Once away from the town center, she breathed a cleansing sigh. With the clothing safely in the care of Mrs. Laurence and the bulk of the citizens behind her, she now felt unhindered to pay Cliff Wells a visit.

She strolled along the outskirts of town with a relaxed ease. The lot that hosted traveling merchants and their wagons now sat empty, the tenants having migrated to winter in warmer climates. The road curved along under ash and basswood trees shedding the last of their bright golden leaves. The hues of autumn were fading into the grays of winter. Even the glowing red of Cliff’s barn dulled with the passing days.

Patience walked into the musty store with much less trepidation in her step than at the dress shop. The town girls who hopped at the chance to visit Mrs. Laurence for a new dress would balk at the site of this cavernous barn. Patience had quite the opposite reaction. She could breathe here.

The feed store was free of judgment and never crowded. The clientele were practical sorts of people and did not care about keeping up appearances. They did not care to flock around a new batch of alfalfa or come out to admire the new stacks of reclaimed wood. Though, they were known to ogle a new tractor and the like when they should happen across one.

“Hello, Mr. Wells,” Patience greeted.

“Hello, Patience!” Mr. Wells hollered over a thick roll of wire fencing. He gifted her a beaming smile framed by thick curly whiskers. He walked the wire to the back of a stall in a clunky dance before approaching her. “How have you been? Holidays are coming up. Have any plans?”

“I’ve been well. In fact, we do have plans! Schuler’s brother invited us to spend some time with his family in New Georgia, Kanata.”

“Wow!” marveled the man, tipping up his hat. “That’s quite a trip! It’s almost an expedition compared to the vacation you took earlier this year.”

“It’s true! I’m sure it will feel like an expedition.” Patience ground her boot tip into the earthen floor. “That brings me to ask … Would you happen to be available to see after my chickens and greenhouse while we’re away? Schuler and I would be happy to compensate you for your trouble, of course. And we will pay for any expense needed for the chickens.”

“Sure! Winter feed deliveries keep me busy in the area, and I’ll occasionally lend a hand at some of the farms—so your cottage won’t be out of my way.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Wells!” Patience nearly hugged him, but she stopped short a couple of paces from the man. She gave him the dates and bought a small sack of millet for the trouble. She felt terribly rude for consuming his time to ask what was essentially a favor of him.

“I like to keep the chickens confined to their run and coop in the winter. And please do take their eggs! I’d hate for them to go to waste,” Patience added. “Ah! That reminds me! I have to notify Mr. Loeb to suspend the milk delivery for those dates.”

Mr. Wells chuckled, scratching his dark cheek with his rough fingers. “Lots of tasks to get in line before an expedition.”

Patience sighed with a laugh as she turned to exit. “Now I see why they take years to plan! I will hand you a set of keys once the time comes. ”

The man nodded as he began taking inventory of his stock. “I hear you, Patience. I will see you soon. Stay warm until then!”

“You as well!”