Chapter 139

There were a few other wagons pulled up near a small farmhouse. The sound of hammering grew louder, as did the shouts of children and laughter. Hope could see George running around the yard with another boy as Caroline pulled the wagon in next to a similar cart. She took her basket and climbed down only to be enveloped by his little arms. "Miss Tucker! You came!"

Laughing, Hope bent down to hug him back, grateful he felt so comfortable with her already. "I did! You look like you're having fun!"

"I am. This is my friend Tom. He caught a frog over by the pond!"

Hope turned to see Tom had a large bull frog in his grubby hands. "Oh, my! That is some croaker you've got there, Tom."

"George, honey, don't get Miss Tucker's nice dress all muddy." Caroline's scold was still loving.