment of happiness!

Enjoy!

Feelings

The next morning, Ethan explained to the children in the barn how to clean the stalls, feed and water the horses. Joseph, you will scrape the soiled hay, Ben, you will take care of the clean hay. George you will give the oats and will fill the water, every evening after school. In the morning, you boys wiil be responsible for just putting out the oats and the water before breakfast. Claire you will take care of the cow when I have bought it, Tess, you will help Claire."

"Yes Papa" they say.

After breakfast, Ethan insisted that the children do their homework. The man spent a moment with each child to see where each was in lessons.

Claire and George had excellent memory, they retained everything without much studying! Joseph and Ben were good too. They'd all catch up soon!"

Ethan noticed that Joseph was watching him, tears in his eyes.

"Come with me outside Joseph. Let's talk." he said.

"Pa, I beg your pardon for last night! I shouldn't have answered back to you and disobeyed, I'm sorry!" Joseph lost the battle with tears. "Are you ... are you disappointed in me? ... Pa?"

"Come here," Ethan said, opening his arms. "Do you want to talk about it? I left an impression? But you don't have any pain in your behind at all, do you son?"

"No Papa ... but ... you used your belt! ..."

"I did. I will not punish you with my belt every time Joseph. But yesterday you pushed me to the limit! I felt that you needed more than my hand. Do you understand? I forgive you, son, you've been punished, it's over. You will never disappoint me! I love you Joseph! I'm proud of you! You're a good little boy but you will make mistakes as you grow up. Everyone does. I will correct you if you need me to teach you not to behave in that way because I'm your father, it's my job. Do you understand?"

"Yes Pa! I love you so much!"Said the snuggling child.

"Me too, Joseph, I love you so much !"

Amelia arrived with her children in the middle of the morning, with a surprise: four laying hens in a cage. Amelia had conquered Tess' heart with her chickens! The child jumped for joy!

"Thank you Amelia, I appreciate it!" Ethan told her.

She had managed to surprise him.

Ethan had put Adam and Joseph to fix the chicken coop that had a few holes. Telling Adam to listen to Joseph, he knew what he was doing. Amelia and Claire, would weed and prepare a plot of land for a vegetable garden. Tess decreed that she would keep the chickens so that they did not escape! All laughed!

"Okay my heart, look after the chickens, I'm counting on you!"

"Yes Papa!" Tess called back, delighted!

Ethan set out to fix the fences, Ben, George, Jason and even Jessie, a tomboy, wanted to go with him. They wanted to hang out with him.

At noon, Ethan grilled over a fire and then played with the children for a while. He didn't want to be just a firm hand for his nephews and nieces, but to also be there for the fun times.

He ran and tickled every laughing child! Amelia had not seen her children so happy for a long time!

While Tess was resting, still hugging the cage, on a blanket watched by Amelia, Ethan took advantage of this moment to cut some wood. It was mid-November, it was still good weather, but the winter would inevitably happen. Ethan did not want to be surprised and wanted to have wood ready in advance if necessary.

Amelia watched him from afar, his protruding muscles, he was a handsome man!, Kind, good, courageous, honest, strict but fair with the children ... but ...wait! ... What was she thinking?

Ethan saw her gaze on him, that made him smile.

Amelia looked down, embarrassed. No! ... I can't look at him like that! James, my love, excuse me for having such thoughts! She blamed herself.

At the end of the afternoon, Ethan lay down on the blanket with Tess who was awake, gently pulling her against his chest. The child did not want to let go of her hens!

"My heart," Ethan started softly, "do you know your chickens are going to have to go into their new home?"

"Oh Papa! Can't I keep them in my room?"

"No, my love, these are not toys, the cage is too small. They would be unhappy without being able to move. They must live in the chicken coop. But, I have an idea! ..."

"What Papa? Am I going to sleep in the chicken coop?"

Ethan and Amelia laughed!

"No sweetie, you're going to be responsible for taking care of it. One of the bigger children will help you clean the coop once a week. You'll have to collect the eggs in the morning in a small basket, give the chickens grain and water, morning and evening. These will be your chores."

"Really Pa?" I'm going to take care of them by myself?!" She threw herself into his arms in a tight hug with a smile stretching to her ears!

"I believe this is the first time I have seen a child so enthusiastic about chores that I assign!" Ethan teases. Amelia looked at him with sparkling eyes. How could this man be so strict and so gentle at the same time?

"Amelia, it's already late! Since you have to come back tomorrow morning to prepare the picnic, why not stay here for the weekend? You take my bed with the twins, I will camp under the cart with Adam and Joseph, they will be delighted!"

