Chapter 87

"I made some noodles and reheated the leftover rabbit meat from last night..." Emily Johnson said softly, placing a steaming bowl on the small table.

Instead of eating in the main hall, they chose to have their meal in the bedroom. Outside, the rain poured relentlessly, but inside, the room was filled with a cozy warmth.

"This rain doesn’t look like it’ll stop anytime soon," Michael Stone remarked, glancing out the window with an air of finality. "After breakfast, just focus on your reading. No going out today."

No going out? Emily suppressed a scoff. With rain this heavy, she wasn’t foolish enough to step outside.

The family gathered around the small table for breakfast, the steady rhythm of rain providing a constant backdrop.

"That lightning last night was really scary," Tommy suddenly piped up, his little face still tinged with fear.

Lightning? Emily thought of the towering skyscrapers in the 21st century, all equipped with lightning rods—nothing like this village, where a single flash could illuminate the entire settlement.

"I need to go out for a bit," Michael announced abruptly, pulling on his straw raincoat and wide-brimmed hat before heading out the door.

The neighboring room had leaked, soaking the bedding. Until it dried, the two boys would have to squeeze into their parents' room.

"Mom, you can study. We promise we won’t disturb you," David said earnestly.

Tommy nodded quickly. "Yeah, we’ll be super quiet!"

The moment Michael left, Emily dug out some snacks from the cupboard. "It’s fine, I don’t need to study right now," she said with a smile, preparing warm milk for the boys. "Here, have something to eat first."

The children’s eyes lit up as they accepted the treats. Watching them sip their milk carefully, Emily’s heart melted.

She had worked so hard to help them gain a little weight—she couldn’t let all that effort go to waste. Thankfully, Michael had brought back plenty of powdered milk, allowing her to secretly add extra nutrients without anyone noticing.

Emily never imagined she’d resort to such measures. But seeing how well-behaved and thoughtful these two little boys were, she found it all worthwhile. Unlike other children their age, they weren’t mischievous—instead, they were eager to help, whether it was tending the fire, washing dishes, or sweeping the yard.

Meanwhile, Michael trudged through the mud toward the river. The once-clear water had turned murky overnight, its rapid currents slamming against the rocks along the bank.

"Michael, you came too?" Charles Clark called out, also clad in a straw raincoat, scanning the river for fish. The season wasn’t too cold yet, so wading in barefoot wasn’t a problem.

"Thankfully, my dad fixed the roof after the harvest, or it’d be leaking for sure," Charles said, wiping rainwater from his face. "How about your place?"

The village, nestled against the mountains, still had many homes made of adobe with thatched roofs. The experienced elders had long since repaired their roofs, while those who’d neglected the task now faced indoor drizzles.

"It leaked," Michael answered curtly.

And that was precisely why he and Emily were now sharing a room. When she’d suggested there was no rush to fix the roof, he’d agreed without hesitation—even if the boys were there, being under the same roof with his wife was exactly what he wanted.

He needed her to grow accustomed to his presence.

"Need help?" Charles glanced at Michael’s injury. "That wound hasn’t fully healed yet. Climbing up on the roof would be tough."

"No need." Michael shook his head, then suddenly pointed at the river. "Give me a hand here..."

A group of men had already gathered by the riverbank, braving the rain to fish. Having grown up by the water, they were all strong swimmers—a little rain meant nothing to them.

Back at the old Stone family home, the rotation of cooking duties had prevented any major disputes. Still, the heavy rain only worsened the already-dilapidated state of the house.

"Michael left in such a hurry. I don’t think their roof’s been fixed yet," Mary Stone fretted, watching the downpour through the window. "Who knows how bad the leaks are over there."