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Yesenda was barefoot in a plain kirtle. Her hair was braided and secured into a bun while she pulled out freshly baked bread from the wood-fire oven. The heat gave a slight flush to her cheeks. Some tendrils had come loose from the bun. When she turned towards him, she blushed, and it floored him with the vision she made first thing in the morning.Bonnie.The second thing to assail him was the delicious aromas of her cooking.
Iain had to take a breath and remind himself to calm down as his heart raced at the overwhelming vision she created.
Then she smiled. It was genuine and warm and welcoming.
“Morning, Iain. Come join me if you will. I’ve made food to break our fast. Tyra has gone to the Keep but will return later.”
Iain stared slightly, mouth ajar, at the table. There was a pitcher of fresh milk and churned butter. A platter of oat cakes and honey, strips of fried pork and eggs. Some fruit and cheese and Yesenda had just placed the freshly baked bread on a board. She was slicing pieces and spreading butter on them. He licked his lips and his stomach grumbled. He was hungry in more ways than one, and it was not just for food. It was for this.All of this.
“The food smells delicious, lass. You must have been up early.”
“In the abbey, we wake very early for prayers and to do our chores. Tis just a habit, I suppose.”
She finished buttering the bread, then paused and asked, “Is Liosa going to join us? There is plenty of food.”
Iain shook his head and said, “Liosa left last night. She willnotbe returning, Yesenda.” He held her gaze as if he was trying to relay some pertinent news.
Yesenda felt elated with the news, but she reminded herself this was just their way. Liosa would return eventually, as she always did, and Iain would take her back. She cleared her throat and said, “Oh, I see. Um… I have made an herbal brew if you would like a warm drink. It was especially cool this morn.”
Iain looked about the main room. There was a pot boiling over the fire.
“Who lit the fire?” he asked.
“I did.”
He blinked at her for a while with a confused expression.
“Tis not hard to light a fire, Iain. Anyone can do it.”
Iain noticed the wood also piled neatly on the side. He had planned to fill the wood basket that morning.
“Who cut the wood for you?”
“I did. The basket was empty, but I found the wood pile and axe out the back.”
Iain just paused and kept staring at her. Then he noticed she took on a worried expression.
“Have I done something wrong? Am I not supposed to use the wood from the back?” She paused and bit her lip; afraid she might have overstepped somehow.
“No… no, not at all, lass. Tis just a surprise is all. I… normally do everything myself if it’s just me and Lios...” His voice tapered off because Iain did not want to finish that line.
Yesenda visibly relaxed. “Oh well, today you can rest, Iain. Please come and sit. This is your family home, after all.”
Iain moved towards the table and said, “Love, the food looks delicious, and I am famished.”
Yesenda beamed then and started fussing over him. She went to get the pot of tea from the fireplace, but Iain got up and took the iron rods off her. “Here, let me do it.” Their hands touched as he took the tools from her, and they stood close to each other. Yesenda blushed, feeling a thousand lightning bolts go through her with the feel of his skin. Iain took a sharp intake of breath, then Yesenda quickly stepped back and hurried back to the table.
They sat beside one another. Iain noted how well they worked together. Yesenda added more spices to the warm brew and let it steep, whilst Iain served the food onto their trenchers. Yesenda then moved to the oatcakes and drizzled honey syrup on them. She placed them in a side bowl for Iain while he placed pieces of meat on her slice of bread as she poured warm brew into two cups. Iain did not need to ask for a thing because Yesenda saw to it.
He had never known a meal to be this easy.
They said a quick word of thanks for the bounty and then dug in with gusto.
Iain groaned when he bit into the fresh bread and butter and savored the taste.
“Damn, woman, what is in this butter?” he asked.
Yesenda grinned. “I added some salt and sage to give it flavor.”
