Free Story-ADA

Luke Logan stepped out of his weathered barn. He raised his wool ranch hat with one hand while brushing his wayward hair into place with the other. He returned his hat and glanced up at the Oklahoma Territory sky as farmers were wont to do. Sun was shafting through the rolling clouds. A spring shower was trying to work up.

His gaze slid to his lovely wife of sixteen months. Ada. She was kneeling in her flower beds next to the back porch of their house. Her upswept hair shimmered all hues of red and gold.

He knew he should probably get back to his chores, but he was drawn to his wife just as much as ever. He went to her side and held out his hand.

“Looks like rain, darlin’,” he said.

“I’m just about finished,” Ada commented as she pulled the last couple of weeds.

She finally peered up at him and smiled. She removed her dirty gardening gloves before accepting his help to arise. Being in the final month of pregnancy, she was slower to her feet than normal. As she straightened her petite frame, she protectively placed her hands on her extended mid-section.

“The baby is kicking.” She grasped his hand, putting it in the right spot.

The baby heaved to one side. The motion felt like a hard wave. He’d felt the movement a few times before, but it never ceased to amaze him.

“Feels like the little one will be feisty, like you,” he remarked with a grin.

Ada bopped him on the arm with her gloves before she beamed and said, “Or a troublemaker, like you.”

He tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her ear. “So, have you come up with any names yet?”

“Not really. I’m still open to suggestions.”

He pretended to ponder on it. “What about Edmunda?” he jested.

“Edmunda? How in the world did you come up with that?” Her elegant eyebrows arched in alarm.

“I had a great-uncle Edmund. He was a fine man.” He could tell she didn’t take him seriously.

“Well, be that as it may…I believe I’ll keep thinking about it.” She reached up and caressed his cheek. “I was leaning more toward Othello or Romeo,” she said with a mischievous gleam in her emerald eyes.

She had the nerve to call him a joker. He chuckled. “I know you were an actress, darlin’, but I think I’ll have to veto those.” He gathered her into an embrace.

“If you insist,” she said lightly against his chest.

“I insist,” he murmured into her hair as the first droplets of rain fell from the sky.

Luke reveled in the warm, soft feel of her in his arms. He didn’t think he’d ever tire of it. He could still vividly recall the cold, lonely nights of his bachelorhood huddled in front of the wood-burning stove staring through the open door at the flickering flames. Wishing. Hoping. Praying. Waiting for someone with whom he could share the rest of his life. He was so grateful he had found her. His Ada.