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Jessica went to stir the pot. “‘Tis an old recipe of mine: rabbit stew. Rabbits are tough to find in these cold months, so when we do find them, we make a lovely stew out of them and enjoy our luck.”
Amelia smiled at her new host. To be so happy with so little was such a gift.
Jessica motioned her to sit at the small wooden table in the center of the room covered in grooves and cuts. It had been well-used. Jessica poured out a tea from a smaller kettle into three metal cups. Amelia was about to say something else when Jamie entered, rubbing his arms to warm up.
“I think Faolan is quite happy with a place in yer barn, Jessica. Without the company of other horses, he feels himself a prince.”
Jessica chuckled. “Aye, and he’ll be quite comfortable inside. Me Gavin built it many years ago, and it still holds strong.” She sat down at the table with them, grasping her cup and looking down.
Amelia looked questioningly at Jamie, and Jamie responded, “‘Twas Jessica’s husband, and fine and mighty warrior he was. A good man.”
Amelia reached out to lay a hand on Jessica’s arm across the table. Jamie noticed the kindness and smiled to himself. “I am truly sorry for your loss, Jessica. A good warrior and a good barn builder, he sounds like quite a man.” She smiled at the older woman.
“Aye, that he was.” She looked up, beaming with pride. “Alas, me last words tae the man were in anger, and so he didnae know or feel my love afore he died.” She eyed the two young people across from her. “I tell me sons this and anyone else in the village. Donnae let yer anger make ye stubborn, so that ye miss out on love and neglect tae tell yer precious one ye love them. ‘Tis a burden I must carry tae the end of my days.”
Amelia risked a quick glance at Jamie, and his eyes were already on her. They seemed urgent, requesting, beckoning. And they had something else in them. Desire?
She looked away, fearful of what her own eyes would reveal for she did not understand the emotions that raged within her. She was angry, but Jessica was right. Did she want to hold on to anger forever and miss out on...was it love?
Jamie watched Amelia’s blue eyes, searching, begging for some kind of change. What he saw there, gave rise to his hope. Her eyes showed pain, and that was written on the rest of her face. But, they also showed something else. Desire for forgiveness, perhaps? She’d looked away before he could think about it anymore.
He cleared his throat. “Aye, Jessica. Me ma would agree with ye I’m sure. ‘Tis not right to hold onto the anger of the past and lose precious time for affection...and love.”
Amelia heard his pause on the word love and was afraid to look at his face again, feeling her heart melting inside her, wanting to fall into his arms again like a foolish woman.
“Too true, laddie. Now, tell me why the pair of ye have come tae see me on such a frosty afternoon?”
Jamie told Jessica about his plans for the sheep pasture and wondered if any of her sons would like to learn the trade. Jessica heartily agreed and promised to send one or two of them to the castle after the old shepherd was brought to stay. The three of them spoke together for another few minutes before Jessica spied a light falling of snow out of the window.
“Och! Ye two must hurry away back tae the castle afore the snow falls heavy and thick and blinds ye with whiteness!”
Two of her sons appeared at the door. “It’s snowing, ma!”
“Yes, I see it, lads! Grab the wood from outdoors and place it intae the barn. Jamie, Amelia, ye must hurry!”
Jamie’s face turned serious as he rushed from the warmth of Jessica’s little room and hurried to the barn. He hurriedly untied Faolan and rubbed his nose. “We’ve got tae ride fast me friend.” Even in the desperate whirlwind of beating the snow, Jamie couldn’t forget Amelia’s reaction to Jessica’s words. She was so kind, comforting a widowed woman, and then seemingly so vulnerable to the older woman’s wisdom.
Jamie had said love. He meant to simply repeat the words of Jessica, but he had lingered on the word, hoping to stir an effect in the heart of Amelia. But why? Just for sport? She was bonny, kind, intelligent, surely, but love? Jamie had never felt such a thing before, with his stomach and chest in knots, worrying, wondering, any thoughts of prudence washed away when near her. Is this what love felt like?
He pulled on Faolan’s reins, and hurried from the barn, just as the young boys began to pile the wood inside. “All the best tae ye lads!”
“Farewell, Jamie!”
Inside, Jessica provided Amelia with an extra plaid. “‘Twill be cold out there, my dear. Ye must be prepared.”
Amelia, at first, declined. “But, Jessica, ye have 6 mouths to feed and protect. Surely, this plaid would be more useful to you here.”
“Donnae be silly, lass.” She wrapped the warm wool around Amelia’s covered arms, and Amelia thanked her heartily.
“Aye, God bless ye. And mind me words about anger and love.” She gave Amelia a solemn look and sent her out the door to Jamie and the horse.
Jamie hoisted Amelia up as she lifted her skirts to swing a leg over Faolan’s back, feeling the rush of cold winter air and the tickle of snowflakes. She couldn’t wait to get back to the warmth of the library.
“Ride true, Jamie!” waved Jessica, and Jamie turned the horse around to ride back towards Kinnaird castle. It was only a few kilometers away, and they could see it rising in the distance, gray against a backdrop of swirling white.
Faolan pounded steadily on the hard ground, and Jamie and Amelia’s bodies lifted slightly with each beat. But, soon enough, the few light snowflakes trailing their way down fell harder and thicker, until they could no longer see the castle.
Amelia held her breath, knowing they were close, but still fearful of their fate. She leaned back against Jamie’s hard chest, not embarrassed to catch what comfort she could from his presence.
