LOVE SHOTS - JENLISA ADAPTATIONS

Up on that tree (Part 3-End)

She had almost reached the house when she saw dark smoke rising up to the noon sky. Her heels pressed into the horse's sides to make it run, her worry growing when she saw people there she then recognized as her neighbors.

She dismounted as soon as the horse reached the garden. She lifted her dress a bit so she could run while she balanced the basket she had hanging on one arm.

"Nini!" She shouted.

"It's okay, Lisa. It's just a little kitchen accident," said one of the old men who came walking towards her with a bucket in his hand. His face was smudged with soot but he was clearly trying hard not to laugh at the situation.

She nodded politely. "Thank you for your help." She then did the same to several other people who were now leaving her house.

"Come over if you need anything," said a friendly woman who patted her shoulder. "Your cousin's still at the back."

"Thank you."

They had told the people there that they were cousins and that they had lost their parents to avoid any suspicion for living there together just the two of them. Luckily, their neighbors were mostly old people who just looked at them as if they were their children.

She rushed to the back of the house, fanning the smoke with her hand while trying not to inhale it. "Nini?" She saw the woman standing in front of the stove and pulled her arm, dragging her out of the smoke-filled kitchen. "Hey. Get away from there." She then put her basket down. "Are you okay?"

Jennie didn't answer. She didn't even lift her head.

"Hey..." Her tone softened as she lifted Jennie's head by the chin, seeing the tear-streaked face. "Why are you crying?"

Jennie turned her head, looking away. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Accidents happen." She hugged her and stroked her back gently. She had to smile when she heard the sob. "It's fine. Why are you crying over burnt... what was it anyway?"

"I-I... tried... b-baking that pi-pie you like... s-so m-much..."

She suppressed her laugh. "Thank you but I thought we made a deal that you are not allowed in the kitchen unless I'm around?"

"I w-wanted to s-surp-prise you..." Another sniff escaped Jennie. "For y-your birthday."

"Ah. My birthday." She nearly forgot about it. She felt touched in spite of the disaster. "Thank you." She kissed Jennie's hair, ignoring the thick smell of smoke sticking to the strands.

Jennie took another minute to calm down. "I'm sorry," she meekly said.

She pushed Jennie back a bit, tilted her head up by the chin and finally laughed when she saw the messy sad face. "Sigh... why are you so cute?" She tried cleaning Jennie's face with her hands.

"I'm really sorry. I'm a good-for-nothing."

"Don't say that. You're totally not like that. You're just not built for the kitchen, that's all. And I'm so glad our kitchen is outside," she teased.

Jennie looked down again.

She laughed. "Just kidding." She pulled her close and smiled when she felt Jennie burying her face on her shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay though. I can do without pie but I can't do without my Nini."

Jennie quietly smiled.

"You sew better than me now. You keep everything clean and you're a great help with the crop and the animals. Plus, you brew the best ale I've ever drunk. Even the neighbors said so."