Molly's gaze settled on the piece of fine embroidery, and her eyes gradually reddened, tears threatening to spill.Warren Pendleton froze in alarm. He had no idea what was wrong with the embroidery, or why it would bring Molly to the verge of tears.He knew her hometown was somewhere in the south, perhaps Fairhaven, perhaps Westhaven. He'd guessed her background wasn't simple. But why would she react like this to a piece of needlework?While Warren stood there, tense with worry, Molly spoke. "Ma'am, where did you get this embroidery?"The shopkeeper, who hadn't noticed Molly's expression, smiled. "Oh, I didn't hunt it down or anything. I don't see embroidery like this often. A few days ago, an old man brought it in and traded it to me for forty dollars."Molly's body swayed slightly.A moment later, she said, "I'll take this embroidery."Hearing that, Warren didn't hesitate for a second. He pulled out his money and asked, "How much are you asking f

Listening to Mabel Pendleton's gentle nagging, Warren Pendleton didn't feel the slightest bit annoyed. He smiled warmly and said, "I picked up quite a few new plates and bowls today. Molly can sort through them later, and we'll ring in the New Year with fresh dinnerware."Mabel nodded approvingly at his words.Bringing new dishes into the home before the New Year was meant to symbolize prosperity and the promise of a growing family. But over the past few years, with the young couple constantly at each other's throats like sworn enemies, Mabel had long since abandoned such hopeful thoughts.Now that things were finally turning around, she couldn't help but let a small smile cross her face.She glanced over at Molly Pendleton, and the more she looked, the more pleased she felt. The girl had always been good, even when things were difficult.But then Mabel noticed something else. Molly's eyes were rimmed with red.Why would she have been crying after a sim

The old man's steps were unsteady, but his eyes burned with urgency.From what the shopkeeper's wife had just said, the person looking for him might be his long-lost granddaughter.But when he saw Warren Pendleton and Roy Hale standing at the door, two men, the light in his eyes died.Warren swallowed his rising excitement and opened the door, inviting them both inside.Seated around the electric heater, Warren glanced at the old man, then reached into his coat and pulled out the red cord Molly Pendleton had treasured all these years. He handed it to the old man."Sir, take a look at this. My wife asked me to give it to you."A flicker of confusion passed through the old man's eyes.This was his granddaughter's husband?Without time to process, he looked down at the red cord in his hands.Three strands of red embroidery thread twisted together into a thicker cord, and eight such cords braided around a single gold thread, sealed at the end

The moment those words left her lips, the room fell silent.Molly naturally wanted her maternal grandparents to stay in the house. Though Mabel had already agreed, she still felt uncertain. The three members of the Shaw family, for their part, were torn between not wanting to leave Molly and Daisy behind and feeling reluctant to impose on the Pendleton family.Daisy, hearing all this, turned her head and studied the great-grandfather and great-grandmother she'd just met. She glanced over at her little uncle, then said earnestly, "Does that mean I don't need Mommy to give me a baby brother? I'll have my little uncle to play with instead?"The entire room burst into laughter.Molly's face flushed scarlet and she refused to speak. Warren's face burned just as hot.Warren held his daughter closer and said, "Your little uncle can only play with you on weekends. The rest of the time he has to go to school."He turned to face Eleanor and Edmund. "I think Milo

Warren glanced at the yard and nodded. "Building a little shed sounds good. I'd like to keep an eye on things anyway."He reached into his coat and pulled out two hundred dollars, pressing the bills into Cliff's hand. "I already bought all the materials for the greenhouse these past few days," he explained. "But now we're working on the courtyard, and I've only got some cement and red bricks left at home. I have not prepared anything else.""I'll order the tiles tomorrow and have them delivered. Can you get someone to help move everything into place?" Warren added with a slightly sheepish smile, "This isn't as easy as putting up the greenhouse, so use this money to improve everyone's meals."He hesitated, his expression turning apologetic. "Molly's health isn't great, and I don't want her cooking for so many people. Could your sisters-in-law lend a hand? We've got everything at home: meat, eggs, vegetables. They can just grab what they need."Cliff smiled helples