The Rambling Spy

by Mackenzie Morgan

  Rhianna nodded. “Hayley pressed her hands over the wound to try to slow the bleeding while she was waiting for Sister Theresa to get there. She didn’t realize she’d closed it until Sister Theresa looked at it. That’s when Hayley found out she has healing hands.”

  “Did you know her before that happened?”

  Rayne nodded. “I met her last fall when Marcus brought her up here to meet Mother. I like her. Mother keeps hoping Uncle Marcus and Hayley will get married and live here, and now that Hayley’s taking the chapel in Bridgeport…”

  “They haven’t finished building it yet, have they?”

  “Not yet. It’ll be next to Thom’s blacksmith shop.”

  “Thom?”

  “He and Uncle Marcus are like brothers. Thom’s parents were Uncle Marcus’s foster parents. Mother used to visit all the time. That’s how she met my father. I feel like Thom’s as much my uncle as Uncle Marcus.”

  Sherri nodded. “Do they live near here?”

  “They live behind the blacksmith shop in Bridgeport. But they visit all the time, especially if Uncle Marcus is around. That’s why they were here the night of the raid.”

  “Raid?”

  “You didn’t know slavers tried to raid our settlement?”

  Sherri’s jaw dropped. “Slavers? Here?”

  Rayne told Sherri about the raid, including the fact that Thom’s wife, Marissa, went into labor while it was going on and gave birth in Rayne’s bedroom. “It was a good thing Hayley was here. She delivered Thom’s son, Parsyn, and patched up Gorge, Shel’s husband. The slavers knocked him unconscious when he tried to keep them from taking Evan.”

  “Evan is Shel’s son, right?” Sherri asked, trying to keep all the people straight.

  Rayne nodded. “He was only a year old.”

  “I bet that scared Shel to death.”

  “She was plenty scared until she had Evan in her arms and found out Gorge was all right. Then she was mad.”

  Before Rayne could say anything else, she heard her mother calling them down for lunch. “I’ll fill you in later on some of the stories about Uncle Marcus and Lisal.”

  “Who’s Lisal?”

  “She lives in Bridgeport and she’s been after Marcus for as long as I can remember. You won’t believe some of the stuff she’s done, but don’t say anything about her downstairs or Mother will make me go home. She says it’s wrong to gossip, but this isn’t gossip. It’s stuff you need to know because I’m afraid Lisal’s going to try to chase Hayley away and I don’t want her to leave. I’ll tell you about it later.”

  Shortly after the girls got downstairs, Marissa knocked on the front door and walked in with a big basket. “Hi, everyone. Gloria packed a few things she thought you might like.” Marissa set the basket down on the counter and took out two loaves of bread, a cake, butter, cheese, and several jars of canned fruits and vegetables. “Since it’ll be a while before this year’s crops come in, she thought you might like some of last year’s. I can vouch for her blackberry preserves. They’re wonderful. And she said she’d send some eggs down tomorrow. She used the last of hers making the cake.”

  Hayley looked at all the food. “This is too much.”

  Marcie frowned. “I have a question.”

  “What?” Marissa asked.

  “How did you carry that basket with all that stuff in there?”

  Marissa shrugged. “I married a blacksmith. When he needs help and no one else is around, guess who he calls? I’m a lot stronger now than I was when I married him.”

  “If you’re done talking about how strong Marissa is, could we get something to eat?” Marcus asked. “I’m starving.”

  Marcie laughed and motioned towards the table. “Have a seat. I’ll get it on the table. Join us, Marissa?”

  “I’d love to, but I left Parsyn with his father. I need to get back so Thom can get back to work.” Marissa picked up the basket. “Oh, and Marcus, Thom said for you to drop by before you leave. There’s something they need you to do at the building site and he has your strongbox ready.”

  Marcus nodded. “I’ll be up after I eat.”

  After Marissa left, Marcie asked, “Why do you need a strongbox?”

  “I don’t. Hayley does.”

  Marcie turned to Hayley and raised her eyebrows.

