“Sorry.” Sorcha repeated the apology. She felt like a chastised child.
“You’ll learn. I appreciate you lived in the city. You obviously have never killed a chicken before.”
Sorcha shook her head.
“You don’t just chop off its head and pull out a few feathers. You have to clean it first and remove the innards. We couldn’t have eaten the meat, it would have made us all ill.”
Sorcha gasped, the tears threatening to fall. She was useless.
Chapter 20
The look on her face reminded him of Jenny when she got upset. Jenny. He fumed again. She had set Sorcha up. His daughter may be only nine but she had been raised on a farm. Brian tried to soften his tone.
“Eat. No point in letting more good food go to waste. It wasn’t your fault. Jenny should have known better.”
“Jenny knows how to kill a chicken properly?”
“She’s never done it herself but she saw her Ma do it often enough. Please eat. You must be hungry. I will deal with Jenny later.”
“What are you going to do?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Sorcha dipped her head, clenching and unclenching her fingers. Her lips were moving silently. “Mr. Petersen, sorry, Brian. We are now a family and if you want me to look after your children, they must respect me. Please let me discipline Jenny this time.”
He stayed silent, staring at her for a couple of seconds. She was right, he had to let her manage the girls.
“Ok.”
He picked up the knife and starting buttering some biscuits. “These are good.” The look of surprise in her eyes hit him in the stomach. Had nobody ever complimented her before? “Sorcha, please eat. There is nothing to be gained from you making yourself ill. This… well, this situation was bound to cause some problems. We will learn how to get along. But not on an empty stomach.” He handed her a biscuit.
Meggie giggled as she played with her food but the adults ate in silence.
“You are a good cook. I look forward to tasting your roast chicken but I will show you what to do first.” He smiled, hoping she would smile back. Her silence was getting to him. She looked as if she was going to burst into tears. “Thank you.” He stood up. “I have to get back to work. I will find Jenny and send her back to help you.”
“Thank you. Would you like some coffee later?”
“No, thank you. See you tomorrow.”
With that he was gone. Only then did Sorcha let the tears fall. Picking up Meggie, she cradled the child to her.
Dear Lord what have I done? He doesn’t want a wife and Jenny is plotting against me.
Meggie cuddled her head into Sorcha’s neck, her chubby arms holding her tight. She sighed as she looked up at Sorcha before closing her eyes with a smile. “You are a beauty, little Meggie. Please don’t change when you get older.”
Carrying the young girl into the house, she shivered. It was nearly colder inside than out but at least the worst of the smell had gone. She settled the little one on the floor before going back for the blanket and rest of the food. Carrying the dishes into the kitchen, she was glad she had stood her ground. She had to find a way to get Jenny on her side. But first she had to calm down. It wouldn’t do anyone any good if she tackled the child tonight.
She continued working as she heard the door click softly behind her. She sensed it was Jenny. “Your dinner is on the hot plate. Sit down.” Jenny didn’t reply but took a seat. Sorcha put a plate of food in front of her.
“When you are finished, you can go to bed. We will talk tomorrow.”
“But…”
“Tomorrow, Jenny. It’s been a long day and I’m tired.”
Sorcha finished her work in silence. She pretended to ignore the little girl as she ate and put her plate in the sink. The child went to her bed without saying goodnight. Sorcha sank into the chair beside the fire, putting her head in her hands. Help me, please.
She sat staring into the flames for a long time. All her energy was gone and she was too tired to get up. She waited to see if he changed his mind and came back.
Nodding off, she relaxed back into the chair. She must have been asleep for some time as when she opened her eyes, the fire had almost gone out. Sighing, she rose and went to the bedroom.
She lay in bed, her heart beating faster at every sound but he never came back. This wasn’t what she had imagined at all. A tear escaped and ran down her cheek. Laura was right. She had dreamed too big. He wasn’t interested in her. Any woman who could cook, clean and look after children would have done. She had dreamed so long of having a real family. Here she was, a husband and two children and she’d never felt lonelier in her life.
