The summer was hot weather wise. The winter here could be extremely cold and brutal. You had to be prepared and I knew this. But it had always been just me to consider. Now, here we are, the three of us in the middle of nowhere. There will be preparations to be made.
My job was physical before. Now, I spent time chopping and storing wood for the winter. Out here it isn't a question of if you lose power, it's when and for how long. The prolonged exercise made me chiseled and hard. Anna found this desirable. Anna's working around the farm increased her physical labor as well. There was much time for her outside, working the garden, taking care of goats and chickens, and the other aspects of running the place. By summer's end, Anna had become very dark, thinner, and more muscular. This I found very desirable. She also took a few turns with the ax. Clumsy at first, but she got better. By summer's end, we had a massive pile ready.
We also worked on the house a considerable amount. Buttoning up windows, adding storm windows, insulation in the attic, wrapping pipes and preparing for the worst. We bought a used chest freezer and gradually stocked it. Boxes of other stores were put away with all we thought we would need. The owner stored as much straw and hay in the barn and outbuilding as we could stuff in there. We had the horses to care for and if needed, we would accommodate cattle.
Anna's garden produced an amazing number of veggies. Some we ate, the rest we stored, either freezing or canning. An herb garden grew an abundance of items I had not known. Anna used these to add flavor to our meals. The rest were dried for latter. The chickens gave us all the eggs we could manage and an occasional chicken dinner. The goats also supplied milk, which I had never tasted before. It was very good. Anna did some research and learned how to make yogurt and cheese with goat's milk. Anna's abilities in the garden and kitchen expanded my palette nicely. The longer I am with Anna, the more I realize and understand she is a treasure.
Now about Lily. She had the entire summer to run around the farm to play, explore and just be a kid. With this new freedom, she blossomed. Sometimes she would appear from an outbuilding with some item. An oil lamp, a horseshoe, a bucket, or some long lost tool. The lamps we cleaned up and filled for future use. She ran or rode her bike every day the weather allowed. But then fall arrived and she would begin school.
The school was a small building. They call it a country school. There were about fifteen kids in it, from grades Kindergarten to eighth. One teacher. The older students aided the younger. The first day found Lily in a new dress, new cowgirl boots, and curled hair. The suburban came up to the house to pick her up. There were three kids already inside. Lily gave her mom and I a hug and kiss and jumped into the vehicle, unafraid and ready for a new adventure. We had visited the school and met the teacher earlier. That was a tough morning for Anna, watching Lily leave for school. I took that day off to stay with her.
When Lily was dropped off that afternoon, she talked endlessly about her day and her new friends. Every detail of every moment. I hope she keeps this excitement for learning. It wasn't my favorite thing, but I know how an education is important. I encouraged Lily as often as possible. This means helping with homework and the like. But how much homework can a Kindergartener have? School made Lily inquisitive. Not a bad thing either.
The boss also knew how winter could be out here. This meant that the entire crew worked during the days to prepare. Sometimes we bailed hay from sunup to sundown, storing it in every place available. We moved cattle and horses to better ranges, trying to fatten them up a bit. The guys and I spent much time in a saddle. Grace is still my "go to" companion. I don't reckon another horse could be any better. Grace is well taken care of at the end of the day, by me, or Lily or both. I've put Lily on Grace several times. Grace seems to understand Lily is young and behaves accordingly. As I have said before, those two have a special bond.
Anna and I have continued our enthusiastic love affair. We steal away to the barn for louder sessions. The sight of her naked is inspiring. We make love often. Yet, no babies on the way. Anna has been sad about this a few times. She wants our child. I have told her it will happen and to be patient.
I always add.
"This means we can keep practicing making one."
That makes her smile. So many times, the three of us stand on the porch and look at what we have done so far. Yes, Lily has had a hand in this as well. We have a great life; one we are building together.
October arrived and with it, colder temperatures. The wind blew across the fields with a bit of vengeance and hints of worse to follow. The thick coat I wore protected me. Things still had to be done. It made me miss the warm days of sun and sweat. Grace and I rode slowly, moving cattle, checking fences, and keeping an eye on things. One day in mid-month, I rode home. Grace was seen too and made comfortable in the barn. The walk to the house seemed a little longer that afternoon. Anna met me at the door, wearing a flannel shirt and hugging her body to stay warm. She greeted me with a great hug and an even better kiss.
Anna spoke.
"Come on and get in here where it's warm."
The aroma of dinner filled the house. Smelled like stew and biscuits to me, and it was. A perfect meal for a cold day. Anna brought a cup of coffee for me and went ahead to sit in my lap. Lily bounced in from her room and wanted a place in my lap as well. I got to hold both my girls. Lily rattled on about her day, new friends, and the events of school. Anna and I listened raptly. Lily was blossoming into a bright and intelligent young lady. I felt very proud to be her dad.
Lily finished her monologue and went to some other activity. Anna remained in my lap, and we shared coffee.
Then, she whispered in my ear.
"Chuck, I think I'm ovulating. Would you like to try and make a baby later?"
All I could do was wrap my arms around her, kiss her whole face and say,
"yes."
A bit later, the three of us sat down to beef stew ladled over hot biscuits. Anna had the fireplace blazing and the cook stove added more heat to the house. A cozy situation. Once we had our fill, the cleanup began. Lily was sent to clean up and get ready for bed. Anna and I did dishes and put things away.
A sultry voice spoke.
"You know Chuck, I haven't got anything on under this flannel shirt. My breasts and nipples have been rubbing the fabric all day. The nipples just get harder and harder. What do you think about that?"
How do you properly answer a question like that? The dish cloth was dropped, and I turned Anna to face me. One hand went under her shirt to seek and find one of the nipples. Yup, it was hard, just like she said. So, I pulled on it a little bit. Anna opened her mouth to speak, but I covered it with mine first. Then we just stood in the kitchen, kissing like teenagers. Anna had caused the desired effect. As though she had to work that hard.
We finished the kitchen and settled on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Lily sandwiched between us and showed her growing ability to read. Once done, Lily relaxed as we all spent time watching the fire. Soon, her little body was asleep, and I carried her to bed. I tucked her in and stood for a time to make certain she was settled. Then quietly closed the door.
I returned to the living room to find Anna clad in only the flannel shirt, this being unbuttoned to display her fine breasts and naked body. I stood there, awed by the sight of her. So many times, we had been together, loving and making love, yet still I found her amazing and beautiful. To spur me to action.
Anna spoke.
"Make love to me in front of the fire, right here on the floor."
Anna rose from the sofa, went to our bedroom, and returned with a pile of blankets and pillows. These we placed on the floor. The shirt fell from her shoulders and Anna reclined naked on the floor. Her arms stretched out for me. My own clothes made a pile on the floor. I knelt between her legs to kiss her deeply.
She spoke.
"Let's make a baby Chuck, our baby."
Given an invitation such as this, I hardened quickly. Time was lavished on Anna's breasts and the hardened nipples. Then her neck and shoulders and finally back to her mouth. Anna's knees rose to either side of my body. I am poised to enter her womanhood. The tip just touched her. I could feel her hot juices as they began to coat me. Slowly, I pushed inside all the way. We held that sensation and position for several moments, looking into one another's eyes. I wanted to remember this night, especially if would be the time we created our child. Then gradually, I began to move.
We were quiet. Lily, down the hall in her own room. But I held myself above Anna, looking down at her nude body, as we made love.
On and on we went, until Anna spoke.