  “Some of the herbs we use can be dangerous if you don’t know how to prepare them. I like to keep those locked up.”

  Marcie nodded as everyone gathered around the table for lunch.

  “This is a big table,” Shel said as she sat down with her plate. “Plenty of room.”

  “I was thinking in terms of later, when I have a family,” Marcus said. “That’s why there are four bedrooms upstairs and a room down here that can be another one if needed.”

  Hayley frowned. “How many children are you planning to have?”

  “Who knows? The rooms are big enough for two or three in each one.”

  Hayley was taking a swallow of water when he said that and managed to strangle and spew at the same time.

  After Hayley recovered, Marcus grinned at her. “Just kidding.”

  Meanwhile Marcie bit back a smile and Shel focused on her food. Rayne looked at Sherri, who shrugged.

  After everyone was done, Marcie leaned back in her chair. “Guess it’s time to get back to work. Marcus, when are you going to Thom’s?”

  “Now, unless there’s something you need me to do first.”

  Marcie looked at Hayley, who shook her head. “Be back in time for dinner. You’re eating at my house tonight. Caleb’s already upset because I wouldn’t let him come with me today. There’ll be no living with him if he doesn’t get to see you before you go back.”

  “I’ll be there,” Marcus said as he left for Thom’s.

  ~~~~

  After dinner, Marcus walked Hayley and Sherri back to his house. “I’m heading back to Milhaven now. You’ve had a long day and I know you must be worn out.”

  Hayley nodded as Sherri said, “Thanks for everything, Marcus. I’m going in. Sister Hayley? Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, please,” Hayley said. “I’ll be in in a minute.”

  Once Sherri was inside, Marcus took Hayley’s hand. “I’m glad you decided to come. I think you’ll like it.”

  “I do, too.” Hayley gave his hand a squeeze. “But I’m going to miss you.”

  “I hope so, but you’ll probably be so busy you won’t have time to give me a thought.” Marcus smiled as he looked into her eyes. “I’ll miss you, too.”

  “Good. Maybe you’ll come see me sometime.”

  “I probably won’t be able to get back until the end of the month. I have some work lined up in Milhaven I need to take care of and you need some time to get settled.” Marcus stepped in closer and put his arms around her. “Take care of yourself, and if you need anything, anything at all, let Lance know, or Thom, and they’ll make sure you get it.”

  “I will. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”

  “I know.” Marcus lowered his lips to hers. After a long slow kiss, he said, “Guess I’d better be off. See you soon.” And with a turn of the key, he left for Milhaven.

  Hayley stayed put for a few minutes, savoring the kiss. Then she shook her head, straightened her shoulders and went inside.

  Sherri was in the kitchen making the tea, so Hayley sat down at the kitchen table. “It’s been a long day.”

  “But a good one. I think I’m going to like it here.”

  Hayley smiled. “I’m glad.”

  Sherri put two cups of tea on the table and sat down opposite her.

  Hayley sipped her tea. “While you and Rayne were working, did she happen to mention Lisal?”

  Sherri hesitated and then nodded.

  “I figured she would.”

  “Rayne said Lisal thinks Marcus is going to marry her.”

  “I don’t know whether Lisal thinks that or not, but he never mentions her except to say she’s annoying, so I can’t see him ma
rrying her.”

  Sherri laughed. “She lives in Bridgeport, right?”

  Haley nodded. “Her father owns the inn and tavern. She works there and lives with her parents behind the inn.” Hayley took another swallow of tea. “Keep in mind most of the stuff Rayne told you about happened before Marcus left to go to Milhaven. Lisal was younger then. They both were. People change as they grow up.”

  “Some don’t. Rayne’s afraid Lisal will try to hurt you or make you leave.”

  Hayley shook her head. “There’s no reason for her to try. Her problem’s with Marcus, not with me.”

  “Unless she thinks you’re the reason Marcus hasn’t married her.”

  “I don’t see how. All of that was long before Marcus and I met, but even if she does blame me, she can’t hurt me. As for making me leave? There are only two people who can ask Brena to reassign me. Morris is one and I’m the other. There’s not much she can do, or any reason for her to want to. You don’t need to worry about her.”