"Oh Yes! Please Ma?" Begged Amelia's three children, who arrived suddenly.

"If you're sure you don't mind! ..."

"It would make me happy Amelia!"

Ethan made a fire outside again, enjoying it as much as he could! He made a quick soup with some vegetables and took some fruit outside for dessert. After the meal, Ethan sent his children to bed early.

"Oh Pa! Can't we stay?" Asked Ben. "Couldn't you punish us on Monday instead?"

"No, Ben, the punishment stays, you're going to serve it! I don't change my mind! Joseph, make the bed for the three of us under the cart before you go to bed, please."

"Yes Pa."

Joseph hadn't answered back or challenged Ethan's directives, all day.

A little later, Amelia accompanied her own children to bed, then returned to sit by the fire.

"Ethan" "Amelia ..." they said simultaneously.

"Ladies first."

"Thank you for being so present for my children and for me," she said. "I miss James a lot, but ... I'm looking at you ... differently. I know you can see it too."

"Amelia ..."

"No, let me finish, please, while I have the courage to talk to you about it. If I am wrong, I will apologize! I'm charmed by you, Ethan, but I'm afraid of what James, the kids, and the townspeople would think!" She cried softly. Ethan wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

"Don't cry Amelia, you're not mistaken, my feelings have changed too. I was going to tell you about it. I also feel embarrassed about James, but I think he would like you to be happy Amelia. He would like his children to have someone to guide them, a man to protect you. He would like you to honor life and love, he left but you stayed. Neither you nor I would have these feelings if he was still here."

Seeing Amelia cry more. Ethan, acting by instinct, came closer and wrapped his arms around her. Quite simply, just to comfort her.

Amelia snuggled against his chest, he was so muscular, so strong, so impressive, but so sweet at the same time.

"Oh Ethan," she said.

"It does not matter what people think, Amelia and the children may surprise you. We will go slowly, you take the time you need." he said tightening the embrace.

In fact Amelia fell asleep against his chest and Ethan relished that moment when he watched her sleeping in his arms. A dream. He did not move, offering the comfort she so desperately needed. He fell asleep too.

He woke up as Amelia watched him sleep.

"Hello Madam, I hope I didn't snore!" He said teasingly.

Amelia laughed! "Hello sir! Oh yes, like a freight train!" She replied. To her surprise, he opened his arms and she plunged into them asking for comfort again, he hugged her in a bear hug.

"It will be hard to hide it from the children!" He said. "How about pancakes for breakfast? The children will be delighted!"Ethan stood up, reaching out to help Amelia get up, which he did without any effort. He thought she hasn't eaten much in the past few weeks, but said nothing.

After some time, they saw Tess busy with her chickens.

"Papa? There is no egg!"

"Hello Tess" he replied eyebrows raised, scolding her softly for not being polite and greeting them.

"Hello Pa, hello Aunt Amelia."

"Hello Tess." replied Amelia.

"That's better! Come here, please." Ethan ordered. He took the little girl in his arms.

"Do you remember, at first, how you weren't talking? It took a while to trust me."

"Yes Papa."

"Well it's the same with the hens, they're in a new house, they don't know anyone, they're afraid."

"Oh, but I'm nice to them Papa!"

"I know you are but that has nothing to do with it, sweetheart. I was nice too, remember? Give them a little time to get used to their new home. In a few days they will have confidence and then will lay eggs, I promise you!"

"Okay Pa!" Said the confident girl before she ran into the house.

"Ma! Give me the jam right now!" Jessie ordered.

Ethan who was busy making more pancakes turned around angrily.

"Jessie!" He growled. "Look at me! I forbid you to use this tone of voice! Neither with your ma nor with anyone else! You will show good manners and not order people to do your bidding! You ask politely. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Uncle Ethan!"

"Apologize to your mother! Now!"

"Sorry Ma."

"This is your only warning little girl! If I hear you speak like this again, I will spank you! I do not tolerate disrespect! Am I clear?"

"Yes sir!"

"Good! Eat your breakfast."

The little girl was sobbing softly, unable to stop her tears. Ethan approached.

"Jessie," he said more softly, "I love you and I want you to become a well-mannered and respectful young woman. I am going to reprimand you to teach you, do you understand?"

"Oh ... yes sir, I'm sorry."

"Okay, it's forgotten, I'm not angry anymore." He hugged her until she calmed down. "Stop crying and eat your meal, darling."

Ethan met Amelia's eyes which were filled with gratitude, respect and ... love.