"There's syrup in this jug. We harvest it ourselves in the winter."
She glanced over to see the container he meant. "Excellent."
He straightened. "Better slice bear steak to go with those cakes. The boys need full bellies to work all day."
She frowned. "They don't come in for the noon meal?"
He pulled out a nearly-empty sack. "Not if they're out with the stock. Most of us take a little something to eat if we get hungry, but it'd waste too much daylight to ride back and forth."
She took the bag he handed her and peered inside. A handful of black grounds. Enough for one round of coffee, maybe two if she stretched it. Better than nothing.
As she poured the grounds into the top of the kettle, Jericho heaped the supplies into a tidy stack in the corner. Should she recommend items he was missing? Maybe that would be presumptuous.
Better to focus on today's tasks. "If you don't need Lillian's help, I was hoping she could assist me with cleaning here in the house."
He set the last box in place and turned, brushing off his hands. "If you like." Without a backward glance, he sauntered to his brother's bed chamber and slipped inside.
She shouldn't have expected any kind of thanks for the work she was putting in around here, but his casualness stung a little. She turned back to the stove and scooped enough batter for a Johnnycake. When the men came in, they would be hungry.
Best she was prepared.
CHAPTER7
The brothers filed in one and two at a time, coming and going for the next hour or so. They brought more firewood, and some climbed the ladder nailed to the wall up to the loft above the bedrooms. That must have been where they usually slept and where their belongings still stayed.
The first time one of the men grabbed two Johnnycakes off the plate where she was stacking them beside the stove, she stopped herself from slapping his hand. Could they not wait to sit down at the table like a normal family?
She settled for a glare behind the man's back. "I have maple syrup if you'd like to sit down with a plate."
He turned, and his name finally came back to her. Sampson. The…second to youngest brother? He was the one who'd been assigned to keep the children working yesterday afternoon.
His eyes brightened. "I forgot about the syrup." Then he stepped around her to the work counter and scooped up the jug. Holding the container in the crook of one arm, he poured syrup onto the Johnnycakes in his other hand, cupping them like a bowl to receive the sweet liquid without spilling a drop.
Once finished, he plopped the jug on the floor beside the stove. "I'll leave this here for the others." He flashed her a grin. "I sure am glad you ladies came. Stay as long as you like, no matter what Jericho says."
He turned and strolled out of the house, eating a third of the double-roll of Johnnycakes in a single bite.
She could only watch the door close. Did they all have such abominable manners? Maybe they never used the table and chairs pushed up against the opposite wall. She'd thought they must pull them out for each meal.
Last night, the men had straggled in a few at a time and scooped bowls full of soup, then taken them in to eat with Jonah or carried them back outside. She'd assumed their rhythm had simply been disrupted because of their brother's injury. That they would return to normal meal patterns this morning.
Perhapsthiswas normal.
Should she say something to Jericho? The children needed regular family meals so they could learn proper manners and receive consistent nutrition. She could still remember the times Nana made her and Naomi stay at the table until they'd eaten whatever food they disliked.Children need good quality foods to grow properly, she would say.
Maybe she wouldn't speak to Jericho about it yet. Better not to list all her complaints on the first day. But she could start a new routine with Sean and Lillian herself. This very morning.
When Sean came in with his Uncle Jude and tried to swipe a handful of Johnnycakes in one hand and a chunk of meat in the other, she placed her own hands on top of the boy's, stilling him.
She met his surprised gaze. "You, Lillian, and I are going to sit at the table for our meals. If you'll take a seat, I'll bring you a plate."
He scowled, releasing the food as he backed away, sending a questioning look to his uncle.
Jude, thankfully, didn't belittle her suggestion. Though he'd already taken a bite of meat, he nodded. He even waited to swallow before speaking. "Sounds like a good idea. I’ll join you."
Maybe there was hope for them yet.
She handed Jude a plate and loaded the food Sean had handled onto a second dish. She’d cooked enough that she should be able to sit for a minute to eat. She had a feeling if she didn't herd these two to the table right now, she would lose them to their day's work.