  Sherri drank her tea. “Is there anything else we need to do tonight?”

  “Not really. By the way, when we’re around other people, especially patients, call me Sister Hayley, but when it’s just us, Hayley will do.”

  “Thank you,” Sherri said. “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to head upstairs. I’ve got a few things I want to do in my room and then I’m going to get some sleep.”

  “I won’t be far behind you. See you in the morning.”

  Chapter 13

  Meanwhile in Milhaven

  Saturday evening, while Sherri and Hayley were having tea in Bridgeport, Kevin and Nikki walked up the steps at Doreen’s house. When he got to the door, he heard someone crying inside. He hesitated, then knocked anyway. Sister Agnes opened the door.

  “Is everything all right?” Kevin asked, trying to look around the sister.

  “Everyone’s fine. We’re just having a little adjustment. Are you here for Rhianna?”

  Kevin frowned, but nodded.

  “I’ll let her know you’re here,” Sister Agnes said as she gently shut the door.

  Kevin just stood there. He hadn’t had anyone shut the door in his face since … he couldn’t remember it ever happening before. He wasn’t sure what he should do next.

  A moment later the door opened and Rhianna slipped out. Before he could say anything, she shushed him, and urged him towards the steps. When they reached the road, she sighed. “It’ll be all right. It’s just a bit emotional at the moment.”

  “What is?” Kevin asked out of exasperation.

  “Sister Agnes told Blair she’s not needed at the chapel anymore. Now that Theresa, Hayley, and Sherri are gone, it’s just the four of them, and Mishi’s leaving in a couple of weeks. There’s no need for a cook now. And Blair’s upset about it and wondering how she’s going to support herself.”

  “Fenway’s been trying to find a cook. She’d be perfect.”

  Rhianna nodded. “Doreen’s already gone to the tavern to let Ainsley know Blair’s available, but Ainsley’s waiting on customers right now so she can’t come and talk to Blair yet. She’ll be here as soon as enough people go home that Fenway doesn’t need her anymore.”

  “Do you think Blair will take the job?”

  “I’m sure she will, and she’ll be perfect for it. She just has to get all these tears out of the way first. It’s not really about losing a job. She feels like she’s being tossed out, like she’s losing her anchor. But she’s strong. Give her another hour and she’ll be ready to move on.”

  Kevin shook his head. “Women. I’ll never understand them.”

  Rhianna laughed and tucked her arm through his. “Guess it’s a good thing I’m here to explain them to you.”

  They walked for another hour before heading back. As they approached the house, Sister Agnes walked out, accompanied by a smiling Blair. Sister Agnes gave her a quick hug and turned to leave.

  When she spotted Kevin, she smiled. “It’s all right. You can go in now.”

  Kevin shook his head. “No thanks. I’ve had a long day. I’m heading home.” After Sister Agnes was out of sight, he took Rhianna’s hand. “If Blair goes to work at Fenway’s, we’ll eat dinner there one day next week.”

  Rhianna laughed. “I’m going to hold you to it.”

  ~~~~

  Blair didn’t make it to bed until the wee hours of the morning. She and Ainsley talked until midnight, and then she talked to Doreen for a couple of hours after that. By the time she made it upstairs, she was wiped out but too excited to sleep. As soon as the first rays of daylight peeked into her room, she was ready to get up and get the day started.

  Ainsley had told her she and her father wouldn’t be in until midmorning but she’d leave the back door unlocked in case Blair wanted to go look around. Blair was eager to see what she’d have to work with.

  But before she left Doreen’s, she wanted to fix them something for breakfast. She decided on cinnamon buns, Shelley’s favorite. Once the buns were ready to go in the oven, she put on a pot of coffee.

  The smell of perking coffee brought Doreen stumbling out of her room.

  “It’ll be ready in a minute,” Blair said with a smile.

  Doreen sniffed a couple of times. “Is that cinnamon I smell?”

