Chapter Five

Hannah couldn't help but laugh a little as she sat on a bale of hay that sat against the east side of the barn; she was working on a sketch, while Chad was 'chasing' Audra in a circle. The two women had been working in the garden, but had taken a break. The work in the garden and, now, drawing and watching Audra play with Chad felt so wonderful. Hannah realized she hadn't truly been able to simply sit and relax for a long time. Hannah prayed life would remain quiet…at least for a couple of months.

Audra, continuing 'running from Chad', glanced towards Hannah. Nick had not been over-exaggerating when he said Hannah was extremely shy and quiet. The friendly chat she and Hannah had shared while working in the garden had been pleasant enough, but Audra had been the instigator of the conversation. Also, the one story she did get Hannah to tell…one to do with her parents and the theatre had been amazing but, again, it wasn't Hannah who started the conversation. Though, Audra couldn't help wonder why Hannah wouldn't talk much about how she and Nick met. "We met at an auction; my cousin was with me" was all Hannah had said before quickly turning her attention to the weeds around the turnips. A part of Audra wanted to press the issue; the other part could said to be patient and give the young woman time to get to know her. Audra shook her head slightly and continued playing with Chad, also telling herself that Hannah simply didn't want to talk about slipping up and finding herself with a child to raise by herself. That is, not until she and Nick met up again. Audra smiled as Chad laughed very loudly and cried, "I get you! I get it" as he grabbed a hold of her skirt. At least he was more active and didn't have to be prodded to talk. Though, he didn't really say anything that told Audra something she didn't already know.

Hannah, with her attention on Audra, Chad and the drawing she was making, felt as if she flew ten feet in the air when Victoria walked up beside her and said, "You're quite the artist." That is, after looking at the picture in Hannah's hands. "Audra will be flattered." Victoria said as she looked a the picture of Audra and Chad, and the laurels that Hannah had sketched around them.

"Thank you," Hannah smiled as she put her heart back into place.

"I'm sorry if I startled you. I didn't mean to." Victoria sat down on another bale of hay; there was actually three set against the barn wall, and smiled at Hannah. "I just wanted to thank you. Silas said you voluntarily helped with breakfast this morning."

Hannah looked towards the house and smiled wide. While she'd started out helping Silas simply for something to do, by the end of the preparation she would have done it all over again if she could have. Silas was such a friendly gentleman, and the stories he told her were fascinating. "I didn't mind. Mama always said idle hands are the devil's workshop; I just wanted to do something worthwhile."

Victoria's eyes smiled as her mouth turned upwards. She had to admit there was something about the young woman that screamed she was a good one. However, as Hannah turned her attention back to the drawing, Victoria's eyes filled with concern instead. She couldn't help but wonder what made the young woman so quiet. Like Audra, Victoria had tried to have conversations with the young woman her son had brought home. The woman had been more than polite when giving Victoria answers to the questions asked of her, but the replies had been extremely short and told Victoria very little. Her daughter-in-law's reaction had her wondering if Hannah's childhood came close to Heath's…as he'd been just as quiet in his early days with the family. If only there was something, anything, she could say to get the young woman to talk more. Just as she was about to stand up, Victoria looked again at the picture. "We don't have any laurels around." She looked around the barn and towards Audra and Chad. "Do you mind telling me why you chose those flowers?"

Hannah stopped drawing and gazed upon Audra and Chad once more. Victoria was sure a solid three or four minutes had passed before Hannah started drawing again. She might have thought the young woman wasn't going to answer her, but that thought fled as Hannah began talking.

"My grandmother told me that *Laurels can mean many different things to various people." Hannah started drawing yet another leaf, this one near Audra's hand. "Personally, my grandmother saw it as a sight of hopeful expectation of success in search of the truth. The Laurel has also been believed to have powers of immortality." She turned and smiled at Victoria, "I guess seeing Audra and Chad playing so good together just reminded me that all women's lives continue on through their children and grandchildren. Well, in a way. I mean, children grow up and have to live their own lives. Still, they are greatly influenced by the adults in their lives…especially their mothers or grandmothers." She then turned back to the picture and fell silent, uncomfortable with all the talking she'd just done. It might not have been the case, only she feared she'd get too comfortable and say something she shouldn't.

Victoria couldn't help but wonder about Hannah's family, and promised herself to ask Hannah about them. That is, after Hannah had been around the family enough to feel more comfortable. She might have changed her mind only she could tell how hard Hannah was concentrating on the drawing of Audra and Chad. She didn't want to interfere what looked like it would be a wonderful work of art once it was completed. Knowing she had an appointment in town to keep, Victoria stood up. Though, as she did so, she couldn't help but comment, "As good as you are at drawing, you might want to think about trying to draw something you can sell. I'm sure many people would love to have one of your pictures if they're all as good as that one."

It was all Hannah could do to keep drawing and not show how Victoria's sincere words of compliment had actually affected her.

A/N

*I looked up Laurels on the internet, and they had a lot various beliefs connected to them…too many to post.