Part 63
As the afternoon festival began to wind down, the local townsfolk slowly departed, leaving the estate in a state of quiet contentment.
The golden light of the setting sun cast long, dramatic shadows across the courtyard, painting the stone walls in warm orange hues.
Sofia and Ethan remained behind to help us tidy up, their laughter ringing out as they recounted the funny moments of the day.
Maya had already fallen asleep in Ethan's arms, her small head resting trustingly against his shoulder, exhausted from the excitement.
"It was a perfect day, Mom," Sofia said, wiping down one of the long wooden tables with a soft, damp cloth.
"The people here truly love us, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I belong to a real community," she added.
I smiled, placing the remaining silver platters into a woven basket, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction in my soul.
"You do belong here, Sofia," I assured her gently. "We have planted deep roots in this soil, and they are growing stronger every day."
Alexander walked out from the house, having just secured the main doors, his gaze resting warmly on the young family before him.
"The wind is shifting from the south," Alexander observed quietly. "It will bring a warm rain tonight, excellent for the new crops."
Ethan carefully transferred the sleeping Maya to her portable bassinet, stretching his back before looking toward Alexander.
"The western fields are ready for the secondary planting, Alexander," Ethan reported, his voice filled with professional pride.
"With the rain tonight, the seeds will take hold perfectly, and we should see a record harvest by the time late summer arrives."
May you like
Alexander nodded in approval, walking over to stand beside the young man who had become like a true son to him over the years.
"You've done an exceptional job with the land, Ethan," Alexander said sincerely, a rare compliment that made Ethan's chest swell with pride.
