On the Wings of a Dove by Melody S. Deal

Author:Melody S. Deal [Deal, Melody S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504344234
Publisher: Balboa Press
Published: 2015-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Ben Adams wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Sarah, I haven’t had a meal this fine in a really long time. Thanks for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome, Ben. We wanted you to see the new chicken house and help us celebrate the start of our egg business.”

Doc buttered a yeast roll. “Abe, I heard the new building was your idea.”

“Well I did do me some studin’ on different buildings I saw in the Poultry Monthly, but I can’t take all the credit. Sam’s real good with tools and everyone pitched in to help.”

Doc held his roll mid-air and turned to the hired hand. “Sam, do you have a lot of experience in raising chickens for egg production?”

With a growl like a dog protecting its territory Sam said, “I reckon I’ve got fair to middlin’ experience. I’m up to the challenge.”

Ben raised his eyebrows then turned away. “Sarah, I think you’re getting in to the market at just the right time. Wabash’s population has increased considerably the last few years. A growing number of city folks prefer to buy their eggs rather than keep chickens. Myself, included.”

“Let’s quit a talkin’ about them chickens and go look at ’em.” The call to action came from Zeke who was standing at the door, shotgun over his shoulder ready for guard duty. “Doc, you ain’t one of them hoodlums are ya? ’Cause we don’t allow no rock throwin’ hoodlums ta gets near the new chicken house winders.”

“Zeke, I don’t think I’ve ever been accused of being a hoodlum.”

“Well they’s a first time for everythin’. I best check your pockets to see if you’re a carrin’ any rocks afore I let ya get past me.”

“Zeke, don’t be disrespectful to Doc Adams,” Sarah scolded her four-year-old.

“No disrespect taken,” Doc said as he stood and started to empty his pockets. “I can’t fault a man for taking his job seriously.”

“Ben, no!” Sarah said, rising from her chair. “Zeke, Doc Adams is a close family friend. I’ll vouch that he isn’t carrying any contraband. Abe, you lead the grand tour.”

Zeke, a bit crestfallen due to his mother’s chastisement, whispered to Josh, “I don’t care ‘bout no contraband. Its rocks that’s got me worried.”

As the entourage left the kitchen for the tour, Tom pulled his daughter to his side. “Sarah, you best rein that tyke in a bit or he’ll be tellin’ you what’s what, instead of the other way around.”

“I appreciate your concern, Pa. But I was the one who assigned Zeke guard duty. He’s showing me he’s up to the task.”

“Is that your way of tellin’ me to mind my own business?”

Sarah kissed her father’s cheek. “I love you, Pa.”

Sarah made a mental note to ponder her father’s advice about Zeke. Truth be told she was really proud of the little guy. She would rather have the burden of needing to tame a child a bit, over the worry of how to instill gumption in one.

With the tour finished and the talk about poultry farming and egg production exhausted, Ben bid his farewell.

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