Lucky Returns from the Mountain

On the evening of the second day, Lucky and Mark Hunter finally came down from the mountain.

"Wife! I'm back!" Lucky charged into the house, lugging a huge sack of goods. He called out to Lily Evans, "Wife, I brought back lots of wild game for you to try! I even found a ginseng root—later, you and Mom can eat it to build up your strength!"

Lucky, grinning from ear to ear, unloaded his goods and sidled up, eager for praise.

Lily Evans looked at his stubbly face and those clear, affectionate eyes. Suddenly, her nose tingled and tears sprang to her eyes.

"Wife, why are you crying?" Lucky saw Lily Evans in tears and panicked, spinning around in confusion. He carefully held out the big ginseng root, "Don't cry, have some ginseng!"

"You silly Lucky!" Lily Evans punched his chest, all her bottled-up worry and frustration spilling out. "Why were you gone so long?"

Lucky blinked in surprise. "You're crying because you missed me, aren't you?"

"Nonsense, I didn't miss you at all." Lily Evans turned away to wipe her tears, refusing to admit she'd been thinking of him.

"I bet you missed me so much you cried!" Lucky laughed, hugging Lily Evans and planting a kiss on her cheek. "I missed you too while I was hunting. Every time I saw a flower, I thought of how pretty you'd look wearing it. When I caught a rabbit, I wanted to bring it home for you... I even dreamed about you every night. Did you dream about me?"

Lucky held Lily Evans close, chattering about everything that happened while hunting on the mountain. Lily listened quietly, breathing in his familiar, comforting scent, and finally felt her anxious heart settle.

"You big silly!" Lily Evans pinched his cheek, her smile finally breaking through. "You talk too much!"

"I’ll talk less if you kiss me." Lucky lowered his head, his eyes bright and expectant.

Lily Evans rolled her eyes, but still tiptoed up to give Lucky a quick kiss.

Lucky grinned from ear to ear, his happiness shining all over his face.

Just then, Mark Hunter came in carrying a basket of wild mushrooms. "Lily, look what we found! These mushrooms are fresh from the mountain—perfect for dinner tonight."

"Thank you, Mark!" Lily Evans smiled, her mood much lighter. "I’ll make mushroom stew for everyone."

"I’ll help you wash the mushrooms!" Lucky volunteered, eager to please.

May Parker watched from the doorway, her eyes red and swollen. She hesitated, then finally called out, "Sister..."

Lily Evans turned and saw May Parker standing there, her face streaked with tears.

"May, come in. Don’t just stand there," Lily Evans said softly, her heart aching for her sister.