A Friendships Love - Settler series book 1 (Wattpad version, first draft)

Reconnecting

Reconnecting

I heard a rooster calling, and I opened one eye then the other. The sun was up, and animals, were calling out to be fed. I felt so relaxed. I stretched out my body and rolled from my side to my back, to look at the ceiling. I don’t recall at what point I fell asleep last night. The long day I experienced the day before took its toll on me. Right after Pa served us fried ham with beans, and dense bread he learnt to make while living out here, I retired to bed.

I sat up and realized that I probably should have gotten up an hour or so ago. If, this was like the Manor, farm hour’s started early, and Pa asked me if I could cook for them. I had three months, of not having to worry about getting meals ready, and sleeping in wasn’t a good sign. I would have to retrain myself to the early mornings, and I hoped Pa didn’t think me lazy. I threw the covers back and flew out of my room, and down the hall. I could hear the deep voices of Pa and Charlie, as I turned the corner into the kitchen.

“I’m terribly sorry Pa, I think all the travelling and excitement of yesterday, affected me more than I anticipated. Give me a minute and I’ll have something fixed for you.”  Pa got up, saying that I might need some more wood for the stove, he walked out though the back door, next to the pump. I raced over to the wash sink, whilst pulling my hair back into a ribbon. The Back door flew open again, with a bit of a bang, as I went to the pantry cupboard. I needed to take stock of what was there, before I decided on something, to make.  Nash walked in through the opened back door holding some eggs in a bucket, in one hand, and some milk in another bucket, in the other. I stood up from my crouched position in the pantry and turned to him.

“Oh good eggs, can I use those?” I said as I started towards him, to retrieve the bucket of eggs.

“Um, morning Payt.” Nash said as he handed over the eggs. He was giving me a funny look, and then he looked towards Charlie. I looked towards Charlie too; he was staring at me, with quite a serious expression on his face. “Payt.” Nash continued. “Did you know you’re still in your night dress?” I briefly looked down to my see that, yes, I still did wear my night dress.

“Yes, I slept late, and I want to cook for you all.” I was still standing in front of Nash holding the eggs.

“But, did you know that those fancy ones you have are pretty sheer?”

“What!” I said; as I looked down to see the faintest outline of the top half of my figure. I heard Nash Chuckle. I thought back to a moment ago when I stood in front of the window where the sun was streaming through. I let go of a groan that had been building in my chest, since Nash pointed out my in decentness. I shoved the bucket back into Nash’s arms as he said.

“Did you walk around in front of Will like that? I’m amazed he hasn’t married you yet, if you did.” And he laughed some more. I ran out of the kitchen and back into my room. I shut the door and leaned against it. Why, oh why, hadn’t I thought about my night dress? Of course, its sheer, it’s from a boutique in London. I laid my hands over my face in shame. After a moment, I straightened and went to my trunk. Nothing for it now, there was work to be done.

I Waltzed back into the kitchen, and went about fixing eggs and scones. I would have to make some bread today I thought. Pa was seated again at the table with Nash and Charlie.

“Payton, Nash and I are going to go out and check the fences, and see if we can get something for supper tonight. There is salted meat in the store house, but something fresh might be nice, don’t you think?”

I simply couldn’t turn around. I wasn’t ready to see Charlie just yet. So I just nodded my acknowledgment of what Pa had just said. Not long afterwards, I finished up with the eggs and took the scones out of the oven. I plated up and turned to serve Pa first, then Nash.  I placed Charlie’s plate down in front of him as I sat down. I could hear Nash chuckle under his breath. I threw him a glare. I remembered in that moment how annoying that chuckle could be.