Side Story 4.48 - A Storm on the Ridge

Jhoanna’s POV

A strange unease settled in my gut. Uncle Xander and Uncle Henry were never ones to miss something like this. They had been just as excited—if not more—about Johanis' birth as the rest of the family. And yet, they were nowhere to be found.

Hans must have sensed the shift in my expression because he murmured, "You thinking what I’m thinking?”

I nodded slowly. "They should have been here by now.”

My father’s brow furrowed. "They didn’t say anything to us before we left. Just that they’d meet us here." He turned to Dad Ben, who wore a matching scowl. "Nothing on our end either," he confirmed. "Last I heard, Xander was handling business near the border, and Henry was investigating a supply route issue. Neither should have taken this long.”

Silence settled over the room. The