The Hijacked Bride

CHAPTER 7

           

CHAPTER 7

"FAOLIN!" A TWINKLY eyed, middle aged woman met Monika and Hayes at the door.

It took Monika a moment to realize that she was referring to Hayes as Faolin. So, had he deceived this woman or had he instead lied to Monika about his name? She didn't know, and didn't care. Hayes, Faolin, kidnapper, menace. All one, all the same man.

"And who is this pretty young lady?" the woman asked.

Monika suddenly felt shy. Something to do with being called pretty in front of Hayes. But quickly she chastised herself for being silly. If she'd suited his taste and if he'd intended to, surely, he'd have taken advantage of her by now. Yet he hadn't. She would not worry about that.

Or was she blinding herself by trying to reassure herself? One way or another, it was good to be among other people instead of alone with him.

"Abaigael," Hayes said, "this is Monika, my little sister. Monika, this is Abaigael, the best cook in all of Dorchadas."

The lies left his mouth so easily! Little sister? Monika scowled at him and he skilfully pretended not to notice.

Abaigael's eyes sparkled even more at his compliment, although she brushed it off. "Oh, shush, Faolin. You mustn't say such things. Come in, come in, both of you. So good to know you have a sister! We worry about you. We were thinking you were always alone, always roaming. A sister!"

The family welcomed them both warmly. Hayes had stayed with them a few times in the past. He grinned sheepishly, the picture of innocence, and once they'd entered and greeted Ewan, Abaigael's husband, and her two boys, Odell and Kealan, he led Monika back outside.

The people that lived in the Beag cottage seemed to be kind. But they had no idea what Hayes was like. They couldn't, not if they were inviting him into their home.

"A word about where you come from or what has happened over these past few days may not pass your lips," Hayes instructed Monika, as he tugged her along with him to the barn behind the cottage. "You'll find that you regret it if you do."

It was enough to frighten her into silence, for now. But she vowed to herself that she'd find a way to make her situation known to someone, somehow. And soon.

After settling Little One in the barn for the night, Hayes pulled her in through the cottage's back door that led into a tiny kitchen, before abruptly letting go of her arm when they found Abaigael there.

"Monika," Abaigael beamed. "Would you mind giving me a hand with these potatoes? Faolin, you go and talk to Ewan. He is smoking his pipe by the fire," she told Hayes.

For a moment, Monika was sure Hayes would refuse to leave her side. But then he smiled and nodded to Abaigael before leaving, only glancing at her once before he exited the room, a warning look in his steel grey eyes.

"Your brother is a mysterious one," Abaigael chatted to Monika as they chopped potatoes. "Handsome, but he has no sweetheart. Strong, but I see hurt in those eyes. Kind to my sons, but still he wanders without settling. Are you close to him, Monika?"

Monika kept her eyes focussed on the potato in her hand, not daring to look into Abaigael's face and give everything away. "Not really. He's never stays at home with me for long." She surprised herself with how easily the words rolled off her tongue, fitting in with the false identity given to her by Hayes.

"Ah," Abaigael sighed. "That I can believe. Now, tell me why he brings only brings you along now?"

Monika swallowed. Think, she told herself. Think. That Hayes! What a distasteful situation he'd put her in. Forcing her to lie. But thankfully, just when she was going to stammer out a reply about being on her way to meet her betrothed, Abaigael's two redhead boys ran into the kitchen, faces flushed.