The Darkness We Hide

Gareth and Michelle were awakened the next morning by the sound of Nancy noisily opening the barn door. She was carrying a tray of biscuits, bacon and coffee that jingled as she made her way to the base of the ladder.

“If you two have had enough time to kiss and make up,” she called up to them, “it's time to come back to reality.

"If you need help finding your clothes," she added, seeing Michelle's bra in a pile of hay by her feet, "I can see if some of the little ones want to help."

Michelle and Gareth rolled into each other's embrace, laughing.

“We’re good Nan,” Gareth called, still laughing, “just give us a second.”

Nancy waited by the ladder hearing the two younger people giggle and trip over each other trying to find their clothes.

“Do you know what your mother and I had to do to keep those same little ones from hearing the ruckus y’all were making last night,” Nancy called up teasingly. "I'm pretty sure they heard you all the way in town."

“Ooff,” she heard Gareth grunt.

“Ow, that’s my foot,” Michelle hissed in a pained voice.

“And I’ll tell you what,” Nancy continued, speaking louder than ever. “Your brothers were making bets on how long you two could keep it up last night.

"Phillip won twenty dollars,” she added, a mischievous smile teasing her lips.

“Stop it Nan,” Gareth said, sticking his head over the edge. “We get your point..”

Nancy moved away from the ladder as Michelle and Gareth came down, laughing at their disheveled appearance.

“You two need a shower,” she said, handing each a steaming mug.

“What did you want to talk to us about?” Michelle asked, blowing on her cup.

“Well,” Nancy began, holding out the young woman's missing bra, "I have some news."

"What's that?" Michelle asked, snatching her missing underwear and hiding it in her pocket, her face reddening.

"The Council called this morning," the older woman said, holding out the plate of biscuits, "Richard's trial has been set for this afternoon."

Seeing Michelle's knees buckle, Gareth put his arm around her waist offering her support. He felt her lean into him, but he could tell it wasn’t out of weakness or shock. This was shared strength, something that hadn’t existed between them in a long time.

“What do I have to do?” she asked, her grip on him tightening painfully.

“First,” Nancy replied, picking up the tray, “let’s get you two inside and cleaned up, you’re both covered in hay. Then we can all meet in Hugo’s office and plan our strategy.”

After showering, Gareth and Michelle stopped in to see Alice and Phillip before heading down to the meeting. Alice glowed with pride as she offered Michelle a chance to hold the baby.

He was so pink, and small, a large tuft of red curls right on top of his little round head. Michelle sank onto the side of the bed, holding and smelling him as his little hand clasped tightly around her index finger. A wave of emotion washed over her as his huge blue eyes stared up at her.

This is what was growing inside of her, something this perfect couldn’t be a mistake, he or she could only be a blessing. With tears brimming in her eyes, she looked up to find Gareth beaming down at her, his own tears escaping down his cheek.

Michelle looked so beautiful, so radiant as she held his nephew… their nephew. She would be a wonderful mother and, if she would have him, a wonderful wife.

“You did well,” Gareth said to Alice, wiping his tears away. “How are you feeling?”

“Wonderful,” Alice replied giving her husband a withering look, “though your brother refuses to let me out of bed yet.”

“Hey,” Phillip said defensively, smiling down at her, “you should enjoy it while you can get it. Zach and Millie will be all over you soon enough.”

“Alright,” Alice replied, laying languidly back into her pile of pillows.

“Phillip,” Gareth interjected, “she needs to get on her feet sooner rather than later.”

“I know,” Phillip said, stroking his wife’s head, “but we’re gonna have to take the cattle to market soon and it’s my year to take them.”

“Can’t William do it,” his brother asked.

“Not this year,” Phillip replied. “He and Bella promised their kids a trip up into British Columbia months ago. They were only waiting to make sure everything went well with this little guy before they left.”

“It’s okay Gareth,” Alice put in, defending her husband. “We knew this was coming, and Louise, Nancy, and Hugo are always here to lend a hand.

“And maybe Michelle will be able to help too,” she added looking quizzically at the woman holding her son.

“I don’t know,” Michelle said, handing back the now squirming infant. “Things are so up in the air for me right now.”

Phillip reached down and placed his hand over hers, it was rough and calloused, like the hands of a rancher should be.

“We’re not asking for a commitment,” he explained. “We just want you to know that you’re always more than welcome around here.”

“Thanks,” she said to both of them, giving each a hug before leaving the happy trio.