A Place to Call Home // Part 1

A Place to Call Home // Part 1

August 20, 1888
Memory Creek Ranch

Since baby Izzy's birthday party was over, the family had all left for the night. Twenty year old Andrea Prescott yawned and stretched. What a day! I can't believe my baby girl is one year old, she's growing so fast!

Andi remembered the first time Izzy--named after her mother, Elisabeth Carter--said the word, "Mama." What a happy memory.

Riley had been so jealous that their daughter had said mama before saying daddy, but he'd been thrilled when she had said "Dada" not more than a few days later.

Sound asleep, Izzy peacefully sucked her thumb while Andi rocked her. Knowing this would be her only chance to get some work done, Andi carefully stood and walked her over to the crib. She smiled down at her daughter's sweet face. Izzy didn't stir once as Andi gently set her down on the thick quilts.

Catching a glimpse in the other room of the dishes piled high in the kitchen sink, Andi knew she better get to it. The dishes won't clean themselves. She rolled up her sleeves and was careful not to wake the baby as she tiptoed out of Izzy's room into the kitchen.

Andi put on a pot of hot cocoa for when Riley would come in from doing the evening animal chores. Every night, after the days work was complete, Riley and Andi would often sit at the kitchen table with a cup of hot cocoa or tea. It was kind of like an unspoken tradition they had with each other.

An hour passed. By now, it was completely dark outside. Andi had the dishes sparkling and was impatiently waiting at the table, foot tapping, while Riley's cup of hot cocoa was cooling. He should be in by now... How long can it take to milk a couple of cows and feed the chickens?

Andi was torn, she needed to go find Riley and make sure he was alright, but she didn't want to leave Izzy unattended in the house by herself. What if she wakes up and figures out a way to get out of her crib? No, I can't leave her by herself. Riley is probably just looking for a runaway calf or something.

Hoping her guess was right, Andi got her knitting out. Maybe she could work on her knitting pattern without missing any stitches this time. It would only have taken her one hundred tries... knitting was not her strong suit.

~~~

"Tucker? Is that you, boy?"

Surprised that their dog would be so urgent to get into the house--and silently praying that his loud bark would not wake Izzy--Andi threw her knitting aside and opened the front door.

The panting dog lunged inside and spun circles. Barking one minute, running to the door, then back to Andi. Something was wrong. Tucker never acted this berserk. Where's Riley?

How did you like the first installment of A Place to Call Home? Do you like cliffhangers? Comment below your guess to where Riley is! 

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse