Chapter Eight
The next week went better for Alyssa. She did her cooking lessons in the mornings, spent her afternoons with Beth, Heather, and Holli, and occasionally even Gillian would join. Alyssa particularly enjoyed talking to Gillian. And her evenings were spent with a sword in hand, learning how to defend herself.
Her arms were always aching, but she never once complained because she wanted to be allowed out of the village on her own. She wasn’t even certain why it was so important to her, but it was. It was as if there was an invisible, impenetrable wall around the village that she couldn’t get through. She needed to see what’s on the other end.
The sword that had been used for play was just about the right size for her, and she did as she was told throughout the training. She felt like she was ready to wander on her own, but Kendrick still refused.
She often spent time in the mornings beside the keep where no one would get hurt, and she fought with pretend enemies, sometimes using her own shadow to slice at.
Then she would go in the keep, have a lovely lunch with Holli and Heather, and Beth and Gillian when they came, but they weren’t as consistent. Her afternoons were spent making clothing for the baby Holli was carrying.
“I’d let you use the clothes I made for my boys, but after seven of them, they kind of wore out.” Heather sounded apologetic as she said it.
Holli just smiled. “I love doing for my sons. I mean, I’m glad I have help, but I would have regretted it if I hadn’t had time to just sew myself.”
“I wish we had a sewing machine,” Alyssa mumbled under her breath.
Heather grinned. “I believe you knew there would be no modern conveniences when you decided to do this!”
Alyssa shrugged. “But I didn’t think about how truly hard the work would be, now did I?” It really amazed her as she realized how very much, she’d used technology in her everyday life. She missed her washing machine the most.
“Is the cradle you used for the boys anywhere to be found?” Holli asked.
“Yes, it’s in Bryson’s old room. He was the last to use it and we just never moved it out of there. He quit using it more than a year ago, though.”
They all laughed at that. “Considering he’s over six three…” Holli said.
Heather looked at Alyssa. “How are the sword fighting lessons going?”
Alyssa shrugged. “I think I’m getting good enough to go out on my own, but of course, Kendrick disagrees. The man is going to drive me to drink. Where’s the Scotch?”
“Do I need to have another little talk with him?” Heather asked.
“Absolutely not. You need to remember that when I talk to you about our marriage, I’m talking to my best friend, not my mother-in-law. Things are already weird enough, don’t you think?”
Holli nodded. “Yeah, me too. I mean, it’s nice to always have my mother-in-law in my corner, but I know it angers Bryson.”
“But you two should take advantage of the situation!” Heather said, shaking her head. “I sure did with Beth, and we weren’t best friends before I married Derek.”
Alyssa shook her head adamantly. “Absolutely not. I need to learn to talk with my husband and solve our disputes on my own, and not let you do the work for me.”
Holli sighed. “Me too. Though this marriage thing is going to be a lot harder without you.”
Heather grinned. “All right. If that’s how you want to play it.”
“Is tonight Irish nacho night?” Alyssa asked. “I’m already getting hungry. I want a huge plate and I don’t want to share.”
Heather shook her head. “You’re getting as bad as Holli. You’re probably expecting too.”
Alyssa’s eyes widened. “I’ve only been married for about ten days. I’m sure I’m not pregnant yet.”
“You’re a McClain wife. All the men get their wives pregnant quick!” Heather said. “I can’t help but wonder if you really might be. We should get Gavin over here to look at you soon.”
“But…I don’t want my husband’s grandfather to know before he does.”
Holli shrugged. “There’s no other way to know this early. It’s up to you, of course.”
“Well, I don’t want to know that then. Are Beth and Gavin joining us for Irish nachos tonight?” Alyssa asked, thinking maybe she could get the older man alone and ask him. She just didn’t want the others to realize how very much she wanted a child. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t want them to know, but it felt very private to her.
