“Looks fine, Will,” Belle said. “It is still a very fresh wound, deep too, because it went all the way through, and that is probably why it still throbs. But so far it seems to be healing.” She put some medicinal cream on it and wrapped it up again.
“What is that idiot Bennet doing with the sheriff at your barn?”
Belle turned and smiled at her aunt as the woman walked in. Abel ran over, gave Belle a quick hug, and then hurried over to speak to Robbie. The boy seemed quite taken with Geordie’s brother, she decided, and wondered how he would feel when the MacEnroys left.
“Bennet made him look in the barn for the cow he claims I stole,” she replied. She turned to Will. “As I said. An idiot. Why are you still working for the fool?”
“Only job I could get.”
“Your father has his fishing boat.”
Will sighed heavily. “I know. I can’t do that job. I get sick on a boat. Don’t do much work when you’re spending the whole time on the boat hanging over the side emptying your belly.”
Mary clapped her hand over her mouth, but Belle could see by her eyes that the woman was trying not to laugh. It was obviously a bit of embarrassing truth the family had kept quiet about. By the look on his face, it was obvious Will could also see how badly her aunt wanted to laugh, but he looked more resigned than insulted. Belle moved to her aunt’s side and took her by the arm to hurry her out of the infirmary. She got her all the way to the kitchen before her aunt started to giggle. She stumbled into a chair as Belle made some coffee.
“Just a little mean, Auntie.”
“I know and I am very sorry for it but can’t help it. The boy comes from a long line of proud fishermen. I bet his father is sorely disappointed.”
“I hope he is also understanding.”
“I am sure he is. He adores all his children and he has two other sons who love the boat and water. I also thought of your father. He was afflicted in much the same way.” She sighed as Belle set them out a cup, spoons, and cream and sugar. “Fancy. Sugar is dear.”
“I know. I get it for the guests. If I run out I use honey.”
“Is that one of the reasons you raised the cost of a bed here?”
“Yes. Things like sugar make it feel special and fancy to the guests, but as you said, it is dear.” She moved to check the coffee in the pot. “It will be ready very soon.” Belle sat down and clasped her hands together on top of the table. “I have something I would like to ask you.”
“What? Can it wait until we get our coffee?”
“Sure. Very soon is about now.” She smiled faintly and went to get the pot of coffee, pouring some in each of their cups.
Putting the pot on a trivet in the middle of the table, Belle added cream and sugar to her cup. Stirring it slowly, she asked, “Have you and Bennet had some argument I don’t know about?” She noticed her aunt blush a little. “Auntie, I only ask because I thought it might help explain his persistence here.”
“After my husband died, he came calling quite often. After a decent interval, of course. Then he asked me to marry him.”
“And you said no.”
“Oh, I said yes. It was quite nice for a few days, and we didn’t tell anyone, but then I noticed how he always asked questions about this property, this house. I finally got snappish and told him to forget about this place as it is yours and Abel’s. He then went on about how he was sure we could convince you two to sell it. Went round and round on that for a while and finally I took back my yes because it became clear exactly why he wanted to marry me.”
“I am sorry, Auntie.”
“Don’t be. I actually felt relieved and soon realized I had said yes because I was lonely, not because I was in love. It was actually a close escape. But why do you ask?”
“It is just that he is persistent to the point of being obsessed, and it just doesn’t seem right. He offered money to start with, and I said no. Then he just pestered, causing constant minor annoyances. Now it appears he would like to get me in legal trouble, and I suspect he already knows of some way that could aid him in getting his hands on this house if he accomplishes that.”
Mary shook her head. “I don’t know what to say, or even what to do.”
“We’ll have to think on it. Now that there appears to be a growing interest in going to stay by the ocean when the weather warms, he will only get worse. Geordie actually overheard the man laying out his plan for some grand hotel, and he obviously plans to add this to his holdings.”
“Fool. This summer there may be people all eager to go stay by the shore. Next summer they will want to run to the hills. The summer after that? Who knows.”
“I know. People with the money for such things can be fickle in their choices.” She sipped her coffee. “I was hoping I would see some way to fight him, but no, nothing comes to me.”
“Nor to me either. Shall have to think on it more.”
“And I should try to get something together for the midday meal.”
