Anna and the Gardener's Gift by Sarah Alita Wark

Author:Sarah Alita Wark [Wark, Sarah Alita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781664296114
Publisher: WestBow Press
Published: 2023-04-13T04:00:00+00:00

FOUR

Bonfire Night

By evening the next day, it was known that the four workers had a form of smallpox, and they were quarantined. Lev knew that Anna, being young, was at risk, so she was not allowed to be one of the caregivers. Several older women from the palace came frequently to provide their care in the stable. From their solemn faces, Anna knew the men were very ill. Will these men die too? Anna thought to herself. She prayed for them every night and then spent several hours preparing cards for them, including a few of her drawings of Yana. She asked Lev about them every morning. They seemed no worse or better for several days.

On the day of the bonfire, Anna worked through her chores quickly in anticipation of the event. Yana had gotten used to her little cat house, taking frequent naps in it, and Anna told her that she was to stay there while she and Lev were gone. As if Yana understood, she lay asleep in the little house. When Lev finally brought her supper, she was ready to go, so she ate quickly, talking excitedly. Being shorthanded meant Lev had extra barn duties. He told Anna to go to Lucia’s and that they would return together. Anna turned back several times to confirm Yana had not decided to follow.

As she entered her beloved forest trail, she deeply inhaled of the smells and drank in the sights that always seemed to comfort her. Anna happily noted that the pile of rocks was just as they had left it. Still light out, she wasted no time getting to Lucia’s. When she arrived, she discovered that Will and Lucia had prepared several games to play. Before they began, she carefully took her contributions from her backpack. She had a lovely wool blanket from Helena, the promised chestnuts for roasting, several large pieces of cheese, and a small lantern borrowed from one of the stable hands.

“We shall have a feast tonight” said Lucia as she ran the food items to her mother.

Will had Anna count out steps in the field while they prepared for an elaborate game of kick the can. Ivan had arrived earlier, and the four of them launched into a rowdy game. When the game ended, the boys’ team was victorious. Lucia felt like they had cheated by hiding in a place unknown to her, so she challenged them to a running race. Ivan was a good friend of Will’s, but both girls knew he often cheated. Lucia got a long lead from the barn and lined everyone up on it, calling her mother to stand at the finish line and declare the winner.

“I’m leaving nothing to chance,” said Lucia. “I know you boys will stretch the rules somehow if you can.”

Will, being a very good athlete, replied with confidence, “I will win fair and square, like I always do.”

As they waited at the line for Mrs. Federov to start the race, Ivan replied, “I don’t know, Will.

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