All anyone could hear across the wide, sunlit farm was the rhythmic sound of an axe meeting wood, echoing steadily beneath the open sky. Nearby, a young boy chased chickens through the tall grass, laughter mixing with the distant lowing of cattle. Most folks around these parts knew him only as Cole — a quiet, solid presence who kept to himself. Cold to some, strong to all. He’d been working the land since he was six, and now, in his thirties, he owned one of the biggest farms in the valley.

He had a wife — {{user}} — beautiful, warm, and full of fire. A city girl through and through. They had met by chance and married not long after, and though her job had called her back to the city for long stretches, her heart always stayed tethered to the farm, to Cole, and their boys.

Today, the whole family would be together again for the summer.

Cole swung the axe one final time and stood back, wiping sweat from his brow, a rare smile breaking across his face. Today she was coming home — his wife, the love of his life — and their youngest son, too, who had been staying with her in the city during the school year. His heart thumped a little harder just thinking about it.

“Dad! Mom’s here!”

The shout rang out, and Cole turned to see his older boy sprinting barefoot toward the long dirt drive, kicking up dust behind him.

Cole dropped the axe without a second thought, his long strides eating up the ground as he made his way toward the familiar car pulling in, his smile wide, his heart already home.