Where He Belongs

~Nine~

A/N: Soooo I noticed a typo concerning Colton's mother's name...whoops. I've fixed it; it is Claire. This is why you always make character sheets, guys lol. Anyway, I only got one comment. Aww😞 but thank you @Grimmprincess for commenting. You made me very happy.

So for an early update how about we try for five votes. Maybe that will have a better success rate?

Pic: Jeffery

With a deck of fresh, new cards from the human world and my new goodies in hand, I watched my father finish pulling out what he bought at the market.

"Some dyes..." My father said, pulling out tiny bottles of thick, vividly colored liquid. "Because I heard you talking about wanting to wear some bright colors."

"Those must have cost a fortune, James," my mother said softly, taking the small bottles and cradling them. "They're so beautiful though..."

"Anything for you, Claire."

They were true mates; their love would stand the test of time and beyond. I could only hope that Liam and I would have a similar life together. "Guess what," Jeffery announced. He'd stepped out a few minutes ago to check the tarps laid over the house due to the smell of coming rain in the air. "I talked to the Jensen's and they're giving us half a bull."

The Jensen family was our community's source of milk. They had four milking cows and one ornery bull. Once a year they'd get two new calves. Depending on the age of the cows one or both would be raised for meat and fine leather and slaughtered. Beef was a rarity to us. The Jensen's also had ten laying hens and a rooster who couldn't crow. They were all free-range to a point. They were well trained and treated and always came home by dusk. Rarely if ever did the Jensen's lose an animal. "What?" My father looked astonished. They were kind people who would give our hamburger for favors, or steaks for work but half a cow? "Why? How?"

"Clarissa, their eldest daughter is being wed late this fall to a wolf in a village east of here. They have a clearing but no one to build them a house. So they're hiring me in return for a dozen eggs and a gallon and half of milk and a tub of fresh, sweet butter a week. Then, we'd get half of the calf out back."

"You and Xena will be married then; those goods are for you." my father's tone was firm. Contributing was expected of the boys but not if they didn't live there. And my father did not take handouts. "Congratulations, Jeffery. I'm glad your skills are being so well appreciated."

"No. You and Ma will get some too. I can't go through that much in a week; it'll spoil. Besides, I want to share with you."

My father didn't response for a moment, then replied, "Thank you, that is very kind." In a somewhat passive tone before he pulled a large bundle of course yarn.

"We can dye it and knit everyone a new blanket for Christmas, Colton," my mother suggested, smiling. She loved doing things like that. So did I, I suppose. "You can cut some of this sack up and use it to patch up Liam's pants after dinner as well. Put the extra material away when you're done. Jeffery, go get Liam and tell him to clean up for supper. And not to forget those pants!"

Jeffery just waved, leaving the cabin. The candy had melted away to almost nothing, it's rich flavor still hanging in my mouth. I'd have to give Liam one of the beautiful maple leaf candies to try, he'd probably like it. I went into my little room, opening my chest and pulling out the little wooden box Jeffery had made me for Christmas last year. Inside was little things I'd picked up during my fifteen years. A purple crystal rock I found in the clearing, the day before I met Laim. A smooth black rock found on the river's edge when my parents and brother and I went swimming a few years ago during an Indian summer. A chunk of clay I found in the dirt from pottery no one remembered... I don't know why I liked them, I just did. I put my new deck of cards in, then the bags, being sure the grease from the peanuts didn't stain the shiny cardboard deck. I replaced it carefully, closing the trunk.