“And haveye come to wed? I’m sure the whole clan will be pleased with the news,” she said. Panic shot through Madison a moment as she shook her head in protest.
“There’ll be nay weddin’today,” Theodore stated plainly as he shot Madison an understanding glance.
“And why nae?We arenae promised tomorrow, and when are ye goin' to have this weather again? Look around ye, it’s lovely today is it nae?” Sister Marget cooed as she hooked her arm around Madison’s and pulled her to the door.
“Another time,”Theodore stated more firmly. Madison watched the sparkle in Sister Marget’s eyes shift a bit before she waved at him.
“Then I’m forcedto put ye to work,” she added as she flashed Madison a wink. Theodore smiled as Madison caught his gaze drifting to her.
“What will ye have us do?”Theodore asked.
“Ye areto fix the beams in the garden shed. The roof is cavin’ in and I daenae have a place for the goats to rest. And ye,” Sister Marget pointed to Madison. “Ye’ll come and help us with the meal. I’ll have ye catch the food with the young ones.”
“I’m sorry,”Madison said as her chest tightened a moment. “What is it ye want me to do?”
“Fish,”the sister said with a smile. “What else do ye think we’re to eat? Nae that the Good Lord doesnae provide our fruits and vegetables, but we need meat and fish too.”
“I cannae fish,”Madison answered as she felt tiny pricks radiate over her skin.
“What doye mean ye cannae fish?” Theodore asked, arching an eyebrow as his gaze bore into her.
“I’ve never done it before,”she answered honestly as she started fiddling with the tips of her fingers.
“Never fished?”Theodore sounded both astonished and put out by the notion.
“There was nevertime for such…activities,” Madison answered, hoping she got her point across. Theodore’s expression softened.
“Well then,it’s time ye learned child,” Sister Marget interjected with a clap of her hands, startling Madison.
“Ye heard her,”Theodore said, his voice low and clipped, the weight of his presence filling the space. “She’s a woman of God. I’d nae be so quick to cross her, if I were ye.”
“Best ye remember that,”the sister said with a chuckle. “For I’ve got a higher power on my side.”
“Theodore’s jaw tightened,his eyes narrowing as he gave a stiff nod, acknowledging her words without humor. “Aye, nae one here would deny it. But if ye plan to curse me, I’ll be off to yer garden shed before ye can finish it.”
Madison laughedas she watched Theodore pretend to fear Sister Marget. It was as if she were watching a brother and sister interact. The very sight of them was bitter sweet. Howshe missed Hallie and her family. Images of their faces flashed before her eyes. And before she could be swallowed by their memory, a small hand slipped into hers. Madison laughed also, watching their exchange. It struck her as less friendly banter and more like two old adversaries who’d fought alongside and against one another in the past. It reminded her of the kind of tension she had always seen between family—familiar but still sharp. A pang of longing shot through her chest. How she missed Hallie and the rest of her family. Their faces flickered in her mind, and for a brief moment, she was lost in their memory.
Before she could fall too farinto that ache, a small hand slipped into hers, grounding her once more.
“I’ll showye the best spot to fish,” a young lad said, his voice earnest as he tightened his grip on her head. “And daenae worry, I’ll clean them for ye, Me Lady,” he added with a touch of boyish pride in his tone.
“How kind of ye, George,”Sister Marget said as she moved to the stone wall and plucked the four poles resting against it. “Ye led the way then.”
Madison followedGeorge and a few of the other children down the windy path to the shore. George held her hand as if he were her knight, valiantly guiding her to safety.
“Here we are,”he said as he rushed over to the stump and reached into the hollow of it. “And here ye are. See this? It’s me lucky lure. We’ll catch the biggest fish out there today, mark me words.”
Madison’s heartswelled as she spent the hours fishing with the children. It seemed as if time had slowed down. There was no reason to run about. No cause to scrape up what she could to eat. She let out a long sigh, and along with it all the troubles she’d been carrying. It felt strange for her not to have to carry such a weight anymore.
The hours slippedby and as the tide drifted out from them, the sun was kissing the horizon. Madison glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of Theodore trekking up the path towards her.
“I thinkit’s best we head back now,” Theodore said as he reached them.
“But we’ve nae caught anythin’,”George grumbled as he pulled his fishing line out of the water. And like the previous attempts, it was empty.
“Aye,suppose it’s a good thing ye’ll be gettin’ a wagon supply comin’ in the mornin’,” Theodore said as he extended his hand to Madison. She took it without hesitation.
“Does she have to go back?”George asked, his tone downtrodden and hopeful, making Madison giggle.
