Mary chuckled. "Different, that's for sure. But give it some time. There is a certain magic to life out here—open spaces, fresh air, and slower pace."
Emily forced a smile, wanting to believe Aunt Mary's words. "I hope so," she replied, but a trace of doubt lingered in her mind. "What do you love most about living here?"
Aunt Mary's face brightened. "Oh, there's so much! I love how the seasons change, the way the fields come to life in spring and summer, and how everything feels connected. The community here is like one big family. And the animals—they are full of personality. You'll meet them all soon."
"Meet the animals?" Emily blinked nervously. "Like cows and chickens?"
Mary laughed. "Don't worry, they're friendly."
"What do you do for fun?" Emily continued.
"There's plenty to do," Aunt Mary assured her. "We have picnics, bonfires at night, there's always some kind of festival or fair going on. Would you like to go to one? It would be fun!"
Emily nodded. "I'd like that," she said softly.
Aunt Mary smiled. "You'll fit right in. Just give it some time."
"Ready for a tour?" Uncle John called out from the far end of the hall.
The next hour flew by in a blur as Uncle John led Emily through the farm. They walked past the barn, where a few cows were grazing peacefully in the pasture. Uncle John pointed out each animal with a grin, introducing them like old friends.
"This here is Bessie," he said, patting the side of a large cow. "She's the queen of the barn."
"Hi, Bessie," Emily whispered.
"Moving on," Uncle John pointed to a group of chickens pecking at the ground. "And these are our hens. That one with the speckled feathers, we call her Dotty. She's our little troublemaker."
Dotty clucked noisily, flapping her wings as if to prove his point.
Emily laughed, "Sounds like a troublemaker."
John points his finger at Dotty. "Oh, she is. She led the whole flock into our vegetable garden. Took us hours to get them all out."
Emily laughed, feeling lighter as the day went on. The animals, the fresh air, and John's constant stream of stories chipped away at her nerves.
"You know, I still remember the farm bedtime stories," Emily said softly, with a smile tugging at her lips as the memories came rushing back.
"Really? You know I could—" John started, but then stopped with a playful grin. "No, never mind, you're too old for bedtime stories now." His eyes softened as he added, "We used to visit a lot back then." A trace of sadness flickered across his face.
"I remember how you'd go fishing with Dad, and tell me all those funny farm stories." Emily's voice grew quieter, her smile fading as her chest began to tighten again.
"It's okay," John said gently, his words drifting like the evening breeze.
Her eyes welled up, she blinked rapidly, trying to push back the tears, "I'm sorry."
John glanced up at the sky. "It's gonna get dark soon," he said, clearing his throat. "You ready?"
"For what?" Emily asked.
"Your first night on the farm— city girl." John responded with an impish grin.
Emily took a deep breath. "I think I am."
* * *
Sitting in her room, Emily took a moment to survey her new surroundings. The soft glow from a small bedside lamp cast gentle shadows on the walls, adorned with framed family photos and a framed cross-stitch that read "Home is where the heart is." The subtle scent of fresh linen and a hint of lavender made it feel welcoming.
Outside her window, the moon cast its silvery light over rolling fields, painting a serene setting of rural beauty. The faint distant calls of nocturnal creatures. The occasional hoot of an owl and the steady chirping of crickets mingled with the soft whisper of the wind was calming.
As she climbed into bed, quilt pulled up to her chin, she felt the comforting weight of its warmth. The bed creaked as she settled in. She closed her eyes, letting the natural sounds of the countryside lull her into a state of relaxation.
Taking a last glance at her cell phone, Emily's fingers tapped swiftly. "I had an interesting first day." She grumbled and erased it. With a sigh, she began again, her fingers moving more slowly this time. "I love you, Mom. Good night." The phone vibrated immediately, and a text appeared: "Love you too. Call me tomorrow." Several heart emojis followed after, their bright colors bringing a small smile to her face.
She placed the phone down and turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness. The soft glow of the moon outside gently filtered through curtains, casting a silvery light across her bed. She lay there listening to the subtle sounds that filled the night.
Despite soothing noises, the silence felt heavy. She turned onto her side, pulling the quilt tighter. The bed softly creaked, a sound that only stressed the stillness around her.
"This is going to take some getting used to."