The world was still dark when Archie carefully closed the door to a sleeping August and made his way around to the front of the house. He opened the main door and brushed past Pongo who jumped up and followed him to the bedroom, his tail wagging.

Archie paused before he knocked on the door. It was odd, feeling like he was invading a private space, though it was his own home. He hadn't been in the main house before sunup in almost three weeks, and he couldn't help but feel like he was intruding on Ruby somehow. He brought his knuckle up to the bedroom door, rapping softly at first, then a little harder when no answer came. Finally, the door swung open, and Ruby squinted as guilt and embarrassment washed over him, his cheeks flushed to see her hair down in a braid and her wearing her shawl over her nightclothes.

"Yes?" she asked as she hugged her shawl around her, her eyes closed for a moment.

Archie dropped his gaze. "Oh, I, uh—I'm s-sorry to wake you, but I need to talk to you."

"Can't this wait until breakfast?"

Archie looked up and he thought he saw her eyes widen, but he couldn't be sure in the dim light. "That's just it—I w-won't be at breakfast. I'm heading out now to help a neighbour for the day."

"Okay, thank you for letting me know," she said quickly and began to shut the door.

"Wait!" Archie said as he stopped the door with his foot. "I'm n-not taking August with me, so he'll be in your care for the day."

"That is why I'm here," Ruby said as she furrowed her brows, and Archie felt another pang of guilt for disturbing her sleep.

"Yeah, I know," he mumbled. Goodness, this was not going well. "I just thought—I mean, I wanted to make sure you're up to dealing with a spirited nine year old."

"I'm fine," she replied curtly, and Archie tried not to wince. "Something else?"

Truth be told, he'd noticed her rush off to vomit during the butchering a few days ago, and he'd been keeping a close eye on her ever since for fear that she was becoming ill. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to ask—it seemed impolite to enquire. Besides, she seemed spirited enough at the moment—or just plain irritated.

"No—yeah—I mean…." He shook his head before meeting her gaze. "I'll be back for supper."

"That's fine. See you then."

Before he knew it, Archie was staring at the back of the door with his dog nuzzling at his hand. He took off his glasses and rubbed his hand over his face before pushing them back up the bridge of his nose.

"Come on, boy, I'll put you with August," he said, feeling a bit deflated as he made his way around to the lean-to with his dog at his heels.

Ruby blinked against the sunlight streaming into the room before she sprung out of bed. The room should not be so bright.

She had overslept.

She bolted up and grabbed her shawl before rushing out of the room, remembering her talk with Mr. Hopper. A quick glance told her that August had not yet come in, and so she raced to the lean-to and threw open the door. Her heart began to hammer when she saw that both the cot and the bed in the make-shift bedroom were neatly made up.

"August!" she cried, trying to fight the panic that bubbled up and pushed out any embarrassment as she ran to the barn. "August!"

She was frantic by the time she rushed into the building. "August!"

"Sh-h-h-h-h!" came a voice from above, and Ruby noticed the rustling of straw before a crop of red hair poked out.

"August, what on earth are you doing up there?!" Ruby gasped as she held her side, trying to catch her breath. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Sh-h-h-h-h!" he said again, pointing to the corner of the barn just beyond Ruby.

"What do you mean, 'Sh-h-h-h'..." she trailed off as she turned around and froze at the sight of a black and white creature staring back at her, and a whole different sort of panic began to overtake her.

"Just—come down—slowly," she said in what she hoped was a soothing tone, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on the skunk. "I read that they only spray when they feel threatened."

August scoffed. "You read that, did you? In one of your books? Well, I'm not taking no chances."

Ruby fought the anger that rose up. Trust him to make a fuss even now. "August, just listen, if you come down now, we can go get breakfast—"

"Nuh-uh," August said vehemently. "I'm starving and I gotta use the outhouse something fierce, but I am not coming down until he leaves."

"August!" Ruby exclaimed, unable to bite back her frustration as she turned to look at the boy.

Just then, Pongo ran into the barn, barking up a storm.

"Pongo, no!" August and Ruby yelled together, but it was too late. The skunk sprayed, and they were surrounded with a stench so strong it made Ruby's eyes water and the back of her throat burn.

Pongo ran away with a yelp, followed by the skunk who disappeared out the door, leaving Ruby to a coughing fit.