  Blair nodded. “Cinnamon buns. They’ll be out about the time the coffee’s ready.”

  Doreen pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. “Why are you up so early? We only went to bed a few hours ago.”

  “I was too excited to sleep. I thought I’d go over to Fenway’s and check out the kitchen. Do you mind if I take a few of the buns with me? I don’t know if anyone’s staying at the inn or not, but if they are, I’d like to be able to offer them something to eat with their morning coffee or tea. I’d make some over there, but I don’t think they’ve stocked the kitchen since the fire.”

  “Probably not. Ainsley swore she was done with cooking, and since they didn’t have anyone else, there wasn’t much point. Ainsley can’t even make coffee, so if you want to make any while you’re there, you’d better take beans from here.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  Doreen shook her head. “Take whatever you need. I’m sure we’ll get enough leftovers to more than make up for what you take from here.”

  “Ainsley did say I can bring food home for all of you, but I feel funny about it.”

  “Why? It’s part of your pay. It’s not a handout. If anyone should feel funny about it, I should, and I don’t. You’ll earn every bit of your pay and then some. Once people get a taste of your cooking, his business will double if not triple. Hiring you was smart.”

  Blair looked at Doreen for a moment. “Do you really think so? Or are you just saying that?”

  “I don’t say things I don’t mean. You should know that by now.” Doreen paused. “Fenway’s lucky to get you, Blair. You’re a terrific cook. And I’m not the only one who feels that way. Last night Myron told Rhianna if you agreed to cook at Fenway’s, they’ll go there for dinner one night next week. He didn’t say that to flatter you. You weren’t anywhere around. He said it because he knows what a good cook you are.”

  Blair felt her cheeks warm. She turned toward the stove and checked on the buns. Then she poured Doreen a cup of coffee and set it in front of her. “I hope I don’t let them down. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “Sure you have. You do it every day. The only difference is you’ll need to cook more of everything. You’ll do fine.”

  “I just hope I don’t have to wait tables. That could make him lose customers.”

  Doreen frowned. “Are you talking about that mark again? No one sees it but you. Forget about it.”

  Blair shook her head. “All of you are so nice about it, but I know what it looks like. I need to stay out of sight.”

  Doreen gave up. “When are you going to the tavern?”

  “As soon as the cinnamon buns are done.”

  “Want me to
go with you?”

  “Why?”

  “No reason except no one else will be there.”

  Blair shrugged. “You can go if you want to, but I’ll be fine.” She opened the oven and took two pans of cinnamon buns out. “Are you sure it’s all right for me to take some stuff from here? I’d like to bake some bread while no one’s there. Every stove’s different, and I want to see how it cooks.”

  Doreen got up and refilled her coffee cup. “Afraid you might burn it?”

  “More concerned that the heat’s not even. I’d hate to have one side undercooked and the other burnt.”

  “Sure, take whatever you need.” Doreen picked up a cinnamon bun and headed back towards her room. “I’m going to get dressed. If you decide you want me to go with you, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll see you tonight.”

  ~~~~

  Forty-five minutes later Blair set her bag of supplies on one of the outdoor tables and opened the back door to the kitchen. She wasn’t sure what to expect. She knew they’d replaced the burned wood, but she didn’t know whether or not the soot and ash had been scrubbed away. She’d been half afraid she’d have to clean before she could cook, but everything in the kitchen sparkled. As she opened drawers and cabinets, she decided that whoever had organized the kitchen and pantry must have been a cook. Everything was right where it should be.

  With a big smile she unpacked her bag, put on a pot of coffee, and started making bread. After she had a couple of loaves of bread in the oven, she went through the jars of vegetables Callie had canned and decided to make a pot of soup. She’d brought some herbs with her, but she’d have to see if Doreen would make another planter for the tavern.

  While she waited for the bread to bake, Blair poured herself a cup of coffee, leaned back against the counter, and gazed around the kitchen. All hers, at least for a while.

  When Ainsley and her father walked through the front door, Fenway sniffed a couple of times and a big grin broke out across his face. “Coffee. I do believe I smell coffee.”