Chapter 27
It was always a given that her parents would have chickens and turkeys.
Since their roadside stand was open throughout Thanksgiving, people would vie and fight for reservations for the bird’s years ahead of time.
They would only raise a handful of them, feeding them with the same organic and homemade meals each night that the chickens got.
Whatever their mother was cooking for dinner, the livestock was sure to get the leftovers.
Nothing on the farm went to waste. Everything from the produce that wasn't up to the standards of selling down to the manure that would fertilize the pastures to keep them green.
Two deep wells on the property provided them with a constant influx of clean and potable water.
Showering was going to be another matter.
They had an outdoor shower to wash off sand and saltwater from the ocean, but it was little more than a hose attached to a showerhead.
All of the plumbing would need to be rethought for the time being.
“You know, you haven’t changed one bit since you were a little girl. You could just as easily ask me what livestock we’ve got, or do you doubt the old man’s memory?” Henry asked.
“Dad,” she groaned, “you are not that old, and your memory is sharper than mine.”
“Man, you two remind me of my dad and me so much,” Adam chimed in. “Why don’t I break the stalemate. Sir, how many animals do you got here?”
Henry gave the man a wink. “Glad you asked, son. We’ve got two goats, two lambs, two kids?—”
“Jesus, it’s Noah’s Ark,” Sarah muttered.
“Two dozen laying hens, another dozen meat chickens, five turkeys, a cow and bull calf…and now two horses.”
“And two kids,” Adam added.
“Yeah, and those two now, not that we mind. Heaven knows we’ve got the room. They can take the bunkhouse room, and you two can take Sarah’s—” Henry muttered.
“That won’t be necessary, Pops,” Sarah said. “Adam and I are just friends. We’ll put him up in the guest room. Do you think anyone else will show up from the family?” Sarah asked.
“I don’t think anyone else is coming,” Henry said. “Both my brother and sister passed away years ago. “Their kids have all grown up and have families of their own. Places they call home. As much as I’d love to see them, I doubt they’d make their way here.”
“That kind of brings up another dilemma, doesn’t it?”
“What do you mean, son?”
“Well, if the time comes and there are more people who need help, we will be able to take on any more people?”
Henry sighed. “I think that’s a conversation for another time. When we are all together, then we can talk about all those kinds of things.”
Sarah chuckled. “My parents’ marriage has been solid throughout the years because they always follow one golden rule.”
“Yeah, and what rule is that?” Adam asked.
“They don’t have any large conversations or make any decisions without doing it together.”
“That’s a great rule to follow. I don’t think anything should be decided without first talking to the other person in a relationship.”
“I’m glad you feel that way,” Sarah said. “As long as we’re here, none of us should make any rash decisions without first talking to the rest of the group.”
Adam smiled. “I think I’m really going to like it here. After so many years of having all my decisions made for me, it will be nice to have some input on what happens now.”
“You’ll have your chances, Adam. I promise you, everything we do here will be something we decide as a team.”
“Well, that’s the tour,” Henry said. “We should head back to the house. I think there are just a few things to show you on the way back.”
As the trio headed back for the house, she pointed out different parts of the homestead to Adam.
He was captivated by the greenhouse. Seconds before they reached the door, the kids burst out with towels in one hand and sprigs of soapwort in the others.
They were quickly followed by Connie, who had a beach bag draped over her arm.
She smiled when she saw the three adults approaching, but the kids reached them first.
“Will you guys come down to the beach with us?” Eric asked.
“Pretty please?” Jamie pleaded.
Sarah looked at Adam, unable to wipe the smile from her face.
“Awe, go on, you two,” Harry said.
“Now you’re not gonna get out of doing your mile today, either, mister,” Connie said. “All three of you could use the walk. The planning and prepping can wait. We just got them back, Harry.”
“Them?” Harry said. “I suppose I knew you’d make me a grandpa sooner or later. Reckon this gets us a jump start on the diapers and whatnot.”
Sarah burst into laughter. “All right, we’ll come down, too.”
The kids gave a whoop of approval as they raced ahead of the adults across the sloping hill that led to the beachfront.
It was a beautiful day for it, and Sarah knew the children would love life on the homestead.
As they made their way over the top and looked out over the ocean and the beach below, Adam gave a low whistle.
“Tell me what you really think.” Sarah chuckled.
“It’s amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it in my entire life. I can’t imagine living in a place like this before all this started,” Adam said. “Did you really grow up with this all around you?”
“I most certainly did, but don’t let the allure of it all fool you. It’s beautiful and heaven-like half of the year and like living in a hell the other half.”
“I don’t know if it could be that bad. Look at this place. No matter what time of year, I feel like it’s an awesome place to be.”
“Yeah, but in a couple of months, it’s going to be freezing here. It’s so cold at times that your breath will actually freeze in midair,” Sarah said.
“Sounds like a sight to see, honestly. I’m all for new experiences, and I’m anxious to see how cold it really gets,” Adam said.
“Well, just remember that it gets so cold that it could kill someone. It actually does almost once a year. This time of year, it’s quite gorgeous, and the warmer air makes you feel like you would never want to leave. That cold winter air hits, and it’s another story altogether.”
“Oh, come on now,” Connie said, appearing from out of nowhere. “It’s not that bad around here. I think it’s quite cozy.”
Sarah chuckled. “You would be the one to disagree with me, Mom.” Sarah chuckled.
“I think you just forgot how nice the winters can be here. The cold can get bitter, but the quiet nights are something to revel in.”
“I might be with your mom on this one. Florida might have its perks, but I’m all about the calm and quiet.”
As Sarah watched the three adults follow the children down to the beach, she couldn't help but worry all the same.
She wanted to enjoy the moment of peace as much as they did, but she knew winter was going to be there in three months.
Twelve weeks wasn't much time to be prepared.
She hated the idea of postponing her trip back down the coast but didn't see how else they were going to manage it.
Sarah started to do the math in her head.
If she went alone, she could make it to Florida in seven days on horseback.
It was still two weeks before she would be gone from the property.
Plus, she knew it was going to be a battle to get Adam to stay behind with the others and let her go by herself.
Sarah could move faster, though, if she didn't have someone else to worry about, and she wanted Adam there to protect the rest of the group as well.
As she started down the slope, Sarah wondered if it would be possible to get them completely winterized in ten short weeks.
They would be able to do some of the work while she was gone, but she wouldn't leave without knowing the major tasks were already attended to for the pending cold.
Watching the children bound into the warm ocean, she smiled and let the worries slip away.
Sarah knew how important the moment was not only for her parents but for the twins as well.
She could already see that her mother was falling in love with the young children, and her father wasn't far behind.
Hopefully, that bond would help carry them through the hardships Sarah knew were coming.
Every day couldn't be spent at the beach. They had work to do.