"I guess he felt threatened," August said as he scrunched his nose. With the barn now clear—and, Ruby suspected, with him wanting to get away from the awful stink—August scrambled down from the hayloft and rushed out the door. "Come on! I'll get the tomatoes."

"Tomatoes?" Ruby asked as she followed him out into the fresh air. She took deep gulps, though nothing took the taste away from her mouth or the foul odour from her nostrils.

August kept a fair distance from her. "Yeah, a bath in tomatoes will help take the stink from ya'," he explained. "Didn't your books tell you that?"

Before Ruby knew it, she was stuck in the pig's watering trough and covered in squished tomatoes. August stood over her, dumping them in the tub and grinding them into her hair and her arms to release the juice.

Ruby cringed at the cold sensation, thankful that the sun was at least warm. She also noticed the smile that August couldn't keep off of his lips just under his nose closed off by a clothes peg.

The little brat was enjoying every moment of this.

She fought back hot tears that threatened to spill over, determined to not let him see her cry. What would Mr. Hopper think of her now?

"Are you sure this is going to take the smell away?" Ruby asked incredulously. She half believed he was just making this up for the joy of covering her in squished fruit.

"More or less," he affirmed as he mashed up more tomatoes over her head. The flesh of the fruit was slimy and cold, and Ruby shivered as the liquid ran down her back and sides. She wasn't sure which was worse—being covered in cold, red muck or stinking to high heavens. "Some of it's just going to have to wear off."

Ruby grimaced. All she wanted was a nice, hot bath in front of the fire and some time alone.

She had to settle for a good rinsing with the freezing well-water before she was able to heat up some water inside and quickly run a washcloth over herself in her room with the basin. She'd have to wait to give her hair a proper washing, and she tried to ignore the stickiness that lingered in her hair as she haphazardly twisted it up and pinned it in place.

August had already help himself to some buns and jam when she came out to the main room, which she realized was more like his lunch than his breakfast when she noticed the time. Oh, well, it would have to do—she was beyond caring now. She just wanted to survive for a few more hours.

August was quite amiable for the rest of the day—though it could have also been because he wanted to put as much space as he could between himself and the woman who was foolish enough to get herself sprayed by a skunk. Still, Ruby would take such little blessings where she could find them, and she focused on her own chores while she kept a watchful eye on the boy from a distance. With so much of their day gone before they had started, Ruby and August rushed to finish everything they needed to do. Ruby tried not to notice Flora's restlessness as she milked her, though she couldn't help but know that she was the source of the offending smell. August took care of the chickens, so Ruby didn't worry about upsetting the coop.

Surprisingly, she grew used to the smell, and by the late afternoon, she didn't even notice, except for the feeling in the back of her throat. Once the chores were done, and the sun began to dip under the horizon, Ruby tried some schooling with August. She fished out one of her primers from her trunk of books and sat him at the table with it while she went to work on dinner.

"Pancakes?" August groaned as the batter hit the hot pan.

"You just focus on your studies," Ruby replied. She tried to keep the frustration out of her tone. Truth be told, she was equally disappointed that she had to resort to such a basic meal, but with all that had happened that day, it would have to do. She just hoped Mr. Hopper didn't mind after his long day.

She found herself staring out the window toward the main yard and noticed how dark it was outside. It was odd that he wasn't back by now.

Then, she threw a look to the hearth and realized that it was dying out. "August, can you please stoke the fire?"

"I can't, I'm not allowed. I might burn myself."

Ruby huffed as she left the pancakes sizzling to stoke the fire. As she coaxed it back to life, she noticed a burning smell.

She lunged for the frying pan as the main door swung open. She grabbed the handle, forgetting to use a towel, and she jerked her hand back as the handle seared her skin.

"Jiminy Cricket!" she exclaimed as she jumped back, shaking her hand. Hot tears sprung to her eyes, and she almost didn't notice Mr. Hopper rush to her side.

"Let me help you. Hold on, hold on—just sit down here," he said, pulling out a chair. "August, please get some butter, will you?"

"It's fine," Ruby all but whimpered, starting to lose the control that she'd fought so hard for all day.

"I'll wrap it up," Archibald said, and Ruby took a seat while he settled down in the chair beside her with a clean cloth. August handed the dish of butter to him. "Thank you," he said to the boy.

