Read Online Brave Beginnings by Ruth Ann Nordin - Free Book Online

who always thought they’d
have more children but never did, so they kept Millicent’s old
things in the attic. Julia was sure that when Millicent married,
she’d have children and the things would be used once again. For
the time being though, it would suit her brother and his
family.
    When the guest room was done, Julia went to
the parlor and looked out the window. More snow had fallen the
night before, but the roads were still in good condition. She’d
guess that it hadn’t been more than two inches that had fallen in
the past week. The sun was setting early behind a group of clouds
that suggested there might be a chance of more snow, but for the
moment, things were calm. Even the wind that usually swept through
the town had taken a reprieve.
    Her aunt entered the parlor and set a tray of
coffee and cookies down. “Any sign of them yet?”
    “No. Not yet.” Julia turned when she heard
her aunt chuckling. “What is it?”
    “I never thought I’d see the day when you
were looking forward to seeing Woape come to the house.”
    Julia smiled. “It does seem like a
contradiction, doesn’t it?”
    “Yes, but a good one.”
    Julia had to agree. She returned her gaze to
the window and nearly jumped when she saw the three familiar
figures coming down the sidewalk. “They’re here!”
    Without waiting for her aunt to reply, she
rushed to the front door and opened it, ignoring the biting chill
in the air. She waited until Gary looked at her before she waved.
He nudged Woape who was carrying the sleeping child wrapped snuggly
in a blanket. Her brother carried their belongings in a bag that
was flung over his shoulder.
    “I better put another piece of wood in the
fireplace,” her aunt called out.
    Getting the message, Julia scooted into the
entryway and closed the door almost all the way. She waited until
their three guests stepped onto the porch before she opened it all
the way.
    “Did you have a good trip?” Julia asked
quietly so she wouldn’t wake her niece.
    “It was fine,” Gary said. He put their things
down so he could hug Julia. “How are you?”
    “Alright. You must be cold. The parlor is
nice and warm.” Julia shut the door and offered to take Penelope so
Woape could hang up her robe. “You keep the fur on the inside?”
    “It is warmer when the fur is against the
skin,” Woape replied.
    That made sense. Julia grinned at the child.
“My poor niece has been cursed with my brother’s awkward nose.”
    “What?” Gary asked in an indignant tone. “My
nose isn’t awkward. It’s unique.”
    “It’s crooked.”
    “It’s perfect,” Woape said, hanging up her
robe before she took her child back into her arms. “I see Gary in
her when I see her nose.”
    “Well, despite nature’s blunder, she’s
adorable.” Julia brushed Penelope’s soft cheek.
    Her aunt approached them. “I see you’re still
giving Gary a hard time.”
    “It’s what I do best,” Julia teased.
    Erin hugged Gary before she smiled at
Penelope. “Oh my, how she’s grown!”
    “Yes,” Woape replied sadly. “My baby is no
longer a baby. She’s getting to be a big girl.” She looked over at
Julia. “Are you to marry a white man?”
    Julia blinked, thinking the question was an
odd one. “No.”
    “Then you are... What’s the word when you
consider marriage?”
    “Courting?” Gary guessed.
    Erin looked as confused as Julia felt. “What
are you getting at, Woape?”
    “Chogan said you had a white man here when he
came,” Woape replied. “He said you and the white man were
together.”
    “Oh that.” Julia sighed and shrugged. “That
was Ernest. He wanted to court me, but I told him no.”
    “Then why haven’t you been out to see
Chogan?”
    “Why would I go see him? He’s married.”
    Woape’s frown deepened. “No, he’s not.”
    “But Gary said he was!” Julia nearly shouted,
her stomach tensing into knots.
    “He did,” Erin spoke up. “It was in his last
letter. It was one sentence, and then he