Chapter 1795

The flower garden looked refreshed. The stones around the planted sections were dark with rain, and the little wooden markers stood firmly in the damp soil.

Stella was sitting on the new bench, inspecting the garden.

"Look," she said when Jude approached. "The soil has settled around the seeds."

"That’s good."

"I was worried the rain might wash them away, but the stones protected the beds."

Grace came from behind the cabin carrying several newly shaped pots.

"We finished these."

Jude examined them. Some were small and round, others narrow and tall. A few had simple patterns pressed into their sides.

"They look excellent."

Grace smiled. "We’ll let them dry beneath the shelter."

Scarlet appeared carrying a piece of wood.

"I have an idea."

Jude looked at her.

"Is it another table?"

"No."

He waited.

"A sign."

"A sign?"

"For the flower garden."

Stella looked interested. "What would it say?"

Scarlet placed the wood on the bench.

"Something simple. Perhaps ’The Garden of Flowers.’"

"That sounds rather ordinary," Lucy said as she approached.

"What would you suggest?"

Lucy thought for a moment.

"’Do Not Step Here.’"

Zoey shook her head. "That sounds like a warning."

"It’s useful."

Rose joined them, carrying a small bundle of cloth.

"What about simply calling it the garden?"

Scarlet considered that.

"Too ordinary."

Jude looked at the wooden piece.

"Why don’t we carve the name later? We can decide together."

Scarlet sighed.

"Another thing for later."

"Exactly."

She sat on the bench beside Stella.

For a while, they all remained there, watching the garden and listening to the forest. The rain had left the air cool and clean, and the sunlight was beginning to warm the wooden roofs.

Then Emma called from the cooking area.

"Lunch is ready!"

Everyone turned toward the firepit.

The meal was vegetable cakes, roasted fruit, and a fresh herb sauce. The cakes had a crisp outer layer and a soft centre, and even Scarlet admitted that they were worth waiting for.

After lunch, the village settled into a peaceful afternoon.

Jude and Rose moved the remaining supplies away from the storehouse walls. Susan inspected the roof from inside, while Layla recorded the damage and made a list of materials needed for the repair.

Grace placed her clay pots beneath the shelter to dry. Stella returned to her journal, drawing the flower garden as it looked after the rain.

Zoey and Lucy went to collect dry wood from beneath the larger trees. Serena and Sophie washed the cooking utensils, while Natalie checked the vegetable beds once more.

Jude eventually joined Susan at the storehouse.

They stood beneath the entrance, looking up at the damaged section.

"We’ll need longer wooden panels," Susan said. "The old ones don’t extend far enough over the edge."

"And stronger supports."

"Could we use the timber from the fallen tree near the northern path?"

Jude considered it.

"Possibly. We should inspect it first."

Susan nodded.

"Tomorrow?"

"If the weather stays clear."

She looked toward the sky. The clouds were moving away, revealing a pale blue stretch above the forest.

"Perhaps the rain has finally passed."

"Let’s hope so."

They spent the remainder of the afternoon sorting the materials that could be reused. By evening, the storehouse was tidy again, and the damaged section had been temporarily covered from inside.

As the sun descended, the village took on a familiar golden glow.

The cooking fires were lit. The animals were fed. Fresh vegetables were brought into the cabins, and the last of the wet tools were placed beneath the shelter.

Jude stood near the flower garden while Scarlet examined the bench.

"It’s a good place," he said.

Scarlet nodded.

"Even better when the flowers grow."

"Then we should take care of it."

"I will."

He looked at her.

"Will you?"

"Of course."

A moment passed.

"Unless someone asks me to repair something."

Jude laughed.

The others gathered around the firepit for dinner. The meal was simple, but the conversation was lively. They talked about the rain, the fence repairs, the storehouse roof, and the new clay pots.

Scarlet returned to the subject of the covered sitting area.

"I still think we should build it."

Jude looked around at the group.

"What does everyone think?"

Rose considered the idea. "It would be useful during rainy days."

Susan agreed. "And it would give us more room near the firepit."

Grace suggested adding shelves along one side for storing cups and cooking utensils.

Natalie wanted the roof to extend toward the garden.

Stella proposed a small space where the clay pots could be kept.

"Then it’s settled," Jude said. "We’ll build a larger shelter after we finish the storehouse roof."

Scarlet looked pleased.

"And the table?"

Jude shook his head.

"One project at a time."

She sighed, but this time she didn’t argue.

After dinner, they remained around the fire for a while. The air was cool after the rain, and the forest smelled of wet earth and fresh leaves. Somewhere in the distance, an animal called from among the trees.

Jude listened to the sound.

"Tomorrow we’ll inspect that fallen tree near the northern path," he said. "If the wood is still usable, we can bring it back and start repairing the storehouse."

"I’ll come," Sophie offered.

"So will I," Serena added.

Natalie raised her cup. "And I’ll help with the supports."

Scarlet looked around.

"I suppose I’ll come too."

Jude smiled. "You don’t have to."

"I know. But someone has to make sure you don’t build something boring."

Rose laughed.

The fire crackled softly.

Eventually, the conversation faded, and the women began returning to their cabins. Stella carried her journal inside, Grace gathered the clay pots, and Susan checked that the cooking area was properly covered.

Jude remained outside for a few minutes longer.

The rain had left small pools along the paths, reflecting the lantern light. The flower garden was dark beneath the tree, but its little wooden markers were still visible.

He walked over to the bench and sat down.

The wood was cool beneath his hands.