"It's nothing," Ruby insisted, though her voice was small.

Archibald dabbed at her hand with the cloth. "This will just take some of the sting out," he explained as he gently rubbed some butter over the palm of her hand. Ruby's breath hitched in her throat, partly from pain, but partly at the physical contact. Her hand fit into his—wide and strong—while his fingers stroked her palm. It was strangely intimate, and she could feel his calloused farmer's hands. And yet, for all their roughness, his touch was gentle and caring. She dared to meet his blue eyes before she dropped her gaze and fixed it on their hands. She was highly aware of the smell of him, and she realized this was the closest they'd been as she watched him wrap the cloth snug around her hand.

"There you go," he said with a nod. Ruby looked up, seeing a concern in his eyes that calmed her heart, and for a moment she forgot all the mishaps of the day.

"The pancakes are burnt," August said with a scrunch of his nose by the stove, bringing Ruby out of her own thoughts. Her heart sank once more at the reminder of her failures, in which August seemed to revel.

"I'll see what I can find in the cold box," Archibald said as he stood up. "And, uh, if I may ask"—he added as he tried to fight a smile that overtook his features—"where'd the skunk find you?"

Ruby groaned and fought the urge to bury her face in her hands.

"The barn," August giggled with his arms crossed.

As Mr. Hopper turned to get some food from around the side of the house, he instructed August over his shoulder, "August, why don't you go ahead and stoke that fire?"

Ruby narrowed her eyes at the redhead who quickly turned his back to her as he focused on the fireplace. You little Pinocchio!

The boy in her care was a perfect fit for the mischievous little puppet.

Dinner was as tense as the food was simple. August and Ruby barely spoke, and the only sound was the clinking of cutlery.

Archie

finally broke the silence. "So, how was your day?" His gaze flitted back and forth at the two of them sitting across from each other, neither looking at the other.

"Fine," Ruby replied curtly.

"Yeah, fine," August spat out.

Archie didn't know whether to sigh or chuckle. Clearly things had not gone as well as he'd hoped while he was away, as evidenced by the scene he'd come home to.

Ruby's exasperation was palpable as he had tried to calm her down and take care of her hand. He couldn't deny how his pulse quickened when he took her hand in his—small and graceful—the most contact they'd had since the wedding ceremony.

Archie shook his head at himself. He'd done such an action hundreds of times for others. Why should now be any different?

He focused his attention to the people in front of him and cleared his throat. "I ran into David Nolan on my way home today," he explained, and Ruby and August both looked up at him. "He reminded us about their annual get-together and wanted to make sure that we're coming."

"Is it that time already?" August asked, brightening.

Archie nodded with a smile. "It is." He turned to Ruby and explained. "The Nolans have a party this time of year so folks can get together before we're all stuck inside for the winter."

Silence threatened to hang over the table once more. "We'd understand if, you know, you weren't up for a party," Archie added, throwing a glance to Ruby. "It's up to you."

"Yeah, you probably wouldn't like it," August piped up. "There's tonnes of people you won't know. You'd probably like to just stay home. Don't you think, Pa?"

Archie kept his gaze on Ruby to see her reaction. He was almost as surprised as August when she spoke up.

"Mary Margaret mentioned it when we were making soap together. It sounds fun. You know, I think I will go."

"Good!" Archie exclaimed. He had to bite back a smile as he noticed Ruby and August both narrow their eyes at each other across the table before returning their attention to their plates. Clearly they all needed to get out of the house before they were stuck inside for the winter season.

As they finished up the last of their dinner, Archie exclaimed, "Oh! I almost forgot. I have something for you."

Ruby's eyebrows raised in surprise. "For me? Really?"

Archie tried not to grin too widely. "I left it out in the wagon. It's why I was late getting back," he explained.

August frowned. "What would you bring for her?"

"Well, why don't you come outside and see?"

Archie couldn't keep the bounce from his step as he led them outside, their dishes forgotten at the table. Just outside the door stood the wagon with something large covered by a canvas. Ruby wrapped her shawl around her in the cool air and smiled with a quizzical look. "What on earth is it?"

Archie stood with his hand up to the covering and paused for a moment to look at August and Ruby, their eyes wide in anticipation. "Ready?" he teased. Then, he stripped the cover away.

