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She closed her eyes and swallowed before lifting the board she used as a lock. Just before pulling the door open, she plastered on a smile.
“Good morning.”
“Morning. I’d like a minute.”
Stepping back to allow him entrance she closed the door behind him, staving off the cold.
“May I get you some tea?”
“No. This won’t take long.”
She held her hand out toward the table. “Please take a seat.”
Her mom shuffled into the room and Elena pulled a chair out for her, nearest the fire.
Craig sat in the chair next to her mom and she sat in the third chair. They only had three chairs. It had been all they needed when her dad was alive.
“I want to thank you for all the years you’ve helped the Resistance by brewing the elixir. Without it, there are many things up here we wouldn’t have.” He addressed them both.
Her mom nodded. “Of course.”
She chose to remain silent. Her stomach tightened into a hard knot, and she didn’t know if she could form words right now.
“That said, we’re in need here. The mayor below has honored our tax deferment for one year. But next year we’ll be back to where we were this year. We need money to pay those taxes. The only way to do that is to sell elixir.”
Elena whispered. “Okay.”
“I’m going to need you to brew a second time this year. Some of the boys have gone off to other towns and found buyers, something Keaton Bennit had promised to do. But we’ll need more elixir to do that.”
She mentally calculated the supplies she had in store. She’d need more sugar and honey. She would be close with the plants she’d emulsified and stored but she’d have to up production of that.
Swallowing she took a breath. “I think I have enough plant stores. But I’ll have to up production of that. I may need help.” She glanced at her mom. “Mama can’t...”
She cleared her throat to remove the frog that sat firmly inside.
Craig interrupted. “I’ll get you help. Elenor’s daughter, Theresa, can help you. I understand she’s been helping her mom with her medicine. She should be valuable to you.”
“Okay.” She finally looked Craig in the eyes. “I’ll need more sugar.”
“I’ll have the boys go to Brookswood and get you sugar.”
She only nodded. Her breathing finally started to settle and her fingers stopped shaking, though she kept them in her lap just the same.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll need you to start tomorrow.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but it would sound like complaining. Craig held his hand up to stop her. “I’ll get the boys to help you with your errands today. I know when you’re brewing, things slide. I’ll have someone bring up water and I’ve already sent Brenner and Brock out hunting. They’ll get you some meat and smoke it for you. Theresa will be here in a bit to help with household chores.”
She swallowed again. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”
Craig stood and stared down at her. “It’s more selfish than kind. We need the money and you need to get brewing. I know this is double the work you usually do so I’m trying to help with that. If you need to forage for plants today, just tell Theresa what is needed here, and she can do your chores. Nothing stands in the way of this second batch. Understand?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Craig left and she exhaled heavily. After a few minutes, she turned to her mom, who sat staring at her.
“Can you do it?”
