"I hope y'all are enjoying the story so far, if there is something you'd like to see happen, message me! I started publishing hoping to get out of a rut I found with the story so all the feedback is encouraged! That being said, here is the fourth chapter.
On Saturday night, Granny saw the two girls sitting at the kitchen table, playing cards after they worked. Both of them had wet hair and face masks, enjoying the time for pampering and girl time.

"You ladies are young, why aren't you acting like it?" Granny asked while she was working on quilting a section of her project in her rocking chair.

"What would you suggest we do? Go to the movies, go to a party where there are dozens of underage teens getting drunk?" Ruby said.

"School's starting back up soon and I don't want you not having fun before the school year starts. You need to go out there, enjoy the bonfires and the campouts or something. You two are like old hens playing cards."
"So, you want us to go out like right now?" Emma asked.

"It's eleven 'o'clock, of course not now, but next week you need to do something fun. Tomorrow we're going to church. I don't want to hear complaining from either one of you, we're going to be nice, Christian women. Afterwards, we're going to have a wholesome family dinner." Growing up in a Christian Children's Home for some of her life, Emma knew the Lord but with every denomination or congregation for that matter, it was different, while she was not a big fan of going to yet another church, something struck her when Granny said "family dinner."

The next morning, Emma borrowed something of Ruby's to wear for church and they were on their way to church. Granny wore a brown dress with white flowers and had her hair in a bun and both she and Ruby wore appropriate dresses as well. The church was bordering a wooded part of the town and looked quaint and cozy. It was a small church on the outside but inside, Emma saw a lot of familiar people like Marco and his son August, quite a few teenagers looked like they were all here with their families as well. Even the sheriff was there. The whole room they were in had the sweet smell of pine and coffee throughout and it made Emma feel like she was at home, not really a place where people look down on one another but instead raise each other up. It was a small church with a small, there was no choir, just someone with a piano and one person got up to lead the congregation with the songs. When they got there, Granny left to the back where she took her place among the choir. Songs are played and sung, and the sermon was given. It was about loving your neighbor as you love yourself, Mark 12:28-34. After the sermon, everyone talked to one another, shaking hands. After the service, everyone talks over coffee and pound cake.

Ruby takes Emma to meet some of her friends and Granny talked to the other townsfolk until it was time to go. The girls go change and were instructed to pick up the house for company to come over which they do. The house was never in rough shape, but it always had to be spick and span when guests arrived.

""Who's coming for dinner anyways?" Ruby asked.

Sherriff and Mrs. Nolan." Granny replied, I thought it would be nice to have them over today and the day of my famous meatloaf is as good of a day as any.

E mma looks at Granny, "I'm not in trouble, am I?"

"No dear, why would you think that?""The sheriff is coming to dinner."

Granny chuckles, "No dear, David and Mary Margaret are dear friends of mine. She's also the school guidance counselor, I thought it would be nice of you to meet her. "Knock knock! Hello Granny!" She says and gives the woman a hug. "Ruby, nice to see you again, have you had a good summer so far?"

"Yes ma'am. Let me take that for you." She says, getting the salad bowl out of Mary Margaret's hands. "And you must be Emma! I've seen you a little at the diner. I'm Mary Margaret Nolan. Granny is like my own mother most times, I'm glad she's watching out for you."

Emma shakes the woman's hand. "Thank you, ma'am, it's nice to meet you."

"Welcome to Storybrooke." The sheriff said with a smile and also shook the girl's hand. "Can I get anyone a drink?" Granny too long, the five of them all had iced tea in hand. Soon, supper was ready and they all gathered around the table. As each person was getting their portions and eating, "So Emma, what grade will you be this year?" Mary Margret asks.

"A senior with Ruby." She says as she pours ketchup onto her plate.

"That's very exciting, senior year, all the opportunities and everything. What do you want to do after high school? College maybe?"

"I thought about it. I think I want to be a cop."/span/p
David perks up, "A cop huh? I'm sure I can scrounge up something for you to do at the station. If that's okay with Granny, that is."

Granny thinks about it, "We'll see, it's completely up to you dear."

"So short term goals, this is your final year of high school; what do you want to do with it? Ruby?"

"Well, I want to finish out cheerleading and volleyball. Retake the SAT, apply for colleges and go to prom."

"Where do you want to go to college and for what?" Mary Margaret asks.

"University of Augusta looks good and pre-law, it's no Harvard or Yale but those are so hard to get into, I think I'll be happy with the in-state tuition.

"I would have pegged you for the business degree and help me at the diner," Granny said." There was a lull in conversation, "Emma, what do you want to do in your final year of high school?"

"Well, I thought about sports, I've never really been able to play them before off of the playground. That could be neat to try out. I would like to get my car fixed.

"You're the one with the yellow bug in the community building parking lot, right?"

"Yes, that's the one."

"Oh, it's so cute! I bet you love it." Mary Margaret squealed.

"As cute as it may be, you need to get it moved over here or I'll have to give you a ticket, okay?" David warned.

"Sure thing Sheriff." Emma said.

The Sheriff seemed so nice. His sandy hair and twinkling blue eyes made him look almost prince like, especially with his pearly white teeth in a perfect smile. You'd half expect a sword on his side instead of a pistol or a white horse in place of the car he drives. He's the person that when you are in distress, you'd want saving you. His wife very sweet, you can tell she wants to help people. She's like the sunshine on a rainy day.

The group made table chit chat and finished their dinner. Ruby and Emma went into the living room when Granny asked them to leave the kitchen so the 'grownups to talk'

"How did Emma get into your care?" Mary Margaret asks Granny.

"You probably know, this whole town is big on gossip. Ruby hired her when I was gone this summer, girl needed a place to stay and a high school education. I offered her both."

"Have you gotten to know her at all?"

"I know that she's grown up in the foster care system and that she's had a hard life. I didn't want to bother her with asking for the details but her record is several inches thick. She keeps it with her.

"Have you ever wondered what was in the records?"

"Are you about to tell me that you think she's a convict?"

"No, but I would want to know about the girl who's sleeping in my bed and eating my food."

"I'll bring it up to her I guess. She's a hard worker and has had a hard life. I've lived here my whole life, I can't imagine not knowing where I'll be in a few weeks from now. The girl needs stability."

"I'll keep an eye out for her. She has a friend in Ruby, we'll all help each other, it'll be fine."

"Would you be willing to help her?"

"Of course I would, it's my job to help kids, and her case may be one that I could be more invested in. We can meet tomorrow to get her registered and all that."

David chimed in, "She seems like a good kid, Katherine. She just needs someone to love her," They all look back at Emma and Ruby talking in the living room. "With Emma in Storybrooke, she'll thrive more here than anywhere else." He finished.

"I think she is, she's just had it rough. She works hard though, I'll give her that much. She always wants to learn, too, that's something."

"Hey," Mary Margaret looks at Granny, touching her arm, "It takes a village. We were all there for you when Ruby came along, this is no different."

"I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter!