Chapter Ten

E rna and Joel made their way to Kane and Faith’s house. Thankfully, it was early October, and the heat wasn’t as bad as it had been, though it still felt like summer to Erna. Church had left them both with a feeling of contentment that only the promise of a hearty Sunday dinner could enhance.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know your sister,” Joel remarked as he held the door open for Erna.

“You’ll love her,” Erna said, stepping into the cool foyer, where the smells of roasted meat and fresh bread were already making her mouth water.

As they settled around the dining table, the conversation flowed freely, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of cutlery. Joel leaned back in his chair, a twinkle in his eyes, ready to regale them with a tale.

“I need to tell y’all about the time I tried to break in that wild stallion over at the Murphy ranch?” Joel began, his hands animating the story as he spoke of the obstinate beast with a fondness in his voice that drew chuckles from around the table.

“Sounds like you met your match,” Kane jested, his own laugh rich and full.

“Maybe so,” Joel conceded, “but by the end, we came to an understanding, him and me.”

They ate heartily, enjoying the simple pleasures of good food and better company. Afterward, Erna and Faith cleared the dishes, hands moving in sync as only twins could. The clatter of porcelain and the splash of water accompanied their quiet conversation about patterns and stitches - the language of sisters who shared a lifetime of memories.

Once the last dish was dried and put away, Faith’s face lit up with excitement. “Erna, wait till you see what I’ve got for you,” she said, fetching a small bundle from the other room.

Unwrapping it, she revealed four tiny quilts, each a masterpiece of miniature stitching. The colors were vibrant, the patterns intricate, and Erna’s fingers traced the delicate work with awe.

“Faith, they’re beautiful,” Erna breathed out, her voice thick with admiration and affection. She wrapped her sister in a grateful hug, feeling the love that had been sewn into the tiny quilts.

“Joel, come look at these,” Erna called, beckoning him over with a smile.

He ambled over, nodding appreciatively as he inspected the handiwork. “Faith, these are something special. You’ve got a real gift,” Joel said earnestly, his straightforward praise ringing with sincerity.

“Thank you, Joel,” Faith replied, her cheeks flushed with pleasure at the compliment.

“Can’t wait to see them on the dollhouse beds,” Erna said, already picturing the tiny bedrooms brought to life by these glorious additions. She’d made sweet covers for each bed, but these were so much better. She’d include both when she sold the dollhouse.

“Your dolls will be sleeping in style,” Joel chuckled, imagining the delight of children’s faces when they would play with such treasures.

Erna shuffled the deck of cards with practiced ease, the soft slap of paper against wood punctuating the quiet hum of the house.

“Your deal, sis,” Faith said with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she glanced at Erna.

“All right, let’s see if Joel’s luck holds out,” Erna replied, dealing the cards deftly into four piles. Joel leaned back in his chair, a playful glint in his eye.

“Remember, darling, I’m just full of surprises,” he teased, picking up his hand and fanning the cards before him.

Laughter mingled with the clinking of glasses. The game progressed amid light-hearted banter, with Kane throwing down his cards at one point and declaring, “I think these hands are better suited for roping than card playing,” which only elicited more chuckles.

Joel pushed back from the table and stretched. “Kane, how about we take a stroll? I can see the ladies have things they want to talk about,” he suggested, rolling his shoulders.

“Sounds good,” Kane agreed, standing up. “Don’t go starting another round without us now.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Erna replied with mock solemnity, watching as the two men disappeared out the door.

In their absence, Faith began stacking the cards neatly, her fingers moving with the same precision she used for her quilting. She turned to Erna, her expression contemplative. “They’ll be driving the cattle into town in a few weeks,” she remarked, almost to herself.

“Is that so?” Erna’s interest was piqued, and a hint of concern flickered across her face. “You worried at all?”

“Nah, they’ve done it plenty of times before,” Faith said, brushing away the concern with a wave of her hand. “But you know me—I’ll be a little anxious till they’re safely back.”

“True enough,” Erna nodded, understanding the unspoken bond of worry that knitted the community together whenever their men faced the perils of the trail.

“Let’s just hope the weather holds,” Faith added, a hopeful lilt in her voice.

“You should come stay with me, and we’ll be anxious together,” Erna said, her thoughts drifting to Joel’s safe return. She couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride for the hard work and dedication he showed, just as she knew Faith felt for Kane.

“Time enough to fret when they set off,” she said finally. “For now, let’s just enjoy this lovely evening.”

Erna and Joel stepped out into the cooling air, her hand finding its place in his. Their shadows stretched long on the dusty path leading home.

“Faith’s quilts were something else, weren’t they?” Erna said, her voice carrying the warmth of the afternoon well spent.

“Sure were,” Joel agreed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Makes me think we ought to show off your baking next time. Have them over.”

Erna’s laughter tinkled like wind chimes in a soft breeze. “You just want another one of my apple cakes.”

“Can’t blame a man for having good taste,” he teased back, the corners of his eyes crinkling with mirth.

THE FIRST LIGHT OF dawn cast a golden hue over the countryside as Erna and Joel prepared for their early venture into town. The dollhouse sat majestically on their table, the miniature world crafted by their hands ready to find a new place. Erna adjusted the tiny chest filled with figures clothed in scraps of fabric that had once been dresses and shirts.

“Look at this little fellow,” Joel said, picking up a miniature cowboy. “Reminds me of my first time herding cattle.”

With a fond smile, Erna replied, “Maybe he’ll inspire someone else’s dreams, just like you did.”

“Could be.” He placed the figure gently back into the chest.

“Did you remember the curtains?” Joel asked, glancing around for the final touch Erna had painstakingly added to every window of the house.

“Of course,” she said, patting the small bundle wrapped neatly beside the chest. “Two sets for each window. We want it to feel like home, don’t we?”

“Nothing less,” he nodded, pride evident in his voice.

Together, they carried their creation out to the wagon. The drive to the store was made mostly in silence, each of them excited about the beautiful house they’d made.

“Ready?” Joel asked as they approached their destination, the general store where all manner of goods changed hands.

“Ready,” Erna affirmed, her heart fluttering with anticipation. This was more than just a dollhouse—it was a piece of their life together, a shared dream taking form.

Joel’s arms cradled the dollhouse with care, and Erna trailed just behind, her own trunk of handmade treasures gripped firmly in her hands. The bell above the general store’s entrance announced their arrival, a cheerful jingle that matched Erna’s hopeful heart.

“Morning, Mr. Haskins,” Joel greeted as he maneuvered the miniature home onto the counter.

“Goodness gracious!” the store owner exclaimed, his eyes widening at the sight of the intricately crafted dollhouse. “Erna, did you do all this?”

“Joel helped quite a bit,” Erna said, unable to suppress her smile. “It was a joint effort.”

Mr. Haskins ran a worn hand along the shingled roof, peering into the tiny windows. “Well, I’ll be,” he murmured before straightening up. “I’ll give you twenty dollars for it—no, I can’t rightly sell this. My daughter would never forgive me if I let such a treasure slip through my fingers.”

“Twenty dollars?” Erna’s voice was barely above a whisper, but her eyes sparkled like the morning dew on prairie grass.

Joel’s firm nod sealed the deal, and with Mr. Haskins making a note on his ledger, giving them a credit for whatever they needed, the transaction was complete.

“Let’s get our provisions, darling,” Joel said, the corners of his mouth turned up in a rare, easy grin.

As they filled their basket with flour, sugar, and other staples, Erna’s spirits soared. She was more than Faith’s twin, more than the girl who cut hair or baked the town’s favorite pastries. Today, she was a contributor, a true partner in their little enterprise.

Stepping out into the street, groceries in tow, Erna couldn’t contain her joy. Her hand found Joel’s, their fingers intertwining naturally.

“Seems like we make a good team, Mrs. Trinity,” Joel remarked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Seems like it, Mr. Trinity,” she agreed, grinning. Together, they set off toward the life they were building—one tiny, lovingly crafted piece at a time.

ERNA’S BOOTS SCUFFED the dirt path leading to their homestead, her heart light as a cotton cloud in the Texas sky. Joel’s silhouette against the setting sun was that of a diligent man, his posture speaking of unspoken promises and a future as vast as the ranch they tended.

“Got to check on the cattle,” he called over his shoulder. Erna nodded, her own smile steadfast as she watched him disappear into the sprawling fields.

Turning her attention to the task at hand, Erna rummaged through the woodpile inside the barn. Her fingers danced over the rough textures, selecting pieces with the right grain and sturdiness. The money from the dollhouse had sparked more than just joy. It ignited a flame of purpose within her. Each splinter and knot in the wood whispered potential, and she gathered them like treasures, envisioning the next miniature creation already taking shape in her mind.

Erna dusted off her apron and made her way inside. Humming a tune that echoed the day’s victories, she set about making an apple cake. She cut the apples up into small pieces. Adding the cinnamon and sugar to the apples, she smiled, happy there was a little extra sugar to add for a change.

She had just popped the cake out of the oven when she heard Joel open the door.

“Smells like heaven in here,” Joel’s voice drifted in from the doorway.

“Wait till you taste it,” Erna said with a wink.

The clink of forks against plates filled the cozy kitchen as Erna and Joel sat down for supper. A gentle breeze wafted through the open window, carrying with it the scent of the apple cake cooling on the windowsill.

“This is delicious,” Joel complimented, his fork spearing another piece of chicken.

Erna beamed at him, her cheeks warmed by more than just the heat from the stove. “I was thinking,” she started, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, “with the money from the dollhouse, I could start on a new one. We had so much fun making it, and we sold it for a good amount.”

Joel chewed thoughtfully, his eyes lighting up with interest. “That’s a fine idea. And I think I’ll carve the next family for you.” He set his fork down, his gaze meeting hers across the table. “Might not be much for sewing and quilting, but I can whittle a figure well enough.”

Her heart skipped a beat, not just from the tender look in his eyes, but also from the joy that bubbled up inside her knowing he shared in her passion. “Would you?” Erna grinned, her hands clasping together in excitement. “That would be wonderful!”

“Then it’s settled.” Joel’s voice carried a cheerful certainty. “We’ll make it a project together.”

“Can’t wait to see those little figures,” Erna said, picturing the tiny wooden people that would soon populate the dollhouses they’d create side by side.

“Neither can I,” Joel replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Neither can I.”