Chapter 21
Brian worked off his anger. The day had been a disaster. He’d made a big mistake taking on a young girl as a wife. A city one at that. Any fool knew you had to clean out an animal before you cooked it, didn’t they? That wasn’t fair. Living in the orphanage wouldn’t have given her much opportunity to learn about stuff like that. But she had potential. The biscuits and vegetables she had cooked tasted great. Being young, she would learn quickly.
If only he had time to teach her. Jenny could. As soon as that thought came into his head, he dismissed it. He loved his daughter but she was as stubborn as he was. She had made it quite clear she wasn’t happy having a new Ma. He’d never thought she would be cruel though. Abby would be distraught. She wanted her girls to be kind and gentle. There was nothing kind in tricking a woman in the hope of getting her sent away.
The horse neighed. “Sorry Jackson, was I too rough? I ‘ve a lot on my mind.” He looked into the horse’s eyes. “What am I going to do? I thought I was giving her a chance at a new life but maybe I was wrong. Meggie likes her but Jenny… she’s a tough nut to crack.” The horse didn’t respond, but simply stared.
Brian threw his bed roll to one side as the cock crowing woke him up. He must have finally gone asleep, despite tossing and turning for most of the night. He’d gone soft sleeping in a bed for so long. His whole body ached from the hard floor.
He headed for the house, hoping the coffee was strong. Pushing the door, he was surprised to find the girls were still asleep. The stove had almost gone out and the pot was empty.
This is what you get for expecting her to take on a household. What experience does the average eighteen-year old have, never mind one brought up in an orphanage? He threw some kindling on the fire, stoking it to encourage the flames. He banged a couple of pots hoping the noise would wake his new wife.
“Pa, what are you doing? I can cook breakfast.” Jenny rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
“Go wake your Ma.”
Jenny stood, a scowl on her face. “Ma’s dead.”
He glared at her but before he could speak, Sorcha appeared. She didn’t seem to realize her nightgown was transparent as she stood in front of the window. He looked away, the sight of her body was stirring his senses.
“I’m so sorry. I never sleep late. I don’t know what happened. Please let me.” She reached out for the pan promptly burning herself. She swayed as the pan dropped out of her hand. Grabbing her, he pulled her over to the sink and pumped cold water on the ugly red weal. “Take some slow deep breaths.”
He could feel her shaking and saw the tears welling in her eyes. She looked terrified. Did she think he was going to beat her?
“It’s the air. People say they sleep better out here than in the city.” He was talking fast but it was best to distract her. “You had a long journey. Jenny should have had breakfast on the table. She managed up to now. Jenny, go get the switch.” After her antics the night before and now this morning, Brian knew his daughter needed teaching a lesson.
“No, please don’t. I can’t bear seeing a child whipped.” Sorcha touched his arm. “I am sure Jenny believed it would be better letting me do the cooking today. Isn’t that right, Jenny?”
Jenny just stared, a bewildered look on her face.
“Go a
nd get dressed.” Brian took a breath to control his tone. If he wanted her to stay, he had to be civil. “I will cook breakfast this morning. Tomorrow you can take over.”
Cradling her hand, Sorcha nodded slightly before walking quickly to the bedroom. When the door clicked shut, Brian turned to Jenny. “Young lady, don’t push me too far.”
Chapter 22
It didn’t take long to cook some eggs and bacon. They sat together at the table, the adults having coffee and the girls drinking milk. Silence reined until the food was eaten.
“Does Jenny walk to school on her own?” Sorcha asked, standing to move the dishes to the kitchen.
“Jenny, go do the dishes for your Ma.” A glare from Brian was enough to stop any retort from the child. Sorcha took a step back as the girl brushed past her. Brian’s next words took her full attention.
“She doesn’t go to school. I teach her what she needs to know right here.”
