Free Longings of the Heart by Bonnie Leon

leaving.”
    “So, you’re a pair, then?” Hannah asked.
    “He’s not announced any intentions. But we do see each other.” Lydia’s golden skin turned a deeper bronze.
    “And what of Perry? Has he found anyone?”
    “Perhaps. He and Gwen seem to be getting along well.”
    “Good.”
    Lydia gazed about the tiny cabin. Her eyes settled on the ceiling made of tree bark and sod. “Will you be putting up a new roof?”
    “In time. But not right away. We’ve very little capital.”
    Lydia continued to study the ceiling. “I doubt it will hold if we get much in the way of rain.”
    Hannah understood they needed a stronger roof, but there was nothing they could do about it now. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. The barn still needs to be built. And we’ve need of a lambing shed as well.” She drank the last of her tea. “John refuses to borrow any money.”
    A furrow cut across Lydia’s forehead. “There must be something that can be done. I can’t bear the thought of you spending the winter in this cabin.”
    “It’s better than what we knew on board ship and at the factory. And we managed well enough.”
    “I don’t know how well we managed, but we did survive.”

    Grinding and dredging noises woke John. And there was a jangle of harnesses mixed with the sound of voices. It was all coming from down by the road. Sitting up, he threw back his blanket and clambered out of bed. “Good Lord, what is that racket?” He moved to the window. A parade of wagons, horses, and people rattled up the drive.
    Bewildered, he stared at the menagerie. “What’s this?”
    Hannah catapulted out of bed.
    “Looks like the whole blooming town is here.”
    Hannah joined John at the window.
    Perry drove a dray loaded with stones. Gwen sat on the seat beside him. Lydia walked alongside a pair of draft horses that pulled the heavily loaded cart. She smiled and waved at Hannah and John.
    “Do you know what this is about?” Hannah asked.
    “I’ve not a clue.” John pulled on trousers and a shirt and pushed his feet into boots. Combing back mussed hair with his fingers, he stepped outside.
    Mr. Atherton drove another cart loaded with lumber. John approached him. “Good day, William. What is all this?” He looked at the collection of people and beasts.
    William Atherton climbed down from the wagon. “It seems you’ve a number of friends who don’t like the idea of your spending the winter in a hut.”
    “We’ve come to build you a proper house,” Lydia said, striding up beside Mr. Atherton.
    His mind still muddled from sleep, John couldn’t grasp the truth of the situation. “I’ve not even ordered materials.”
    “True enough,” William Atherton said, wearing a playful expression. “But we did.” He turned to look at the people and the wagons loaded with building supplies and then back at John. “If you could kindly show us where you want the house to stand, we can begin working.”
    John didn’t know how to reply. He took a step closer to Mr. Atherton and whispered, “I’ve no money.”
    “That may be true, but you’ve a great deal of skill. You can count this as a loan against the work I’ll need from you.” He cocked one eyebrow. “Is that acceptable?”
    Still perplexed and overwhelmed, John stared at William for a long moment and then looked at Hannah who stood in the doorway. Her expression of shock transformed into a grateful smile. John turned back to Mr. Atherton. “That would suit me fine, sir.” He held out a hand to his former employer. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    John looked at the people who had gathered. “Thanks to you all.”
    “So, where would you like the house?” Mr. Atherton asked.
    John pointed at a piece of ground he’d leveled where he’d hoped one day to construct a home. “I believe that will do nicely.”
    “It will at that.” Mr. Atherton and the men went to work unloading the wagons. The dray was maneuvered into the center of the building site, and a