Epilogue

 

Catherine’s parents had arrived last night to help with the Thanksgiving Day feast. Today their house would be filled with both of their families. She didn’t know how everyone was going to fit in the large house. Josef assured her there was plenty of space for everyone.

Cinnamon. Catherine inhaled. Mom’s cinnamon rolls. Soft voices amid the clattering of pots drifted up the stairwell and through the vents. A hint of the sun rising broke through the slates of the bedroom window shades. She rolled to her back with the five-month baby bump tenting the covers and glanced at Josef, hoping she didn’t wake him.

“I was wondering when you were going to wake up.” He laid his hand on her belly, and the warmth seeped through her thin tee shirt.

“How long have you been awake?” Her hand covered his, and the baby kicked.

“Whoa! Good morning, little one.” He rubbed Catherine’s belly and earned another kick. “Not long. Are you ready to leave in the morning?”

“I’m more than ready for our honeymoon.” She kissed him.

“Can I help with the horses today?”

“Your help is welcome anytime. First I want one of those cinnamon rolls, then we can take care of the horses before getting ready for our guest and the main event.” Her legs swung out and over the edge of the bed as she sat up.

“My mom said they’d be here around nine. She didn’t want your mom doing all the work.”

“Mom’s looking forward to seeing everyone,” she stated and walked into the bathroom.

Josef had his work clothes on when they passed each other in the bathroom a few minutes later. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” She pecked him on the cheek.

Walking through the hall, she smoothed the maternity blouse over her belly. “The cinnamon rolls smell delicious,” Catherine said when she entered the spacious kitchen.

“Well, good morning to you, too. How’s my little grandbaby doing?”

“Just fine, Mom. Or should I say Grandma.” The two women laughed. “Joseph said his parents would be here around nine. We’re going to eat a cinnamon roll, take care of the horses and will be back to get ready and help.” Catherine went to the cupboard to retrieve two small plates.

“You just take it easy today, dear. Barbara and I will take care of everything.”

“I’ll take it easy, but I’m not going to sit back and watch the two of you do all the work. Now where are those delicious rolls?” With two large cinnamon rolls dished up, she set the plates on the kitchen table.

“Have you and Josef thought of names for the baby yet?”

“Yeah, Mrs. Garrison, have you come up with any names?” Josef winked at Catherine as he entered the room. This discussion came up frequently between them.

“I’m not saying anything.” Catherine poured two cups of coffee. Since her pregnancy, she allowed herself only one cup of coffee a day.

“The rolls smell delicious, Margaret. Thank you.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek as she worked with the enormous turkey.

“So you have given some thought to names?” Her mom asked, not missing the clue that Catherine had some ideas.

Catherine ignored her in favor of her mom’s fabulous cinnamon roll.

After breakfast, they crossed the road, and she smiled at the small sign stating Fuller-Garrison Farm. A large carved wood sign down by the new barn announced—Four Hooves and Paws Rescue. A gift from Josef, the sign brought happiness to her life every day.

She and Joseph worked as a team, mucking and feeding the horses. Of the four rescue horses, two remained. The new owners of Warren’s farm had purchased Rusty and Steel. At the first of the month, Magnolia was purchased as a Christmas present for a young girl. Magnolia would remain on the farm with Churchill as the new owners needed a temporary home for her.

The horses taken care of, Catherine strolled to the concrete bench Joseph surprised her with after moving to the farm. The bench meant everything to her. He had used the cinderblocks from the original barn for the foundation of the bench and wood slats from the old barn formed the seat.

A large portion of the original farmhouse basement was dismantled for safety reasons, since the tornado left a large hole in the ground. Josef removed two of the stonewalls, the front of the house and the stairwell, moving earth and changing the landscape so the rock walls of the basement stood as a retaining wall. This was where her bench sat. In a place she once hated to venture. Now a place that brought solace.

Fluffy, the only kitten to survive the tornado, strolled by their feet, stopped and rubbed against Cat’s shins. Josef sat beside Cat in silence for several moments.

“If we have a girl, I’d like to name her Elaine Elizabeth.” Catherine leaned into him. “If we have a boy I’d like to name him Jacob Gustav after his great-grandfathers.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Josef folded her in the cocoon of his embrace as a breeze caressed Catherine’s shoulder. Elaine. The baby gently kicked, and Catherine knew—they would have a little girl named Elaine.