“School’s important, not only for learning. How will she make friends if she never sees anyone but Meggie?”
“She don’t need friends. The less people she has to deal with the better. That way she won’t be hurt.”
Sorcha knew Jenny was listening to every word of their conversation as she washed the dishes. She couldn’t blame her. Tempted as she was to postpone the conversation until the girls were outside, curiosity won.
“Who’d want to hurt Jenny? She’s only a young girl.”
She saw him glance at Jenny before turning the full force of his gaze in her direction. He smiled but his eyes were hard.
“Sorcha, you mean well but these are my children and my house. I don’t want the girls going to school and that’s my final word. I have chores to do.”
Speechless, she stared at the door. What was he hiding from? She slumped into the rocking chair. How was she going to deal with this? Surely he didn’t mean to keep them all away from town. She wanted, make that needed, to see her friends.
Chapter 23
Sorcha sat lost in thought until she heard something behind her. Turning toward the kitchen, she spotted Jenny peeking out from behind the door.
“Come sit down here please, Jenny.” Sorcha’s tone left no room for argument
The girl stood in front of her.
Sorcha moved slowly on the rocker. She reached for Jenny’s hand but the child moved away. “Listen sweetheart, I think we need to clear the air. You behaved very badly yesterday.”
“Are you going to cane me?”
“No.” Sorcha didn’t hide the tremor in her voice. “I won’t ever hit a child.” At Jenny’s incredulous look, Sorcha continued. “Jenny, where I lived, children like you and Meggie were hit every day.”
“Meggie’s only a baby. Nobody should hit her.”
“Nobody will hit Meggie. But some children aren’t as lucky as you and Meggie. They don’t have anyone to look out for them so they have to go live with strangers. Sometimes those strangers don’t treat them nice. “
“But Pa said you lived with nuns. They are supposed to be kind.”
“Yes, some of them are. Sister Una, she was my favorite, she used to cuddle the younger children. I never saw her hit anyone.”
“So why did you leave then and come here? We don’t want you. Pa doesn’t either.” Jenny pouted but her eyes filled with tears. Sorcha took a deep breath before speaking. She didn’t want to start crying too.
“I think you should know a few things. I am not here to take your Ma’s place. I know nobody could do that.” Sorcha waited for Jenny to say something but she didn’t. Spotting a tear running down the child’s cheek, Sorcha put her hand out again. This time, the child took it. Drawing her closer, Sorcha said quietly. “I would like us to be friends. Your Pa would like that I’m sure.” She wasn’t sure of anything but that didn’t matter now. The child’s unhappiness and loneliness hung around her like a wrap. “I will have to help look after you just like you look after Meggie. You can treat me like a big sister if you want to. “
Jenny nodded quickly.
“After yesterday, you can see that I will need a lot of help looking after your Pa. He told me your Ma showed you how to prepare food. Would you teach me?”
Jenny bit her lip as if considering the request.
“I can bake. Cook showed me how to make pies and bread. I thought I could cook too but maybe I could do with more help. I don’t think any of us wants to smell that stink again”
Jenny giggled.
“Why don’t we do some baking now? Does your Pa like pie?” Sorcha asked.
“Oh yes, pumpkin is his favorite.”
Sorcha studied Jenny’s face but didn’t say anything. A couple of seconds passed as Jenny’s eyes looked everywhere but back at Sorcha. “Oh, alright. He hates pumpkin but he likes apple.”
“Are you sure?”
Jenny smiled. “I promise. He loves apple pie. I like it too. We go picking apples and cherries. Or at least we did when Ma was alive.”
Tempted as she was to envelop the girl in a hug to help her through her grieving, instinct made her move slowly. She had to earn Jenny’s trust first.
“Okay then. Let’s go make him a pie.”
Sorcha included both girls in the pie making. In no time at all they were covered in flour but at least they were smiling. Leaving them alone to roll out their pastry for their own little pies, she moved about the house, cleaning as she went.
“What’s that song about?”
