Newly widowed Rhonda MacDonald touched John Jr.’s cold stone, took a few steps back, then spoke to it:
“Snow brought us together once, but now it seems to have other plans in mind, eh? Well, John, thanks for lettin’ me stay with you for as long as we had anyway.” She paused, sniffed. “I should probably let you know, I told the boys to manage the farm without me. Lilibet’s sick, same as you had it, so I don’t think when I go visit her I’ll be comin’ back. Sophie has a good—She’ll look after things fine, there. Don’t worry, Henry’s got enough business sense for all four of our kids. Those Marions would sooner buy out the farm for its legacy than let it go to waste. ‘Course, Paul would probably die before letting that happen. In either case, your boys have it covered. You just rest easy now, yah hear?”
Rhonda was just about to leave when she remembered, “Oh, right. Winnie followed you up there. Take good care of that loveable dope for us, would’ja?”
Meanwhile back at the farm, the surviving next generation of MacDonald leaders discussed their future.
Paul resigned his military position to take over farmland management and production full time. Henry was keen on investments and overseeing their family business grow, so he took on large scale operations and sales contracts. Dallas had inherited a natural cooking skill from either John Jr. or their grandmother Mary MacDonald. He felt inspired by all the extra time in the kitchen lately, so he pitched opening a small restaurant using some of their excess produce. As the farmhouse continued to shrink in size, the family was projected to harvest more than they could sell or eat on their own anyway. Henry and Paul didn’t hate the idea, but Dallas’ restaurant would have to wait until summer or later to gauge prospects. In the meantime, Dal had to settle for helping Paul prepare and maintain production.
By the end of their meeting, each man looked forward to some long overdue prosperity for the MacDonald Farm. However, their token sister was noticeably missing from the discussion and their succession plans until Dallas asked, “What about Janey?”
Paul smirked with playful side-eye. “You mean Mrs. Parker?”
Henry answered, “Let me worry about Jane. You two just look after the farm, and keep in close contact with Rhonda while she’s in Feverfew with Auntie Lilibet. Dal, I need you ready to hop a train at a moment’s notice here. I’d go myself, but Gina’s due any day now.”
Dallas replied, “Pretty sure Mom can take care of herself, she’s from Feverfew. ’Sides, before she left she said cousin Sophie has everything under control. I’ll mail them some chicken stock, how’s that?”
“Sure, fine, just promise you’ll stay on top of it for me.”
“Better listen to the new boss,” Paul teased.
