Bubbly and out of breath, an equally happy Judith laughed as she caught up with her sister. Dropping to the ground, she looked up at Maggie. “It was fun playing catch, wasn’t it?” Jude smiled, her lightly freckled nose curling as her eyes squinted against the sun’s bright glare. “I’m far too old to be playing with you,” Maggie laughed. “Micah thinks he’s too old. That’s why he’s enjoying lemonade on the porch with Uncle Chester.” “You’ll be even older when you have children of your own, and I bet you’ll play with them.” “Yes,” Maggie sighed, feeling more relaxed and content than she had since their arrival in Tuscumbia. “I suppose I’ll be a most improper mother running around playing games with my little ones.” “You’ll be the very best mother ever,” Judith said, her tiny fingers plucking at the grass surrounding her. “Just look at all the practice you’ve had with Micah and me.” “Oh, dear.” Maggie tried to hide her smile as she slowly lowered herself to sit beside Jude beneath the old oak tree.