“I don’t know. My granny used to sing it when I was little and I hum it whenever I have work to do. It helps pass the time and the chores get done faster.” Sorcha smiled, keeping her fingers crossed in the hope the child would respond.
“You sound happy when you sing. But you can’t be.”
“I am happy. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“But you are far away from everyone you know. Why don’t you go home?”
Sorcha’s good mood vanished. She was silly to think making a pie was going to change this child.
“This is my home now.” Sorcha said carefully. Jenny’s eyes filled with tears as she made a dash for the door. Dear Lord, show me a way to get through to that child.
She worked faster, wanting to get a few chores completed before she had to stop for dinner.
Chapter 24
Brian walked slowly to the house. He should have come back to check on the girls at lunchtime but he was worried about the horse Charlie had brought in. Some people didn’t deserve to own animals. He was sorely tempted to feed Charlie to his own pigs.
He stopped at the pump to wash his hands and throw some water over his head. He could do with a bath but that would have to wait until later. He couldn’t hear any screaming from the house. That had to be a good sign. He hoped Sorcha and Jenny had fared better today.
Pushing open the door, the scent of baking apples assaulted him. His favorite pie. His stomach grumbled in response. A scene of domestic bliss hit him. His daughters were sitting at the table smiling. Sorcha came in from the kitchen, stopping when she saw him. She put a hand to her hair, leaving a trail of flour across her face.
“Oh. I didn’t hear you come in. Dinner is just about ready.”
“Thank you. You look happy girls, what you been doing?”
“Singing.” Meggie lisped getting down from her chair and toddling over to him for a cuddle. He picked her up, sitting her on his knee. “What were you singing?”
“Not me, silly.” She hugged him. “Sorra”
“Sorcha not Sorra.” Brian corrected
Meggie giggled “Sorra.”
“She can’t say Sorcha so that’s what she’s been calling me. We didn’t cook chicken today, so hopefully it’s edible.”
Brian caught the edge in her voice although she smiled. Deciding to ignore it, he put Meggie back on her chair before retaking his seat at the table.
“I hoped you helped your Ma.”
Jenny looked mutinous. Before she answered, Sorcha intervened.
“Jenny was a great
help today. We had a chat this morning and agreed she will call me Sorcha.”
Brian caught the pleading look his wife sent him. He was inclined to make Jenny accept the situation but maybe Sorcha was right. Women were better at dealing with feelings and all that stuff.
He took a mouthful of stew. “This is delicious. Thank you.” He looked around the room. “The place looks very good. Don’t work too hard though. You are not a servant.”
Surprise flitted across her face. What did she think he was? Well, you haven’t exactly made it easy for her leaving her alone all the time. “Is there more?” He held up his plate. She waited, looking at him.
“Pa say please.” Meggie lisped. Sorcha cuddled her and gave her a kiss on the head.
“Good girl, Meggie.”
Meggie’s smile lit up her whole face at Sorcha’s praise. It was infectious.
“I’m sorry. Please may have I some more?” Brian said, smiling too.
Sorcha returned his smile before taking his plate and heaping spoonful’s of stew on top. His stomach gurgled appreciatively, causing Sorcha to giggle before holding an apron to her mouth. Her eyes danced.
“Sorry. It’s been a while since I ate so well.” He tucked into the meal, listening to Meggie chatter to Sorcha. Jenny joined in as well, although not quite as enthusiastically.
The apple pie didn’t last long. It was just as delicious as the stew. “You are an excellent cook, Sorcha.”
“The girls made the pie but thank you.”
Brian bowed his head to Jenny and then to Meggie. “Thank you for my pie.” The girls smiled, the first real smiles he had seen since losing Abby and Ethan. He pushed thoughts of his loss from his mind. It wasn’t fair to bring his grief into this happy moment.
“Sorra, tell us story. Please.” Meggie begged as she went over to sit on Sorcha’s lap.
Sorcha: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Page 5