Sara bumped her shoulder to Roy's. "Oh Roy, stop it. I think you'd make a fantastic father, and look how much Abe and Billy love you."
"I might be open to the idea Sara. We'll just have to take things slow, that's all."
"Why Roy Folsom, if I didn't know better, I'd say that comment was a pile of manure."
Roy was shocked. "What do you mean?"
"You have to take things slow, huh? Who was just complaining about the rain and wanting to get on a horse and ride miles to a farm so he can get started repairing and building? It's been six weeks and the doc said you would need to take it easy for six months!"
"Well, ah, for one thing, getting things ready for us is different than having a baby. We're going to need a home and soon."
Sara smiled. "You're right Roy, and I think you've been cooped up in this house too long. How about we take the boys for a ride in the rain and go fishing?"
Roy grinned and shook his head.
"Can we go, Roy? Can we?"
Abe and Billy were not very far away when they heard the word fishing mentioned.
"Sure, why not. We'll need to stop at Dillard's and get some ponchos and fishing gear."
Billy and Abe started hollering and running through the house. Sara jumped up and chased after the boys so they would not disturb the McAllister family or awaken the twins who had fallen asleep.
Several hours later, four people stood on the bank of the lake dangling their poles above the water. After several hours and getting soaking wet, they had nothing to show for their efforts, but no one was complaining. It felt good to be out of the McAllister house and enjoying nature, even if it rained the entire time. They had fun and laughed together.
At the end of the day, Billy was the sole fisherman who caught a fish. This joyous event was punctuated with a disturbing and painful experience for Billy. It seems that when the exuberant Billy managed to land a fish-and without the aid of anyone else-he was devastated to see Roy unhook the tiny three-inch fish and throw it back into the water.
"He wasn't too small Roy! He was my fish." Billy pouted.
Roy felt awful. "Billy, I know he was your fish, but think about this. Could you, your brother, your Maw and me, have dinner on that tiny fish?"
Billy continued to pout by sticking out his lower lip, but Roy could see Billy was processing their conversation.
"Now, I don't know about you, but I'm wet and cold. Can you help me build a fire Billy, so we can warm up and dry off a bit?"