Read Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 15 for Free Online

you wanted an excuse to stop coming.”
    “I did.” He winked back at her before adding, “I’ve never been more happy to be wrong.”
    “Me too.”
    “What were you wrong about?”
    Willow laughed. “No, I’ve never been happier for you to be wrong.”
    “That’s it. They don’t need me, you’re insulting me, I’m going to go inside.”
    “I’ll be in when they’re done.”
    Books on shearing, cleaning, carding, and spinning littered the kitchen table. For three days, she’d stacked them out of the way before each meal, dragging them back as soon as the plates were cleared. She had wool now. What good would wool be without a spinning wheel?
    A glance out the door told him he only had a few minutes. Scrolling through his phone, he looked for numbers of yarn shops all around the Rockland Loop. He consulted her book, asked questions, and took notes of what each shop had in stock. By the time she climbed the steps, still waving at the departing shearers, he thought he had a plan.
    “What’re you doing?”
    “I have here a list of every type of spinning wheel I could find within driving distance. What do you think about us going to get one? What good is that fleece without something to spin it with?”
    His eyes closed and he laid his cheek on her shoulder as Willow slid onto his lap at the table, poring over his notes . It hadn’t been that long ago that the movement would have been instinctive—instinctively friendly. This was different, and every time she made those little gestures, it filled his heart with gratitude. Only the Lord could have effected that change in her. Only the Lord.
     

     
     
    Saturday morning, Chad sat at the table , amazed as he remembered the week he ’ d enjoyed with his wife. Wife. Had it really been just a year since he ’ d prayed that the Lord would take Willow out of his life? Had he really resented her as much as he remembered? Seeing her as she pulled muffins from the oven, scooped eggs and “ breakfast steak ” onto his plate, humming contentedly, he almost couldn ’ t remember why he ’ d rejected her for so long —almost.
    He had almost expected something to go wrong—some kind of awkwardness or argument to upset the balance of their relationship—but it didn’t happen. Each day had its new experiences and opportunities for misunderstanding. They’d never spent that much concentrated time alone together. During her injury and his, there had always been times apart. Willow liked her solitude. Still, even amid the newness of marriage, their comfortable camaraderie never wavered.
    Chad smiled across the table. “ What are you going to do today? ”
    After a bite of her eggs, Willow shrugged. “ I ’ ve been neglecting the chickens. I think it ’ s time to do some more butchering. I ’ ve got those new chicks coming in so… ”
    “ Great day to go back to work .”
    “I waited for it…” she teased. “I considered offering, but I’m too selfish. I want the blood—the guts—”
    He jumped up and carried his mostly-empty plate to the sink. Kissing her cheek, he dashed out the door calling, “See you tonight.”
    She hurried to the front porch and waved as he drove down the drive — another first in their life. As the truck brake lights disappeared, Willow gave one last glance at the empty drive and hurried to clean the kitchen before her afternoon of chicken slaughter. She wanted it all done and every trace gone before Chad came home from work .
    Her eyes widened as she opened the cupboard. Her fingers slid down the stack— stack of plates —as she put the breakfast dishes away. Eight plates. Eight bowls. Eight mugs, glasses, small plates. The silverware drawer had silverware in a tray inside. No more forks, spoons, and knives in a mason jar next to the plates. There were enough utensils and dishes for the entire family.
    Sobs wracked her body—again. When would the little changes stop affecting her so deeply? As she lay curled on the mat in