It took a moment for Ruby to register what she was seeing, but when she did, she beamed at him, and Archie thought his heart skipped a beat. "Oh, a sewing machine! Mr. Hopper, you shouldn't have!"

Archie's heart sank a little to still have her calling him "Mr. Hopper", but he couldn't deny how much he enjoyed seeing her grin as she walked around the wagon to take in the stunning piece of machinery.

"It's really not much," he explained. "Mr. Brown was just getting rid of it." Well, that was mostly true. "It used to be his sister's, but she left it when she got married a couple of months ago, and he said a bachelor like him didn't need it. And so…" he trailed off with a wave of his hand. "Do you like it?"

"It's the nicest thing I've ever gotten!" Ruby exclaimed, her gaze transfixed on the cast iron that almost shone in the moonlight.

"Humph. What's so nice 'bout a stupid sewing machine, anyway?" August grumbled, still planted to his spot in front of the doorway with his arms crossed.

Archie chuckled and stood beside his son, nudging him with his shoulder. "Hey, you better be nice to Miss Ruby. She might even make you something with this machine." He looked back at Ruby. "N-not that you have to," he added quickly. Goodness, he didn't even know if she sewed.

"Oh, I can make us all a whole set of nice somethings!" she cried, and relief washed over him. She rushed up to Archie and grabbed his arms. "Thank you!" She gave him a peck on his cheek and stood back to admire the machine. Archie felt himself flush, and he was thankful that the dim light hid the colour that he was sure bloomed across his cheeks.

"Well, I'll bring it in tomorrow," he promised as he waved them inside. "We just need to decide where to put it."

They spent the rest of the evening planning out the best space for the new addition after they'd cleaned up from dinner. They settled on the wall in between the bedroom door and the hearth, where it would be close to the light in the evenings, since that would be when Ruby would use it.

Archie watched Ruby and his heart lifted to see her smile so brightly, as if all the frustrations of the day were forgotten. She had the most beautiful smile that made her eyes bright and her whole face light up, like the clouds rolling back from the moon, silvery and ethereal. He hoped they'd get to see it more.

Ruby tried to quiet her mind as she lay in bed that night. The day had started out so differently, and she remembered the fear that seized her when Mr. Hopper told her they needed to talk. She was sure he'd discovered her secret, but he thankfully only needed her to watch August.

Then, the day turned into one big mess with each passing hour before Archibald returned home. His presence seemed to calm the chaos, however—or maybe it was just that August knew he couldn't get away with anything while his pa was around. Either way, Ruby still couldn't believe that Archibald had brought home a sewing machine. Granny didn't even have that back in Boston!

Ruby fought back tears that welled up at the thought of all the baby garments she could make with such a machine over the coming months. It wasn't very exciting to August, Ruby knew, but it meant the world to her.

Then, guilt struck at her heart. How could she be so happy when Peter wasn't here to share in it? Such happiness felt like she was forgetting her true husband, as if she was betraying him somehow. Ruby felt tears well up for an entirely different reason, and she squeezed her eyes shut to keep them at bay. She was too exhausted to spend another night crying.

Her thoughts then wandered to the party at the Nolans' coming up in a week's time. Perhaps she'd been too hasty in agreeing to go, but she was also tired of being cooped up on the homestead. It would be nice to get out and see some more people, and at the very least, it would be a wonderful excuse to see her friend. And she could tell her about the sewing machine! Mary Margaret would certainly share in her excitement about her preparations for her little one.

For all his humility, the gift was generous—even if it was second-hand. Ruby bit her lip as she tried to think of how she could thank Archibald. Was there something she could make for him with it? She couldn't think of anything.

Then she thought of August. Knowing Mr. Hopper the little that she did, she thought that he would be most pleased if she made something for his son. If it was only left to Ruby, she'd rather not pay him any special attentions, but she knew it would mean a lot to the father. Besides, it could help to smooth things over with the little boy. For all the rough waters they'd navigated, Ruby was determined to win the nine-year-old over.

It was decided. Ruby would make a nice vest for August out of one of her old dresses as a peace offering, which he could wear to the party. With visions of patterns dancing before her eyes, Ruby fell asleep, finally having something to look forward to.